The Ohio Crossover Athletics Best Defensive Player Award is given to a player who exemplifies excellence on the defensive end of the court.  This player through effort, hard work, and ability is able to disrupt the opposing team and take them out of their offense by shutting down his opponent one-on-one or contributing to his team’s success with great help side defense.  I am proud to announce that the winner of the 2010 OCA 11th Grade Boys Best Defensive Player Award is Nick Wake from Goshen High School.

Nick tied for the team lead in steals per game and finished second in charges taken this year.  He helped lead the team to a big victory over Martin Bros. Select during the AAU Division 1 National Championship Tournament by collecting 4 steals.  He also did a lot of things that didn’t show up on the stat sheet this season.  He did a great job of talking to his teammates on the court making sure they were in the correct defense, calling out cutters, screens, and defensive assignments.

I don’t know where we would have been this year without Nick.  He was always willing to take on the challenge of guarding the best player on the opposing team and his leadership and communication with his teammates on the court was invaluable.  I expect Nick to have a fantastic senior season at Goshen High School and to have the opportunity to continue his career on the next level.  Congratulations Nick!