PGH Freshman Showcase: DEFENSE!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always at showcase events, there was a lot of impressive offensive displays. But we were all thrilled to see some very high level defense at the the PGH Michigan Freshman Showcase. Let's take a look at some of the outstanding defensive displays!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750202' first='Madisyn' last='Aldridge'] (Hamady)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aldridge was great on both ends of the floor. We've read all about her offense, but her defense was stellar as well. She showed quick hands and fast feet while creating turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='750259' first='Olivia' last='Gadson'] (Holt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gadson was a standout defensive player at the event. It was all about energy and activity for her on that end. She never waited for a play to happen, but instead got after it and made defensive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751129' first='Aaleigha' last='Roberson'] (Portland)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberson can be a real defensive weapon. First of all, she's very active on the offensive glass limiting second shot opportunities. Roberson can defend multiple positions as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751141' first='Golden' last='Nicholson'] (DeWitt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholson can definitely cause a lot of chaos on the defensive end of the floor. She has a nose for the ball and forces offensive players to protect it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='665472' first='Samantha' last='Fuhs'] (Dearborn Divine Child)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fuhs has the chance to end up as an elite defensive player. She can defend on the perimeter and in the paint. Fuhs closes out on shooters fast and aggressively and even picked up a couple blocks on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751165' first='Ryenn' last='Becher'] (Linden)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Becher can be an absolute game changer on defense. Her length and wingspan is constantly in the mind of the opposing players. And it needs to be because she can wall up and send a lot of shots back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ella Lorente (Eaton Rapids)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lorente sent a message with her play on Sunday and that includes her defense. She does a great job reading the shooter and challenging the shot. There weren't many good looks over Lorente.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751130' first='Allison' last='Crighton'] (Orchard Lake St. Mary's)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crighton saw the floor and saw the action while playing defense. She read the passer and was quick in the passing lanes. Crighton has the ability to deflect a lot of balls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751144' first='Halie' last='Bishop'] (Lawton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop has a ton of defensive potential. A steal is great, but there's something to be said for a player that turns it into a bucket. I saw Bishop do just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751156' first='Kolbie' last='Roelofs'] (Royal Oak)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roelofs drew some eyes on her game at the defensive end of the floor. She has a chance to be a very special post defender. Roelofs had a way of and a knack for controlling the action in the paint. She was great at walling up and getting clean blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='807295' first='Natasha' last='Shell'] (Cass Tech)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shell made a statement with her defense at the event. She was an absolute energy defender. The kind of player that seems to even make her teammates faster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751146' first='Harper' last='Backus'] (Dexter)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Backus is going to be a tough player to score around in high school ball. Her combination of length and strength gives offenses fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->