Ray Kearney will be the Mohonasen High School’s new varsity boys’ basketball coach Tuesday.
The Mohonasen graduate is taking over for Josh Peck, who stepped away from the program after four seasons earlier this month to spend more time with his family. Peck’s Mighty Warriors last season won the program’s first Section II title since 2011, claimed the school’s first regional championship and advanced to the state Class A final four in Binghamton.
Mohonasen athletic director Dave Austin said Kearney’s appointment will become official at Monday’s Board of Eduction meeting. Attempts Tuesday to reach Kearney were unsuccessful.
“I value continuity,” Austin said. “I asked Josh who on his staff was coming back and who would be [his] first recommendation. Although he said great things about the entire staff, Ray was the one he first recommended.”
Kearney has spent the last decade coaching freshman and junior varsity basketball at Mohonasen while serving as a game-day varsity assistant.
“I think he’s the best guy for the job,” Austin said. “He knows his stuff. I feel really comfortable with him in charge.”
Kearney is a member of the Mohonasen physical education staff, and is the school’s strength and conditioning coordinator.
His coaching background includes time spent as a varsity football assistant, most recently at Schalmont as a part of head coach Joe Whipple’s staff. Kearney left the Schalmont football program a few years ago when he took the Mohonasen strength and conditioning position.
“He [Kearney] knows how to connect with kids,” Whipple said. “He had a lot of success at the JV [basketbal] level. He’ll do a good job over there.”
Peck’s final edition, with its balanced scoring and strong defense, posted a 15-10 overall record after putting together its impressive late-season run. His cast that eventually lost to Ardsley in the state final four was led by seniors Greg Van Epps, Avery Deas and Jordan Friello, and juniors Duncan Tallman, Jalani Abdul-Aziz, Nick Richmond and Chase Monroe.
Reach Gazette Sportswriter Jim Schiltz at 518-395-3143, [email protected] or @jim_schiltz on Twitter.
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Categories: High School Sports, Sports
