Top 250 Expo: 2025 Defensive Difference Makers
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This crop of ballers have one thing in common – they love to get after it on the defensive end of the ball. Everyone loves offense and rightfully so. It’s what people come to see. But it’s players like this…
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Continue ReadingThis crop of ballers have one thing in common – they love to get after it on the defensive end of the ball. Everyone loves offense and rightfully so. It’s what people come to see. But it’s players like this next group that allows the offensive dynamos to do what they do. A lot of what they do doesn’t show up in box scores, but without them things would be much tougher for their teams. Tip your cap to this group when you see them!
Liana Buckhalton Liana Buckhalton 6'0" | CG Stillwater | 2025 State MN – 5’10 guard, Stillwater
Using her length and quickness makes Buckhalton (top photo) a nightmare for her opponent on a nightly basis. Whether it’s jumping passing lanes or using her long arms to tip passes Liana is someone who refuses to allow you to relax. Her ability to move laterally enables her to guard smaller, quicker players and when they do sneak past, her long strides and reach allows her to recover for the chase-down block. She rebounds her position well and will be a treat to watch this upcoming season for the Stillwater Ponies and new head coach Tim Peper.
Greta Crandall – 5’10 guard, Sartell
Crandall has the length and quick lateral movement that could lead to her being a premier defensive presence regardless of class. She’s quick on her feet and a great help defender, picking up the slack to deflect passes or alter shots. Greta rebounds well and doesn’t mind mixing it up in the paint regardless of the size of her opponent. It’ll be a treat watching her maturation on the defensive side of the street.
Lexi Hanna Lexi Hanna 5'9" | SG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN – 5’8 guard, Maple Grove
Lexi is the kind of defender that you hate to play against but love to have on your team. She’s physical and just plain mean on the defensive side of the ball. Hanna has quick feet and active hands that is very disruptive to the offense which gives her teams the opportunity for easy transition buckets due to her ability to tip passes and get in the passing lanes.
Addie Hanna Addie Hanna 5'6" | PG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN – 5’6 guard, Maple Grove
You should probably wear a helmet if you plan to tussle with this Hanna sister on the court. Addie does not mind throwing her body in the scrum to come up with a loose ball to secure possession. She’s pesky and as mentioned earlier does not mind sacrificing her body to pick up a timely charge.
Keagan McVicker Keagan McVicker 5'9" | CG Hastings | 2025 State MN – 5’10 guard, Hastings
Another long guard that disrupts things on the defensive end is something you can never have enough of. Hastings has that in McVicker. She gets low and and works hard to keep her opponent in front and out of the paint. She communicates well and when beat doesn’t give up on the play having the presence of mind to make the next rotation to take away what seemed to be an easy bucket.