Defensive-Minded Superstars Paving Their Path to Victory

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The statement in basketball that has been made for decades still remains true to this day. Defense wins championships. With the back end of the season fully underway, it's important to recognize the defensive stars who've shown up when it matters most. Let's talk about it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["631346"],"_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-6979841ad3361"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='631346' first='London' last='Taylor'] is one of the most elusive combo guards in her class, with a handle on a string and her eyes peeled for open teammates. However, the statistic that jumps out at me is her immense contribution of 5.2 SPG. Defending the perimeter and the post comes easy for Taylor, being able to lock down all five positions on the floor at 5'7. Without an ounce of panick in Taylor's veins, she oozes confidence and poise each trip down the floor. Watch out, because Taylor airways has already taken off.</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":"Maddy Wright ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mead","_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-6979841ad3430"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maddy Wright puts on the clamps, defending the perimeter while being a pest to her matchup, giving Wright's assignment no room to work with. A few of her stats that stand out the most are 8.5 RPG and a whopping 4.2 SPG. At 5'10, Wright has no problem utilizing her lengthy wingspan to cause panic in the opposing coaches' eyes. What Wright does best is capitalizing on momentum and being a bright spark of energy for her squad. On a solid 12-5 Mead squad looking to stay consistent, Wright is a key piece of the puzzle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792713"],"_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-6979841ad3487"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='792713' first='Khloe' last='Miller'] has kicked off her 2026 season on the strongest note, sending shots off the rim and annihilating her opponents. Coming up with a monstrous 4 BPG, Miller has established herself as the best center in her class and for good reason. Communicating helpside and rotating as needed, any coach is lucky to have her in their starting lineup. At 6'3, Miller commands attention and has proven to be a lethal threat on both ends of the hardwood. </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":"Bella Blaisdell","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Falcon","_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-6979841ad3514"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bella Blaisdell leads the Falcons in steals (3 SPG) and blocks (0.5 BPG) with no signs of slowing down. The 6'1 junior never has an ounce of panic in her, staying composed, collected, and focused on the task at hand at all times. Boxing out her assignment and getting physical to secure more rebounds, Blaisdell brings second-chance opportunities frequently. Alongside knockdown shooter Cobelyn Wiesner, Blaisdell is surrounded by players who make a difference in a multitude of ways, one being herself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566366"],"_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-6979841ad355a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='566366' first='Kinley' last='Asp'] is Air Academy's constant heartbeat, producing incredible numbers on a consistent game-to-game basis. With a dialed-in mindset and a relentless motor, Asp is averaging a jaw-dropping 24.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.9 SPG, and 3.8 APG. This one-of-a-kind caliber of consistency speaks volumes to her progress over the past few years. Leading Air Academy to a 14-2 record and the 21st-ranked team in the box state, there is no denying Asp's immense impact on the hardwood, hence her top-three ranking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->