How else is a defender suppose to defend at dribbler if he doesn't get "in the path?"
The statement by itself makes no sense at all. Every charge drawn by the defender on the dribbler means he was "in the path," and it is perfectly legal to jump into the path and gain a legal guarding position at the high school/college level as long as he does so before the player is airborne. I think it was just a case of an announcer trying to use some officiating vernacular but incorrectly. Now if he said he jumped in the path after the player was airborne, then he would have some backing from the book.
On the play in question, I do believe it was a blocking foul as the defender slide to his right and obtained his guarding position after the ball handler was airborne.