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 2014 OCA 8th Grade Boys Best Defensive Player Award is A.J. Zambenedetti from Glen Este Middle School.

A.J. developed into our most consistent defenders and was trusted to guard opposing teams’ best offensive players on a game to game basis. His speed and tenacity helped him to lock opponents up and consistently get steals in the half court and in transition. A.J. was a pleasure to coach and I know his future coaches will be as pleased as I was to have him on their team. Congratulations A.J.