Defenders Assemble: New Years Top Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This month has had a lot of basketball with the Public vs Private School Showcase and the WCAC conference play in full swing. With the championship months approaching and knowing that defense wins championships, here are some of the top defenders of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BISHOPS: BMAC vs IRETON Round 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["787978"],"_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-696520dfdf864"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Qandace's defense can get over looked especially when she's averaging 38 points per game this year. Her length is very deceptive as she pluck balls away from ball handlers from a step away. She also is an exceptional shot blocker with the with the wingspan to deflect the ball at the top of the shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946891"],"_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-696520dfdf8ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mackenzie has been great on the defensive end. Her ability to transition from a perimeter defender to a post defender and back within the same play is an instinctive trait that most players don't have. She is one of the smartest players in the game with the ability to take over if she chooses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["838920"],"_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-696520dfdf93a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You can pencil in a couple of strip layups from her before the game even starts. Her defense consists of constant pressure and taking advantage of any weakness that the ballhandler has. Even the best of guards can get worn down eventually by her persistence. She created multiple turnovers and even 10 second back court violations singlehandedly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443362"],"_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-696520dfdf995"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Londyn was relentless on defense, she has great recovery speed if she's every beat to get right back in the play. She is frustrating for ballhandlers because she never goes away. She was perpetual motion on both ends in her game against the Mustangs. She ran herself into a late game cramp that she had to take a break to hydrate and recover from. Within minutes she came back with the same energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897837"],"_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-696520dfdf9db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Geornae used her strength to control the paint inside. She was able to move post players out of their spot without fouling. Her strength translated into the offensive end as well with her diving into the lane to catch and finish with contact. She was perfect from the line in her game against the Mustangs and she showed that she can stretch the floor by knocking down the three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->