Selvey ready for role as Bruins’ coach

NEW PONDEROSA Varsity Basketball coach Tray Selvey watches players during a practice session in the Ponderosa High School Gym. Democrat photo by Pat Dollins

SHINGLE SPRINGS — For two seasons, Troy Selvey was an assistant coach for the Rocklin High boys basketball team, as well as the freshmen head coach. But last spring, Selvey, 32, became the new Ponderosa High boys basketball coach.

Ironically, he accepted the job the day that the Ponderosa High boys volleyball team hosted Rocklin in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs in May.

“I thought that was kind of funny,” joked Selvey. “Good timing.”

He was one of four people who applied for the job, Ponderosa athletic director Tyson Escobar said.

“I took the initiative,” Selvey said. “I talked to Tyson. Once I was able to apply, the process took shape really quickly.”

Selvey was on vacation with his wife, Megan, and Alanna, their 3-year-old daughter, when he heard about the position. He takes over for Andy Beal, who resigned at the end of the 2011-12 season.

During the summer, Selvey and his coaching staff prepared their players by taking part in various tournaments and summer league games, including ones at Union Mine High.

“This was an opportunity for us to meet the kids and for the kids to get to know us (Selvey’s coaching staff),” he said.

In addition to the Bruins learning the new X’s and O’s on offense and defense, Selvey and his staff are stressing to be competitive from tip-off until the final horn.

“One of the things that we want to do here is teach our kids how to compete,” he said. “We stress, offensively and defensively, going back to the basics. Make sure that we have correct technique, making sure that we’re fundamentally sound.”

This season, Selvey is having his squad practice with the junior varsity and freshman squads.

“For our seniors to become better leaders (to students-athletes playing on the JV and frosh teams) and better role models,” Selvey explained. “For the freshmen, it gives them an opportunity to compete against better competition, which in returns, helps their learning curve.”

Selvey works as a substitute teacher at Ponderosa. This will allow him to see his players as well as the JV and frosh players on campus.

“The one thing about being an on-campus coach is the luxury of seeing these kids in their social setting,” said Selvey, who is working toward his teaching credentials. “When we are here (inside the Bruins’ gym) the one thing we have in common in basketball. You know them a little better.”

The new coach has 15 players on this year’s team. There are 14 on the JV team and 15 on the frosh squad.

“Our varsity team has been working really hard,” he said. “We have some great senior leadership. The cupboard is a lot fuller than I thought it was when I got here. (One of) the strengths has been communication. The other strength is I have a group of kids who want to be coached. These guys have bonded and want to get better. They really want to work hard. I believe we can be effective moving forward with an inside game and an outside game.”

Ponderosa athletic director Tyson Escobar said of Selvey, “Troy has been working hard from day one. He is well-respected by the team members at all levels and has the boys focused on playing at a high level this season. The thing I admire most from Troy in this short period of time I have been with him is his work ethic and his time committment to the boys on the team and the overall time committment to the program.”

Selvey is looking forward to his Bruins playing in the highly competitive Delta River League.

“Clearly the best league in the Sacramento area,” Selvey said.

Ponderosa evened its record with Monday’s 68-49 win over Argonaut and played at El Dorado last night. The Bruins’ league opener is Jan. 9 at Jesuit.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter.