Defense At The PH Michigan Top 250

<p>A lot of times showcase events turn into offensive highlight reels. Don’t be mistaken though, there were some top notch defenders on display at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 in Grand Rapids. Let’s look at some of the elite defensive players at the event.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787660" first="Ashton" last="Atwater"]</strong></p> <p>Atwater seemed to know exactly when to step out to the ball handler and pressure them. He forced the action and created turnovers by doing so. Atwater did a terrific job turning defense into offense and picking up easy 2’s off turnovers.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1067870" first="Jonah" last="Botardo"] </strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/75-Jonah-Botardo.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301218" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/75-Jonah-Botardo-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Botardo really controlled his man when playing defense on the perimeter. He played chest to chest and severly limited the offensive players movements and options.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068136" first="Logan" last="Brooks"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/134-Logan-Brooks.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301265" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/134-Logan-Brooks-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I’m a stickler for communicating on the defensive end, especially at a showcase event, and Brooks fit that bill. I liked his defensive versatility as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300897" first="Brady" last="Ewing"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/135-Brady-Ewing.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301267" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/135-Brady-Ewing-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Ewing was solid in a lot of ways on defense. He kept wide, making the offense work around him and closing off lanes. Ewing was very vocal on the defensive end as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300878" first="Haidyn" last="Garrison"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/152-Haidyn-Garrison.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301282" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/152-Haidyn-Garrison-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Garrison was a defensive force in the paint, steering traffic away from him. Best of all, he talked a lot on that end. Garrison manned the paint and directed traffic in front of him.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986745" first="Kaden" last="Johnson"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/136-Kaden-Johnson.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301268" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/136-Kaden-Johnson-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Johnson is a very nice post defender that can read shots and send them straight back to the shooter. I also like his versatility and ability to guard in many different spots on the floor.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300929" first="Dylan" last="Hofmann"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/112-Dylan-Hofmann.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301247" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/112-Dylan-Hofmann-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Hofmann was an aggressive defender at the Top 250. He showed the can defend the entire length of the floor. Hofmann created some turnovers with his D and turned one into some instant offense.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300899" first="Terrance" last="Jones"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/85-Terrance-Jones.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301226" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/85-Terrance-Jones-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Jones was a very active defender and played smart on that end as well. His vertical defense was tremendous. Jones was naturally bouncy on that end and rose straight up to challenge shots.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1130946" first="Brennan" last="McKenzie"] </strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/13-Brennan-McKenzie.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301151" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/13-Brennan-McKenzie-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I saw him focused on improving his defensive footwork this summer, and it payed off at the Top 250. McKenzie beat his man to spots and cut off driving lanes.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1076043" first="Peyton" last="Rummler"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/151-Peyton-Rummler.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301281" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/151-Peyton-Rummler-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Defensive stands have to be finished with a defensive rebound and Rummler was the man for that job. He consistently battled for position on the defensive glass, and more often than not, he secured the board.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1253372" first="Tyler" last="Spratt"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/57-Tyler-Spratt.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301197" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/57-Tyler-Spratt-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I really liked the intensity that Spratt brought to the defensive end. He did a great job stopping the ball when the offensive player seemed to have downhill momentum. Spratt also did a nice job bottling up and his and limiting his movement on the perimeter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300895" first="Dakari" last="Thomas"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/6-Dakari-Thomas.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301147" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/6-Dakari-Thomas-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Thomas really focused and locked down on defense. He had good defensive footwork and was tough to deal with on the perimeter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1300905" first="David" last="Thomas"]</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/51-David-Thomas.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301190" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/51-David-Thomas-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Thomas is a raw prospect with a lot of upside. It can all start on the defensive end for him too. Thomas flat out hustles and was consistently one of the 1st back on D.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>