By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Another month, another Hall of Fame induction for legendary Okarche boys basketball coach Ray West.
The late coach was enshrined in The Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Tulsa Saturday, after joining the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in June.
West’s son, Aaron, accepted the award on behalf of his late father.
“It is a tremendous honor for my father and family,” Aaron West said. “I know my dad would be very humbled by the honor. He never considered himself a hall-of-famer and never once brought it up, even though we all felt different about it for him.”
West spent 25 years at Okarche where he compiled a 554-182 record with 11 state tournaments and two state title games appearances.
Overall, West totaled 853 wins, good for second all-time in Oklahoma high school boys basketball history.
In 2012, The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named West their Coach of the Year.
West also coached at Fort Supply (1974- 76), Gould (1976-77), Purcell (1977-78), Mountain View (1978-81), Mustang (1981-82) and Cordell (1982-94).
Joining West as inductees this year were Steve Edwards, (Glenpool) Kyle Fowler, (Spiro) David Glover, (Fairview) Phil Ingersoll, (Oklahoma City Public Schools) Garry Looper, (Bishop McGuinness) Jeff Myers, (Kingfisher) Steve Patterson, (Jenks/Tulsa Union) Jerry Walker (Fort Gibson) and Bill Young (Oklahoma State).
