Danvers taps hockey coach...
Danvers High's new head hockey coach officially introduced himself to his team last Thursday , but the truth is that Kevin Brown needed no introduction to the Falcons. Brown spent the last seven seasons as an assistant coach at Danvers before being tapped to replace his mentor, Kevin Flynn, as bench boss. Flynn stepped down last month after 20 seasons.
Brown, who edged former Winthrop High coach John O'Neill for the job, was groomed for the post. The last three seasons, he took on greater responsibilities under Flynn. That experience should benefit Brown as a first-time head coach at the high school level.
``Any time you're the head coach it's a different circumstance," said Brown. ``But in hockey circumstances like putting a game plan in and running practices, that responsibility has been there for the past few years."
Brown, a former Falcons hockey captain who played for Flynn, knows he has big shoes to fill. Flynn left Danvers with a 279-112-43 mark and two state titles. Under his guidance, Danvers qualified for the state tournament 18 consecutive seasons.
``Just being around here and playing for Kevin and coaching with Kevin has been an extreme pleasure," said Brown, a 1993 Danvers High graduate. ``I can see how the program's gone, and I just want to maintain the condition it's in."
Although he is a disciple of Flynn, Brown said he does plan to make changes, but the on-ice product should look very familiar to Falcons fans. ``There are going to be changes with anyone new," said Brown. ``I don't know if you'll be able to see the changes. It'll be more off the ice than on it. "
. . . and one for soccer squad
Danvers High athletic director John Sullivan has been busy hiring new coaches in football, hockey, and now soccer in the last month. Sullivan announced last Friday that Antonio Lage will take the helm of the boys' soccer program. Lage, a Middleton resident, spent the last two years coaching on the youth club circuit with the Massachusetts Aztec Soccer Club. He played professionally for the New Hampshire Phantoms. Lage replaces Mike Chase, who led Danvers to back-to-back Division 2 North titles in 2003 and 2004. Chase stepped down to pursue a career as a police officer, according to Sullivan. ``We'll miss Mike," said Sullivan.
Smith will helm St. Mary's
St. Mary's of Lynn has hired Malden Catholic assistant Jeff Smith as its new football coach. Smith replaced Mike Stellato, who left to take over at Danvers High after leading St. Mary's to the Division 3A Super Bowl title last season. Smith, 29, is a Lynn native. A Malden Catholic graduate, he spent the last seven seasons as an assistant coach at MC in football and lacrosse. Smith, who worked at MC under Rick Mazzei, a New England Lacrosse Hall of Fame member, will take over the St. Mary's boys' lacrosse program as well. St. Mary's football will move up to Division 3 next year as part of its move from the Catholic Central League Small Division to the CCL Large.
Cape Ann names all-stars
Amesbury tied for the most selections on the Cape Ann League softball all-league team. The Indians, who captured the CAL Division 1 title with an 18-2 regular-season mark, had three players named to the team: Leah Boody, Amanda Bomba, and Angela Lattime. North Reading also had three selections, including Player of the Year Stephanie Mayne. The rest of the local all-stars include Katherine McGann of Masconomet, Audra Buckley of Lynnfield, and the Triton Regional duo of Liz Lebrun and Stacy Toner . Coach of the Year honors went to North Andover's Brian Martin .
Bicondoa top pitcher again
For the second straight week, North Shore Spirit pitcher Ryan Bicondoa was named the Can-Am League Player of the Week. Bicondoa won the award for the period end ed June 4. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched a shutout for North Shore against the Sussex (N.J.) Skyhawks on May 31, allowing four hits and striking out 10 in a 4-0 victory. North Shore third baseman Jeff Brooks was named Player of the Week. In five games, Brooks batted .524 (11 for 21) with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, and 9 RBIs.
Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com. 
