The Wiggins Waves will once again be crossing the country for an elite tournament, but this year the San Diego based club will be competing in the Virginia Beach Classic.
The 2017 Virginia Beach Classic will be played on April 28-30, with the entire event held under one roof at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
The Convention Center is located just minutes away from the beach, and the venue should be loaded with college coaches from all levels. The area will be hosting the Virginia Beach Classic and the Nike Boo Williams will be 30 minutes away that weekend, and expectations are that over 600 coaches will be scouting the events.
Wiggins Wave coach Terri Bamford is expecting good things from her athletes this summer.
“We did well last year, and we are bringing back a lot of players from that team,” the coach said. “We have our key veterans back, and then we’ve added some talented younger players.”
The veteran core for the Waves will include Jayda Villarreal (5-6, CG, 2018), Bianca Notarainni (6-0, F, 2018), Kiera Oakry (5-10, G, 2018) and Kendal Ellenbeck (5-11, PF, 2018). The All Star Girls Report currently has Notarainni listed as the No. 581 recruit in the class nationally, while San Diego commitment Oakry is at No. 535.
“Jayda is a lights out shooter with deep three range,” Bamford said. “She can also handle the ball, so she can play the one or the two.
“Bianca can shoot the three and she can battle down low. She is also a great academic kid who is an Ivy League type student. Bianca is a long athlete with a true competitive nature.
“Kiera is jet quick, and she just knows how to score. She is also a very good on-ball defender. Kendal has a strong body and she battles down low, but she can also shoot the three. Kendal is another high academic kid.”
While the veterans will be important for the Waves, the most watched player will be 2020 point guard Te-Hina PaoPao (5-9), who is listed as the No. 16 prospect in her class by ASGR.
“Te-Hina can do it all. I really think she is one of the best guards in the country,” Bamford said. “She just has a pro skill set. She can shoot the three or score in the mid-range, and she is a great facilitator. Te-Hina is also a high IQ player.”