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Top Notch Defense

Top Notch Defense
Scott Hankamp
Scott Hankamp February 17, 2026 @ 08:22 AM
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In this article:

Xavier VanWagner
Xavier VanWagner 6'8" | PF | 2027
MI
Kaelin Tate
Kaelin Tate 6'0" | PG | 2027
MI
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no denying the importance of defense in the game of basketball. Defense wins championships and transfers to the next level. Since it's so important, we're going to take a closer look at some players that recently had great defensive performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974621"],"_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-699454e1a6fb0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tate long ago earned a reputation as a top notch perimeter defender. His Paw Paw team lost to Berrien Springs 56-51, but D was on display. Tate finished the game with 6 steals, showcasing his ability to read the play. He also added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists to his stat line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140540"],"_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-699454e1a7086"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VanWagner has shown all season that he's willing to dominate the paint, which makes his game so influential to outcomes. He had 10 blocks in a recent game. That kind of rim protrction forces offenses to adjust out of their comfort zones. VanWagner finished the triple-double by scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.</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":"Caden Schroyer","_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":"Whiteford","_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-699454e1a71b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whiteford picked up an impressive victory against Grass Lake, winning by a score of 68-38. Schroyer came up huge in the game. He ended up with a handful of steals which was key to holding their opponent to a low scoring output. We should mention that Schroyer was excellent on both ends of the floor. He had 24 points and 5 rebounds as well. </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":"Nate DeWaal","_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":"Coopersville","_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-699454e1a72c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coopersville picked up a long waited on win against South Christian. They came out on top in a tight 45-43 game. DeWaal was key in the game. He playrr tough defense on the outside. DeWaal tracked the ball and was quick to it, swiping the ball away 6 times. He also scored 11 points,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

There's no denying the importance of defense in the game of basketball. Defense wins championships and transfers to the next level. Since it's so important, we're going to take a closer look at some players that recently had great defensive performances.

Kaelin Tate

Kaelin Tate

MI
PG
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS PG
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Kaelin
Tate PG
Class
2027
Height
6'0"
HS
Paw Paw
|
MI
Top Notch Defense
Tate long ago earned a reputation as a top notch perimeter defender. His Paw Paw team lost to...
Written by Scott Hankamp
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Kaelin Tate

State: Michigan
School: Paw Paw
Club: NorthCoast Premier
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Xavier VanWagner

Xavier VanWagner

MI
PF
HEIGHT 6'8"
POS PF
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Xavier
VanWagner PF
Class
2027
Height
6'8"
HS
Carrollton
|
MI
Top Notch Defense
VanWagner has shown all season that he’s willing to dominate the paint, which makes his game so influential...
Written by Scott Hankamp
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Xavier VanWagner

Twitter
State: Michigan
School: Carrollton
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Caden Schroyer

Caden Schroyer

POS SF
CLASS 2026

Caden Schroyer

School: Whiteford
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Nate DeWaal

Nate DeWaal

POS CG
CLASS 2026

Nate DeWaal

School: Coopersville
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
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