Spring has arrived in Greenwood, and along with it, coaching changes and other news and notes.
Girls Basketball
Head Girls Basketball Coach Ryan Casalman stepped down as the Head Coach and will return as the Junior High Boys Basketball Coach. It did not take long to find the next candidate. Roland Girls Head Coach Scott Nelke takes over the program, which is just two seasons removed from completing a Three-Peat under then Head Coach Clay Reeves.
Coach Nelke recently had stops in Sallisaw, Pocola, and Northside. While at Northside, he was an assistant under then-Head Coach Eric Burnett, when current Oklahoma City Thunder players Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe were there.
“We reached out to Coach Nelke a couple years ago when this job came open, and heard great things about him. He’s been around the area; he’s been a head coach. He had success at Pocola and had success in Roland.” Athletic Director Chris Young said after signing day activities. “They [Greenwood] tried to hire him for the head [coach] job when it came open with the boys. Everybody we talked to had great things to say about him. Not only as a coach, but him as a person.”
In his most recent stop in Roland, he posted a 59-20 record with trips to the Class 3A State Tournament. Trips to the State Tournament have become a tradition for the Lady Bulldogs, who make it an annual trip. The Lady Bulldogs have eight State Championships on nine State Championship game appearances.
Signing Day
Greenwood had its fourth signing day of the 25-26 school year. Lexi Gordon (Cross Country), Luke Brandt (Cheer), Jordin Jackson (Dance), and Wyatt Edwards (Football) signed on the line to continue their athletic careers.
“It’s awesome to see our kids being able to continue doing what they do. And whether it’s dance, cheer, or cross country, or football. Number one, it’s just a reflection of all the programs we have available at Greenwood.” Athletic Director Chris Young said. “I think it’s something special about Greenwood, is the success of our kids in various programs. But also a reflection of our coaches.”
School Record setters Kylah Pearcy (Basketball -UAFS) and Kane Archer (Football – Utah) signed last year, with Cody Taylor and Champ Davis signing with Charlotte and Southern University in December. February Football signing day saw Cody Johnson and Akira Fujibayashi sign with Central Oklahoma and Henderson State, respectively.
Scholarships
It is getting to be that time when Greenwood High School awards scholarships to students, and there are a few athletics-based scholarships.
Ken Hamilton Memorial Tennis Scholarship winners were Wesley Jerrell and Kylah Pearcy.
Volleyball Booster Club Scholarship went to Raylee Wagoner.
Isaiah Arrington Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Akira Fujibayashi.
More will be announced on the Greenwood High School Facebook page.
