Ray Alley has been involved with basketball most of his life. Now, at age 30, the former Vinalhaven High School and Husson College scoring phenom is ready to take his game to another level – as a coach.

Alley has been hired as the men’s basketball coach at Division III Eastern Maine Technical College in Bangor.

He replaces Tom Libby, who served as the Golden Eagles’ interim boss after former coach and athletic director Ron Brown stepped down in January.

Alley, a self-employed painting contractor who lives in Brewer, is looking forward to the new challenge.

“It’s an opportunity to work with some young kids,” Alley said. “I’d like to go in there and try to help some kids have fun and see them succeed in the classroom as well as on the basketball court.”

While Alley realizes the caliber of basketball played at Eastern Maine Tech may be a notch below that of his alma mater, he was attracted to the program because his background and interests are similar to the young men he’ll be coaching.

“It’s a big trade school,” he said. “Obviously, it isn’t a scholarship program. The kids who go to school there are not going to play for the Boston Celtics. They’re going to be working with the rest of us hardworking folks.”

Alley’s goal is to establish some continuity among players at the two-year college while helping them enjoy athletics and get the most out of their education experience.

“I’d like to try to have a good-quality team and get the kids to know why they’re there,” Alley said. “I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on them.”

He admits his affection for a wide-open, fast-paced game is likely to translate to his coaching philosophy.

“I’m gonna play everyone. It’s going to be helter-skelter. That’s how I like to play,” Alley said with a chuckle.

Alley will be assisted by former Bangor High three-sport standout and former University of Maine football player Mark Lewis.

Alley graduated from Husson in 1995 with a B.S. in Business Administration as the leading scorer in school history with 2,657 points. The two-time NAIA All-America first-team pick also wound up third in career assists (530) and fifth in steals with 201.

In 1999, Alley’s No. 12 jersey was retired by Husson. His name appears 28 times on the Braves’ basketball all-time Top 10 statistical lists.

Walsh lauds Reilly’s efforts

University of Maine men’s hockey coach Shawn Walsh on Friday lauded the efforts of former assistant coach Gene Reilly, who is leaving the program to become the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

“Gene has been an invaluable part of our staff,” Walsh said in a statement released by UMaine. “Each of the three seasons he has been here have culminated in the NCAA Tournament.”

A career in the pro ranks apparently was a deal Reilly couldn’t turn down.

“He has always had a dream to coach at the professional level,” Walsh said. “This opportunity is exciting for him.”

Walsh said UMaine is looking at candidates to replace Reilly, whose departure comes only a month before the Black Bears take the ice for preseason drills.