Dwight Littlefield certainly understands the importance of defensive intensity to a championship basketball team.

But he also is acutely aware that success is predicated on scoring more points than your opponent – a fact of basketball life that has helped Littlefield earn 401 coaching wins over 27 years at Upper Kennebec Valley High School of Bingham.

“You win games by the scoreboard,” said Littlefield, who earned win No. 400 against Averill/Alfond School of Hinckley last Friday night. “My practices involve more offense than defense, but I know with some coaches it’s the other way around.”

Toward the Cavaliers’ championship end, Littlefield strives to have his players shoot 100 shots every day in practice, many from beyond the 3-point arc.

Where the shots originate is perhaps the biggest change he’s faced as a coach over nearly three decades. In Valley’s brand of basketball, the middle-range jump shot is a thing of the past, and offense now comes either from close range or long distance.

“The 3-point shot is a tremendous weapon if you’ve got the shooters,” said Littlefield, who also teaches mathematics. “Our philosophy is to look for the 3-point shot or try to get something closer to the basket.”

In becoming the newest member of the 400-win club, Littlefield joins some elite company. Ordie Alley, Bob Cimbollek, Phil Faulkner and the late George Wentworth preceded Littlefield with 400 wins, while longtime Katahdin girls coach Dick Barstow has more than 600 victories.

Yet true personal reflection on his latest coaching milestone takes a back seat to the basketball of the moment for Littlefield, although he was honored during a ceremony at the Bingham school Saturday when the Cavaliers defeated Rangeley for win No. 401.

“Right now it’s not something I’m dealing with too much,” said Littlefield, whose coaching record at Valley is 401-136, good for a .790 winning percentage. “We’re focused more on our next game against PCHS [of Guilford].”

That attention is not surprising, given that Valley is seeking to extend its current state record of six consecutive state Class D championships.

Unbeaten this season with a 12-0 record heading into Tuesday night’s game at Guilford, the Cavaliers are 139-1 since the start of the 1997-98 campaign.

The only loss? That came two years ago, when Valley lost in the final seconds – at PCHS. That was the 18th regular-season game the Cavaliers played that season, the only time Valley played more than 17 regular-season games during that span.

“I guess we shouldn’t have played that extra game,” Littlefield said.

Valley has cruised past most of its East-West Conference opponents in recent years, so the Cavaliers have bumped up their preseason and holiday schedules in an effort to create as many competitive opportunities as possible.

This season, for example, Valley has played exhibition and holiday tournament games against such opponents as Falmouth, Messalonskee of Oakland, Rockland and Boothbay.

Another key to Valley’s success under Littlefield has been the program’s attention to the fundamentals. Littlefield conducts summer basketball program locally at both the high school and youth levels. At the high school level, there’s a four-week program that includes drills and between eight and 12 games.

He also runs a shorter program for the younger kids, from grades 3-4 through junior high, focusing on instruction in the basics.

“We try to get the kids going in the right direction,” said Littlefield. “It’s difficult to change kids once they’ve developed habits, so we try to get to them early.”

The value of that early basketball intervention is reflected not only in wins and losses, Littlefield believes, but in a work ethic that has played a pivotal role in the Valley success story.

“The kids who have been a part of all this have worked so very hard, they just love the game,” he said. I have to thank the kids for all their dedication throughout the years.

“I’ve also had some fine assistant coaches who have shared in these wins.”

All involved are sharing in more wins this winter. Valley returned all but two seniors from last year’s state championship team, and is considered a favorite for a seventh straight state title.

Tough challenges remain in Western Maine Class D with regular-season matchups against the likes of Buckfield, North Yarmouth Academy and the Hyde School of Bath.

Should Valley emerge from that field, talented Eastern D such as Central Aroostook of Mars Hill, Calvary Chapel of Orrington, East Grand of Danforth and Katahdin of Stacyville loom as threats to the Valley reign.

For Littlefield, such tests are the lifeblood of a coaching career that is refreshed with each new challenge.

“You hope you get a little better every year in terms of preparation and drills, and in understanding the opposition and your players,” he said. “Hopefully we all learn each day, both players and coaches.

“You have to enjoy the game. As long as kids work hard for you, that makes it fun, and for me it’s still fun, still exciting.”