21 More Lockdown Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Dakotas is back for its second take a Lockdown Defenders from ND.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}},"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">What wins games and championships?&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline">DEFENSE!</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What makes a Lockdown Defender?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">Great anticipation, quick feet, extra hustle, lateral movement, understanding angles, altering/blocking/contesting shots, ubiquitous NRG, killer closeouts, helping the helper, bumping cutters, blue-collar work, quickness, athleticism, communication, grit, persistence, taking charges, effort, committing smart fouls, physicality, strength, length, heart, toughness communicating, unselfishness, clean footwork, awareness, sharp reactions, mental toughness, and many more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See below for reasons why these ballers are Lockdown Defenders...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2725434,"width":"240px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/lockdowndefenders.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/lockdowndefenders.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2725434" style="width:240px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2428677' first='Bensyn' last='Schirado'] (2028) |5'9 G| &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2631420' first='Tucker' last='Keller'] (2025) |6'1 G| Beulah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benny &amp; Tucker are the top defenders for the Miners. Schirado and Keller are both often assigned to guard the other team's top guards and have done a great job thus far. They are pesky, aggravating, and they hoop with a high motor. Benny is a fearless frosh who will sacrifice his body to get on the floor for loose balls. Schirado and Keller will do anything to help the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2255543' first='Brad' last='Kinzler'] (2025) |6'0 G| EKM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kinzler can defend all positions 1-5 but he usually guards the other teams 4 or 5 man. Brad is a good-sized guard with a nice basketball build. He is full of athleticism and toughness, these attributes make him a great defender. Kinzler's activity on the defensive end is very disruptive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1557703' first='Brennan' last='Schramm'] (2026) |5'9 G| Park River/Fordville-Lankin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schramm is great at applying intense ball pressure. He can hound guards with his quickness, speed, and persistence. Schramm is very good at preventing open shots from the perimeter and penetration into the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734746' first='Brooklyn' last='Johnson'] (2025) |5'9 G| TGU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooklyn has very quick feet, is strong, and anticipates well. Johnson is excellent at beating his man to a spot. It is very hard to get downhill without a screen when Brooklyn is guarding you. He is an exceptional on-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2689797' first='Caleb' last='Knutson'] (2025) |6'2 SF| Kenmare-Bowbells</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He effectively defends guards, wings, and forwards. Knutson is athletic, he keeps his focus and job at hand, has long arms, and a quick first step as a stout defender. Caleb keeps his man in front of him, gets a hand up on every shot, has active hands when the offense is dribbling, and always finds his guy when the other team secures the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1510914' first='Camden' last='Kraemer'] (2026) |6'0 G| Bismarck Century</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kraemer has been one of the best defenders for the Pats this season. Cam does a really good job of guarding the ball and making things difficult for whoever he is defending. He can extend the Century defense and pick up primary ball handlers for 94 feet which is not an easy thing to do for a full game. Kraemer has been assigned some of the best players in the league and has done a great job on them. Camden is also a high IQ player, which helps make him a very good defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1497481' first='Charlie' last='Metzger'] (2025) |5'8 G| Fargo Davies</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is the best on-ball defender for the Eagles. Metzger does good work on opposing point guards. Charlie is tough and he moves his feet well. He has a unique ability to keep the offensive player in front of him. Applying frustrating ball pressure is what Charlie does best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2270646' first='Easton' last='Benz'] (2026) |6'3 G| New Rockford-Sheyenne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a rockstar athlete with noteworthy strength, toughness, physicality, and great effort. Benz guards positions 1-5, he is a versatile playmaker. Easton works extremely hard and anticipates very well. He loves contact and takes a ton of charges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632692' first='Elijah' last='Robinson'] (2026) |5'11 G| Midway-Minto</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top defender for the 7-0 and #10 ranked Mustangs. He and his brother are guards who are able to defend&nbsp;that position as well as match up with bigger players in the post. Ezra and Eli bring energy and an edge that helps them on the defensive end of the floor. Elijah is more of a roamer for the Mustangs on the defensive end while matching up and guarding a variety of players on each possession.&nbsp;He brings great energy and is constantly in passing lanes, making it hard for offensive players.