PGH: All Eyes On the Oregon Expo - Top Defenders

While there was loads of offensive talent that stood out at the PGH Oregon Top 250, defense is what I really kept my eye out for the most. Anyone can shoot the ball, but can a player stay in front of a quick ball handler? Does a player have fast hands and good defensive instincts? Quite a few amongst the many really made a presence on the defensive end that I would like to acknowledge. These girls showed the ability to time their swipes well, hustle after loose balls, and send a shot back a couple of feet. While all the attendees showed a knack to play defense, some stood out a bit more than others. [caption id="attachment_344427" align="alignleft" width="324"]<img class="wp-image-344427" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/59-McKylee-Hawkins.jpg" alt="" width="324" height="216" /> McKylee Hawkins[/caption] McKylee Hawkins | Wing | Bothell | 2024 McKylee Hawkins is a player I highlighted in my last article covering the top shooters. And it wasn’t just her shooting ability that she showed off at the expo. She was a defensive pest every single game I watched her play. She moves her arms around really well, and Hawkins was able to steal a lot of passes that way. Her active hands, and her hounding ability to get up in her opponents face makes her hard to get around. While she had multiple steals a game, she also would come up with a block or two as well. Her defensive IQ is top notch for her age, and I can only see her getting better and being an intimidating, frustrating player to deal with down the line. Jasmine Davidson | Forward | Clackamas | 2025 When I watched Jasmine Davidson play, I really believed that she must have been one of the oldest players in the expo. Her overall playing ability reminded me of a mature veteran, who understands the game and carries the intangibles with her whenever she’s on the court. I was in disbelief when I discovered that she’s set to graduate four years from now. You’ll be seeing Davidsons name a lot in future articles, and her great defensive skillset is what makes [caption id="attachment_344417" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-344417 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/73-Jasmine-Davidson-e1635098349422-300x240.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="240" /> Jasmine Davis[/caption] her belong in this list as well. Her length makers her an extremely valuable help defender, and her size and quickness helps her stay on ball as well. With her wingspan, Davidson can get up for blocks too, as I saw her have multiple blocks in numerous games. Some teams looked a bit wary of driving to paint once she was down there. I’m really looking forward to seeing how much stronger she becomes as gets older.     [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"] | Wing | Sam Barlow | 2023 I didn’t see anyone play with as much swagger and grittiness more than [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"] did. Not shy of throwing her body on the ground for a loose ball, Shuler really impressed me with how tough and confident she displayed herself. Always seemed focused on not letting the ball handler get past her, she has quick hands which lets her get multiple poke aways a game. Her defensive ability on top of her already solid scoring talent makes her a tremendous two way player coming into this season. Another thing that struck me about Shuler is how much she talks on the court, and carries herself as a captain, as a leader. She made a new fan in me last Sunday, and she has tons of promise going into her junior year. I envision some defensive teams in her future if she keeps it up. [player_tooltip player_id="342771" first="Payton" last="Ratcliffe"] | Forward | Wilsonville | 2025 [caption id="attachment_344428" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-344428 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/58-Kennedie-Shuler.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"][/caption]Another player who has already been mentioned in my past article on top shooters, [player_tooltip player_id="342771" first="Payton" last="Ratcliffe"] stood out more for her defensive intangibles than her offensive game, which is saying something considering she has a solid offensive skillset. She was one of the tallest competitors out there, and she sure made her presence known in the paint. She was one of the leading shot blocking players coming out of the expo, and like Jasmine Davidson, she made players almost afraid of driving to the basket. The intimidation factor is there, and Ratcliffe’s shot blocking consistency can make her be on of the top players on the court at all times. She crashed the defensive board well and ran the floor hard. Ratcliffe put on a great defensive display at the expo and she will continue to do so. [player_tooltip player_id="158558" first="Eliza" last="Buerk"] | Forward | Clackamas | 2023 Why would I mention one of the tallest players at the expo and not the other? Especially when the other one, [player_tooltip player_id="158558" first="Eliza" last="Buerk"], is also a defensive beast. High school teammate with Jasmine Davidson, [player_tooltip player_id="158558" first="Eliza" last="Buerk"] showed that she is a fantastic paint presence who is a terrific shot blocker. Buerk is incredibly reliable in being able to contest shots without fouling the shooter. She knows to go straight up with the arms, and she’s able to get multiple blocks a game that way. She is a monster on the glass and displayed very quick feet too, which I was surprised and quite impressed by. What some may not notice is how much Buerk communicates with her teammates on defense too. She showed tremendous defensive IQ and helped her teammates play smarter too. Sophia Zufelt | Wing | Lake City | 2024 [caption id="attachment_344440" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-344440 size-medium" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/42-Sophia-Zufelt-300x205.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="205" /> Sophia Zufelt[/caption] Just a really solid on ball defender is Sophia Zufelt. She really moved her feet well and hardly ever got caught ball watching. She stuck to her assignment and made them work to get open. Coaches would want a player like Zufelt on their team, because they’re getting a capable one on one defender and shot contester. She doesn’t look like she’d be the gritty type, but watching her you can just see a competitor who doesn’t want anyone to beat her. I have to applaud her ability to close out on corners, and force her matchup into tough shots. Much like Shuler, I envision many all defensive teams in the future. [player_tooltip player_id="158548" first="Micah" last="Wicks"] | Guard | Sutherlin | 2023 [caption id="attachment_344464" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-344464 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/10/7-Micah-Wicks.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="158548" first="Micah" last="Wicks"][/caption]One of the strongest and toughest defenders for her size, [player_tooltip player_id="158548" first="Micah" last="Wicks"] really impressed me with how many steals she was able to secure and how quick with her hands and feet she is on get deflections. I could tell she at certain points was annoying the other team, just by how much of a pest she was on the defensive end. One of the smallest players on the court at times showing the biggest heart. A true player who brings energy and a winning mentality. [player_tooltip player_id="158548" first="Micah" last="Wicks"] will have a big season if she continues playing with that championship mindset every game. Another coaches ideal player, especially in crunch time. Dylan Mogel | Wing | Clackamas | 2025 If I was a betting man, I would throw all my money at Clackamas having the top rated defense this season. Three players from the same school all showing tons of intelligence on the defensive end. While Davidson and Buerk already makes Clackamas dangerous, Dylan Mogel only makes their defense so much better. She helps by how great of a help defender and off ball menace she is. She has great size for her position, so she has a good advantage on reading passing lanes and being first to the ball. She showed great hustle and really liked seeing her dive for loose balls. She did a great job staying with her assignment around screens, and also had a hand up in their grill. A really good 3 and D player, and the D really stood out to me throughout the whole expo. One of the best help side defenders I saw, and knows how to play close to the rim as well, which helps her earn a block or two a game.