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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Helena High Girls Basketball Coach Eric Peterson Steps Down

Photo Credit: Gary Marshall/BMG Photos

Jeremy Schnell SWX
Three-time state champion head coach of the Helena high girls basketball team Eric Peterson has stepped down from his position. Peterson finished his career at Helena high with a 97-55 all-time record and coached his teams to three out of the last four state championships. Peterson said that he chose to step away, to be there for his kids. “I’ve already missed quite a bit of their things as the last couple of years have gone and whether it’s school performances or games of basketball or whatever…I just kept on thinking that I can’t miss their things for my thing,” said Eric Peterson. Graduating senior McKayla Kloker, said that Peterson was more than just a coach to her and her teammates. “He was so important to us…he knew the goals that he had for us and wanted us to see those and I think that without him we wouldn’t have been able to see those goals on our own and have three consecutive state championships,” said McKayla Kloker “I’m just going to remember the relationships, I’m still close to a lot of the girls that have come through our program and we text or we talk frequently. They’re just an extension of my family and they always will be,” said Peterson. Don’t be surprised if you see Peterson sitting in the stands at basketball games around the state, and although he doesn’t rule out a comeback, he is definitely happy to be spending time with his family.