Curtis Ekmark, who led the girls basketball program at Phoenix St. Mary’s to three straight state championships  in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and two runner-up finishes in his six years as coach, has resigned that post and will help build Nike-sponsored club teams for both boys and girls in Arizona, he said Saturday (June 8).

“It’s kind of bittersweet,’’ said Ekmark, who had a 154-21 overall record for the Lady Knights and had the team ranked No. 1 nationally after the 2011-12 season with a 30-0 record.

“On one hand, I hate to leave because we have the program where we want it. We have great kids and great parents at St. Mary’s. But we feel we can reach more kids, both boys and girls, through the club teams.’’

Ekmark also is looking forward to seeing his son, Andrew, play his sophomore season at Phoenix Country Day School. And daughter Courtney has been one of the state’s top players for St. Mary’s the last three years and has one season remaining.

How that will shake out remains to be seen. She is a few classes shy of graduation from St. Mary’s and could decide to enter UConn early. She will be playing club ball for the Nike Cal Swish out of California this summer. If his daughter stays for her senior season, she would not transfer to another high school, Ekmark said.

Ekmark is looking forward to see some of his former St. Mary’s players compete at the college level, which he was unable to do previously. He also is a member of a Phoenix law firm.

At the club level, Ekmark said he will work with long-time Valley prep basketball advocate Art Dye, who has operated several club teams over the years.

Although St. Mary’s won many titles, it is the everyday interaction with the players that Ekmark said he will miss the most.

“It’s God, family, education and basketball,’’ he said. “I am looking forward to seeing the girls be successful in life, not just basketball.’’

Ekmark will be part of a committee to choose his successor, along with St. Mary’s principal Father Robert Bolding and athletic director Greg Fahrendorf.

“We’ve already received some resumes and we feel that we will have some good candidates,’’ Ekmark said. “We want to keep the momentum going.’’