Matriarch Classic: Defensive Standouts

Every team needs a player that will put in the energy and effort on defense. They harrass the ball handler, work to keep the offense from catching the ball, go hard after 50/50 balls, and they make it tough for the offense to get anything done. Let's take a look at some players that took pride in playing on the defensive side of the ball. <strong>Laci Buchanan | Point Guard | MS Lady Hornets/Ridgeland | 2024</strong> Laci is one of those point guards that will get after you on the defensive end. She can pressure the ball well without fouling, but has quick enough hands to to deflect the dribble and passes. Her pressure can cause havoc and force the ball handler to play at speeds they are not comfortable. Defense is not all she does. Laci can also attack off the dribble, finish in transition, and drop pass off in traffic to her teammate for the bucket. <strong>Jada Page | Point Guard | AR Lady Rebels/Parkview | 2023</strong> When I was watching Jada play I kept saying to myself she looks so familiar. Then I realized who she was and remembered where I had seen her play. I saw her in high school bring that same energy and dog mentality on defense. I've seen her completely change the momentum of a game just from her on-ball pressure and effort. Straight pitbull mentality. Jada can also get to the rim off the dribble, finish in transition, and find an open teammate off pentration. <strong>Amiya Taylor | Wing | AR Lady Rebels/Conway | 2024</strong> Amiya is a on-ball defender that likes to use her body to be physical when playing defense. She has quick feet and makes it difficult for the offense to be able to handle her physical on-ball defense. Off the ball she plays the passing lanes well. She anticipates well and that leads to deflections and steals. On offense she can shoot the three-ball, get to the rim, and make on-target passes. <strong>Marlaysha Stone | Point Guard | AR Lady Blaze/Magnolia | 2025</strong> I've seen Marlaysha play a few times and one thing that is always consistent is her defensive effort. Her three may not fall or she may have an off night on the offensive end, but she is going to always come with it when playing defense. She has quick reactions to the offense. Her hands are always ready and this allows her to get deflections and steals. You have to keep the ball protected around her because she will get a hand on it. On offense Marlaysha is a threat. She can shoot the three, handle the ball well, cause the defense to collapse with her penetration, and finish at the rim. <strong>Kinley Mears | Combo Guard | AR Warriors/Vilonia | 2025</strong> Now when we talk about effort on defense I haven't seen many give the effort Kinley gives. Coaches love multiple efforts on defense and that's exactly what she does. If you happen to get by her she will chase you down. She sits low to the ground, has quick feet, and does a good job of anticipating. Defense is not all she does. She's the best shooter on this list. Kinley can shoot the three in transition, off screens, relocating off penetration and off the dribble. She's just an all-around gritty player that plays hard on both ends of the floor. <strong>Mar'casja Glenn | Guard | AR Lady Blaze/Blevins | 2024</strong> Mar'casja is another player that will wreak havoc on the defensive end of the floor. She does a good job of forcing the offense to areas they don't want to go. She has quick feet and can be physical when guarding the ball. Her defense just wears down the ball handler and makes them want to give the ball up sooner than they want or just stop dribbling the ball looking for help. On offense she is also a threat when she attacks downhill. She has some really good footwork when finishing around the basket.