Kelsey Herman came to Leland High School not just to coach basketball but to make a difference in the lives of young men.
“I am here to encourage them and to help them take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of them. A lot of times the kids that are juniors and seniors don’t know what their next step in life is going to be. These kids have people that have come and gone through out their lives. I am going to be there for them,” Coach Herman said.
So far this season, Coach Herman has already seen some of the positives of his new coaching position at Leland. He has watched the team grow together at each practice. This hard work is starting to translate into games.”
On Tuesday night, for example, Coach Herman’s Leland Cubs won a hard fought, 65-62, battle in overtime over rival O’Bannon. The Cubs took a 19-10 lead in the first quarter and then did enough to hold off a strong Green Wave rally.
“I felt like we got a new life in overtime. I told them at halftime this was a rivalry game and it wasn’t going to be easy, and I am proud of the way they kept fighting and never gave up,” Coach Herman said.
Three of Leland’s main weapons this season include senior Marchez Boykins, senior KeAndre Green and senior Jararius Collins. All three of them bring something special to their team.
“Marchez is our Energizer Bunny. He is always working hard and he brings guys together. He hit a big shot on Tuesday that sent us into overtime.”
“KeAndre does not like the spotlight, but, when the time comes, he is willing to take the big shot and make the big shot.”
“Jadarius is a player on our team who everyone follows. He is a leader”
Becoming a coach was always in the back of Coach Herman’s mind. A graduate and former basketball player of Broad Street High School in Shelby, Miss., he later got his undergraduate degree in physical education from Delta State University. He later received his masters degree from Trident International University in early childhood development.
As a young man, Coach Herman’s desire to work with young people only strengthened when he mentored youth in the Save the Children Program.
In 2016, he moved down to Greenville as an assistant coach to Delmar Sprouse on the Greenville High School boys basketball team where he served from until 2019.
Before moving to Leland High School, he was an assistant coach for Gentry High School.
Coach Herman first became interested in the Leland coaching position when he saw the Cubs play during a summer tournament two years ago. He knew he could make a difference in Leland.
“When I saw Leland play, I knew that they needed direction. I thought that if the coaching job ever became available in Leland, I was going to go for it,” he said.
