Wave Girls Basketball Team Earns Top Ratings

The Long Island Wave girls basketball organization, based in Westbury, continues in its tradition of success. This past summer, the Long Island Wave 10-and-under team achieved two top five ratings in National level competition.

After winning the AAU Metropolitan Regional Championship, the team went on to place third in the PAL National Championships and fifth in the AAU National Championships. Although only five teams competed in their division at the PAL Nationals, placing third is commendable since the nine and 10-year-olds played in the 12-and-under division. Seventy-six teams from all over the country competed in the AAU Nationals over a period of nine days, thus a fifth-place finish speaks for itself. Of all the basketball teams in the AAU Metropolitan region that competed in the Nationals this summer, the Long Island Wave 10-and-under girls were the most successful. No other team of any age, including both boys and girls, did better than fifth.

About 85 girls participate on the team in total, and they travel from various neighborhoods in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester. The girls, who make up the 10-and-under team, come from different parts of Nassau County as well as Queens. The team came together in March, 2001 and has compiled a 17-4 record leading up to National competition. As the summer winds down the girls are steadily preparing themselves for their 11-and-under season. Games begin in the fall and the season will not be complete until the Nationals in July, 2002. "Good luck on your long hard journey to Tennessee," stated a supporter of the team.

Congratulations to all the players: Janea Aiken, Sylvia Davis, Jazmin Fuller, Alexis Gabbe, Nakaira Gibson, Laurie Hammonds, Shemique Hooks, Tiffany Hunter, Brittany Jenkins, Kamesha Lambright, Crystal Lofton, Philana Nedd, Elon Sidney and Jelleah Sidney. And a special thanks to all the parents for your hard work and support.