BY GARY HAWKINS

Staff Writer

Paul Lancaster took over as head basketball coach at Richmond High School in 1990, the year his son Brandon was born.

Lancaster stayed around long enough to see his son develop as one of the best point guards in Class D and his team come within a last-second shot of winning a state championship. Shortly after losing to Central Aroostook in the state final, Lancaster made the decision to step down.

"I thought about it quite a bit," he said. "I just think the time's right. I have two younger girls and I want to focus on them."

The Bobcats finished 19-2 this season, despite losing 6-foot-10 center Marc Zaharchuk for a dozen games. For his efforts, Lancaster has been selected Kennebec Journal Coach of the Year.

Also considered were Maranacook coach Rob Schmidt and Winthrop coach Dennis Dacus, both of whom led their teams to state championships.

Lancaster's teams have contended for state honors the past three seasons. The Bobcats lost to Central Aroostook in the state game two years ago and went 19-1 last season. They might have contended for more if not for Valley High, which won 10 straight regional titles and dominated Class D for a decade.

Lancaster hoped to emulate Valley coach Dwight Littlefield, who he considers one of his role models.

"Paul has always been a class act himself, a true gentleman, win or lose," Littlefield said. "He's a great guy to have around the conference."

Lancaster was also influenced by many of the coaches he played for growing up, including Little League coach Peter Gardner and his high school soccer, basketball and baseball coaches, Ed Halperin, Gary Veilleux and Bobby Hurley, respectively.

"Veilleux had a big influence on my basketball coaching," Lancaster said. "Mr. Halperin was more of a motivational type of guy."

Lancaster accepted his team's one-point loss to Central Aroostook with typical aplomb.

"It was just a great ball game," he said. "It's unfortunate someone had to lose."

Lancaster, 47, has not ruled out a return to coaching, but for now, he's sitting back and contemplating the results.

"You see kids grow into athletes and people," he said. "All the things you talk to your team about, you can apply in life."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com