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Lone Wolf Stepping Up At Deep South Classic

on March 4, 2015 by ASGR Basketball


When the Lone Wolf program travels from Vermont down to the Deep South Classic, first time players for the club may need a moment to adjust.

“In the Northeast, our events are much smaller, and we have about 50 or maybe 100 college coaches who are generally from D-II and D-III schools. At the Deep South, everything is different. You have 20 courts in one place, with 300 college coaches. It can be a little overwhelming,” explained Wayne Lafley, who serves as the Lone Wolf program director and national team head coach.

“We will have a number of players at the Deep South who have gone through it before, but we’re also bringing some players who haven’t been in that type of environment. On the first day, you just hope that they have settle in and just play basketball.”

The  2015 Deep South Classic will be played in Raleigh, NC on April 24-26. The Deep South Classic, which annually features the nation’s top travel programs, will once again have the entire tournament in one facility — the tremendous Raleigh Convention Center.

The Lone Wolf veterans will be led by Brooke Bjelko (2017, 6-3, P) and Mychaela Harton (2016, 5-7, CG).

“Brooke is a player with a very good upside. She runs the court very, very well, and she can finish inside with either hand,” Lefley said. “Brooke is still developing her offensive game. She is perfecting her post moves and extending her shooting range, but she is a very hard worker who is making progress. Mychaela is a penetrator who really puts pressure on the defense with her slashing. Plus, if they leave her open, she will hit the shot.”

Bret McCormick, the analyst for the All Star Girls Report, also provided his viewpoint on the Lone Wolf prospects.

“Bjelko is a good athlete with a blue collar attitude. She runs well, and she uses both hands well near the hoop. She is one to watch as she develops,” McCormick said. “Harton is a quick, attacking guard who is good in the open floor.”

Lafley will also be bringing some very talented newcomers, including Lisa Sulejmani (2018, 5-6, PG), Sadie Otley (2016, 5-7, PG) and Laurel Jaunich (2016, 6-1, PF).

“Lisa has very good handles, and she causes a lot of trouble when she gets into the lane,” Lefley said. “Lisa has very good court sense, she creates shots for her teammates, and she can hit the open three. She is also a very good passer in just about every type of situation.
“Sadie and Laurel are playing with us for the first time, and they play together in high school. Sadie is a very, very good passer, especially in transition. She is also a very good on-ball defender who really disrupts the other team’s offense. Laurel is a face up four with a great motor. She is the type of kid that will run all day. She is also crafty around the rim, she can make the three, and she is very good on the pick-and-pop out to about 16 feet.”
“Sulejmani is good quick and a very good basketball IQ,” added McCormick. “Sulejmani is a very skilled player who can distribute the ball and score. Otley is a very smart true point guard. She has excellent court vision, and she excels on the defensive end. Jaunich is an athletic, competitive power forward. She can score inside, and she has a nice face up game that extends out to the arc.”