Middle School Boys Basketball/Track and Field
Coach: Blake Houston
Bio: I was born and raised in Statesboro, Ga. I competed in sports from eighth grade through college lettering, twice in high school. I went on to run track at The Fort Valley State University, where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree. I have nine brothers and two sisters. I also have three kids; one four-year-old and a set of one-year-old twin boys. I will be obtaining my Masters in Secondary Education with a concentration in Humanities. I am currently a high school Social Studies teacher at Perry Career Academy. I also coach basketball and track and field. I am a former collegiate athlete so coaching is in my DNA. I will be obtaining my Master’s degree to further my education in education. I want to gain my Specialist and possibly my Doctorate if the Lord permits. I ‘m a small-town kid raised in poverty, and like many others, I managed to make it out. I want to create a positive learning environment to help those who are growing up in a situation similar to my past. I became president in my honors program in college. I pledged in 2015 and became the president of The Alpha Pi chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. I won most improved in cross country and track in the same year. I went on to finish my collegiate career winning Top Academic awards in cross country and Track as well, and even had the honor of competing at nationals in the 4X100 relay with a time of 40.2 seconds.
Varsity Girls Basketball
Coach: Tony Brinson
Bio: Nick Name : Tony B for 3
Born in Atlanta, GA. to Tommie and Carolyn Brinson
Graduated from Fulton High School in Atlanta, GA.
Attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN.
Attended William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS.
Received my Master's Degree from Cambridge University in Boston, Massachusetts
25 years of Coaching High School Sports in the Metro Public Schools Districts including : Football, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, and Track
Hobbies : Traveling, Grilling, Swimming, Cycling, Playing Centipede, Playing Checkers, Sports Bars to watch The Football Games
Varsity Girls Assistant Basketball
Coach: Shannon Williams
Bio: I have been coaching at Elite Scholars for the past 3 years. I currently serve as the Varsity Girls Basketball Assistant Coach and Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach. I have had the opportunity to coach basketball at the elementary, middle, and high school levels within the Clayton County Public Schools System. I have been an educator at Arnold Elementary School for 20 years and currently serve as their Gifted/Talented Resource Teacher for 3rd-5th. I obtained my bachelors and master's degree from Georgia Southern University, as well as a Specialist from Liberty University; all in the education field. My goal as a coach is to inspire, motivate, and lead, while instilling life skills (leadership, teamwork, compassion, professionalism, etc.) that will transcend beyond the basketball court or soccer field into their adulthood.
Varsity Boys Basketball/Boys Soccer
Coach: Jason Greenlee
Bio: Jason Greenlee graduated from Appalachian State University in 2002 with a degree in Health Education. Jason Greenlee would further his education and receive a graduate degree in Instructional Technology/Post Secondary Education. Currently, at Elite Scholars Academy, Jason Greenlee teaches High School Health Education, Weight Training, and Cambridge International Level Physical Education course. In addition to being a certified teacher, Coach Greenlee has held a nursing license and has been a certified personal trainer through the American Aerobic Association International. Greenlee is married to Lyndsay Greenlee and the couple has two sons, Solomon and Ezekiel.
Greenlee’s Coaching Career
2005 - West Wilkes Middle School - Head Boys & Girls Track Head Coach
2007-2012 - Jonesboro Middle School - Head Boys Track Head Coach
2007-2012 - Jonesboro Middle School - Football Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator)
2013-2014 - Elite Scholars Academy - Middle School Boys Track & Field Head Coach
2013-2015 - Elite Scholars Academy - Middle School Boys Basketball Head Coach
2013-2015 - Lovejoy Middle School - Football Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator)
2014-2019 - Elite Scholars Academy - Varsity Head Boys Track & Field Coach
2015-present - Elite Scholars Academy - Varsity Head Boys Basketball Coach
2015 - 2021 - Elite Scholars Academy - Athletic Director
2022 - Elite Scholars Academy - Varsity Head Boys Soccer Coach
Athletic Accomplishments
1998 - Elkin High School- Soccer (3rd Round of NCHSAA 1A Playoffs, 1998)
1998 - Elkin High School - Wrestling (Region Semi-finals 137 weight class)
1999 - 2002 - Elkin High School - Basketball (Semi-final appearance of NCHSAA 1A Playoffs, 2002)
1998 - 2002 - Elkin High School - Track & Field (Top 5 State Finalist in Track & Field NCHSAA State Championship 4x2, 400m, 4x4, 1999-2002)
1999 - 2002 - Elkin High School - Football (tied state record with 21 sacks in a season, 1000 yard rusher, 2002)
2002 - 2004 - Appalachian State University - Member of the football team
Varsity Boys Assistant Basketball/Varsity Boys Head Track
Coach: Dave Wyman
Bio:I have been coaching since 2007, with the last five years being here at Elite. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Bob Jones University in Secondary Education: Social Studies, and a Graduate Degree from Western Michigan University in Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Coaching Performance. I have previously coached in Virginia, Michigan, and elsewhere in Georgia. In my years of coaching, I have had the opportunity to coach baseball (nine years), basketball (eight years), track (five years) and football (four years). Beginning this school year, I have been serving as the assistant director of athletics here at Elite.
