Dillard Lady Bleu Devils ink four in offseason; look to make a run at GCAC title

Alyssa Washington (left) of Pflugerville High & Shaelynn Moore (right) of

Atascocita High  signed with the Lady Bleu Devils.

New Orleans, Louisiana – Dillard University has been busy this offseason, signing four players to the Lady Bleu Devils basketball team that improved from three wins to 16 wins in just one season. Under the direction of Dillard head coach Norbert Rome, Dillard's 2015-16 signees include Alyssa Washington, Bria Burras, Shaelynn Moore and Teira Nickerson. All ladies will be incoming freshman in the fall at Dillard.

Washington comes from Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas, where she made All-State as well as All-Tournament in the Nancy Walling Classic.

"The first thing you notice when you see her is great size at the guard position," said Lady Bleu Devils assistant coach Norvell Rome. "Her size and ability to shoot the ball is tremendous, and it's a huge plus when you enter college with a body like hers, so she will be able to make a difference on the floor right away defensively, helping to rebound and guard multiple positions as opposed to taking years to physically develop."

Burras attended Helen Cox High School in Harvey, Louisiana, where she averaged 10 points and four rebounds and three blocks per game. Burras' mother is a Dillard alumna and former Lady Bleu Devil who holds various basketball records at Dillard.

Moore comes from Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas, where she made 1st-team All-District, received an Offensive Player of the Year award and landed a spot on the Greater Houston All-Star team.

"I'm really excited to get the season started," said Moore. "I'm ready to meet my teammates and I'm ready to adapt to going to school (college) and being on my own."

(Norvell) Rome says the one word that comes to mind when he thinks of Moore is "versatility."

"She can play the one or the two and she will be able to stretch the floor for us," said Assistant Coach Rome. "It's ironic that we replace firepower from one Shea (Collins) to another Shae (Moore). She knows replacing Collins will not be an easy task and its something she doesn't take lightly but she is up for the challenge, plus her work ethic is second to none," said Rome.

As for Nickerson, she attended West Jefferson High School in Terrytown, Louisiana, where she received Athlete of the Year as well as the Outstanding Athlete Award for basketball and track and field. She was once coached by (Norbert) Rome when she played AAU ball for Angels Basketball so it will be interesting to see how she has developed as she transitions to collegiate hoops.

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