High-Level 2026 Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some impressive defenders from this winter season who have been putting in work on the defensive side of the ball. These are guys who bring all the effort and energy you look for on the defense end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021597"],"_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-697c37afb34d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Orbino is a true tone-setter for the Irish with his high-energy and big motor play on both ends of the floor. He's an excellent on-ball defender who will pick up the length of the floor, prey on nervous ballhandlers, and also does a great job sliding over in help to sacrifice his body drawing charges in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2726758"],"_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-697c37afb3537"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tilghman brings the energy on the defensive end for the Vikings, whether it is with his active hands and racking up deflections and pokes, or simply using his voice to hype up his teammates and celebrate big plays. He's an ultimate competitor and really feeds off of his success on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1863253"],"_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-697c37afb357b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennion is a strong guard who is having a solid senior year for the 15-4 Lions. He's been both more aggressive offensivley, but also picking his spots better, which had led to his 10.6 PPG and 40% hit rate from 3-point range. But he's really a kid who can lock in defensively and turn up the heat, and has been piling up steals this year, averaging 4.6 per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2827868"],"_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-697c37afb35b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carney has been pretty key to the Bullpups defensive success this season (47.3 OPPG). His size at 6-foot-4, allows them to be pretty flexible defensively, and when he has the size advantage on opposing guards he's quick enough to stay in front while really closing down passing and driving lanes with his reach. He's also a solid rebounder from the backcourt and provides some unique ability as a point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2300050"],"_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-697c37afb35f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Jacks are sitting atop the 2A RPI Rankings at 18-0, and Crane has been instrumental to their success. The 6-foot-4 wing is a rangy defender who can matchup across multiple positions and defend inside or out. He's got the length to make up a step from the perimeter, get up into passing lanes, and contest a lot of shots around the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->