Pepperell High School Names Leah Nelson as New Girls Basketball Coach

Pepperell High School (PHS) is proud to announce the hiring of Leah Nelson as the new head coach for the Lady Dragons basketball program.

A veteran educator and decorated athlete, Coach Nelson brings over 27 years of experience in education and more than two decades of coaching expertise to the Pepperell community.

Coach Nelson joins Pepperell with a proven track record of championship success. She previously led programs to multiple Area Championships and “Sweet 16” appearances. Notably, she was a key part of the coaching staff at Saks High School during their 4A State Championship run in 2006.

Beyond her coaching resume, Nelson possesses an elite athletic background as a former Division I basketball player for the University of Alabama. Her personal accolades include being named Alabama’s “Mrs. Basketball” in 1993, earning All-American Honorable Mention honors in 1998, and winning back-to-back 4A State Championships as a player.

“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to join the Pepperell community as a teacher and coach,” said Coach Nelson. “I have heard so many great things about the school and its people, and I look forward to bringing my passion for basketball and commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court.”

In addition to her role on the sidelines, Nelson is a highly qualified educator holding an Educational Specialist degree in Library Media from the University of West Alabama. Her teaching career spans various subjects and grade levels, most recently serving as a Library Media Specialist at Cherokee County High School.

Coach Nelson will take the place of Coach Emily Claytor, who resigned in February. The entire Pepperell community and FCS thanks Coach Claytor for the work she did as the head coach, leaving a lasting impact on her players and the program.