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Alcona hires new boys hoops, baseball coaches

After two years as an assistant coach, Ryan Bilbey is moving up.

Bilbey was one of two recent coaching hires announced by Alcona High School for the upcoming school year and will coach Alcona boys basketball team.

Nathan Walker will take over as coach of Alcona’s baseball team.

Bilbey replaces Toby Suttle, who resigned after two seasons, and said he feels ready for the job after spending two years as Suttle’s assistant.

Bilbey also spent two seasons with Alcona’s JV program and four with its youth program.

“I’m pretty comfortable and only slightly overwhelmed,” Bilbey said. “I’ve got a good relationship with the kids in the program now and we’ve had a great summer so far.”

Bilbey takes over a program that has been one of the most consistent in Northeast Michigan in recent years. The Tigers have won three district championships in the last seven seasons and reached the district final in each of the last seven years.

Bilbey inherits a team that went 13-9 last year and should return all but one player from a team that came up just shy of a district title.

“We’re going to keep it really simple. It’s more about making the overall experience good for both sides,” Bilbey said. “The wins and losses will take care of themselves if we work together and come together as a team, as a school and as a community.”

Walker, an Alcona alumnus and former baseball player, will take over as baseball coach after Terry Franklin’s resignation. The Tigers went 21-12 last season and won a district title.

“I am very excited about getting the job as the varsity baseball coach,” Walker said. “I can’t wait for next season to begin.”

Walker has been involved with Alcona’s baseball program since 2012. After returning home from the army, he started off as a JV assistant and later became the JV head coach before moving up to varsity assistant.

The Tigers have won four district titles in the last six seasons and Walker is hoping to keep that momentum going next spring.

“I plan to keep building on the foundation set by coach Franklin; keeping the winning culture, while installing the important values you get from being a part of a team (and) getting these young men ready for life beyond high school,” Walker said.

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.

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