Great Lakes Challenge – 17u DEFENDERS!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense can transfer to the next level, and let's be honest, defense wins games. Well, there were some elite defenders at the Prep Hoops Circuit's Great Lakes Challenge. We're going to take a look at some of the top defenders that we saw at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out both my coverage and Gabe Sweat's coverage of the Great lakes Challenge below! Be on the lookout for more to come from one of the top coverage teams in the midwest!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/great-lakes-challenge-17u-all-tournament-team/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/great-lakes-challenge-17u-all-tournament-team/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/16u-impact-players-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/16u-impact-players-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/great-lakes-challenge-sunday-morning-standouts/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/great-lakes-challenge-sunday-morning-standouts/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/15u-up-and-comers-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/15u-up-and-comers-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/the-finest-of-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/the-finest-of-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/great-lakes-challenge-early-bird-standouts/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/great-lakes-challenge-early-bird-standouts/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/more-2026s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/more-2026s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/2028s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-showdown/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/2028s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-showdown/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/5-2028s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/5-2028s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/5-2027s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/5-2027s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://prephoops.com/2025/04/5-2026s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"prep-hoops"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-prep-hoops wp-block-embed-prep-hoops"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://prephoops.com/2025/04/5-2026s-to-watch-at-the-great-lakes-challenge/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Desmond McGriff","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Garfield Heights","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Havin Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-67fcfc715116f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGriff showed some defensive prowess at the Great Lakes Challenge. I was impressed with the way he closed out on shooters. McGriff closed fast with hands high, even earning a block on a 3 point attempt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588163"],"_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-67fcfc71511d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zickert was a force on the defensive end of floor. He can play nose to nose perimeter D and use quick hands and use physicality to force turnovers. Zickert started a couple runs with his pressure defense.</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":"Ethan Trombley","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lakeview","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"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-67fcfc7151258"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trombley showed that he had some defensive skills while at the Great Lakes Shootout. He was able to get a steal in the backcourt and turn it into instant offense with a layup at the other end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588081"],"_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-67fcfc715129d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Francis has long been known as a shooter, but anyone at the Great Lakes Shootout was witness to a transition. He played physical and intense defense, initiating contact and using quick hands to force turnovers. Francis had to have led the event in steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588211"],"_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-67fcfc71512db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washington was solid at the Great Lakes Challenge. He was an athletic defender that moved so well and so freely. He was able to beat his man to spots and help shut down scoring chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588206"],"_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-67fcfc7151317"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lemke impressed me once again with his performance in Dearborn Heights. He played big and he played physical defensively. Lemke was able to challenge a lot of players and shot as the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->