Norwich — You will note that nothing from Bill Scarlata will be forthcoming in this tribute to Bill Scarlata.This is called planning ahead. Because there is no point in talking to the man about his least favorite subject.

This is called planning ahead. Because there is no point in talking to the man about his least favorite subject.And so on this occasion of his 400th career victory, which occurred Friday night in the Norwich Free Academy gym, we'll allow everyone else to do the talking.

And so on this occasion of his 400th career victory, which occurred Friday night in the Norwich Free Academy gym, we'll allow everyone else to do the talking. "He's so humble. Totally humble. He's Einstein," assistant coach Sue Dutilly said.

"He's so humble. Totally humble. He's Einstein," assistant coach Sue Dutilly said."He gives the appearance of being disheveled and not paying attention," assistant coach Tom Pirie said. "But you won't find another coach in the state that outworks him."

"He gives the appearance of being disheveled and not paying attention," assistant coach Tom Pirie said. "But you won't find another coach in the state that outworks him.""When I told him about the job and that he should take it," athletic director Gary Makowicki said, alluding to a conversation from 20 years ago, "he said, 'I don't know anything about basketball. I'm a hockey guy.'"

"When I told him about the job and that he should take it," athletic director Gary Makowicki said, alluding to a conversation from 20 years ago, "he said, 'I don't know anything about basketball. I'm a hockey guy.'"And that's Bill Scarlata, a crisp 400-52 with six state titles in his 18 years coaching NFA girls' basketball.

And that's Bill Scarlata, a crisp 400-52 with six state titles in his 18 years coaching NFA girls' basketball. Scarlata coached Friday's game, a 57-21 win over East Lyme, the same way he coached the 451 others. Keys dangling from his belt, toothpick rolling around his mouth, bushy mustache and rumpled comportment.

Scarlata coached Friday's game, a 57-21 win over East Lyme, the same way he coached the 451 others. Keys dangling from his belt, toothpick rolling around his mouth, bushy mustache and rumpled comportment. "At the NFA basketball camp, each day is a different genre of dress," senior Stephanie Long said. "One is Scarlata Lookalike Day. Becca (Rebecca DeWeese) does a hilarious rendition: white hair, cargo shorts, jingling keys."

"At the NFA basketball camp, each day is a different genre of dress," senior Stephanie Long said. "One is Scarlata Lookalike Day. Becca (Rebecca DeWeese) does a hilarious rendition: white hair, cargo shorts, jingling keys."This was the same Stephanie Long who admitted that she, and none of her teammates, knew it was her coach's 400th on Friday. That's because for them to know, Scarlata needed to mention it.

This was the same Stephanie Long who admitted that she, and none of her teammates, knew it was her coach's 400th on Friday. That's because for them to know, Scarlata needed to mention it. "He's one of the most unassuming people I've ever met," Dutilly said. "He's probably one of the most knowledgeable basketball people I've ever met and would be the last person to ever tell you that."

"He's one of the most unassuming people I've ever met," Dutilly said. "He's probably one of the most knowledgeable basketball people I've ever met and would be the last person to ever tell you that."Scarlata, who admitted after the game that he learned basketball from previous coach Paul Giardi, could have been in the locker room before the game diagramming and pacing and lecturing. Nah. He spent the time running the clock for the JV game.

Scarlata, who admitted after the game that he learned basketball from previous coach Paul Giardi, could have been in the locker room before the game diagramming and pacing and lecturing. Nah. He spent the time running the clock for the JV game."What impresses me the most about him," Makowicki said, "is that when the team does well, it's always because of the kids. When it loses, it's always the coach. You don't find a lot of coaches who sincerely feel that way."

"What impresses me the most about him," Makowicki said, "is that when the team does well, it's always because of the kids. When it loses, it's always the coach. You don't find a lot of coaches who sincerely feel that way."Scarlata hails from eastern Massachusetts where he spent more time with hockey and baseball. Aside from listening to Giardi, he is also self-taught, attending scores and scores of clinics. Here is a man with six state titles who asks more questions then gives verbose answers.

Scarlata hails from eastern Massachusetts where he spent more time with hockey and baseball. Aside from listening to Giardi, he is also self-taught, attending scores and scores of clinics. Here is a man with six state titles who asks more questions then gives verbose answers. "His biggest thrill is to scout (today's opponent) Hillhouse and come up with a game plan," Pirie said. "He loves the challenge of doing that."

"His biggest thrill is to scout (today's opponent) Hillhouse and come up with a game plan," Pirie said. "He loves the challenge of doing that."Scarlata is one of the greatest coaches in the history of high school sports in Connecticut. And yet who really knows that beyond the walls of NFA? This is what happens when you are not a self-promoter and have more interest in tomorrow's game than what's written in today's paper.

Scarlata is one of the greatest coaches in the history of high school sports in Connecticut. And yet who really knows that beyond the walls of NFA? This is what happens when you are not a self-promoter and have more interest in tomorrow's game than what's written in today's paper.He — and some of his critics — would be the first to tell you that 400-52 is the byproduct of Marci Glenney and Krista Rappahahn and Saona Chapman and Courtney Gomez and Kastine Evans. But what he's accomplished suggests that he's mastered the No. 1 tenet of good coaching: Don't screw up good talent.

He — and some of his critics — would be the first to tell you that 400-52 is the byproduct of Marci Glenney and Krista Rappahahn and Saona Chapman and Courtney Gomez and Kastine Evans. But what he's accomplished suggests that he's mastered the No. 1 tenet of good coaching: Don't screw up good talent.He never has, never does and never will.

He never has, never does and never will.The Wildcats will have a legitimate opportunity to win title No. 7 in March.

The Wildcats will have a legitimate opportunity to win title No. 7 in March. And if they get to Mohegan Sun Arena and hoist the Class LL trophy, the mustache, toothpick and jingling keys will be in the background singing hosannas to Evans, Long, DeWeese, Jen Escobido, Lauren Roberts, Jahira Smith and the rest of his players.

And if they get to Mohegan Sun Arena and hoist the Class LL trophy, the mustache, toothpick and jingling keys will be in the background singing hosannas to Evans, Long, DeWeese, Jen Escobido, Lauren Roberts, Jahira Smith and the rest of his players.Bill Scarlata would have it no other way.

Bill Scarlata would have it no other way.

THE SCARLATA YEARS

Following is the year-by-year record of Norwich Free Academy girls' basketball coach Bill Scarlata, who earned his 400th career victory Friday night (his teams have also won 11 ECC tournament titles and six Class LL state titles in his 18 seasons):

Year Record Titles

2009-10 11-1

2008-09 24-2 ECC, Class LL

2007-08 18-7

2006-07 21-3

2005-06 21-5 ECC

2004-05 16-8

2003-04 23-3 ECC

2002-03 25-3 ECC

2001-02 26-1 ECC, Class LL

2000-01 27-0 ECC, Class LL

1999-00 26-1 ECC

1998-99 27-0 ECC, Class LL

1997-98 20-5

1996-97 27-0 ECC, Class LL

1995-96 27-0 ECC, Class LL

1994-95 25-1 ECC

1993-94 20-5

1992-93 16-7

Totals 400-52 (.885)