Trisha Wase

Steve Virgen

She’s the best player in the Golden West League and one of the

best ball-handlers in Orange County. Yet, Estancia High junior point

guard Trisha Wase is merely at the start of her potential.

“She’s good, but I think she can be great,” Estancia Coach Tami

Rappa said. “She has so many skills. She has to continue to work and

not rest on what she has right now. I see so much potential in her. I

think she can get a scholarship at a four-year school.”

Playing in college is something Wase will think about next season.

For now, she said she is enjoying her junior year, and she has found

pleasure in playing in the Golden West League.

There’s a passiveness about her that seems she is disinterested in

the game, but put a basketball in front of Wase and watch her turn

into a performer obsessed with perfection.

“Why do I like basketball,” Wase asked herself. “It’s the winning

and the competition.”

While competing in the second half of league play, she has

realized she can take anyone off the dribble and then choose to shoot

or dish to one of her teammates. She has the confidence. She has a

cross-over dribble. And she has the desire to outplay her opponents.

“During a game, I play and it’s like a piece of cake,” Wase said

in a nonchalant tone. “I just say, whatever, play your game. That’s

what I tell the girls, too.”

Wase has heard the talk of her potential, and it just excites her.

She wants to play in college and she dreams of making it to the WNBA.

“When I hear about that (talk of potential),” Wase said. “That

makes me think, every time I go out on the court I’m going to try to

do my best. I want to get better with each game.”

Wase proved as much last week when she led the Eagles to three

victories. She came off the bench and was one steal from a

quadruple-double in a 61-43 win over Ocean View Jan 27. She had 15

points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and nine steals.

Two days later, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week, produced

another strong performance in a 58-55 win over Westminster. This

time, she had a game-high 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists

and three steals. She also nailed a key three-pointer with 1:08

remaining that gave Estancia a 54-50 lead.

Then, two days later, she had 11 points in a 59-36 home win over

Saddleback.

“The way she sees the floor would have to be her most impressive

quality,” Rappa said of her star point guard. “She sees two to three

plays before it happens. She’s always thinking ahead and that enables

her to be an assist artist. She knows how to slow down the game and

take the other team out of the game.”

Yet for all the talk of potential and her skills, Rappa said Wase

must work on her leadership on and off the court to take her game to

the next level. Wase’s competitiveness has led to a few technical

fouls this season. But, Rappa said the point guard is learning to

play with more poise.

“I got a technical foul at Westminster and (Wase) actually came to

me and told me to calm down,” Rappa said. “That showed me her

leadership. That shows another side of her that not too many people

see.”

Wase has also shown her leadership because she encourages her

teammates, Rappa said. Wase also has aplayful side to her that

includes a dance routine she performs with her teammate Krystal Mino.

There’s even a unique catch-phrase Wase uses for people who make her

laugh. She’ll say, ‘this fool.’ ”

Basketball is fun for Wase. When the talk of potential becomes

louder next season, she said the game should be even more fun.