Storrs — Chris Gbandi, the key player on UConn's 2000 NCAA Division I championship team, was named the Huskies' new men's soccer coach on Friday.

Gbandi, who won the Hermann Trophy that season as the nation's best player, replaces his former coach, Ray Reid, who retired following the 2021 season.

Gbandi spent the previous six seasons as the head coach at Northeastern, where he led the Huskies to an 11-6-2 record this season and the No. 2 see in the Colonia Athletic Association tournament. His career record was 58-33-10, including three CAA postseason bids in the past four seasons.

"Chris Gbandi is one of the finest players in the history of our soccer program," athletic director David Benedict said in making the announcement. "But that ability pales in comparison to his caliber as a person and leader of young men. Our men's soccer program is rich in tradition, and a source of pride for our university community and the state of Connecticut. UConn soccer is equipped for success and Chris is the right man to lead us into a bright future."

Following his UConn career, Gbandi was the first overall pick in the 2002 MLS Super Draft and played eight years professionally with FC Dallas, Miami FC and FK Haugesund in the Norwegian First Division. After retiring as a player, he was on Reid's staff at UConn from 2011-12, an assistant at Holy Cross from 2012-14 and the associated head coach at Dartmouth from 2014-16 before taking over at Northeastern.

"This is certainly a dream come true for me to be given the opportunity to return to my alma mater and to build upon the legacy that my mentor Ray Reid has established," Gbandi said. "UConn soccer has a rich history of success, and my goal is to recruit and develop the best student-athletes at a world class institution that will ultimately bring another national championship to Storrs."

H.S. honors

• Ledyard and Old Lyme were named recipients of the Michaels Achievement Cup for the third straight season. Schools that are part of the CIAC's Class Act program are considered for the annual award, which recognizes athletic programs for "their willingness to subscribe to the Class Act Sportsmanship standards, empowering students to take an active role in their school climate, and their continued support for community service."

The CIAC honored 22 schools for making sportsmanship a priority in 2020-21, with Bloomfield, Simsbury, Westbrook and Wilcox Tech winning the award for the fifth straight year.

H.S. girls' basketball

• Prince Tech took control by outscoring Grasso Tech 17-5 in the third quarter on the way to a 51-36 win over the Eagles in the Connecticut Technical Conference. Sophia Byrne scored 13 points to lead Grasso Tech (0-2) while Shelby Oloski aded 10.

H.S. boys' basketball

• Wheeler opened its season with a 60-56 overtime victory over Grasso Tech. Kyle Kessler scored 18 points to lead the Lions while Zane Brewer added 17 points and Deondre Bransford had 14 rebounds. Caleb Breenan scored 13 points to lead Grasso Tech.

• Javen Foster had 17 points and 12 rebounds as Norwich Free Academy defeated Classical (R.I.) 61-55 on Thursday night. Nazir Rembert had 15 points in the win, including three 3-pointers, Tyrone Cummings 14 points and nine rebounds and Tony Williams 10 points and five steals. NFA trailed 19-11 after one quarter and 31-26 at halftime, but outscored Classical 22-8 in the third period.

College honors

• Coast Guard's Paul Detwiler has been named the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Wrestler of the Week following the Bears' victory over Johnson and Wales last Friday night. In a matchup of nationally-ranked wrestlers, Detwiler, ranked second nationally, remained unbeaten and dominated Ryan Devivo of Johnson and Wales, ranked seventh, winning a 20-7 major decision to tie the match at 4-4. Coast Guard went on to defeat Johnson and Wales 24-14 for the first time in 20 years.

• Connecticut College head coach Reuben Burk and assistant Andrew Storton were named the 2021 NCAA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches after leading the Camels to their first national championship in program history.