Boulder City High basketball coach leaves on a high note

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, April 10, 2009 | 11:43 a.m.

Bobby Reese could not have asked for a better ending to his tenure as the Boulder City High basketball coach.

The Eagles, despite taking last in the 3A Southern League during the regular season, went on a magical run during the playoffs to capture the state title.

Reese stepped down as head coach last month to spend more time with his wife and kids. He said he knew two years ago that this would be his last season.

Reese helmed the program for 12 years, also winning a state title in 1999.

“I knew going in that this would be my last year,” Reese said. “I was lucky that we ended up on top. I had such a good tie with those kids in that (the senior) class. I knew I wanted to finish what I started with them.”

Reese initially planned to resign two years ago and told assistant Robert Sandoval of his plans during a road trip home from Virgin Valley. The Eagles had just saw another season end without making the playoffs — their eighth consecutive year without reaching the postseason — and Reese thought it was time to let someone else helm the program.

That’s when Sandoval convinced him to stay.

“I reminded him of the group we had coming through the ranks and how they had a lot of similarities with the ’99 team,” said Sandoval, who was part of the 1999 championship team.

“He decided to stay with it because of that group. The kids loved being coached by him. They respected him and worked hard for him.”

Boulder City’s playoff run started with an upset victory against 3A power Faith Lutheran in league tournament semifinals. They beat longtime rival Moapa Valley the following week for the state title.

Reese let the players know his decision before the Faith Lutheran game. Boulder City responded by beating Faith Lutheran in one of the biggest wins in Reese’s career — the Eagles, who lost 71-34 to Faith Lutheran in the regular season, were victorious 62-54.

“We wanted to send him out on a good note,” senior forward Shane Levin said. “He always told us that we would be good. He always believed in us.”

Reese became Boulder City’s basketball coach in 1998 as an inexperienced 26-year-old. The following year, he led the Eagles to the state title.

“The program was already successful before I got here,” said Reese, who is now 37.

Reese will still coach Boulder City’s junior varsity baseball team and help with the girls volleyball program.

“I can sleep at night knowing I did the best job I possibly could,” Reese said. “Coaching requires a big-time commitment that takes away from my family. I just want to be a math teacher who lives in Boulder City for awhile.”

Reese said he was open to still helping with the program in some capacity.

“This was such a big part of my life,” he said. “I don’t plan on leaving it totally. Who knows? I might miss it.”

Boulder City is currently interviewing for its next coach.