RYANNE NELKE-ROLAND
Since coming to Roalnd two years ago, Scott Nelke has taken the Roland Lady Rangers to the state basketball tournament twice, and all indications are that 2025-26 could mean another trip to the Big Dance. Coming off a 22-6 season, Roland returns four starters from last year including his daughter and leading scorer Ryanne who averaged 18.2 points and four rebounds per game along with Halle Freeman who averaged 11 points and eight rebounds a game, both just juniors. For the elder Nelke, the chance to coach his daughter has been special.
“I’ve really enjoyed being able to be with her as a player and daughter. Just getting to spend that extra time with her has been special,” said dad/coach. “Being her coach once she got to high school took some adjusting for both of us because it’s a little tough if you’ve never coached your child before. My first year I was pretty hard on her and even my superintendent said something to me about it. I didn’t really realize it- I was just pushing because I knew we would have to have a couple of freshmen step up for us that year to be successful. But once practice is over and we hop in the truck, Roland Lady Rangers basketball is forgotten, and we’ll go home and watch football or basketball together.”
For her part, Ryanne says it’s all okay.
“I like having him as a coach. I’ve learned a lot from him, and I think it’s helped us think alike. I don’t think he’s been that hard on me though here are some times when it gets a little bad but overall, I really get it.”
As a coach’s daughter, it’s no surprise that Ryanne got an early start with the basketball in her hands.
“I started playing at the girl’s club around the age of five and started playing travel ball shortly after that. Dad coached a lot of really good players at Fort Smith Northside before we moved here and as I watched him coach it made me see how much hard work it took to be a successful player,” said Ryanne who is also in the National Honor Society.
With only one senior on the roster, Ryanne and Halle will be expected to pick up some of the leadership slack this year according to the coach.
“I think a good leader means picking everyone up when they’re down while also encouraging and teaching the younger players when they make mistakes,” said Ryanne.
Though she’s just got a couple of seasons under her belt at Roland, she’s already got a lasting memory.
“Last year when we went to state and had to play top-ranked Washington in the first round, I hit three 3s early and it really got us charged up and even though we lost the game, it was really exciting and special for me.”
Ryanne has three goals she has set for herself this year.
“First, get us to state again. I also want us to win the Sequoyah County and Talihina Tournaments, and I’d like to reach the 1000 point mark this year.”
In her spare time, Ryanne likes to watch sports on TV and hang with her sister Raychel, who is a golfer at OU, when she’s home.
