DeShields to face vote

BELOIT — Walt DeShields’ future as the West Branch girls basketball coach may be decided tonight.

The West Branch board of education will meet and consider a recommendation to give DeShields a supplemental contract to coach the team for a 21st season next school year.

According to the agenda, the board will go into executive session to discuss employment of a public official and then vote on superintendent Micki Egli’s recommendation to hire DeShields.

That comes a week after Egli wrote a letter from the district stating there are “significant concerns” about the behavior of DeShields, who was told March 31 he would not be returning after 20 seasons as head coach.

“… the District must also prioritize the safety, emotional well-being, and mental health of all student-athletes,” the letter said. “Certain incidents raised by members of the community concerning Coach DeShields’ behavior have generated significant concerns regarding his judgment, which are not consistent with the district’s priorities.”

The district has not stated what those concerns are, although DeShields said they are false.

“Things have been or may still be said; about me, my family and others, that are either false accusations or distortions of the truth, intended to damage my reputation or influence this decision,” DeShields said in a statement last Wednesday.

DeShields led the Warriors to a 379-110 record — a 76% winning percentage — with state semifinal appearances in 2015 and 2020 and eight league titles. He never had a losing season with the Warriors.

The board also will open nominations for board vice president to replace Aaron Hawk, who resigned effective April 10. Applications to fill the vacant seat will be accepted until 3 p.m. April 23.

The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. today in the auditorium.

Draft picks prepare to work

NEW YORK (AP) — Paige Bueckers will be heading to Dallas, the latest transcendent college star to go No. 1 in the WNBA draft. Her spot is assured with the Wings.

It may be tough for a lot of the other 37 players drafted Monday night to make teams when training camps open in less than two weeks. The WNBA has notoriously been one of the toughest leagues to make. Even with the addition of the expansion Golden State Valkyries this season, there’s a maximum of 156 roster spots in the league.

Last year’s draft class headlined by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had 13 players make opening day rosters, which was down two from the previous season and four from 2022. Many teams draft international players to stash them overseas until potentially having them join the franchise at a future date.

The league is growing on and off the court. Last season had record viewership and attendance, which has led to huge optimism in the WNBA heading into the season which begins on May 16. While this season is in a good place, the league and players union are working on a new collective bargaining agreement that will need to be decided before the 2026 season takes place.