Golf
Coach: Derick Powell
Bio: Coach Derick Powell is a Louisiana native who has been active in sports his entire life. Upon making the varsity basketball team as a high school freshman, basketball became his passion and sport of choice. He was a three year varsity starter, region MVP as Junior and first team All-State as a Senior. He led his team to back-to-back final four appearances with a state championship in his junior season. After evaluating scholarship offers from across the country, Coach Powell accepted a full athletic scholarship and was a four-year collegiate starter. Powell finished his collegiate career playing at North Carolina A&T State University where he was a two-year team captain and team MVP in his Senior season. Coach Powell earned a B.S. in Physical Education in 1998 and began teaching and coaching varsity basketball in Monroe, Louisiana at Ouachita High School. Upon moving to Georgia in 2001, he began a coaching career at Riverdale High School. He holds a M.Ed. in Athletic Administration and served as Athletic Director at Riverdale High School before moving on to his current position at the Perry Career Academy in Clayton County. He has served as head coach of multiple varsity sports for the past twenty seasons, including: basketball(16), track(5), cross-country (8), golf (6) and volleyball (7). His teams have won multiple region and county championships as well as Final Four appearances with both girls and boys basketball. Over fifty athletes have earned scholarships to play collegiate sports from teams coached by Powell. In 2013, Coach Powell began coaching club volleyball in the inaugural season of A5 South Volleyball Club where he coached 14, 15, and 16-year-olds for six seasons. He is currently coaching volleyball at 575 Volleyball Club in Tyrone, GA. At 575 Volleyball, he serves as Associate Club Director while coaching two teams, 13s and 15s. In 2021, he worked to help establish the inaugural season for a golf program at Elite Scholars Academy where Coach Powell is excited about the opportunity to join the coaching staff and serve as the first golf coach for the Knights of Elite Scholars.
Girls Soccer
Coach: Shannon Williams
Bio: I have been coaching at Elite Scholars for the past 3 years. I currently serve as the Varsity Girls Basketball Assistant Coach and Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach. I have had the opportunity to coach basketball at the elementary, middle, and high school levels within the Clayton County Public Schools System. I have been an educator at Arnold Elementary School for 20 years and currently serve as their Gifted/Talented Resource Teacher for 3rd-5th. I obtained my bachelors and master's degree from Georgia Southern University, as well as a Specialist from Liberty University; all in the education field. My goal as a coach is to inspire, motivate, and lead, while instilling life skills (leadership, teamwork, compassion, professionalism, etc.) that will transcend beyond the basketball court or soccer field into their adulthood.
Middle and High Swim
Coach: Myra Hamilton
Bio: I am a native Floridian. I have been a resident in Georgia since 2006. After graduating from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, I felt compelled to relocate to Georgia to secure employment as a teacher. In a short time, I was hired as a teacher at Tara Elementary School in Clayton County where I have worked diligently for fifteen years. Wanting to further my education, I enrolled in Nova Southeastern University where I earned a Master’s degree in 2008. Since childhood, I have been an avid sports fan and member of several sports teams. I am a former athlete in volleyball, basketball, fastpitch softball, and track. My first coaching job in Clayton County was as the head coach in volleyball at Morrow High School. I also coached volleyball at Riverdale High school as the assistant coach, head coach for volleyball and swimming at Pointe South Middle, and lastly I was blessed to secure the job of my dreams - coaching the boys and girls swim teams at Elite Scholars. On a personal note, I have one child who is also a Clayton county educator and coach of adapted sports. She is also a former athlete.
Varsity Girls Head Track
Coach: LaQuisha Smith
Bio: I was born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Fayetteville. I attended Flat Rock Middle School and Sandy Creek High School. There, I participated in Track (briefly due to injury), Step Team, Powderpuff Junior/Senior Games, and performance Mixed Chorus. I went on to attend Clayton State University in pursuance of a Biology degree. I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2012. I taught at Hapeville Charter Career Academy three years before transitioning to Elite Scholars Academy, during which, I obtained a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Governors University. I have coached ESA Middle School Cheerleading (3 seasons) and Varsity High School Cheerleading- mixed (1 season). I have been coaching track & field for five years, serving the last two years as Girls Varsity Head Coach. Our team has been blessed to compete in the GHSA State Championship annually, and we look forward to leaving our mark of excellence again this year!!
Middle School Volleyball
Coach: Ashanti Pilgrim
Bio: Coach Pilgrim loves all things related to sports and wellness. Growing up, she played basketball, softball, volleyball, and cheered for the varsity football team. While attending the University of Memphis, she was hired for her first coaching job and hasn't stopped since. She has coached Varsity Cheer, Middle School Boys Basketball, JV Volleyball, Middle School Volleyball, and Track and Field. She has taught Health and Physical Education in the past, and currently teaches AP Environmental Science. Coach Pilgrim and her husband have just welcomed a baby girl, who they hope will love sports as well.