&nbsp;At this point in the season, he has 37 steals and 29 deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632700' first='Ezra' last='Robinson'] (2026) |5'11 G| Midway-Minto</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top defender for the 7-0 and #10 ranked Mustangs. He and his brother are guards who are able to defend&nbsp;that position as well as match up with bigger players in the post. Ezra and Eli bring energy and an edge that has helps them on the defensive end of the floor. Ezra is a good on-the-ball defender who is able to dictate from the defense end of the court. At this point in the season, he has 36 steals along with 22 deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144603' first='Gentry' last='Richter'] (2025) |6'5 F| Linton-HMB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is the top defender for the Lions and Gentry can defend positions 1-5. Richter is a GREAT team defender. He is a really smart defender and is the anchor of the Lions defense. Gentry makes sure his teammates are in position and is the lead communicator.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632620' first='Hunter' last='Hagler'] (2026) |6'3 SF| North Star</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is the Bearcats best defender.&nbsp;Hagler can guard any position, even against guards because he makes up for being slower than them with his length, ability to jump, and effective close-outs. Hunter is a good defender, simply because he can set his mind to saying "I'm going to be better than you". Hagler is tough and gritty.&nbsp;North Star does not always put him on the best player because he can be such a good helper in the lane off the ball.&nbsp;Hunter is a high-yielding rebounder and he can score the rock. Hagler went for 30 points and 23 rebounds the other night against Warwick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734731' first='Isaac' last='Porter'] (2026) |6'3 F| Park River/Fordville-Lankin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter has been guarding post players and is doing good work around the basket. Isaac bothers/disrupts every post move and shot attempt around the basket. He is a very disciplined defender, is disruptive, and secures many rebounds on a nightly basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734732' first='Jace' last='Rosinski'] (2026) |5'11 G| Park River/Fordville-Lankin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rosinski is quick and long, he guards point guards, shooting guards, and any forward. Jace has enough length to bother great players, and foot speed as well as height to contest shots. He will also guard/defend players in the post. Rosinski is a tenacious defender who is getting better and better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2635341' first='Jaxon' last='Nelson'] (2025) |6'1 G| TGU&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is effective defending backcourt and frontcourt players. Jaxon is a gifted athlete with very good quickness and strength. He has a knack for guarding guys that are bigger than him. Jaxon is strong, quick, and jumps very well. Nelson has the foot speed to keep up with talented perimeter players and enough size and strength to reroute post players and keep them off the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2429817' first='Josia' last='Jaquinet'] (2026) |6'3 SF| Minot North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josia brings a physical presence to the hardwood, he does a nice job of the defensive end for the Sentinels. He moves his feet well, has quick hands, and can defend positions 1-5.&nbsp;Josia is versatile and full of potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kage Walford (2025) |6'1 G| New Rockford-Sheyenne </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He regularly defends the opposing team's best perimeter player. Kage is extra-strong, physical, and he uses his body very well. Walford wants the challenge every game of guarding the top player and things are going very well! The Rockets are 7-1 and ranked #8 in class B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1770389' first='Kyler' last='Droog'] (2025) |6'7 PF| Grafton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Droog is able to guard both low post and forward positions. Kyler is long and does a nice job sliding his feet and staying in front of people.&nbsp;He is also able to be physical on the block and doesn't get pushed around. Droog plays with high energy and is always up for a challenge. With his length, Kyler is able to alter and block shots.&nbsp;The BIG Spoiler is averaging close to 3 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2211283' first='Parker' last='Falk'] (2026) |5'10 G| Hankinson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an important role player for 7-0 and #4 ranked Pirates. Falk usually guards the opponent's best dribbler or PG.&nbsp;Parker does a really good job with on-ball defense and very rarely gets beat on dribble drives.&nbsp;He's quick and very active with his feet. This allows Falk to frustrate opponents as they have a tough time gaining ground. Parker is averaging 4 steals a game this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ramsey Walz</strong> <strong>(2025) |6'7 PF| Bishop Ryan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best BIG in class B, he has the Lions ranked #2 with a 9-0 record. Ramsey is an elite rim protector and shot blockers in the state. He is also a Double-Digit rebounder on a nightly basis. Walz is an intimidating presence in the paint. He is a great defender who only cares about winning games and taking how the State Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2725434,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/lockdowndefenders.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/lockdowndefenders.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2725434" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->