Clayton Ray (right) has been named the head boys’ basketball coach at Ouachita High School. He will also serve as the head coach for track and field as well as baseball. Ray made the move to Warrior Country after serving three years at Poyen High School. (Photo by Paxton Penny)

By Paxton Penny - Sports Writer

Clayton Ray has been named the head basketball, baseball and track and field coach at Ouachita High School. He comes to Warrior territory after three years of service to Poyen School District.

"It's something I always wanted to get into," said Clayton Ray of coaching.

Ray grew up in Glen Rose, where he graduated in 1989 and was part of the Beaver basketball team that won the 5-A South conference championship under coach Troy Reid. 

He spent five years in the Army after high school and later attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he obtained his degree in 2005.

"What I learned in school kinda elevated when I went into the Army," Ray said.

"It's just something I wanted to pass on."

Ray has been married to his wife, Missy, for 14 years. His stepdaughter Kaitlynn is a sophomore at Henderson State University. His son Austin is entering the seventh grade and his daughter Jessica will be a fourth-grader this year.

At Poyen, Ray served as an assistant in boys basketball, football and girls softball. 

He was the head coach of the track and field team as well as the 7th grade boys basketball team.

"I loved Poyen; I loved the community, the people I worked with — it was a hard decision, but it was a move that I felt the Lord wanted me to make at this time," he said.

Ray’s Warriors have been participating in the summer basketball league at Benton-Harmony Grove. He says that the squad has not had a formal practice, but he already sees potential.

“I’m really excited,” he said.

“I’ve got some great kids — they’re going to work hard, so we’ll be able to do some things this year. I want to start a tradition of competetive, hard-nose basketball.”

Senior Colton Adams, he said, will be one of the team’s main leaders along with Matt Banks and Bradley Hughes. He says that the entire team is a hard-working group.

When asked about the coming match-ups with Poyen, Ray responded, “I know they’re going to be good — I look forward to seeing how well we can challenge. I’ve got a lot of respect for Coach Layrock. I’ve learned a lot from him; he’s been coaching for 20 years.”

Notably, Poyen and Ouachita are now in the same conference.

“I really have a passion for this,” Ray added.

“I love teaching the game of basketball to kids. You teach them the skill and watch them do it, and it makes you feel good. I’ve always believed in giving God the glory, win or lose.”