More Lockdown Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">We previously wrote an article about Lockdown Defenders from ND. That was not enough, we have more defenders to look at!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">What wins games and championships?&nbsp;DEFENSE!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"14px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:14px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">What makes a Lockdown Defender</span>?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">Great anticipation, quick feet, extra hustle, lateral movement, understanding angles, altering/blocking/contesting shots, ubiquitous NRG, killer closeouts, helping the helper, bumping cutters, blue-collar work, quickness, athleticism, communication, grit, persistence, taking charges, effort, committing smart fouls, physicality, strength, length, heart, toughness communicating, unselfishness, clean footwork, awareness, sharp reactions, mental toughness, and many more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">See below for comments of 5 ballers from NoDak</span>...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1147804,"width":"251px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/01/lockdowndefenders.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1147804" style="width:251px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935272' first='Emma' last='Bixby'] (2025) |5'4 G| Sargent County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a serious defender for the Sargent County Bulldogs who are one of the top squads in class B. She typically defends guards but also does a good job of pressuring/defending forwards who handle the ball. She is one of, if not, the quickest guards that coach Syrstad has ever been around. She takes away her opponent's dominant hand and picks them up full court.&nbsp;Emma has led the Bulldogs in steals for the last three seasons. She plays the top of pressure/trapping zones mid-court or full-court. She also defends well in man-to-man D, and will lock another player up if needed in a box &amp; 1 or a triangle &amp; 2. Bixby is a straight-up lockdown defender!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166054' first='Holly' last='Stuber']&nbsp;(2026) |5'5 G| South Heart</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>WHY?</em></span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stuber is one of the best defenders for the Eagles. She defends perimeter/guards and is full of versatility. Holly is a great defender. She has a will to win and will never be outworked by anyone.&nbsp;Stuber understands the importance of defense and that success comes when she and the Eagles execute defensive strategy correctly. You won't find many athletes quicker than Holly.&nbsp;She knows how to use her speed and will make it a challenge for the best athletes to score.&nbsp;Stuber rarely gets beat to the basket and is always in position.&nbsp;She usually has the toughest defensive assignment and takes it with pride.&nbsp;One of the top characteristics about Holly is how coachable she is! She can be told to make an adjustment and the next defensive possession she's already made the changes.&nbsp;Holly leads the team by example, is a team player, has had many accomplishments thus far in her career, and has many more to coming her way!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166050' first='Isabel' last='Wendel'] (2025) |5'7 G| Carrington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a D-stopper for the 13-1 #3 ranked Cardinals. Wendel is a versatile backcourt defender who can lock up positions 1-3. Isabel is quick, strong, disciplined, and smart! She stays in front of ball handlers, rebounds well, and is an excellent communicator!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166053' first='Kadyn' last='Braun'] (2026) |5'3 G| Our Redeemer's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braun is the PG for the Knights and her job is to lock up opposing point guards. Kadyn is extremely quick. She has great instincts and anticipation. She moves very well from side to side and plays very physically for her size.&nbsp;Braun hustles hard, gets steals, and turns defense into offense!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166052' first='Mikayla' last='Altringer'] (2025) |5'11 F| Our Redeemer's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">WHY?</span></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a talented forward who does great work defending the top players from opposing teams. Mikayla is almost 6 foot and moves like a guard, she is an impressive athlete. Altringer can also move very well from side to side. She can lock down both the post and the perimeter.&nbsp;Mikayla hustles hard, gets steals, blocks, and rebounds. She locks down the best player from the opposition and this allows the Knights to create offense on the other end. Altringer is a lockdown defender and a playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":889728,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-889728" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->