Now, Mark Putney takes the reins of one of the most respected programs in Section VI. The move was made official Tuesday night at the Fredonia School Board meeting, when Putney was officially named as the new varsity girls basketball head coach.

“I’m very blessed to have the opportunity,” said Putney. “I love the game of basketball … and I’m so excited to take over and get things going.”

Zirkle had contemplated taking a step back from coaching the varsity team for quite a while. After a 2017-18 season that saw the Lady ‘Billies make a thrilling Cinderella run through the playoffs to earn a Section VI class title, Zirkle took the offseason to decide on her future with the program. Eventually, she chose to take a step back.

“A lot of thought was put into the decision,” said Zirkle. She cited her desire to spend more time skiing, visiting friends across the country and spending more time with family as factors that went into her decision.

OBSERVER File Photo Coach Zirkle instructs her team during a time out in the Class B1 semifinal matchup with Newfane at Kenmore West High School. Fredonia upset Newfane, the top seed in Class B1, en route to the Section VI championship.

Zirkle now turns the program over to another Fredonia teacher in Putney.

“I have the utmost respect for Carol Zirkle as a coach for what she’s been able to accomplish,” said Putney. “I hope I can fill the big shoes she’s left for me to fill.”

Putney was an assistant for Greg Lauer on the varsity boys basketball bench last year. His son, Tyler, is now a sophomore on the varsity basketball team. Putney has coached in other roles, as well. Most recently, Putney was a coach of the Fredonia Little League 11-12 year old baseball team, where he coached alongside current Fredonia varsity boys soccer coach Jim Rush and Silver Creek varsity football coach and athletic director Sean Helmer. Putney’s brother, Mike, is the head coach of the Chautauqua Lake Thunderbirds varsity boys basketball team.

“I lean on a lot of people for help,” said Putney. “You can’t get too much information.”

Putney further emphasized his point by saying that despite 19 years as a referee, in addition to his time as a coach in other sports, he still says he wants to learn more.

Submitted Photo Mark Putney was officially named as the new Fredonia varsity girls basketball coach on Tuesday.

Putney takes over a team in transition, as many key players from last season’s team have moved on from the program. Leading scorer Katie Price graduated in 2018, along with starters Gracie Morrison and Hannah Gullo. A’Cetta Farriat — the team’s leading rebounder — moved out of town, leaving point guard Kazlin Beers as the only returning starter this year. Ally Walton-Bald is the only other player expected to return with more than six games of varsity experience.

“I know a lot of the girls from the position I’m in being a teacher at Fredonia Elementary and being an assistant with the varsity boys last year, and with my son Tyler at Fredonia,” said Putney. “What I’m excited about most is to see how far the girls can push themselves. After a state run two years ago and a Far West Regional game last year, I know these girls have the determination to go far in the playoffs. … This year, we’ve set up a similar schedule to play the toughest teams in the area so they will be prepared for whatever they will see in the playoffs.”

With the departure of Zirkle, all four varsity programs in the Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry will have a new head coach this season. Fredonia boys coach Greg Lauer also stepped down as coach to focus on time with his family and his duties as the athletic director. His replacement, Nick Bertrando, was also officially named as Fredonia’s varsity boys coach on Tuesday. Dunkirk’s boys coach Andrew Krenzer and girls coach Darnell Baldwin both will not return this season, replaced by Luke Gullo (boys) and Ken Ricker (girls) for the upcoming seasons.

“It’s a different twist to the rivalry,” said Putney. “We all know each other so it will be interesting to see how it all works out. … No matter what, it’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the outstanding talent here in the area. The southern tier has so much talent.”

Despite the turnover, Zirkle is still convinced the Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry is as strong as it has ever been.

“It doesn’t matter who is coaching. The Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry is a huge thing in the community,” said Zirkle. “Whoever is coaching will never change that.”

Just as Lauer has chosen to do, Zirkle will remain as a coach in the program. She chose to take over the middle school girls program, while Lauer leads the middle school boys.

“I look forward to developing some of the younger players and teaching the fundamentals at a younger stage of the game,” said Zirkle.

Both Putney and Bertrando believe Fredonia’s future success will depend upon building the program up from the younger levels.

“Nick and I have talked a lot in the offseason,” said Putney. “When you look at the best programs, they all build a program from the elementary level up. That’s something we’re both in agreement on doing.”

After a period of such sustained success at Fredonia under Zirkle, it will not be easy to replace her on the bench. The Fredonia High School gym is full of banners thanks to Zirkle’s leadership of the program. Now it is up to Putney to take his shot at hanging a banner of his own.

Twitter: @bradencarmen