If Defense Wins Championships, These Teams Could be a Lock

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a reason Deer Park (2A) and Ridgeline (3A) sit where they do in the GSL conversation. Their success isn't dependent on one-night scoring runs or favorable matchups — it's rooted in defense. Ball pressure, rebounding discipline, and the ability to turn stops into momentum have defined both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If defense really does win championships, these five players are a major reason why Deer Park and Ridgeline are positioning themselves to contend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["580528"],"_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-6972e405b4772"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deer Park currently owns a <strong>league-best +44 average point differential</strong>, and Boesel's defensive impact is a major driver of that separation. She leads the team in both <strong>steals (26)</strong> and <strong>defensive rebounds (25)</strong> — a combination that shuts down possessions and limits second chances. Her ability to disrupt passing lanes and finish defensive stops with rebounds has made it difficult for opposing offenses to sustain rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928125"],"_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-6972e405b4816"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bryant embodies the idea that the best offense often starts with defense. With <strong>21 steals</strong> and <strong>100+ points scored</strong> already this season, she consistently turns takeaways into damage on the other end. It's one thing to force turnovers; it's another to immediately capitalize on them. Bryant does both, and that two-way pressure has been a defining feature of Deer Park's identity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["918760"],"_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-6972e405b488a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ridgeline has allowed <strong>fewer than 200 total points in league play</strong>, and Sheridan's fingerprints are all over that number. She's posted <strong>56 steals</strong> and <strong>69 defensive rebounds</strong>, leading the Falcons in both categories while ranking among the top defenders in the state statistically. Her ability to anticipate, disrupt, and finish possessions has helped Ridgeline control games long before the final horn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noelia Axton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridgeline","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6972e405b497d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Axton's numbers jump off the page — especially given her age. The freshman has already totaled <strong>25 steals</strong> and <strong>43 defensive rebounds</strong>, an impressive stat line for any GSL player. Her instincts, activity level, and willingness to compete through contact have accelerated her impact, and she's quickly establishing herself as a defensive piece Ridgeline can rely on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759432"],"_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-6972e405b49ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crowley continues to build one of the most complete defensive profiles in the league. With <strong>25 steals</strong> and <strong>58 defensive rebounds</strong>, she's on pace to finish the season as a GSL stat leader across multiple categories. If Ridgeline makes a championship run, it will be fueled by her ability to anchor possessions, clean the glass, and set a defensive standard every night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Park and Ridgeline don't just defend — they <strong>dictate</strong>. Through pressure, rebounding, and discipline, these players have helped turn defense into a reliable advantage. Championships are rarely won on highlights alone, and if either program finishes their season on top, the foundation will be built on stops like these.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->