Arizona Competition Classic Recap: Top Defenders

<p>The Arizona Competition Classic took place Saturday, March 20th, and Sunday, March 21st. Hosted by recruiting legend Gerry Freitas the two-day event featured 18 total teams. It also featured several players that could lock up. In this article, we take a look at the top defenders from the event. </p> <p><strong>Jalen Barbee</strong> <em>6’5 SF West Coast Prep 2021</em> - The more I watch Barbee, the more I become impressed with his defensive ability. The rangy forward did a good job of playing the passing lanes and made it tough for defenders to beat him off the dribble. He impacts games with his ability to get steals, and deflections, leading to turnovers and runouts. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="747087" first="Harlan" last="Banks"] <em>6’3 SF Sneakersteal 2022</em> - Nothing comes easy on Banks’s watch. I was amazed at how many shots the 6’3 forward contested. Banks gave up nothing, flying through the lane to block and alter shots. He has the perfect combination of athleticism and effort which allowed him to influence the game on the defensive end. </p> <p><strong>Craig Comanche</strong> <em>6’1 CG X-Factor 2021</em> - The Tasmanian Devil was at it again this week. You can play as hard as Comanche, but not harder. He was all over the floor on the defensive end, playing the passing lanes, getting steals, and harassing defenders. He has terrific instincts and good timing allowing him to be successful when jumping lanes. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="933469" first="Devontes" last="Cobbs"] <em>6’4 SG New Mexico Team Swoosh 2022</em> - Cobbs is a candidate for my all foxhole team. One of the toughest players pound for pound, if he’s on your team you will never be out battled. Cobbs relished defending the opposing team’s top offensive player. He is the best 50/50 ballplayer I’ve seen, as he almost wins them with sheer heart and effort, providing his team with extra possessions. </p> <p><strong>Micah Johnston</strong> <em>5’10 PG FEBA 2023</em> - Mr. Floor Burn. Johnston just doesn’t know how to give up on a play. The youngest player on this list, Johnston played with reckless abandon. My favorite play from him was his multiple dive on the floor attempts in single possessions. Johnston sacrificed his body, several times to get his team extra possessions. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809696" first="Jamison" last="Kay"] <em>6’6 SF The Show 2021</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - Kay impressed me with his on ball D. The rangy wing moves well laterally, and he used that movement to make it tough for the best offensive players in the event. If it took 2 dribbles to get by some top defenders, it took players 20 to get by Kay. With his size and length, he could become an elite defensive stopper at the college level. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops </a></p>