Riverwood Student-Athletes Sign Letters Of Intent

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Six students at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs have all formally inked deals to continue their athletic — and academic — careers once they graduate from high school.

The students recently signed letters of intent to play their sport at the college level. Four are baseball players, while another plays volleyball and one plays men’s lacrosse.

"We are excited for our Raiders as they make plans to pursue their athletic dreams in college," the school said.

Nailah Jenkins

Riverwood International Charter School senior Nailah Jenkins signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at Northeastern University in Boston. Jenkins will receive a full athletic scholarship to play for the Huskies, who compete in the Colonial Athletic Association conference. She was recruited as middle hitter for the NCAA Division I program.

"Nailah is a fierce competitor. The hours that she has put into working on her volleyball skills have allowed her to do great things throughout her high school career," said Riverwood head volleyball coach Nikia Bynum-Isler. "I wish her the best as she prepares for her next journey at Northeastern."

Jenkins has played volleyball for the Riverwood Raiders for four years, all of them on varsity. She
served as team co-captain in 11th and 12th grades. She was named to the Georgia High School
Association Area 6-AAAAA 1 st Team each year she’s played and won the Riverwood Volleyball
team's Best Offense award every year, as well. In 2018, Jenkins made the Georgia Volleyball
Coaches Association AAAAA All-State First Team and achieved the much-coveted 1000 Kills
designation.

In addition to the school team, she competes on the top-ranked A5 Volleyball Club team, where she serves as a co-captain. On the club team, she achieved a number of milestones and competed in numerous regional tournaments and junior national championships. An extremely well-rounded student, Jenkins serves as vice-president of the senior class and is a tutor in the Raider Writing Center. She is also a member of the Riverwood Dance Club. Nailah Jenkins is the
daughter of Lydia and Buck Jenkins of Mableton. Buck Jenkins is the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Riverwood.

Brett Thomas

Riverwood International Charter School senior Brett Thomas signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at The University of South Carolina in Columbia. Thomas received an athletic scholarship to play for the Gamecocks, who compete in the South Eastern Conference. Thomas was recruited as a pitcher for the NCAA Division I program.

"Brett is (a) big right-handed power arm that gives you a chance to win every time he is on the mound," said Riverwood head baseball coach Trey Henson. "He is a 2019 preseason 2nd Team All-State selection. Brett is a hugely talented pitcher, a great young man, and a great teammate. He will fit in well at South Carolina but keep an eye out as he is sure to draw some draft interest in 2019."

Thomas played baseball for the Riverwood Raiders for four years, three of them on varsity. He was
named Athlete of the Month in ninth grade as well as JV Pitcher of the Year. In 10th grade he received the Rookie of the Year award and was named to the Georgia High School Association All-Region Team. Thomas plays travel/summer ball at 643 DP Athletics where he was designated a 2018 Perfect Game Top 500 and was invited to the 2018 Perfect Game National Showcase. Outside the classroom, Thomas is involved with Young Life, Blue Skies Ministries and has volunteered with the Christopher League, Special Olympics and Shepherd Spinal Center. He is a member of the Riverwood Beta Club. Thomas is the son of Christine and Brad Thomas of Sandy Springs. He has an older sister who graduated from Riverwood, and a younger brother who hopes to join the Riverwood Raider Baseball team this year as a freshman.

Allen Grier

Riverwood International Charter School senior Allen Grier signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Grier will receive athletic and academic scholarships to play for the Tigers, who compete in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association. The Tigers recruited Grier as an outfielder for their National Junior College Athletic Association program.

"Allen is an extremely gifted baseball player with an unbelievable work ethic," Coach Henson said. He is one of the best defensive outfielders I have ever coached, not to mention he is very good at the plate. He is a leader and a great teammate. Chattanooga State is getting an absolute gem in Allen Grier."

Grier has played baseball for the Riverwood Raiders for four years, three of them on Varsity. He also played freshman, junior varsity and varsity basketball for Riverwood. He has been the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award each year that he has played baseball. In the summer, Grier plays with the Georgia Bombers, and has twice participated in the USA Baseball Breakthrough Series in conjunction with Major League Baseball. At Riverwood, Grier is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, and serves as a Riverwood Ambassador to welcome guests and new students to the school. He is the son of Wayne and Tara Grier of Atlanta.

Harris Beckley

Riverwood International Charter School senior Harris Beckley signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Beckley received a partial athletic scholarship to play for the Terriers, who compete in the Southern Conference. Beckley was recruited as an outfielder for the NCAA Division I team.

"Harris is an extremely versatile player," Henson said. "He is a very talented left-handed hitter, base runner, and can play almost anywhere defensively. Harris is a great fit for the style of play at Wofford."

Beckley played baseball for the Riverwood Raiders for four years, three of them on Varsity. He
was named JV Offensive MVP in his ninth grade year. His travel and summer ball experiences
include seasons with teams at 643 DP Athletics. Beckley is the son of Allyson and Bob Beckley
of Sandy Springs. His older brother, John, is a sophomore linebacker for Wofford.

Christopher Hall

Riverwood International Charter School senior Christopher Hall signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Hall received a partial athletic scholarship to play for the Blue Wave, who compete in the Mid-Florida Conference. He was recruited as an outfielder and pitcher for the National Junior College Athletic Association program.

"Chris Hall is the kid you want to coach," Henson states. "He is a very talented outfielder, base stealer and an extremely tough out at the plate. His talent is just a small part of what makes him who he is. Chris is one of the hardest working young men I have ever been around. He has a great attitude every day and never shies away from competition. Chris is what us old school guys call a ‘grinder’."

Hall played baseball for the Riverwood Raiders for four years, three of them on Varsity. He received the Most Improved award in 10th grade. He was also a member of the Riverwood Basketball team in ninth and 10th grades. Hall has played travel/summer ball with the Marquis Grissom Baseball Academy and the Baseball Genius Academy Bombers. He is the son of Charles and LaDebra Hall of College Park.

Phillip Malever

Riverwood International Charter School senior Phillip Malever has signed a National Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Malever received a partial athletic scholarship to play for the Golden Griffins, who compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Malever was recruited as a long-stick defensive midfielder for the NCAA Division I school.

"Since the first day of meeting Phillip, there has been one common topic of discussion, and that has been his love for Riverwood lacrosse and his teammates," said Riverwood head lacrosse coach Mark Horton. "We have a lot of talent on this team, but I have never seen someone so determined to be ‘that dawg’ on and off the field. I can’t wait to see him in action this spring and beyond in college."

Malever played Varsity lacrosse for the Riverwood Raiders for four years, three of them as Captain. He was named Defensive MVP in 10th and 11th grades. During the summer, he plays for LB3 Thunder Lacrosse. At Riverwood, he is a member of the Blue Crew spirit squad as well as Future Business Leaders of America. He is also involved with Young Life and serves as a youth basketball coach at a local recreational program. Malever is the son of Allison Malever of Sandy Springs.

Photo 1: Nailah Jenkins

Photo 2: Brett Thomas

Photo 3: Allen Grier

Photo 4: Harris Beckley

Photo 5: Christopher Hall

Photo 6: Phillip Malever

Images via Riverwood International Charter School