Defense At The PGH Michigan Top 250
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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…
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Continue ReadingA 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.
Rakiyah Beal Rakiyah Beal 5'11" | SF Hamtramck | 2022 State #69 Nation MI
Beal was an athletic defender at the Top 250. Her defensive movement was so quick and fluid that she was able to bottle up her assignments.
Zion Belcher-Arill Zion Belcher-Arill 6'2" | PF Campbell Hall | 2025 CA
Belcher-Arill has obviously been taught defensive principles. She has a mature defensive game and moved side to side in the lane allowing her to be quick with the help defense.
Naor Beydoun
Beydoun was very influential with her post defense. She moved well in the lane, found the ball, and forced tough shots for the other team.
Malaya Brown Malaya Brown 5'7" | SF Grand Blanc | 2025 State MI
There’s almost nothing more exciting than a bona fide defensive stopper on the perimeter. I think we might have found one in Malaya Brown Malaya Brown 5'7" | SF Grand Blanc | 2025 State MI . She had a low and wide base, always keeping her opponent in front and contained.
Olivia Bussell Olivia Bussell 5'6" | CG Monroe | 2022 State MI
Bussell brings a lot to the table as a player, but her defensive energy might be her biggest asset. She goes hard every second on the floor and is so disruptive to an offense.
McKenna Ferguson McKenna Ferguson 5'8" | SG Byron Center | 2023 State MI
We can no longer think of Ferguson specifically as a shooter. Her defensive energy and output shined bright at the Top 250. It felt like she was all over the floor on the defensive end and she was usually the first back on D.
Alice Max Alice Max 6'2" | PF Rochester | 2025 State MI
Max is a difference maker with her post defense. Her opponents always had to be wary of her when they had the ball in the paint. Max constantly altered and blocked shots.
Jaevyn Montgomery Jaevyn Montgomery 5'8" | SF East Kentwood | 2023 State MI
Some players just know how to cause havoc on the defensive end, and judging by Saturday, I’d say that accurately describes Montgomery. She hunted opportunities to trap the ball handler at half court and force turnovers.
Shamya Reid Shamya Reid 5'5" | PG Westfield Prep | 2023 State MI
I really like to watch players that turn defense into offense. Reid did just that. She didn’t just pick up steals, but she stole the ball with her momentum taking her up the floor and her head up, turning a steal into a transition opportunity.
Tessa Roe Tessa Roe 5'5" | PG Lansing Catholic | 2024 State MI
When I stumbled on Roe’s court, a coach told me to watch her D. He then challenged her to pick up 5 steals in the game. Roe gave it a more than commendable effort notching 4 swipes. She attacked the ball handler, anticipated moves, and stepped into passing lanes.
Kaitlyn Sanders Kaitlyn Sanders 6'1" | SF Birmingham Groves | 2023 State MI
Versatility is a big weapon on defense and Sanders has that on her toolbelt. At the Top 250, it felt like she could effectively defend 4 different positions.
Bri Thomas Bri Thomas 5'9" | CG Trenton | 2024 State MI
Thomas isn’t just an offensive star. She got it done on the defensive end at the Top 250. She quietly bottled up her assignments and played really smart D off screens. Thomas used her length to be disruptive as well.
Raegan Thomas Raegan Thomas 6'0" | PF Portage Central | 2025 State MI
Part of being a good defender is knowing how to guard a shooter. I really liked the way Thomas closed on on shooters. She went at them hard, but under control. Thomas had her hands high and was very disruptive on her closeouts.
Claire Tobias Claire Tobias 5'7" | SG Holt | 2024 State MI
One of my greatest joys is watching players at showcase events that communicate and talk on D. Tobias did just that at the Top 250. She made sure that teammates knew where she was at and helped her teammates by calling out screens.
Jaslynn Ward Jaslynn Ward 5'8" | PG East Kentwood | 2025 State MI
When playing defense, it’s imperative to finish the possession with a rebound. Ward played that role with perfection. She was incredibly active on the offensive glass and helped limit the opponent to 1 shot at the rim.
Destiny Washington Destiny Washington 5'6" | PG West Bloomfield | 2024 State MI
Washington was one of the most aggressive defenders at the event. She played nose to nose perimeter defense, keeping in the face of her opponent at all times. Washington forced multiple turnovers over the course of the day.
Mady Weber Mady Weber 5'11" | PF Hopkins | 2023 State MI
Weber did a lot of everything on the defensive end. She played with a ton of heart and hustle on that end, while also quarterbacking her team’s defense and helping in the paint.