AMERICUS — Dee Smith can already touch the rim.

And at 5-foot-9, she’s determined to dunk the basketball in the near future.

That leaping ability helped her in leading the Americus-Sumter Lady Panthers to a 25-3 record and past the first round of the Class AAAA tournament. She led the team at 15 points and eight rebounds a game, and big things are expected from her on the next level.

And Brandan Harrell was a very happy coach when Smith committed to the Lady Jets program at South Georgia Tech. She chose the Lady Jets over Alabama Southern and Darton College.

“We’ve been after her all season; we’ve really been watching her the last couple of years,” said Harrell. “We’re glad to get her. She’s an athletic guard, a big guard. She can shoot it, and I think she’s one of those players that can help us win a bunch of games.”

Averaging almost a double-double as a senior, Smith said strength was one of the aspects she worked on entering her senior year.

“I practiced harder and worked on most of the things I’m really good at — rebounding and boxing out and making free throws and layups,” she said.

Smith played a post position this year, but she will be either the point or shooting guard for the Lady Jets, a role she’s excited about.

“Point guard is a position where it carries the team,” she said. “I’ll be driving in when I need to and work hard and make good passes.”

Lady Panthers coach Evelyn Wright said Smith improved into a well-rounded basketball player. Smith finished her high school career by being the MVP of the all-star game she played in at Darton.

“She’s going to stand out,” said Wright. “She’ll be a plus for the program, and it’s going to be good for her. She likes to run and loves to push the ball up the floor. She can jump out of the gym, and she’s getting stronger every day.”

Wright could always count on Smith to jump with the taller players for a rebound or get a key steal. In the state tournament, Smith jumped with Westlake’s trees, which were 6-2 and taller.

That alone puts a smile on Harrell’s face.

“She is probably the most athletic guard we’ve ever had,” he said. “And we’ve had a bunch of players in and looked at that many more. It’s not just her athleticism, but her instincts. She has good defense and speed and the will to win. She will become a better player. She just has to continue to work hard.

The Lady Jets won 23 games last year and finished as runner-up in the GJCAA. They are losing five guards from the team, including GJCAA Player of the Year in Alice Holmes. That means Smith has a chance to step right in and make an instant impact.