Returning Lock Down Defenders

Being a lock down defender can take you a lot of places on the hardwood. Most prospects don't understand the concept that you are only the Division level that you can guard at the collegiate level. In this article we speak on some of the best lock-down defenders that the state of Iowa will have on the floor this upcoming Winter.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='342205' first='Jayla' last='Williams'] is highly regarded as the top defender out of the 2026 Class from the guard position in Iowa this upcoming Winter. Williams, the 5'9 CG and Creighton Women's Basketball Commit, has the combination of active hands, fast feet, natural instants of where and when the ball is going to be, all while being super athletic. None of this is new for Williams or the state of Iowa. This is someone that has been considered one of the best defenders that the state of Iowa has to offer ever since she was a Freshman. Now that she is putting her offensive game together as well, watch out. Who knows how far she might take things before everything is said and done.     [player_tooltip player_id='1154191' first='Brynn' last='Clarahan'] will return this Winter as last year's State Leader in Steals throughout the 2024-2025 season. Clarahan is a PG, who happened to rack up over 155+ Steals for her Freshman debut at Sigourney High School and I'm expecting that she could put up even better numbers this time around. If you want to record this many steals a game or a year, you must understand timing, the tendencies of your opponent, and what that opponent might do best. Clarahan took over as a first-year hooper last year within this program and I expect her to lead the pack once again over the next eight months. If she built on the foundation she put in place last Winter, she might get close to 200 this time around.     It's inevitable that [player_tooltip player_id='560333' first='Kendra' last='Boatman'] is going to put up a massive stat line as a Senior this Winter at Keokuk High School. Boatman should not only kill it on the defensive side of things but she should also lead her program offensively as a scorer, creator, facilitator, and rebounder. She is a three level scoring threat with a smart head on her shoulders when it comes to situational stuff. She can also keep it simple or put some flash on whatever she is attempting. It's really whatever the given situation might call for. Boatman is going to be a name we hear out of the state of Iowa for years to come with her commitment to D3 - Cornell. If she can carry her momentum from the past four years onto the next level, she is going to be able to look back at her basketball career as a really proud competitor.     It's time for [player_tooltip player_id='880903' first='Addie' last='McLaughlin'] to become the fast of Iowa City Women's High School Basketball. McLaughlin is a star. Simply put. A Point Guard with a D-1 level, that can shoot the leather off of the basketball while being a crafty creator and distributor to the teammates around her. Don't get it twisted though, McLaughlin can eat on defense as well. She recorded just over 100 Steals on the year on the way to the 2A State Tournament. Now that she is going to be solely responsible with all of their production on both sides of the ball, I expect even better numbers this time around. She is coming off of a AAU EYBL National Championship and she grabbed multiple D1 offers in the process. I expect that train to keep on rolling moving into this Winter but we will just have to wait and see how it plays out.     Dowling Catholic is going to have a chance this Winter to make another impressive run when the State Playoffs come around. Much like every other year at this point. Their source in the middle, who will be looked at for massive numbers of production on both offense and defense will be Mizzou commit, [player_tooltip player_id='582813' first='Ellie' last='Muller']. Muller, the 6'3 PF, is force to be reckoned with and someone that other opponents MUST worry about when they beat their initial defender and get into the middle of the lane. If not, it's going to be a block-party for Muller. With the graduation of Ava Zediker, this team has to find a leader to guide in all moment, big or small and Muller can be that if she plays with confidence in her own abilities.

Being a lock down defender can take you a lot of places on the hardwood. Most prospects don't understand the concept that you are only the Division level that you can guard at the collegiate level. In this article we speak on some of the best lock-down defenders that the state of Iowa will have on the floor this upcoming Winter.