By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena High School has found its next head coach to lead the boys’ basketball program, as the hiring was made official at the Tuesday, June 12, Shelby County Board of Education meeting.

Helena High School will introduce Billy Grant as the second head coach in program history as he brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to HHS.

Grant replaces Chris Laatsch, who left in May to be the head coach of Spain Park High School. Laatsch helped set the foundation for Helena after leading the Huskies the last four seasons. Laatsch and Helena finished with the best record in school history in the 2017-18 campaign after going 30-3.

Grant comes to Helena after serving as head basketball coach at Gilmore-Bell, Pleasant Grove High School, and most recently at Pell City High School.

In his career, Grant has guided his teams to more than 550 wins. His teams have won numerous area championships, appeared in five Regional Finals, and made two Final Four appearances. He has been recognized a number of times as Coach of the Year and has guided dozens of young men towards college scholarships.

Other accomplishments include 14 20-win seasons, three 30-win seasons and 10 victories in Jefferson County Tournaments.

“We are thrilled to hire someone of coach Grant’s caliber to lead our boys’ basketball program,” Helena High School head coach April Brand said. “We are excited for our boys, and look forward to coach Grant continuing to build our basketball program.”

In the 2018-19 season, Helena will compete in Class 6A Area 8 play with Pelham, Chelsea and Calera.