Preseason: Top “On-Ball” Defenders on the First Coast

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players can disrupt an offensive flow and make life miserable for ball handlers. In this article, we hilight some of the best locked down defenders in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='166160' first='Kaylah' last='Turner'] 2023 / 5'5 PG / Oakleaf</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot has been written about Turner's speed and her potent mid-range game. Turner's defense is also one of the strongest parts of her game. On the high school circuit, it's not even fair at times. Turner has great quickness and anticipation and has a defensive presence that is suffocating. Only elite handlers and good passing teams escape the pressure that Turner creates on the floor. Turner averaged an amazing 5 steals per game last season. With quick feet, the ability to move laterally, and straightline speed, she is one of the best "on-ball" defenders on the First Coast and in the State of Florida. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='331739' first='Aniya' last='Hall-Mcdowell'] /2023 / 5'3 PG / Andrew Jackson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hall-McDowell has the heart of a champion out there on the court. The phrase "heart over height " applies to her. When her team is playing against a great guard or forward, she is always given the assignment of defending the best offensive player. Hall-McDowell has grit and a great defensive skillset. She can move her feet, she has good speed and is a very physical player. She also loves to compete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='248551' first='Alanna' last='Tatum'] /2026 / 5'6 PG / University Christian </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tatum played varsity last year as an 8th grader and her elite defensive abilities made the feat possible. Tatum has quick lateral movement, freakish athleticism, superb timing, and some inherited gifts that you can't teach. Last season Tatum harassed ball handlers as an 8th grader. Her defensive skills went to an elite level over the summer. Over the AAU season, Tatum proved to be an excellent shot blocker from the guard position. She played defense at an elite level during the AAU season and that will translate to the high school scene this upcoming season. Tatum was good last and she is more mature and even better this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='374464' first='Ansley' last='Hicks'] / 2024 / 5'6 CG / Paxon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hicks has the quick feet and the good lateral movement, and speed up and down the court. She utilizes this skillset on offense and definitely on the defensive end. Hicks is one of the best on-ball defenders on the First Coast and in the 2024 class. She has flown under the radar, but this is the year you will know her name. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349280' first='Maya' last='Richards'] /2024 / 5'9 SF / Ponte Vedra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson is a versatile player who can guard the 1 through the 3, effectively. She has the size, speed, and quickness to get the job done. Her defensive assignments over the past few years gives an indication of her defensive abilities. She was assigned to guard players the caliber of [player_tooltip player_id='91651' first='Taliah' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='331745' first='Eris' last='Lester'], and Dylan Hanna. Richard's is poised for a solid Junior season. She will be the one defending the opponent's best player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='248287' first='Kiyana' last='Hunter'] 2024 / 5"3 PG / Mandarin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter usually guards the primary ball handler and has the skills to do so. She has quick hands, quick feet good anticipation, and the speed to guard some of the best guards on the First Coast. She was one one of leading Sophomores on the First Coast in steals. Most of her steals came from actually taking the ball away from an opponent. As with a lot of the 2024s, their abilities have gone under the radar as Freshmen and Sophomores. This is the year they become known on a broader spectrum. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many good lock down defenders throughout the State of Florida. We will hilight more of the top defenders in the weeks to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->