GHS senior basketball player Kyiah Julian officially signed last week to play for the University of Arkansas at Monticello next season. Julian was a four-year letterman and starter for the Lady Bulldogs and Head Coach Clay Reeves and was among the team’s leading scorers during that time.
Unfortunately, Julian suffered a knee injury late last season and missed the Lady Bulldogs’ playoff run to the 6A state title game, which they lost to Jonesboro.
But she returned this past season, leading her teammates to the state semi-finals, even as Coach Reeves was sidelined most of the year with a serious health issue. Filling in for Coach Reeves was boys’ assistant coach Matt Bryant.
“It felt good to be back out there with my team,” said Julian. “I was really bummed out that I couldn’t be there last year,” added the team’s floor leader.
As a senior, Julian averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per contest, while converting 75% of her free-throws. She scored 1,245 points in her Greenwood career.
She also scored 15 points in each of her three 5A state tournament games as the Lady Bulldogs finished 20-9 and reached the semifinals.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello is an NCAA Division II school that plays in the Great American Conference. The school’s mascot is the Boll Weevil.
“When I met (UAM head coach Tanya) Ray for the first time in person, I was very comfortable with her. We just clicked,” said Julian.
“I felt very comfortable around her. Then when I got to campus, it just felt like home,” she continued.
“I’m just proud of my team and I’m glad I got to play with them in the state tournament,” she added.