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The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)

The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)
Byron Xerxes Livsey
Byron Xerxes Livsey January 22, 2026 @ 09:01 PM
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In this article:

Taylnn Heard
Taylnn Heard 6'0" | C | 2026
IL
Zaria Goins
Zaria Goins 5'7" | CG | 2026
IL
Ellie Noble
Ellie Noble 6'0" | SF/PF | 2027
IL
Ava Mersinger
Ava Mersinger 5'7" | PG/CG | 2027
IL
Clare Weasler
Clare Weasler 5'6" | PG | 2026
IL
<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Playoff basketball is all about possessions. The value of each one is at an all-time high, and when points are hard to come by, it usually means defensive concepts and schemes are firing on all cylinders. Below are a couple of defensive heavy players who can ultimately help win playoff games.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509126"],"_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-6972e485b62c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Loyola is on a roll once again this year, and Weasler is one of the main reasons why that is. Her impact goes beyond putting the ball in the bucket. She is a player who simply plays to win, and at the top of that could be her energy on the defensive end. Regardless of her size, Weasler is always up for the task to deal with the best guard if the possession causes a 1:1 situation. She has a great IQ in the help, and is quick enough to gamble in the passing lanes. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["626814"],"_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-6972e485b6338"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Mersinger is one of the top scorers in her class as well as on her program, but with playoffs coming up, Mersinger could lean more towards her ability to lock down guards with her aggression and speed, rather than put all her energy into scoring. She is quick, she's aware, and shows a strong amount of sicspline to not get into consistent foul trouble. Benet should find their way to Redbird Arena, and Mersinger's ability to slow down her matchup will be key. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1219690"],"_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-6972e485b6384"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Waubonsie has been having another strong season so far this year, and with a good amount of scoring on this team, Heard brings defensive pressure that covers the paint. She knows how to stay straight and high and block shots without needing to jump. She will definitely be a major piece to how deep this team goes this year. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732509"],"_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-6972e485b63cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>West will not be an easy team to beat at all when the playoffs kick off next month, and the top of everyone's scouting report will be Noble. She'll be a major problem on the offensive side, but she also has the defensive skill set to win a game if the offense is tough to get to. She can guard 2-5, and has no issue guarding the 1 if the possession comes to it. She has the length, the muscle, and also the awareness to know when to react without fouling. She can be your paint blanket or cover the perimeter. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811456"],"_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-6972e485b6414"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Trinity has been seen as a playoff-built team since the beginning, and so far this season theyve shown that. At the top of their lockdown defender list is Goins. This kid is beyond disciplined and focused on the defensive end, and it's her body control, foot speed, and strength that allow her to bring frustration to guards. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Playoff basketball is all about possessions. The value of each one is at an all-time high, and when points are hard to come by, it usually means defensive concepts and schemes are firing on all cylinders. Below are a couple of defensive heavy players who can ultimately help win playoff games.

Clare Weasler

Clare Weasler

HEIGHT 5'6"
POS PG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Clare
Weasler PG
Class
2026
Height
5'6"
HS
Loyola Academy
|
IL
The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)
Loyola is on a roll once again this year, and Weasler is one of the main reasons why...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops​.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Clare Weasler

Twitter
State: Illinois
School: Loyola Academy
Club: Wolverinas
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Northern Illinois
Ava Mersinger

Ava Mersinger

IL
PG/CG
HEIGHT 5'7"
POS PG/CG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Ava
Mersinger PG/CG
Class
2027
Height
5'7"
HS
Benet Academy
|
IL
The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)
Mersinger is one of the top scorers in her class as well as on her program, but with...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Northern Illinois
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops​.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Ava Mersinger

Instagram Twitter
State: Illinois
School: Benet Academy
Club: All in
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Taylnn Heard

Taylnn Heard

HEIGHT 6'0"
POS C
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Taylnn
Heard C
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
HS
Waubonsie Valley
|
IL
The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)
Waubonsie has been having another strong season so far this year, and with a good amount of scoring...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops​.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Taylnn Heard

State: Illinois
School: Waubonsie Valley
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Northern Illinois
Ellie Noble

Ellie Noble

IL
SF/PF
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS SF/PF
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Ellie
Noble SF/PF
Class
2027
Height
6'0"
HS
Glenbard West
|
IL
The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)
West will not be an easy team to beat at all when the playoffs kick off next month,...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Northern Illinois
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops​.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Ellie Noble

Instagram Twitter
State: Illinois
School: Glenbard West
Club: Wisconsin Lakers
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Zaria Goins

Zaria Goins

IL
CG
HEIGHT 5'7"
POS CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Zaria
Goins CG
Class
2026
Height
5'7"
IL
The Defensive Players Built to Win Playoff Games (3A/4A)
Trinity has been seen as a playoff-built team since the beginning, and so far this season theyve shown...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops​.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Zaria Goins

Instagram
State: Illinois
Club: Chicago Hoops Express
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Prep Girls Hoops

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