WINDSOR – Bertie High School rising senior Jessica Breland has traveled out of the country this summer.

Breland, a standout on the varsity basketball squad at Bertie, traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil for eight days (June 21-29) to play six basketball games in six days.

&uot;Coach (Alice) Lyons-Bennett has always told me to put Bertie High on the map and I have surpassed this accomplishment,&uot; Breland said.

She also said she is pleased to represent Bertie County and the United States during her eight days in South America.

During that stay, Breland faced Santo Andre Club, Osasco Club, Sao Bernardo Club, Sao Caetano Sports Club, Guarulhos Club and the University All-Stars.

Lyons-Bennett, who serves as head varsity girl’s basketball coach at Bertie High School, accompanied Breland on the trip as did her son, William Bennett Jr.

Bennett is also an assistant coach for the Boo Williams Summer League AAU 16-under girl’s basketball team of Hampton, Virginia.

Breland has received national exposure through Williams’ league and was voted one of the top 12 basketball players in the country.

Several top colleges, including Louisiana State University, the University of Connecticut, Tennessee, Kentucky, Duke, Old Dominion, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have recruited Breland. She has verbally committed to UNC-Chapel Hill.

Breland will have a busy summer traveling with Williams’ Summer League team. After returning to North Carolina, she will travel to Portland, Oregon for a Nike Camp.

She will also be participating in tournaments in Portland, Chicago, Illinois, Orlando, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C.

Breland said she appreciated the help of those who sponsored her trip to Brazil. She is the daughter of Charles Breland of Kelford and Jean Breland of Oak City.