Arts & Athletics

Would you like to support SCA Athletics? Click here to access the Athletic Sponsorship Form. Go Spartans! 

Athletic Paperwork

The following forms are required to be completed prior to a scholar participating in a sport at Scintilla Charter Academy. Completed forms can be submitted to the head coach.

GHSA Sports Physical History and Evaluation Form

GHSA Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form

GHSA Student/Parent Concussion Awareness Form

GHSA Practice  Policy for Heat and Humidity

Coaching Staff

Melissa Baity, Head Cross Country Coach and Track and Field Coach

Coach Baity started the cross-country program at SCA two years ago. She comes with years of experience as a cross-country and track competitor for Lowndes High School and earned an athletic scholarship to Georgia Southern University and then Valdosta State University, earning many accolades and setting records at each school. She is eager to share her love and knowledge of running with our Spartan athletes.

Buck Coats, Head Baseball Coach and Football Coach 

Drafted to the Chicago Cubs after graduating from Valdosta High School in 2000, Coats spent over a decade playing for Major League Baseball teams and was a member of Team USA Baseball. Prior to joining SCA, Coach Buck served as a professional hitting coach and MLB scout for the Los Angeles Angels. Two years ago, Coach Buck established a baseball team at SCA and this past year, he started SCA’s football program. 

Evan Grantham, Head Upper School Boys Basketball Coach and Head Golf Coach

In Coach Grantham’s most recent season as head varsity basketball coach in Sweetwater, TX, his team won over 20 games in the for the first time in 26 years and advanced to the state playoffs. In addition to coaching basketball, he will also be our Head Golf Coach. Coach Grantham will implement a dynamic and engaging leadership program for our student-athletes.

Jay Hamlett, Head Middle School Boys Basketball Coach and Baseball Coach 

Coach Hamlett has nine years of coaching experience between baseball and basketball. He began coaching with Echols County at the middle school level and took over the high school baseball team in 2017. In 2022/2023, Coach Hamlett led the varsity baseball team to their first state playoff appearance in school history. As a player, Coach Hamlett won a baseball state championship in high school at Flint River Academy. He also played collegiate baseball at Valdosta State University as a pitcher. Coach Hamlett looks forward to helping build the sports programs here at SCA.

Jen Henderson, Head Volleyball Coach, Head Track and Field Coach

Coach Jen Henderson holds a Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education and Coaching Pedagogy from Valdosta State University, where she attended college for cheerleading. Over the past seven years, she has coached middle school and varsity track & field, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball. Coach Henderson is passionate about all things relating to athletics and fitness and loves sharing her passion with her students. 

Justin Henderson, Head Football Coach

For the past five years, Coach Henderson has served as the head football coach at Valwood.  Coach Henderson’s coaching career started at Valdosta High School, where he served as the defensive line coach, and was the head football coach for the freshman team.

Taylor Jordan, Head Softball Coach

Miss. Jordan comes with many years of softball experience. After playing softball in high school, Miss. Jordan went on to play two years of collegiate softball at Enterprise State Community College. After playing at ESCC, she transferred to Thomas University where she played softball for three years while completing her degree in Elementary Education.

Heather Pickard, Head Tennis Coach and Cross Country Coach

Coach Pickard began coaching in 2015 at Valwood School. She coached both Middle School and Varsity Tennis while at Valwood and has enjoyed coaching the SCA Middle School Tennis Team for the last two years. Heather has a passion for helping athletes reach their potential in a positive and encouraging environment.  

Sloan Pitts, Head Football Basketball Cheerleading Coach and Head Basketball Cheerleading Coach

Coach Pitts was a four-year Collegiate cheerleader for Valdosta State University and a two-time Division 2 NCA National Champion Cheerleader. Coach Pitts has been coaching cheerleading for seven years and implemented football and basketball cheerleading at SCA this past year.

Taylor Prain, Head Soccer Coach and Football Coach

Coach Prain has served as the Head Middle School Baseball Coach at Valdosta Middle School and the Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at Valdosta High school. Prior to coaching in Valdosta City Schools, Coach Prain coached baseball at Brooks County. Coach Prain is a former baseball player and graduate of Valdosta High School. 

Morgan Stone, Head Girls Basketball Coach 

Mrs. Stone comes with many years of basketball experience.  After playing in high school, she attended college on a basketball scholarship.  After playing basketball at a Junior College level, she decided to fully commit her time to work on her education degree and coaching different ages of basketball after graduation.  Mrs. Stone is excited to establish the girls basketball program and share her love of basketball with the girls here at SCA; helping the girls to reach their highest potential is her main goal.