After four years, Scott Sartorius is stepping down as the head girls basketball coach at Eastlake High School.

Sartorius, who built a successful program at the Sammamish school, said he is leaving to spend more time with his family.

During his tenure at the school the Wolves went 59-37 and played in the state tournament during the 2008-09 season.

Here is a portion of the letter Sartorius sent out to the Eastlake basketball community:

There is no easy way to say this as it has been the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. I've decided to step down as the girls' head basketball coach at Eastlake. Please understand that it has nothing to do with my love for this program, this community, and the players/families in this program. My family needs to take priority in my life. We are a two-income family and I need to be more available for my family. Over the past couple weeks I've exhausted every opportunity to try and remain in the position and it just doesn't seem to be an option. We have no family up here to help with childcare and living in the Kirkland area is not the easiest back-and-forth to Sammamish. It's the biggest sacrifice I've had to make in my life so far, but I'm learning that is what happens when you become an adult and have children.

I, with the support of so many, have re-built this program. I've poured my heart and soul into this community and this basketball program and this is an extremely tough thing for me to leave. I have confidence that the program will remain very competitive and extremely fun to watch.

In just four years this basketball program has become a part of me. Ask any head coach; there isn't a day that goes by, regardless of in/out of season, that I don't think about Eastlake girls' basketball. I am so thankful for every relationship I've been able to be a part of. This is a wonderful community and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to coach and make a difference. The consistent support from the school/community has really given me the chance to grow as a coach and take this program to new heights.

Eastlake athletic director Brent Kawaguchi said the Wolves have hired Sara Goldie to take over the program. Goldie, an Eastlake graduate who will be entering her 10th year coaching high-school girls basketball, spent last year as the head coach at Redmond.

"I am so excited to be returning to my alma mater as the head coach," said Goldie in an e-mail. "I have been a part of this program for many years and getting this position is really a dream come true. I will be coaching young women that I have taught in their junior-high years (She teaches at Inglewood Junior High) in the gym that I played in. It doesn't get much better than that."

The school has also hired Janna Tonahill to coach volleyball.