West Branch Community Sponsors Outdoor Basketball Court

Construction on an outdoor basketball and volleyball court at West Branch High School will begin in April, thanks to the generous support of local businesses and individuals.

Community contributions - including the donation of the land from TC Energy with the assistance of Columbiana Gas - have made this new court possible. Over the past few years, the Girls Basketball and Volleyball programs, including Girls Basketball Head Coach Walt DeShields, have headed fundraising efforts that have (to date) collected more than $75,000 for the project.

The court will be a full basketball court with two hoops and an adjustable volleyball pole/net system. The sports program will utilize the court for boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball programs. Gym classes will also make use of the courts. The court will be fenced in, but accessible for public use during some times outside of school and district sports team usage.

Vasco Sports Contractors will be constructing the court this spring on the south side of the high school between the gym doors and the tennis courts. The district anticipates the court to be finished before summer.

“This outdoor court will be a great addition to our school facilities. It also will give both the kids and adults a nice place to play basketball or volleyball within our community,” says Walt DeShields. “This has been in the works for the past few years, and it is exciting to see the construction finally begin. We look forward to the opportunity to hold practices and classes outside on this court.”

"I would like to thank the School Board, Superintendent Micki Egli and Athletic Director Mike Helm, for their support of this project” says DeShields. “We’d also like to thank the families, individuals, organizations, and businesses who contributed to this project.” Donors have contributed more than $75,000 for the project. 

DeShields and the teams are still accepting donations toward the project. Additional funding would support enhancements to the court, such as fencing, landscaping, lighting that would expand the times in which the court would be able to be used, signage, etc.. Interested donors can contact Walt DeShields at walt.deshields@wbwarriors.org or (330)-938-2183 ext. 37353.