Yazmine Norphlet signs to continue basketball career at Blue Mountain

Published 1:10 pm Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Another Lady Commodore will be continuing her basketball career post-high school.

Yazmine Norphlet signed on Monday to play collegiately at Blue Mountain College, giving the senior guard an opportunity to both get a degree and continue playing the sport she fell in love with.

“It’s the one sport I actually love. I have the heart and passion for basketball; now, I get to go on and pursue something I never thought I’d have the chance to do,” Norphlet said. “Blue Mountain felt like I was right at home. It was beautiful, and I got to meet some of the professors, all the coaches. I felt at home with the girls there.”

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As a junior on the team that went 27-4 a year ago, Norphlet started nearly every game at guard for Lafayette.

However, entering her senior year, Norphlet was asked to take a step back and enter a new role. Now, she comes off the bench in favor of her younger sister, who has been inserted in the starting lineup.

Still, it’s her leadership and willingness to accept a challenging role that will always stand out in the minds of the Commodores coaching staff.

“She’s been the consummate leader on and off the court. During practice, she’s talking and yelling,” head coach Shayne Linzy said. “She’s taken on her role as the senior leader, coming off the bench and she’s done it with a smile on her face. Yazmine works as hard as anyone on this team, if not harder. Having someone like that, she’s been really great for this team. It makes my job easier as a coach.”

The final chapter in Norphlet and the Lady Commodores’ 2020 season is still yet to be written. The team plays Friday in the second round of the MHSAA 5A State playoffs.