PREP BASKETBALL:

Boulder City’s new basketball coach already familiar with program

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | 11:59 p.m.

High school sports section

Boulder City High's new basketball coach is already familiar with the program.

Kurt Bailey, a Boulder City resident who previously served as an assistant for the Eagles and coached last year locally at Elton M. Garrett Middle School, was named head coach last week.

He replaces Bobby Reese, who stepped down after leading the Eagles to the state championship in February to spend more time with his family.

"I really like the direction the program is headed in, so there won't be a lot of change," Bailey said. "Obviously, there will be some change in the way practice is run and some of the terminology."

Bailey coached Basic to its first playoff victory in 15 years in 2002 and was the Wolves' head coach from 1999 to 2003. He was Boulder City's junior varsity coach in 2006 and 2007 and has worked at Garrett, where his son is on the team, the past two seasons.

Boulder City Athletic Director Regina Quintero said six applied for the opening. She said Bailey's experience made him a strong candidate.

"One of the things that made him stand out is that he has been a head coach before," Quintero said. "He knows how a program runs."

Bailey has already met with the returning players and is working to organize the program's annual trip to a team camp this summer. He will also host a camp for the town's young athletes, similar to what Reese operated each summer.

"We need to get to a camp so I can get familiar with them and they can get familiar with my coaching style," Bailey said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.