Today we announce the DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR and ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM. These are the players whose value does not show up in a box score. These are players who give more of themselves and get less in return. This years group is a collection of players who all have one thing in common. They can turn the lights out on talented scorers, when it matters most.

FAB EGGENSCHWILER - 2020 HOOP GROUP DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR 

When you talk about great defensive players like Fab Eggenschwiler, you must first start with what makes a great defensive player. Great defensive players have the ability to defend at all three levels. They can pressure the ball baseline to baseline. They can defend on the perimeter and then defend in the post. Great defenders are versatile. They understand and can adjust to a coaches game plan. They have a real understanding of team defense. They are verbal and can direct teammates where to go and more importantly cover up for teammates mistakes. This year nobody was better than Fab Eggenschwiler. She was the the heart and soul of the RBC defense...READ MORE




DESTINY ADAMS- 6'2 - FORWARD - MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL

She is the most dominating force in the paint, even throughout the state of New Jersey. She is one of the most physical defenders below the foul line we have seen in years. Her ability to rotate to the ball for blocked shots, is beyond special. No player in the Shore Conference changed more shot selections than Destiny Adams. But it was her ability to switch out on guards which was what had made her different than any other forward in the state. She finished off more defensive possessions with rebounds...perhaps more than any player in the state of New Jersey. Destiny Adams was one of the few players with as many blocked shots as steals. How does 78 blocks and 79 steals sound!? Now you know why some people believe she is the best two-way player in the state.

 

LUCY ADAMS - 6'0 - FORWARD - RUMSON FAIR HAVEN

The senior went out with a bang this year. When her team was crippled by injuries, Lucy Adams stepped-up in a big way. She was a pillar on defense for Rumson the entire season. She manned the lane like an octopus; it seemed she had her arms on everything in the lane. She rotated more than a ferris wheel. To say she was an elite defender this year was no insult when you consider what she did this year. She owned the defensive backboards for RFH all season. She was maybe the best post defender in the shore. She had 97 blocked shots on the season. A number that was highlighted by a game vs Trinity Hall, which she had a season high of 12. She also had 30 steals from the center position. Lucy Adams was not just one of the best defenders in the Shore, but the state as well.

 

EMMA BRUEN - 5'7 - GUARD - ST. JOHN VIANNEY

She is moving into rarified air these days. She has gone from being one of the Most Improved Players in the state, to a defensive wizard. No guard in the Shore Conference was more dominating on the defensive end. She learned her lessons well at SJV and moves into the category of other defensive starlit guards like Vanessa Pinho and Sarah Karpell. Meaning, players who impact the game on the defensive ball so much, is the difference between winning and losing. She simply turned the lights out on every single TOP backcourt player she faced this year. She did so without fouling and more importantly, was beastly either in the backcourt or the frontcourt. She simply never missed a defensive rotation. She has been able to follow game plans to perfection. This past season Emma Bruen proved she is an elite defender against the best of the best…That's why she is a member of the 2020 Hoop Group All Defensive team.

 

ASHLEY O'CONNOR - 5'9 - GUARD - ST. JOHN VIANNEY

You simply cannot mention Emma Bruen and not say the name of Ashley O'Connor in the same breath. This season Coach Karpell played the 2 of them against just about every top guard in the Shore Conference. The athletic O'Connor with quickness and length, had some of the best backcourt players begging for air to breathe. As a result, she was a walking nightmare to all opponents. Not one single backcourt player in the Shore Conference Tournament hadn't felt her presence. Her ability to force turnovers and disrupt offenses, was a thing of beauty. Her length and toughness were hard to miss. She simply made life miserable for opposing guards this season. She had 58 steals, including a high of 7 in a game. But what really jumps off the page is this: Ashley O'Connor understands defense does not stop until you get the ball… her 67 rebounds were eye popping. The future D1 guard is an elite defender right now…

 

CHLOE TETER - 5'9 - GUARD - RED BANK REGIONAL

She is simply becoming one of the most complete players in the Shore Conference. One thing is clear, she has become a defensive weapon under Coach John Turhan. Last season she had 97 steals, 125 rebounds and a whopping 20 blocked shots from the guard position. Her ability to keep players in front of her is a gift. But it's the defections that led to so many run-outs for RBR; that doesn't show up in the box score. She is one of the best weakside defenders in all of New Jersey. But more than all that, she has the ability to guard scoring guards and points guards…Teter, who has multiple Division 1 offers on the table, is one of the smartest defenders in the Shore. She is now also moving into the best two guard conversion come next season.