Shuart took over as the varsity boys basketball coach at Silver Creek this season. He served as the junior varsity head coach last year as Ralph Jackson led the Silver Creek varsity program a year ago.

Jackson found success with Silver Creek in recent years, but as a Forestville teacher and parent, he wanted to return home. That set the stage for Shuart to assume the role of varsity head coach.

“It was really kind of a shock,” Shuart said of learning that Jackson would be vacating the varsity job. Late last school year, Jackson reached out to Shuart to let him know of his decision and offered his assistance during the transition.

The move has worked out well for all parties. From the opening week of the season until the break for the holidays, neither program had lost a game.

Nate Shuart is pictured below during a playoff basketball game in his senior season at Fredonia High School. In that game, the Hillbillies defeated Medina, the top seed in the class, to earn a trip to Buffalo State.

Even after the graduation of Ray Cortes, one of the greatest players in Silver Creek history, the Black Knights began this season 3-0 under Shuart. In the first three games of the year, the Black Knights were only tested once — an eight-point win at Maple Grove.

The other two wins came by at least 30 points. While that hot start came to an end over winter break with a loss to Sherman on Dec. 30, Shuart hopes to treat it as a learning experience for his young student-athletes.

“I believe in the group we have here to figure it out,” Shuart said after the loss.

Making the jump from JV to varsity as a head coach is no small task. Shuart described his first year so far as “chaotic” with all the adjustments the move requires, even something as simple as a later start time for games.

“Little things like that, I have to adjust my preparation, my mentality, as well,” Shuart said. “But it’s been great.”

Meanwhile, Forestville started the year 6-0 under Jackson, who received a glowing review from Athletic Director Scott Hazelton at a recent Board of Education meeting in Forestville.

Likewise, Silver Creek administrators and its Board of Education have stressed the concept of going “all in” for students and igniting one’s passion. Shuart is the perfect leader to check those boxes.

“I’m prepared to do the jobs that are given to me,” Shuart said.

Shuart learned under the wing of Nick Bertrando at Fredonia. Whether as a student in Bertrando’s class, a young junior varsity basketball player, or eventually, a senior captain on Bertrando’s first varsity team, Shuart always tried to give it his all.

“There’s not just one thing I can say about Nick. He taught me everything I know about coaching, and just how to be a man,” Shuart said.

Bertrando was the perfect mentor for Shuart, as he prioritizes work ethic and accountability while not holding back his players from showing emotion in big moments.

Shuart certainly had that part down. He was the vocal leader of a team that made the trip to Buffalo State in Bertrando’s first year as varsity head coach.

Shuart credits his preparation in his current role to Bertrando. He said, “One thing I took away was leaving no stone unturned for any game, any practice. Always be prepared, know what to do, know what you’re going to do.”

After his playing days ended, Shuart went to Fredonia State to follow in Bertrando’s footsteps as a high school social studies teacher. When it came time to student teach, Shuart returned to the halls he once walked as a student to teach alongside his mentor. He also coached the Fredonia junior varsity program for a year while he was student teaching.

Upon graduation from Fredonia State, Shuart was recommended for hire by Bertrando’s good friend, Kyle Yelich, the former Silver Creek High School Principal. Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston and the Board of Education signed off in August of 2023 and he began that fall. He also started coaching the junior varsity team that winter.

A year and a half later, Shuart is beginning to feel like he has found his new home, as not only a varsity coach but also as a high school social studies teacher.

“I really do enjoy it,” Shuart said. “The kids are great, the community is great. I’ve gotten really good, positive feedback from all the students.”

While Fredonia will always hold a special chapter in his life, he hopes to build something special at Silver Creek through the relationships he has started to form.

“Silver Creek is a great school,” Shuart said. “It’s a really good place to be.”