SME Returning To Deep South Classic For Eighth Year



It may not be an easy trip from Mississippi to Raleigh, NC, but Coach Burnell Wesco has made the journey with his SME program each of the past eight summers in order to play in the Deep South Classic.

“The main things are the great competition and the exposure you get with the college coaches,” said Wesco. “In addition to those things, having the entire event in one building is important for us. We take three teams, and if the parents and coaches have to travel from gym to gym, that’s tough on everyone.”

The 2017 Deep South Classic will be held in Raleigh, NC from April 20-23. The event, which will feature some of the finest travel teams in the nation, will be played at the Raleigh Convention Center. There will be 20 courts in the building, keeping the entire event under one roof in downtown Raleigh.

SME will be powered in Raleigh by a strong cast of veteran guards that includes Lakera Hughes (5-7, PG, 2018), Terralyn Ulmer (5-7, CG, 2018), Shania Harris (5-5, PG, 2019) and Gabby Bunch (5-7, SG, 2019).

“Lakera is a great floor general, a Chris Paul type of point guard,” Wesco said. “She runs our offense and does a great job of setting up her teammates, but she can also score. Lakera can hit the three, she has a great mid-range game, and she can get to the rack.

“Terralyn is a slasher who can also hit the three. She is very good at creating contact, and then she can finish and get to the foul line.

“Shania’s quickness is what sets her apart. She is an ‘ooh and aah’ type of player who gets to the basket with her quickness, and she can make the flashy pass. Right now she is doing a great job leading her high school team (Brookhaven).

“Gabby is a great scorer and great shooter. She is very athletic, and she has an all-around game. She makes a lot of steals on the defensive end, and they usually lead to points.”