Rivals’ Young Stars Set To Compete At Virginia Beach Classic



The Rivals program out of Massachusetts has quality depth throughout the program, including several younger players who are ready to make a splash this summer.

“We feel very good about our talent level this year,” said Coach Scott Hazelton. “It seems like we just keep getting stronger and stronger. We have some younger players now who we think are going to be special.”

Those rising stars will be in the spotlight at the 2017 Virginia Beach Classic, which 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.

Hazelton believes that a number of his younger players are headed for breakout summers, including Nirel Lougbo (5-9, G, 2019), Angelique Ngalakulondi (6-2, PF, 2019), Sophie Tougas (6-0, G, 2019) and Nicolette Arnold (6-0, PG, 2019). The All Star Girls Report currently has Ngalakulondi rated as the No. 242 recruit in her class nationally.

“Nirel is a high athletic scorer,” Hazelton said. “She played up for us last year and played point guard. She is just a special kid with a lot of upside, and she can do whatever you need her to do.

“Angelique is a long athlete with great hands and a great, strong frame. She is another player with a tremendous upside. I think Angelique is headed for a big summer. This should be her coming out party.

“Sophie is a very smooth player who can really shoot the basketball. She can do a lot of things, but her main asset is her ability to put the ball in the basket. Once Sophie gets on a big stage, I think her recruiting is going to go through the roof.

“Nicolette has great size on the perimeter and a lot of skills. She has really stepped up her overall game, especially her shooting. She has a very high basketball IQ, and she is a very good distributor.”