What's Happening in Norwich, CT…

Gary Makowicki, the athletic director of Norwich Free Academy, halted one of the girls’ recent basketball game to make an announcement.

With the inevitable win against Windham that would follow, Wildcat coach Bill Scarlata had achieved 500 wins in his 23 year career. Only eight people that coach girls’ basketball have earned that many.

Scarlata stated that he was not aware that they were going to make the announcement. When the last buzzer sounded, he was given a cake and a 99 Restaurant gift card by the players. The restaurant is a popular place for NFA coaches.

Cebria Outlow, a junior on the team, said that it takes a lot to coach a girls’ basketball team for over two decades straight. She added that the team acts like a family and it would be wrong for Scarlata not to receive a token of appreciation.

Locals were able to celebrate with Scarlata due to a snowstorm that prevented the team from playing against East Lyme when they were scheduled to, meaning that his milestone game at home. Scarlata added that he was happy to reach 500 wins and he hopes to win even more.

If the school wanted to let students know about Coach Scarlata's wins, they may want to hire a banner printing company to make him a congratulatory banner and hang it in a school hallway or outside the doors to main entrance.