Jody Benner, a veteran assistant coach for the University of Maine women’s basketball team, has been selected as an AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year.

The 31-year-old Benner, a native of Wiscasset, is among 524 college and high school assistant coaches, including five from Maine, who were selected by a panel of judges from Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director Magazine.

Coaches for the inaugural award were chosen based on longevity, expertise, contributions to the school and community, and special achievements.

Benner recently completed his ninth year as a member of the Black Bears staff. He has helped guide UMaine to four conference championships and six NCAA Tournament appearances under two head coaches.

“Jody has certainly meant a lot to UMaine basketball,” said UMaine head coach Sharon Versyp. “He had a hand in helping this program get to the NCAA Tournament. He has been critical in my transition here and certainly deserves credit for our program’s continued resurgence.”

Benner coordinates recruiting, scheduling, and Black Bear basketball summer camps while assisting with the scouting of opponents and game preparation. He graduated from UMaine in 1992 with degree in psychology and is nearing completion of a master’s in education.

Williams still on the mend

The University of Maine baseball team is likely to be without sophomore left fielder Simon Williams for their Friday-Saturday America East series at Binghamton University (N.Y.).

Williams, who leads UMaine with a .380 batting average, a .520 on-base percentage, 54 runs scored and 21 stolen bases, is recovering from a shoulder injury suffered May 8 when swinging the bat during a game at Colby College in Waterville.

“He feels better. His range of motion is much better,” said coach Paul Kostacopoulos. “[But] I’m not sure he’s capable of playing.”

Williams sat out last weekend’s four-game set against Stony Brook and probably won’t return until the America East tournament May 23-25 at Mahaney Diamond.

“He’s hard-nosed and we absolutely miss him,” Kostacopoulos said. “He’s been a very good player for us. We have to try to get him back.”

Another concern for the Bears is the status of sophomore lefthander Rich Laganiere. UMaine’s No. 3 starter left last Saturday’s second game against Stony Brook after experiencing what Kostacopoulos described as a “dead arm.”

Laganiere (6-4, 5.90 earned run average) was lifted in the fourth inning after throwing 58 pitches. However, he’s expected to get some work this weekend in the return to his hometown.

“Rich will probably throw this weekend, two or three innings,” Kostacopoulos said. “He threw in the bullpen [Tuesday] and he seemed to respond favorably.”

Kostacopoulos said UMaine will err on the side of caution and only use him enough to get a little work.

“We’ve just got to make sure he’s ready and available [for the tournament],” said Kostacopoulos, who tentatively plans to use freshman righthander Scott Robinson in relief of Laganiere and start freshman righty Paul Bruder in the fourth game.

Stony Brook slows down UMaine

The UMaine baseball team went into last weekend’s series against Stony Brook having stolen a league-high 91 bases, the most since the Bears swiped a school-record 103 in 1991.

The Bears emerged from the four-game series with the same 91 steals after failing to record a stolen base against the Seawolves. Aaron Young was thrown out Friday night in the team’s only attempt of the weekend.

With a minimum of six games remaining, UMaine is still well within reach of the school record.