Top-Notch Defenders Ready To Compete

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article we cover five top-notch defenders that are ready for the season to kick off this week. Each of these players posted some noteworthy numbers defensively while putting on for their team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["560333"],"_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-6923c0ea6fe3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='560333' first='Kendra' last='Boatman'] is sure to impress this Winter at Keokuk High School for her Senior season. Boatman, a 5'9 CG, has been her team's main source of production for years now but something she doesn't get enough credit for is her defensive ability. She is solid as someone that can defend on and off of the ball. She understands when she needs to be on the ball, in help side, or in-between depending where the rock is at. Last Winter Boatman registered a lot go steals throughout her season and I'm sure that won't change over the next six months. I'm sure she will put up similar, if not better numbers when the dust settles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1044928"],"_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-6923c0ea6fed6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1044928' first='Audra' last='Burbridge'] was one of the best players that her conference had to offer as a Freshman and I'm hoping that she can build on that for her Sophomore season ahead. Burbridge has natural instincts in this game of Basketball. She knows when to do what, she has a great feel for situations unfolding in front of her in real time, and she makes things seem effortless on both sides of the ball. She thrives as a PG offensively and she can make her mark being a stingy defender as well. All in all, we saw a lot of good things out of Burbridge in the past, so we have hope there will be more of that moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896434"],"_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-6923c0ea6ff58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If [player_tooltip player_id='896434' first='Adalee' last='Klein'] can hold own over the next few months for Regina Catholic, they should make it back to the State Tournament at the end of the year. Klein comes into this Winter at 6'1 with some promise to her play-style. Last season she was force to deal with in middle of the lane as a competitor. She tipped, deflected, and altered almost every shot that came close to her between the blocks, demonstrating that she has good discipline while having some quick reflexes along with her natural length. This is a hooper that should receive several opportunities to make a difference once again this Winter with the Regals. She just needs to keep it simple and the rest will be history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1262585"],"_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-6923c0ea6ffd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is a lot of people around the State of Iowa that will be watching [player_tooltip player_id='1262585' first='Taylor' last='Evans'] closely this season for her Sophomore year. Evans is one of the tallest prospects that the state has to offer in general. No matter Class or age level. Evans takes the floor right at 6'3 and the stats she posted as a Freshman back that up. Evans finished off the Winter with 138 Blocks in 22 games, averaging out to 6.3 a contest. As you can tell, it's a problem when opponents want to attack the basket because Evans is there waiting. She alters almost every shot within the arch with her size and that's noteworthy. If Evans can replicate these numbers over the next six months and their team does well, i'm sure they will be the topic of conversation as we travel into 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1190186"],"_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-6923c0ea70052"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hinton High School is favored to win the 2A State Champions once again this season because of the personal they will return. Someone who was a big piece to the team puzzle last time around, who will be put in the same position this time around is their C/PF - [player_tooltip player_id='1190186' first='Raelyn' last='Kempema']. Kempema stepped on the Varsity floor as a Freshman and killed it in her efforts. She played with confidence, she played with discipline, she never seemed to get down on herself or her teammates, she played with skill, and she always left it all out on the floor. All of those things led her to being a tough individual to stop offensively and someone to note defensively. She stopped a lot of teams with her stature in the middle and that is something not everyone can say for themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->