Four from ECC are finalists for national coach of the year

Four veteran Eastern Connecticut Conference coaches have been named finalists for National Coach of the Year honors in their respective sports by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

Ledyard's Steve Bilheimer (wrestling), Norwich Free Academy's Kara Kochanski-Vendola (girls' track and field), Fitch's Rich Kosta (boys' track and field) and Lyman Memorial's Marty Gomez (baseball) had their names placed into nomination for the national award recently by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.

There are eight finalists in each sport selected nationwide.

The individual winners will be announced during the NHSACA's national convention on June 27 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Men's basketball

• St. Thomas More coach Jere Quinn earned the 999th victory of his coaching career when the Chancellors rolled to an 86-65 victory over Army Prep in Montville. Quinn will try for victory No. 1,000 on Wednesday when T-More visits Worcester Academy at 4 p.m.

Adrien Nunez had 19 points and six rebounds to lead St. Thomas More (13-7) while Everrette Hammond added 18 points and eight rebounds, Brandon Martin had 16 points and eight rebounds and Jack Sorensen finished with 14 points and six assists.

Girls' basketball

• Sarah Serbascewicz scored 21 points to lead Ledyard past Montville 45-27. Julia Lavin added 15 for Ledyard (6-5). Angel Skulczyck had six rebounds and 12 points for the Indians (4-9) and Emily Meigs had six points and 10 rebounds. Also, Kara Beaupre scored nine with six rebounds.

• Ashley Burke and Molly McKeon each had 13 points as Putnam beat St. Bernard, 51-40. Brianna Beverly had 10 points and six rebounds for the Saints (3-11) and Emily Nelson scored 15.

Boys' basketball

• Achievement First outlasted Grasso Tech 79-60 in a nonleague game.

Luis Duran led the Eagles with 19 points while Tyrell Dennis finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.