Defensive Player of the Year: Logan Miller

With the rise of stat keeping and social media highlights reels in today's era of basketball, it's easy to get caught up in point totals, scoring records, and logo threes. Many would even credit the recent rise in popularity of the women's game to Indiana Fever guard and former Iowa Hawkeyes offensive dynamo, Caitlin Clark. There's no doubt about it, scoring is a big part of the game. But just as, if not more important, is the art of defense. The players who pride themselves on it can always find a roster spot, and often go on to do great things at whatever level they end up playing at. More often than not, it's the very best players that excel at both ends of the court.   Former Tennessee Volunteers head coach, the late and great Pat Summitt, said it best, “Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. Rebounding wins championships”. For her outstanding efforts on the defensive end this season, we've selected Andover's [player_tooltip player_id='644896' first='Logan' last='Miller'] as our Prep Girls Hoops Defensive Player of the Year.   Whether suiting up for the [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2028 UAA squad, USA Basketball, or Andover, we've seen Miller's game blossom over the past year. At 6'4, the Huskies sophomore is a dominant presence in the post, using her size, strength, and physicality to shut down her opponents all season long. Logan certainly scored her fair share of buckets this season, setting both the single-game record with 46 points last month, and the season scoring record of 659 points for Andover. At the end of the day, it was her defense that truly shined.    Miller averaged a whopping 15.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 3.2 blocks per game in her sophomore campaign, leading her team in all three statistical categories. Not to mention, she was top 5 in the state in both boards and blocks, and set a new single game rebounding record of 25 for Andover. Ranked 5th in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2028, what makes Logan's defense so great is her tenacity on the glass and willingness to box out and get physical. Add in her athleticism and light feet, which allow Miller to slide over and stop drives to the basket, plus her timing and ability to alter shots without fouling. Combine all of that with her large, powerful frame and she becomes a total powerhouse in the paint. In addition to all of her record-setting performances, Miller picked up offers from Iowa, Iowa State, and Mizzou this season. We can't wait to see what she does at the next level.    HONORABLE MENTIONS   [player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] – 2027 Forward, Hopkins   Walker has been one of the state's most dominant defenders for several years now. Serving as the anchor for a loaded Hopkins squad, the 6'0 forward is a highly physical, tenacious defender who thrives on doing the dirty work. The Royals junior led the team in both points and rebounds this season, helping lead the team back to the State Championship game for another year. The 4th-ranked prospect in the Prep Girl's Hoops Class of 2027, Erma is a Division 1 prospect with offers from Marquette, South Dakota, Seattle, and more. She will play her final AAU season for [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan']'s 17U EYBL squad this spring.   [player_tooltip player_id='362575' first='Callie' last='Oakland'] – 2026 Forward, St. Croix Lutheran (Northern Iowa)   Oakland closed out her high school career as Minnesota's leading rebounder, with 559 boards this season, and over 1,500 in her time at St. Croix Lutheran. The Crusaders post player locked down the paint all winter, using her physicality and sheer strength to shut down her opponents attempts to get to the rim. In addition to her team-high 24.5 points and 18.6 boards per game, Callie averaged nearly 3 blocks and 1.5 steals. With a knack for putting the ball in the basket and a relentless attitude on the defensive end, Oakland is bound to do big things at the collegiate level. She will play for Division 1 Northern Iowa next fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'] – 2029 Guard, Cretin-Derham Hall   From being named First Team All-Tournament after State earlier this month, to making the top All-Freshman Team in the PGH postseason awards, we've covered Hamiel's meteoric rise extensively in recent weeks. Having just picked up an offer from the Sweet Sixteen bound Golden Gophers, it's easy to see why. In addition to Madeleine's high basketball IQ and ability to score at every level, is her commitment to excellence on the defensive end. With explosive quickness and the ability to think three steps ahead of her opponents, the Cretin-Derham Hall freshman locked down the perimeter plenty of times this season. Hamiel is sure to bring the same to the EYBL circuit this summer.    <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emma-millerbernd/">Emma Millerbernd</a> – 2027 Guard, Providence Academy   Having been recognized for her efforts on the defensive end in our AAU Awards back in August and the high school Postseason Awards last March, it's not exactly surprising to see Millerbernd on this list. In addition to her 20 points per game, Emma averaged 4.9 rebounds and 3 steals per game for Providence Academy this season. With quick hands, the ability to anticipate passes, and knowing when to take a gamble at the ball, the Lions junior was a matchup nightmare, particularly in their recent State Championship run. Having already picked up offers from Illinois State, Toledo, and more, the Division 1 prospect will make her final lap around the AAU circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] this summer.    [player_tooltip player_id='734360' first='Gigi' last='Coleman'] – 2027 Guard, Minnehaha Academy.    The Minnehaha Academy junior stepped up in a big way this season, serving as one of the team's leading scorers, as well as the linchpin in the Redhawks defense. A quick, scrappy perimeter defender, Coleman plays with a tenacity that you just can't teach. The Minnehaha guard relishes a challenge and isn't afraid to put her body on the line, making her well-suited to take on some of the toughest assignments in Class 2A. The 35th ranked prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2027, Gigi is set to play AAU for the [program_tooltip program_id='714566' first='Minnesota' last='Stars'] 2027 3SSB squad this summer.

With the rise of stat keeping and social media highlights reels in today's era of basketball, it's easy to get caught up in point totals, scoring records, and logo threes. Many would even credit the recent rise in popularity of the women's game to Indiana Fever guard and former Iowa Hawkeyes offensive dynamo, Caitlin Clark. There's no doubt about it, scoring is a big part of the game. But just as, if not more important, is the art of defense. The players who pride themselves on it can always find a roster spot, and often go on to do great things at whatever level they end up playing at. More often than not, it's the very best players that excel at both ends of the court.