Former Amherst girls basketball coach Shelli Haferbecker has been awarded a statewide coach of the year honor this month.

The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association named Haferbecker coach of the year in Wisconsin for her job in coaching Amherst to the 2009 WIAA Division 3 state title, putting her in the running for the National Federation of State High School Association's Coach of the Year award.

"I feel honored to win the award, to get recognized from your fellow coaches like that," said Haferbecker, who previously won The Associated Press Coach of the Year award in 1999.

The state championship this year was the second for Haferbecker, who gave notice in April that she will not return to coach her hometown school for another season, choosing instead to spend more time with her growing family. The announcement came only weeks after leading Amherst to the championship with a win over Cuba City.

Amherst went 28-0 last season, Haferbecker's 11th as coach. The team ended its season in Madison for the fourth time in four years and the sixth time under Haferbecker. Previously, the Falcons made it to state in 1999, winning the state title that year, and 2000.

"That's a dream come true for a coach," Haferbecker said about her final year.

Haferbecker has known since the spring that she was to receive the award, but she didn't get her hands on it until a couple weekends ago. This time of the year usually brings the start of preparations for another season for Haferbecker, who is becoming more conscious of the change she's made.

"It's a strange feeling; it's going to hit hard during the season," said Haferbecker. Still, she says that she anticipates bringing her daughter Lexi to see the team and showing her some pointers.

Amherst will be led this year by first-year coach Jay Pitt, Haferbecker's assistant for three years and father to senior Jenna Pitt.

"Jay replacing me definitely makes me feel more at ease with my decision," Haferbecker said. "He will put an extreme amount of time into the program, and it will be successful."