BY GEORGE ALMASI
Times Record Staff

BATH

He’s back!!

Sam Hayes, the former Brunswick High School boys basketball coach and former Hall-Dale girls mentor, has taken over the boys hoops program at Morse.

Hayes replaces Todd Flaherty, who decided not to reapply for the position.

For those who don’t remember Hayes, he coached the Dragons in Brunswick from 1992-95, going 37-20 with consecutive 14-4 records.

At Hall-Dale he brought the Bulldogs to the State Class C championship, losing to Dexter in 2006.

Hayes knows his way around a basketball court and actually lives a mile from Bath Middle School.

“I really didn’t think I would have time to do this with my work, priorities and all that good stuff. But, I checked in at work and checked in at home. Everybody was on board, so I decided to apply.

“I’ve got some gas left in the tank,” he said with a chuckle. “We’ll find out how much, but we definitely have some left. I’ll try not to burn it up all at once.”

Some work ahead

The 52-year-old knows he has some work ahead of him as the Shipbuilders went 7-45 over the last three campaigns, the latter in Class B.

“There is always work in any program that you take over,” said Hayes. “You have to put your philosophy in, and, realistically, to look behind you is a mistake because I wasn’t part of it. I know the kids are great kids, and I respect the coaching staff that was there.”

Summer basketball is under way, so connections with the players have been made. He still has assistants Dave Dorion and Chuck Reece to lean on.

“I like the kids’ attitudes,” offered Hayes, “I haven’t really gotten down to individual work — that’s for the winter time. Summer is just to get them out playing, try to correct some things, and give them some things to work on. But, if it’s not fun they’re not going to show up.

“The great thing about this town is both baseball and football have been doing well. And, the way I look at it now, is that the school is so small you’ve got a lot of two- and three-sport athletes who are torn between this and that. I don’t have any issues … as long as they’re doing something, I’m happy with that. But, if they’re sitting around I’d prefer that they’d be doing basketball.”

Hayes says his philosophies have changed down through the years.

“I think it depends on the situation … mental and physical toughness is an absolute must-have to change culture or correct any issues. I just think it’s my number-one priority and no matter where I go, the kids have got to be mentally and physically tough kids to do what I’m going to ask them to do.”

Expect lively practices come November.

“We’re not going to stand around a lot, but I’m not one for running around or doing something without a basketball, either. I hope we’re going to be extremely aggressive, we’re going to be extremely disciplined in what we do, so that we have confidence in what we’re doing.

“Hopefully, that equates to some wins. And when confidence builds, the next step becomes easier and easier.”

Hayes, a supervisor of data management at Bath Iron Works, knows there will be periods of adjustments at both ends.

“Without question. I look back at my younger days and I think I was more rigid and less flexible. I think as your knowledge grows you become more comfortable in your flexibility. Every year you learn something different.

“But, I really believe that your halfcourt man-to-man has to be something that you can absolutely rely on. I want pressure and if we’re quick enough, and long enough, we will pressure. But, without seeing them every day, pushing them, I can’t tell. The biggest thing, is they’ve got to enjoy going to play basketball.

“I think any time you take a new job it’s a new challenge. I’m really excited … I didn’t realize how much I missed it. I was 50-50 before I applied, but now, every day the excitement builds more and more.”