University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Basketball Inks Battle, Brown, Burgess, Register And Soppe
11/15/2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
Women's basketball head coach Michael Shafer announced the signing of guards Miah Register (Trenton, N.J.), Keri Soppe (Rochester, N.Y.) and forwards Amber Battle (Apex, N.C.), Liz Brown (Sparks, Md.) and Yazmean Burgess (Arden, N.C.) to National Letters of Intent Monday afternoon.
Register, a 5'9 guard from Trenton, N.J., plays for Trenton Catholic Academy and averages 14.1 ppg. Register helped lead TCA to its third state title in as many years and recorded 31 point and 32 point games her junior season. Register is rated No. 61 best point guard in Hoop Gurlz.
"Miah is a lefty guard who is very crafty," said head coach Michael Shafer. "She is the captain of a very good high school basketball team that is accustomed to winning. She understands the game and does small things that help her team win. Miah can play multiple positions at the guard spot. She is a strong, athletic guard that can shoot the three. She never seems to get rattled. She plays within herself and at a very good pace where she can make the right reads and find the right people. I think Miah's strength will have her prepared for the physical nature of the college game."
Soppe, a 5'9 guard from Rochester, N.Y., is a four-year starter for Irondequoit High School and averages 16.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.0 spg, 2.0 bpg. Soppe is a two-time All County first team selection and an All-Greater Rochester first team honoree. Soppe was chosen an All Section first team member as voted on by the New York Basketball Coaches Association. Soppe is a three-time varsity captain and an four-year recipient of the Scholar-Athlete award.
"Keri is a scoring point guard," said Shafer. "She plays incredibly hard and is always competing. She can shoot the deep 3 or drive the ball to the basket. She also is very unselfish. She will find the open people and put the ball where it needs to be, when it needs to be there. She is a blue collar type of worker, in that she does not take a play off. She just finds a way to help her team win basketball games. She has good length that will allow her to be a good defender. In time, Keri will be a good leader, particularly by example, which is what you want from your point guard. Keri will fit very well in our style of play."
Battle, a 6'3 forward from Apex, N.C., averaged 11.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.0 bpg for Middle Creek high school. Battle was a Tri-9 All Conference first team selection and a three-time All Academic conference selection. Battle was rated No. 71 best forward in the country by All-Star Girls Report and has already amassed 286 career blocks.
"Amber is a unique forward," said Shafer. "I feel like she has only scratched the surface on her potential. She shoots the 3 very well-not just for a post player. She sees the floor and passes it well. She has a good frame in which she can add strength to deal with the physical play in the post. She comes from championship genes. Her father, Alvin, was on the 1983 NC State National Championship team, so she has been around the game awhile. She understands winning. Amber can run the floor very well and is a shot blocker. Once she gets accustomed to the more physical nature of college post play, I believe she will be a very good forward for Richmond."
Brown, a 6'4 forward from Sparks, Md., was rated No. 36 best center in the country by Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and averages 8.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg for Seton Keough high school. Brown is a two-time All Conference (IAAM Conference A Division) first team selection and helped her team win back-to-back conference championships her freshman and sophomore years. Brown is also a team captain for her volleyball team.
"Elizabeth is a tall, long post player that can block shots and run," said Shafer. "She really came on this summer. She showed some toughness and aggressiveness that was impressive. Her length alters a lot of shots. She can shoot it out to the three, but she is very good from 17 feet and in. She passes it well for a post. She plays on successful teams in both high school and club, so she understands winning and competition. Liz committed to getting better this summer and I certainly think that she did that. At this point, I don't see that improvement and growth letting up."
Burgess, a 6'3 forward from Arden, N.C, is a four-time T.C. Roberson Varsity Player of the year and was named to the All-Mountain Athletic Conference team her junior year. Burgess is the blocked shots leader as well as best defensive player for her T.C. Roberson high school team. Burgess won two state championships with her AAU team, Western Carolina Lady Royals. Burgess averages 12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.0 bpg and was rated No. 24 best player by Ronnie Til's Carolina Scouting report.
"Yazmean is a long, athletic post player," said Shafer. "She can fly up and down the floor. She can shoot it out toward the three. She is also a good passer. She has good quickness which will allow her to go by some bigger posts. She can block shots and rebound the basketball. She is one of those players that comes out of nowhere to get a rebound. She likes to run-seriously, she gets up in the morning and runs around the school track because she likes to. I love to hear that from a post player. I am really excited about Yaz's potential in our program."
Richmond opens its home schedule against Appalachian State Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Robins Center.
