Sports

West Branch High School girls’ basketball coach Walt DeShields wins OHSAA award

By Mike Brown
Walt DeShields
Walt DeShields Mike Brown/Mahoning Matters

Long-time West Branch High School girls’ basketball coach Walt DeShields has received the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Coaches Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award for the 2023-24 season.

DeShields completed his 19th season as the Warriors’ head coach and led the team to a 23-3 finish and the outright Eastern Buckeye Conference title. Two of the Warriors’ three losses this season were to Olmsted Falls, which won the Division I state championship, and to the Laurel Gators, who ended up as the Division II state runner-up.

During his time as the Warriors’ head coach, DeShields has guided West Branch to league championships on seven occasions. His teams have also captured 16 sectional championships, seven district titles, two regional championships and qualified to the state tournament on two occasions.

DeShields has won over 300 games as West Branch’s girls’ basketball coach.

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