<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Getting into the paint in Hampton Roads is easy. Finishing there is the real problem. The real problem is waiting at the rim. The defensive anchors who don't just contest shots, they shut down entire game plans. These are THOSE defenders! The rim protectors of Hampton Roads. When guards get beat and offenses think they've found an opening, these athletes close the door. Turning scoring opportunities into defensive statements.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["569079"],"_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-699da94d6c400"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">At 6'9", Ruop protects the rim on presence alone. Her length forces opposing guards to hesitate, turning aggressive drives into pull-up jumpers and pushing teams to search for answers from the perimeter instead of attacking the paint.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>However, when opponents get brave and challenge the basket, Ruop becomes the great eraser.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Her ability to block, alter, and redirect shots doesn't just stop possessions it reshapes offensive game plans. Furthermore Ruop forces teams to rethink spacing, timing, and shot selection. While constantly searching for ways to score without having to deal with her presence in the lane.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Ruop doesn't just defend the rim; she dictates how the game is played around it.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["551366"],"_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-699da94d6c46a"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">At 5'10", Cooper protects the paint for Kings Fork through technique, timing, and high-level athleticism rather than sheer size. Utilizing disciplined footwork and elite shot-tracking ability allow her to cover ground quickly, track down attempts, and turn scoring opportunities into defensive stops.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Cooper doesn't just contest shots she finishes possessions. By securing blocks and recovering loose balls, she eliminates second-chance opportunities and shifts momentum in her team's favor.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Through precise timing and sound defensive fundamentals, Cooper consistently redirects, deflects, and blocks shots cleanly. Her technically refined approach makes her a feared and reliable presence in the paint, proving that rim protection is as much about skill and anticipation as it is about height.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1122575"],"_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-699da94d6c4b4"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Dominant by presence alone, at 6'7" Ware stands as one of the most intimidating forces in Hampton Roads girls basketball. Her length and size alone force opponents to rethink their approach, turning confident drives into hesitant floaters and rushed perimeter attempts.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Ware doesn't need to block every shot to control the paint — her presence alone alters them.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>However, when teams dare to challenge her at the rim, she responds decisively. Ware possesses the ability to block or deflect nearly anything in her vicinity, erasing clean looks and disrupting offensive rhythm. As a result, many teams simply avoid the paint altogether, settling instead for contested, low-percentage shots from the outside.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Ware doesn't just protect the rim, she dictates where opponents are allowed to score.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["387393"],"_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-699da94d6c502"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Ragland impacts games with her ability to alter and challenge shots from the mid-range all the way to the rim. Combining defensive instincts with elite mobility, she uses the same explosive first step seen in her offensive game to cover ground quickly and protect the paint.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Her closing speed allows her to rotate effectively as a help defender, contesting shots and disrupting rhythm without sacrificing position.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Around the basket, Ragland's quick hands become a weapon. She consistently strips ballhandlers who try to attack the rim, turning potential scoring opportunities into defensive stops and momentum shifts.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Ragland's versatility makes her more than a rim protector. She's a defensive disruptor capable of impacting every level of the floor.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Rim protection in Hampton Roads does not come in just one form. It comes in towering length, in disciplined technique, it comes in explosive recovery speed. These are the defensive instincts that change possessions before they ever show up in the box score.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Getting into the paint in Hampton Roads is easy. Finishing there is the real problem. The real problem is waiting at the rim. The defensive anchors who don't just contest shots, they shut down entire game plans. These are THOSE defenders! The rim protectors of Hampton Roads. When guards get beat and offenses think they've found an opening, these athletes close the door. Turning scoring opportunities into defensive statements.
HEIGHT
6'8"
POS
C
CLASS
2026
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
5'10"
POS
SF
CLASS
2028
State:
Virginia
School:
Kings Fork
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
6'7"
POS
C
CLASS
2028
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
6'2"
POS
PF
CLASS
2026
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in