Peetz basketball coach steps down

Peetz Bulldogs’ head basketball coach Jim Gardiner announced he is stepping down from his post effective immediately. Gardiner’s assistant last season, Sean Fehringer, will take over.

“With regrets, today I announce my resignation from the head coaching position at Peetz High School,” wrote Gardiner on the Peetz High School Facebook page. “My No. 1 job of farming has expanded to the point where I feel I can no longer fulfill the duties these athletes, parents and community deserve.”

Gardiner informed Peetz H.S. activities director Scott Sorensen of his decision last week. The former coach went public with his resignation Thursday morning.

While Gardiner was the head coach for just one year, he served previously as an assitant to Jeff Long and later Bill Fiscus. When Fiscus resigned after the 2013-14 season, Gardiner was named his replacement.

“He’s been in the program since 2007 when we went to state last time and finished third,” said Sorensen. “He’s been a good influence on the kids and he’s going to be missed. He is well respected and we’re going to miss his energy and enthusisasm.”

The 2007 season was also Fehringer’s senior year at Peetz.

“Sean is smart and has a very good basketball mind, so knowing the program is in such good hands makes this a little earsier,” Gardiner said. “Sean deserves a lot of the credit for the success we had last year.”

Though Gardiner was the head man for just one season, it was an especially memorable one. Through a regular season of ups and downs, the Bulldogs peaked at season’s end. They went into the district tournament as the sixth seed and eventually won the championship.

Peetz punched its ticket to state with a dramatic victory over No. 1 seed Arickaree/Woodlin in Brush, Colo. When the Bulldogs and Indains met for the district championship, Peetz (14-9), was a significant underdog to undefeated Arickaree/Woodlin (21-0). Peetz hustled and scrapped its way to a 70-63 win in the district final.

“This is been something I’ve been pondering for a couple of months now,” Gardiner said. “With my farming operation expanding this year and again next year, I just don’t have the time to devote that this program deserves.

“It’s a sad day for me personally, but I think it’s better for all concerned. But I’ll still be one of their biggest fans. I’m going to get to as many games as possible,” he added.