Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) fires boys basketball coach Pratt

David Pratt has been fired as Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) boys basketball coach after six seasons.

Pratt, 38, lost the coaching job after it was alleged that he encouraged his players to practice on a snow day one day before the State 1A tournament, violating school district procedure.

Pratt was told of the firing last Friday. Then he appealed the decision, meeting with administrators twice. He was told of their final decision Wednesday.

Pratt admitted to sending a text to a player the day school was canceled. He said he was responding to a player who had asked him what he should do since practice was canceled.

Pratt said he encouraged the player to shoot some shots or do a workout. But administrators said the players were encouraged to practice on their own.

“To the best of my understanding nothing was violated,” Pratt said Thursday when reached at his home. “They just felt like I had gone around their authority. We didn’t have a practice and I didn’t attempt to do so. I respectfully disagree with their decision. I care about those kids and I care about the job we’ve done as a staff. I didn’t do anything immoral or anything that lacked integrity. I didn’t do anything that warranted me losing my job.”

Lakeside Principal Mark St. Clair said he couldn’t discuss the firing in depth because it’s a personnel issue.

“I can say it was a really difficult and unfortunate situation that led to a difficult and unfortunate outcome,” St. Clair said.

Pratt’s teams qualified for state four times in six years, including three district titles and two league championships. His career record is 88-66. It was his first head coaching job after assistant positions at Kennewick, Northwest Christian and Mead.

Pratt, who teaches at the high school, said he holds no ill will toward his administration.

“I want to thank the Lakeside administration for the opportunity to coach at Lakeside,” Pratt said. “We have done a great job of building a great program. I wish them nothing but the best for the future.”

Pratt said he would pursue another coaching job.