West Valley girls basketball coach takes position at Kent-Meridian

Paul Voorhees has resigned after one year as the West Valley High’s girls basketball coach to accept a similar position at Kent-Meridian.

“Paul had a personal situation he had to deal with and we respect that,” West Valley activities coordinator Wayne McKnight said. “We were hoping Paul was going to be able to stay with us a couple of years and grow the program, but we certainly understand his personal needs. We’re going to go right back and look again.”

McKnight said the school would move quickly to fill the position and that there were a variety of teaching positions available at the school.

Voorhees came to West Valley from Tekoa-Oakesdale, where he led the Nighthawks to the State B title in 2001 and a third-place trophy in 2003. Prior to T-O, Voorhees also coached at Northport.

Last season West Valley posted a 1-20 overall record, 1-18 in the Greater Spokane League. Kent-Meridian was 3-17 in coach Colby Rogers’ only year at the school. Rogers resigned following the season.

With Voorhees’ departure, the GSL has three open basketball head coaching positions. Central Valley is expected to name a replacement soon for longtime girls coach Dale Poffenroth, who resigned to take over at Coeur d’Alene. Bears’ assistant Judy Walter is considered the frontrunner for that position. Ferris still must replace boys coach Don Van Lierop, whose contract was not renewed last month.