Defensive Stoppers: The Unsung Heroes Every Team Needs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The value a defensive stopper adds is not always reflective in the box score. These are a few players from the <strong>PGH Dynasty Region Kickoff</strong> that displayed effective defense beyond just guarding the ball. Whether they were using communication, positioning, help-side awareness, contesting shots, closing out on shooters, fighting through screens, and creating turnovers, I found these individual players defense to be of great significance for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221991"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1ca0cec591"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abdullah has great lateral quickness and demonstrates her defensive IQ by forcing defenders baseline and cutting off the baseline. When the team went man, she guarded the opposition's leading scorer and biggest player and she was very physical with her. Quick footwork allowed her to shutdown the ball handler's ability to attack or get to the rim. Abdullah carried her team on the board on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["882422"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1ca0cec5f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones was aggressive in the press and used spot on anticipation to get steals. She patiently baits her opponent before launching in front for the steal. Upon causing turnovers and getting in transition, Jones likes to use the stutter step before changing pace to attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1223075"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1ca0cec639"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don't let size fool you. Coniglio may have been the smallest player on the court, but proved to be a pesky defender. She had interception after interception to convert layups on the other end. It was evident Coniglio understood her assignment as she made a great impact on defense.<br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1220890"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1ca0cec678"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matthews turned the defense up a notch for her team in the second half. Entry passes on her side of the press, led to steals, 5 second calls, or out of bounds turnovers. This defense resulted in Matthews squaring up in the corner for to knockdown 3-point field goals.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222683"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f1ca0cec6b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perkins plays the passing lanes to get tips out of bounds or transition break aways. Her subtle demeanor allows her to swoop in out of seemingly thin air to get steals. Perkins is one of those hustle players that coaches can depend on to give maximum effort the entire time on the court<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->