Manny Melo is getting his first shot at a varsity head coaching job, taking over the Hockinson boys basketball program.
“I’m nervous. Big-time nervous. But I’ve been around this area long enough that I know other head coaches and administrations,” Melo said. “I feel comfortable that if I need to call someone, I will have that support.”
Melo, 26, is a 2007 graduate of Battle Ground High School. It is becoming more common for schools to turn to younger coaches. Melo said he plans to take what he has learned from head coaches he has worked with — in basketball and in other sports, as well — to help shape his own program.
“I’m definitely a willing-to-learn coach,” Melo said.
He got this opportunity when another young coach resigned. Trevor Person, 31, is a new dad and wanted to spend more time with his family while working on furthering his own education.
“I was real fortunate. I loved my time at Hockinson,” Person said. “Great community. Great kids. Just the timing of family. Only so many hours in a day.”
Melo was Person’s JV coach the past two seasons. This year’s seniors were Melo’s first players at Hockinson.
Melo has led the Hockinson summer program and likes what he has seen from the Hawks.
“It should be a fun year,” Melo said.
In other Hockinson news, Beth Tugaw is back running athletics at the school.
She said the Hockinson community is excited to have Melo in place with the basketball program.
Piland returns to coaching volleyball
Lori Piland, who coached at Evergreen from 1999 to 2007, is back in charge of a volleyball program, taking over at Union.
Piland was hired in late spring after Tove Papenfuse resigned.
“It’s awesome. I’m really, really happy. Everyone’s been supportive,” Piland said. “I feel like I’m returning to a part of myself that I haven’t had in a while.”
Piland left Evergreen — where the Plainsmen won two league titles — to focus on family. It was the perfect time to step away, she said, but now it is the perfect time to return to the court.
“I’m so honored to be coaching these young women at Union,” Piland said. “I haven’t known them for very long but they have been so wonderful.”
Piland is a full-time teacher in the Evergreen district. She will split her teaching duties between Evergreen and Union.
