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BWSL Richmond Going West To Lake Las Vegas Classic

on May 21, 2015 by ASGR Basketball


The BWSL Richmond program has developed into an East Coast powerhouse in recent years, and this summer the club will be looking to spread it’s wings even more when BWSL ventures west to the Lake Las Vegas Classic.

“We are so excited about this tournament,” said Coach Maxwell Coats. “In the past, we have focused on playing events on the East Coast, and we felt like we had players who needed to get some exposure with the West Coast schools. Plus, we will be facing some new competition. We see the same teams a lot, but now we’ll get to play the top teams from out west, so it should be a great experience.”

The Lake Las Vegas Classic will be played at the Westin Lake Las Vegas complex on July 10. The field in Nevada will be loaded with outstanding programs from around the country, including BWSL Richmond.

One of the featured performers for the crew from Richmond is Samantha Burnelle (2019, 6-3, F), who is rated by the All Star Girls Report as the sixth best player in her class in the nation.

“Sam is an amazing player,” Coats said. “She is ultra athletic, she is an absolute monster in the post, and she has step back NBA three-point range. She is very talented and very skilled for her age.”

“Brunelle is very athletic, and she has a good feel for the game ,” added ASGR analyst Bret McCormick. “She has a long body and she knows how to post up, but she also has deep three-point range.”
Brunelle isn’t the only young star at BWSL. Coats is excited about the potential of Emily Maupin (2017, 6-4, C), Sharmine Lilly (2018, 5-6, G) and Rochelle Norris (2018, 6-5, C).
“Emily is a European style player with a great perimeter game. She has a great elbow jumper and she can shoot the three. She is also a tremendous passer, and she runs the floor very well. Emily is very fundamentally sound because she has gotten good coaching in high school.
“Sharmine is a cat quick guard who is an exceptional three-point shooter. Rochelle is a true post player who could move up to our top team at times. She is a very good athlete with good hands and a great work ethic. She will be exceptional.”

“Maupin can be effective inside, but she really likes to face up,” added McCormick. “She is a very good passer and her shooting range goes out to the arc. Lilly is a very quick player who can attack the basket. She knows the game, and she has a nice stroke from three-point range. Norris is a good athlete with great size. She has nice footwork, and she has a very high ceiling.”