“All Aboard the D-Train”

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No, I am not referring to the iconic Mr. McClain. I am calling all of the defensive stoppers that are jumping on the train to make it to states! I am a firm believer that defense wins championships. After all, Bear Bryant did state, "Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships." Below are a few athletes that standout defensively, and they have the potential to help their teams' to state:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840057"],"_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-69850969dadb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Law recently surpassed the 1,000 career point mark as a junior! The 5'8 guard continues to standout for Ritchie County. Elsa leads her team in points, assists, rebounds, &amp; steals! She does an outstanding job getting offensive rebounds <strong>(3.1 per game)</strong> and defensive boards <strong>(4.9 per game)</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She has the heart of a champion that fights for every loose ball, and goes after every rebound. She knows how to follow her shot and finish. There is so much to love about Law's game. Elsa's killer defense can set the tone for the rest of the team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["736454"],"_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-69850969dae1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior guard leads her team in assists, steals, and blocked shots. Britton also averages 8.4 rebounds per game. She's a stat stuffer that knows how to turn defense to offense. Makinley plays with a non-stop motor and her energy is contagious on both ends of the floor. She does a great job using her length to block shots, and she remains at the top spot in this statistical category in the state. Britton averages 5 blocks per game! Sissonville will need this top shot blocker to make it on the train to Charleston. The defense by Britton and her team can make it happen! </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":"Tylar Burks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_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":"Princeton","_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-69850969daece"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This dual-sport athlete is the diamond that the state should make note of now. She averages 5.1 rebounds per game. Burks leads Princeton in defensive rebounds. In a recent win over East Fairmont, Tylar poured in 11 points and added 7 rebounds. Burks is establishing herself as an anchor on both sides of the floor. Princeton prides themselves on the defensive end. Burks is a crucial piece of this team! I do believe with maximum effort, and heart; we could see this Princeton squad heading on the train (bus) to Charleston! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268348"],"_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-69850969daf1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my opinion, Morgantown is the team that continues to battle the most adversity. The next man up mentality has set in and this team continues to play excellent defense. Clinton remains one of the best on ball defenders, and she is only a freshman. Ava does an outstanding job disrupting opponents. If Morgantown makes a championship run, it will be fueled by the all-around play by Clinton, and her defensive energy that she brings every night! The future for the Mohigans is incredibly bright! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728687"],"_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-69850969daf61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nitro is one of the teams that we will see again in March. Mika is a leader and she averages right at 4.6 assists per game. In a recent win over Winfield, Adams poured in 13 points and added 4 steals. She leads her team in steals, averaging 3.2 per game. Mika plays with relentless effort on both ends of the court. She is the first one diving for loose balls, and she is the first one to set the defensive tone with her tenacious defense! This kid never stops working and she should definitely have more eyes on her! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->