2026 Rose and Live Period Preview: Defensive Thorns

As the Run 4 the Roses and other live period events gears up, all eyes will be on the the 2026 class. The live period is the perfect time to shine. In this field of shooters and scorers and get to the rim attackers, there is a group that is not to be slept on. These players are the defensive stoppers who are coming to disrupt the garden. They dive on the floor for loose balls, take charges, play great on-ball defense, block shots, they will pick your pocket and get steals in the passing lanes. In this article we look at some of defensive "thorns" in the 2026 class you will see this upcoming live period.    [player_tooltip player_id='861113' first='Quin'Nya' last='Gray De Sanders'] is one of the most disruptive forces in the 2026 class. College coaches have called her just that - "a force". She can create havoc on the ball, disrupt the opponent's offense in the passing lanes, chase down opponents from behind, stop fast breaks and drives to the lane, and turn steals into buckets. Gray De Sanders was so impressive at the FABC showcase, that a major college coach stated she was the "best" athlete in the building. That's not a surprise. She put in a game changing performance in the State semifinals in one half of play. On a court filled with red roses, Qin'Nya Grey De Sanders is the thorn that steals the show.     [player_tooltip player_id='248551' first='Alanna' last='Tatum'] is one of the premier players in the 2026 class. If rankings were based solely on defensive guards, she'd be near — if not at — the top of the list. Tatum can also get it done on the offensive end as well, but we're focusing on her defensive prowess. She is a relentless on-ball defender whose thorns are even sharper in transition defense where her elite athleticism shines. She's quick enough to cut off driving lanes, strong enough to hold her ground through contact, and explosive enough to elevate and block shots at the rim. Add in her sharp basketball instincts and IQ and you have a complete, game-changer. Tatum will be a force who will undoubtedly shake up the garden with her elite defensive skills.     [player_tooltip player_id='514522' first='Morgan' last='Cremen'] stands out on the defensive end with her basketball IQ and her instincts on the court. She has quick hands and is very good at taking the offensive player's space away, forcing them to their week hand and ripping the ball. Cremen gets tons of deflections and forces turnovers even when she might not get credit for the steal. She plays the point guard position well and is a play maker on both ends of the court. It's starts with her defense. Cremen has been a thorn in the side of all of Saint Johns county and will likely set a county record for most steals in a career. She is just that elite on the defensive end of the court.     [player_tooltip player_id='400786' first='Imani' last='Henderson'] is one of the "Quiet Thorns" in the Rose Garden. Henderson doesn't say much, but lets her defense do the talking. She can block shots from the power forward and center positions and she can even play out on the perimeter. Henderson has a "clutch" gene where her thorns are at their sharpest in crucial moments of the game. She is a game changer on the defensive end and will be a player to watch during the upcoming live period. She is a hot recruit who has received several recent offers, largely in part to her defensive efforts.     [player_tooltip player_id='864101' first='Jayda' last='Parker'] is another tough defender who can change a game from the defensive end of the court. She is tall and long and does a good job of protecting the middle of the defense. Parker averaged over 2 blocks per game last season and disrupted even more shots. She has the ability to shift the momentum and change the game without even scoring a point. Parker will be a "thorn" this live period and is a player to keep an eye on.     [player_tooltip player_id='1201802' first='Jannell' last='Houston'] is another "Quiet Thorn" in the 2026 class who can flat out ball on the defensive side of the ball. The combo guard was one of the top defensive players at the State Championship in Lakeland last season. Her defensive effort was very good in the semifinals and in the finals against the eventual Champions Grandview Prep. Houston has great size and can hold her own against some of the most elite talent in the State. Last season, she averaged over 3.2 steals per game. That's an impressive part of her game, and her willingness to dive for balls, take charges, and battle is all a part of the big defensive picture.

As the Run 4 the Roses and other live period events gears up, all eyes will be on the the 2026 class. The live period is the perfect time to shine. In this field of shooters and scorers and get to the rim attackers, there is a group that is not to be slept on. These players are the defensive stoppers who are coming to disrupt the garden. They dive on the floor for loose balls, take charges, play great on-ball defense, block shots, they will pick your pocket and get steals in the passing lanes. In this article we look at some of defensive "thorns" in the 2026 class you will see this upcoming live period.