Pratt Takes Hoops Job With Cda

Bill Pratt has been named Coeur d’Alene High head girls basketball coach.

His hiring must be formally approved at the August school board meeting.

Pratt, 51, replaces Sheila Sharp, who resigned after three years. Her teams, largely inexperienced, were 14-50 in that span.

He has coached the eighth-grade girls team at Canfield Middle School the past two years where he teaches science. Canfield feeds CdA High. He also served as JV coach under Lake City boys coach Jim Winger.

Before moving to CdA in 1981, Pratt served as a head boys coach for six years at Sunnyvale, Calif.

“These are kids I know, especially the sophomores and incoming freshmen,” Pratt said. “I’m absolutely excited about it. It’s going to be a project; it’s a young team. In time they’ll be competitive.”

Pratt initially wasn’t interested in applying for the job. But several parents of varsity players started calling, encouraging him to apply.

“I was saddened when Sheila resigned,” Pratt said. “Then the phone started ringing off the hook. After talking with some parents I decided to apply.”

A possible assistant for Pratt could be former CdA standout and Eastern Washington University player Keri Schwenke. She was recently hired as a teacher and was a finalist for Sharp’s job.

Pratt must replace three other coaches. He also plans to coach at Canfield at least one more year before a third middle school opens the following year.

Kellie Stern, a junior-to-be wing who would have been CdA’s top returning player, has transferred to Lake City. But transferring in is Krissi Ruiz, a junior-to-be guard from Priest River.

Seltzer joins Sampson

A former point guard for Kelvin Sampson at Washington State has joined Sampson as a part-time assistant coach for Oklahoma.

Bennie Seltzer replaces former assistant Bobby Champagne under Sampson.

Seltzer played for WSU from 1989 to 1993. He played four years in Europe.

, DataTimes