Rachel Cooperrider has fast hands, quick feet and a passion for defense.

The Chelsea High School senior guard fully displayed those assets Tuesday night, giving Saline’s backcourt trouble all game during the Bulldogs’ 42-30 home win over the Hornets in a Southeastern Conference girls basketball game.

Cooperrider finished with six steals and scored 14 points, both team-highs.

“I guess I’ve always made defense my strongest point. I really focus on the ball,” said Cooperrider, who helped Chelsea take an 8-5 lead after the first quarter.

For Chelsea coach Todd Blomquist, seeing Cooperrider give fits to an opposing offense is nothing new.

“She’s our best on-ball defender; we normally put her on our opponent’s best perimeter player,” said Blomquist.

Cooperrider and the Bulldogs held Saline’s perimeter players to a mere seven total points.

“She brings a lot of energy and she’s pretty athletic,” added Blomquist. “She’s a tough kid. She knows her job and she’s ready to go.”