Principal Bob Celebrezze confirmed this afternoon that the contract of Wenatchee High School’s boys varsity basketball coach Ron Stone’s will not be renewed for the 2014-15 basketball season.

“I can definitely confirm that we decided it’s time for a new direction and leadership for our boys basketball program,” Celebrezze said.

Celebrezze declined to comment on the reasons related to Stone’s dismissal, citing respect for Stone and proper personnel policies. A public records request has been filed with the Wenatchee School District for the letter of probable cause, or non-renewal, associated with Stone’s dismissal.

“I decided that it was in the best interest of the students at Wenatchee High School,” Celebrezze said, noting that all of his decisions are “100 percent student centered.”

Wenatchee School District Superintendent Brian Flones declined to comment on the dismissal. Stone was unavailable for comment this afternoon. Athletic Director BJ Kuntz declined to comment.

Celebrezze said that he is planning to advertise the coaching position immediately.

Players heard the news during classes today. “I don’t really care. I just want to play basketball. I don’t really care who the coach is,” junior Trey Adams said.

Junior Marcus Smith welcomes the transition. “I’m actually kind of happy,” he said. “I’m pretty happy because, to tell you the truth, I didn’t really like him as a coach. I mean, he was a good coach, but in person he wasn’t very good. I didn’t like him, not a lot of other guys liked him, and I’m just happy that he is going to be gone.”

Sophomore Gavin Long doesn’t think the decision was a good one. “I liked him. He was a good coach and did a lot for the program,” Long said. “It’s just weird.”

This story is developing. Last updated 3:27 p.m. March 19, 2014.