High school basketball: Amherst Comets hire Pat Bray as coach

Pat Bray knows the necessities of a winning program.

As a result, he will take over the Amherst boys basketball program as head varsity coach, pending board approval June 15.

Bray, a 1988 Amherst graduate, has spent the last five years with the Comets program as a freshmen, junior varsity and assistant varisty coach, part of 22 years’ coaching experience. He has also spent time as an assistant varsity coach at Black River High School.

‘I’m a big part of the community here and everything, so when the job opened, it’s just something that I’ve wanted for a long time,’ Bray said.

Bray was also a standout athlete for the Comets, lettering in baseball and basketball. He was named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Lorain County his senior basketball season. He was also part of the 1987 conference champion basketball team and 1988 conference champion baseball team.

‘I’ve been playing basketball since I was 2 years old,’ Bray said.

‘I love the game, I know what it takes to be successful at the game. … I know what these kids are capable of doing. I’m going to demand a lot, but I know they’re going to give a lot.’

A successful program starts at the bottom, where Bray intends to build a foundation for the Amherst basketball family.

‘First thing I want to do is get the team together and start working with the younger kids in the program and be involved a little more with the youth program,’ Bray said. ‘We’ll get started from there and then hone in on the style of basketball that I want to play.’

Bray said his biggest goal for the 2015-16 season is to build a team with a winning record. The Comets bid farewell to seven graduating seniors, including Rees Rua and Adam Srnis, son of former coach John Srnis. Bray also said he wants to ensure his team plays at a high level to pose a threat to competitors.

‘We’re going to be a hard-working team,’ he said. ‘These kids that are coming up are kids that I’ve had for the last year or two on the JV level. I know the kids really well. I know what they’re capable of doing and it’s my job to make sure I get the best out of them, which the kids that I have are hard workers and I know they’re going to be working hard for me.’