Two of the nation’s top travel programs will be in Raleigh, N.C., this spring for the Deep South Classic. Triple Threat out of Philadelphia and San Antonio’s Finest both have rosters loaded with future collegiate players. The Deep South Classic, which will include 200 teams, will be played at the Raleigh Convention Center from April 19-21. This the second in a series of reviews about the Classic, and we’ll highlight other outstanding programs in the coming weeks.
“Those two programs have a number of top-flight players,” said Bret McCormick, who serves as the analyst for the All Star Girls Report. “They have a lot of depth, and they both have a key player who is ranked in our national Top 20.
“San Antonio’s Finest has Recee’ Caldwell, who is at No. 7 for the Class of 2014. Recee’ has committed to UCLA already. She is 5-7, and she is a great point guard. She has NBA range on her three-point shot, and she has one of the highest basketball IQ’s you are going to find.
“Triple Threat has Lauren Moses, a 6-1 power forward who is ranked at No. 18. She has committed to Virginia, and I think she’ll be a very good player for them. She is a great athlete with a strong body, and she is a very aggressive basketball player.”
The Triple Threat program has built a tremendous reputation under the direction of Eric Worley. The program has an impressive alumni list, but the current group may be breaking new ground.
“We have had a lot of success, and we’re looking forward to competing at the Deep South Classic this year,” said Worley, who will be sending five teams to Raleigh.”We try to play aggressive, Philly-style defense where we are active and in your face, and we want to attack the rim on the offensive end.
“Our goal is to develop the entire player. For example, if we have a strong post player in our program we encourage her to step outside so that she can build her complete game. I think that approach has been a big part of what we’ve accomplished.”
While Moses is the highest-rated player on the Triple Threat 17 National team, college coaches will be closely watching a number of the team members. In particular, 6-1 power forward G’mrice Davis (No. 130 in the Class of 2014), 5-7 point guard Aminah Farmer (No. 197), and 2015 standout Kalista Walters (a 6-0 forward) will draw attention.
San Antonio’s Finest is led by Ray Caldwell, who is Recee’s father. Three members of Caldwell’s club could be headed for breakout performances in Raleigh.
“Tanaeya Boclair (6-0, F, 2014, No. 172) has added some skills during the high school season, and I think she will surprise some people,” Caldwell said. “She can play the three as well as the four now, she has a college-ready frame, and she can grab the rim. Wendy Knight (5-9, G, 2014) is a big, strong guard with good shooting range. She is up to about a dozen offers now.
“Then we have Amber Ramirez (5-6, PG, 2016, No. 10), who is going to be a star. She has NBA three-point range, she is very crafty with the basketball, and she just has a special knack for scoring. She had college offers before she ever set foot on a high school campus.”
Here is a quick look at some of the other top-flight programs that will be competing in the National Division at the Deep South Classic: