The Pleasanton school district announced sanctions against the Amador Valley High School boys basketball team on Tuesday, following an investigation that confirmed violations of league and school policies. The disciplinary actions, which include a suspension of certain team privileges and mandatory remedial measures, were directly tied to a game played on February 20, 2026, at Amador Valley High School, where the infractions were observed by league officials and documented through video review.
Sanctions Announced
District officials emphasized that the sanctions are intended to restore integrity to the program and to serve as a deterrent for future violations. The team will be required to complete a series of corrective steps before resuming full competition, and the matter has been referred to the appropriate state athletic oversight body for further review.
Head coach Willis Gardner, who has led the program for several seasons, has been held accountable for the team's conduct, as the district determined that he bore responsibility for overseeing compliance and for failing to address the reported issues. Gardner, in his role as the primary architect of the team's schedule and practice regimen, will work with administrators to implement the corrective actions outlined by the district.
The sanctions reflect a broader effort by the Pleasanton school district to uphold athletic standards and ensure that all programs adhere to established rules. While the team faces penalties, officials noted that the measures are not intended to diminish the players' achievements but to reinforce accountability and promote a culture of compliance moving forward.