SCRANTON, Pa. — The third year of the Classic's girls basketball camp is the biggest yet. Scranton Prep head girls basketball coach, Bob Beviliga welcomes 82 4th-8th grade campers for a week of learning and competition.
"I think the girls that come here understand that a lot of the best young girls in the area are here this week. So, not only are they learning, they're competing," Beviglia said.
Beviglia teaches the girls the importance of fundamentals and recruits classic's players, as well as a lineup of current and former college coaches to help with the camp.
"I think this camp's amazing especially for young girls. I wish I was able to go when I was younger because it just helps get them involved in the game and teaching them how to play correctly," said Eva Kaszuba.
On the first day of camp, Dickinson College's Aby Diop helped teach the girls about transition offense and defense.
"These coaches that we're bringing in are a level higher and they have a really good understanding of what it takes to succeed at that next level. Good teachers rather they're college, high school, or 5th grade coaches are going to be good teachers and that's what we want for the girls," Beviglia said.
"I knew there was going to be a lot of good competition and I just wanted to come and get better, make some new friends and see what it was all about. He's a very good coach and they have a good basketball team. sometimes I come up here and watch some of their games because they're very entertaining to watch," said Elizabeth Bilbow.
Other guest speakers and instructors for the week include Joya Whittington, former Lackawanna College head women's basketball coach, and Trevor Woodruff, current Bucknell University's head women's basketball coach. Besides the high level instruction, coach Beviglia's top priority for the girls this week is to have some fun.
"If it's not a good experience they wont come back. But more than that, I want them to be a little better when they walk out the door Thursday afternoon than they were when they walked in today. so if we can get that combination of fun and improvement, I think we've done our job, said Beviglia.