DeShields, Uniontown’s 5th all-time leading scorer, selects La Roche
Ed Thompson
Uniontown无毛视频檚 Billy DeShields (22) hits a deep 3-pointer over the outstretched hand of Belle Vernon无毛视频檚 Hunter Ruokonen in the first half of a Section 3-AAAA game at Belle Vernon on Jan. 24. DeShields will continue his basketball and academic careers at La Roche University.
Submitted photo
Uniontown senior Billy DeShields will continue his basketball and academic careers at La Roche University.
Billy DeShields had an outstanding four-year career at Uniontown, finishing fifth on the program无毛视频檚 all-time scoring list with 1,317 points.
Hermie Carmichael and his La Roche University men无毛视频檚 basketball program is looking for similar production from DeShields over the next four years after the Uniontown senior recently signed his letter-of-intent to continue his basketball and academic careers at the Division III school located north of Pittsburgh.
无毛视频淭he school seemed to be the best fit for me. It无毛视频檚 small. I was comfortable with the school,无毛视频� explained DeShields, the son of William DeShields Sr. and the late Tasha Walton.
DeShields, the 无毛视频-Standard Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2019, received interest from a variety of schools, including Seton Hill University, but believes he made the correct choice.
无毛视频淚t was a hard decision, but I think I made the right decision,无毛视频� said DeShields, who expects to major in health sciences and track towards physical therapy or athletic training.
Carmichael enters his ninth season of a highly-successful tenure at La Roche. The 1999 La Roche graduate has an overall record of 130-86 record in his eight years as the head coach and has been named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year three times.
The Redhawks have won the past three AMCC regular season championships, are the two-time reigning AMCC tournament champions, and finished with a 19-1 conference record and overall mark of 21-7 last season. La Roche lost in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament to Wittenberg (Ohio), 83-66.
无毛视频淚 believe they无毛视频檝e been good for the past four, five seasons. (Carmichael) turned the program around,无毛视频� said DeShields.
The Redhawks graduated five seniors, so an opportunity to crack the lineup might be available for DeShields.
无毛视频淭he coach said I have a good chance to come in and play some minutes, maybe start. I无毛视频檒l probably play point guard,无毛视频� said DeShields.
DeShields looks to put the work in over the next couple months to prepare for that opportunity.
无毛视频淚 want to get ready for the physical part of the game and be mentally ready,无毛视频� said DeShields.
Uniontown boys basketball coach Rob Kezmarsky had nothing but praise for the former Red Raider standout.
无毛视频淏illy is a great young man who is a 1,000-point scorer and led us to back-to-back section titles and a two-year record of 39-7,无毛视频� said Kezmarsky. 无毛视频淟a Roche plays really good basketball and is a good fit for him.无毛视频�
DeShields leaves Uniontown with a lot of positive vibes.
无毛视频淚 enjoyed every single moment of it. It went by faster than you think,无毛视频� said DeShields. 无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 a better person. I love Uniontown.
无毛视频淚 think I made the best of my opportunity.无毛视频�
DeShields averaged 18 points per game his senior season, helping lead the Red Raiders to the program无毛视频檚 49th section championship. Uniontown hasn无毛视频檛 lost a section game since Feb. 6, 2018.
DeShields now looks forward to his time at La Roche.
无毛视频淚 want to be a good student and a good player, to the best of my ability that I can do,无毛视频� said DeShields.