BYFIELD - Over the course of 26 years, Mike McVeigh has seen many milestones come and go from his seat on the North Andover boys basketball bench.

A slew of league championships, unforgettable, last-second victories, Hall of Fame players. Now, he has another one of his own. The Scarlet Knights' 58-37 win over Triton last night marked the 400th career victory for the 58-year-old coach.

The quiet and humble McVeigh grudgingly admitted that it was a milestone after the game, but was quick to point out that he could take very little of the credit.

"This is special," said McVeigh, who has a stellar 400-154 record. "It's special because it reflects the players from 26 years, they're the ones who got the 400. It reflects on the coaches as well, from the youth coaches, to freshman and JV coaches to the assistants at the varsity level. They are not only great coaches who are responsible for this, but great friends, too. I just hope they feel the pride of the 400 like we do here."

There was no fanfare, no fist pumps and no-over-the top celebration, because coach McVeigh would not have wanted one. An unusually reserved man in a profession known for wildly gesticulating, screaming men, he doesn't shout instructions during a game, preferring to speak quietly to players on the bench.

On this night, McVeigh remembered his first game as the coach of the Knights in the 1982-83 season.

"It was daunting," said McVeigh, who played at Merrimack College. "The guy I was taking over for Bob Licare, was a legend. I was 32 years old when I got this job, they went with a guy who hadn't coached as a varsity coach and they gave me a chance. It has been a wonderful experience."

Following the game, McVeigh walked directly over to his wife, Jackie, and son, John. He picked up his grandson, Jack, to share a special moment with the people closest to him, the people who had to make sacrifices of their own time to allow McVeigh to do the thing that he loves.

From hours spent breaking down game tape, to the countless clinics and camps that he attends in the off season, coach McVeigh is still working every day to become better at coaching the game of basketball.

"He works tirelessly," said 14th-year assistant Tim Labelle. "He's a basketball coach 24 hours a day."

But for McVeigh, it is not just about basketball, he sees a deeper purpose to his job.

"There have been a lot of good basketball players in my time, but they were all better young men," said McVeigh, a retired history teacher at the school.

"He has changed so many kids lives and been such a positive influence on so many students. He really puts things into perspective," said Labelle. "He teaches that there is more to life than the basketball court. You have to be accountable to teachers, parents, in the classroom and on the basketball court."

His current team feels as strongly about their coach as he does them.

"Coach McVeigh works as hard as anyone I have been around," said senior captain Steve Boudreau. "He's a guy I absolutely love to play for and we were all pulling for him to win this one tonight."

Those lessons in life - work hard, be accountable - have taken a hold with this team and McVeigh was unable to talk about them after the game without some emotion in his voice.

"I won't say they are my favorite team of the 26, but this is a wonderful group from our captains right down to the 15th guy on the bench, and they really earned this win tonight," said McVeigh.

Boudreau, McManus spark Knights

Steve Boudreau had 12 points and Sean McManus added 11 as North Andover dispatched Triton 58-37 for coach Mike McVeigh's 400th career win. The Scarlet Knights put themselves in the driver's seat early with a 17-point first quarter and never looked back. Hayden Yeazel grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with his nine points.

The win moves the Knights to 12-3 on the season.

North Andover 58, Triton 37

North Andover (58): Iovanella 1-0-2, McManus 4-1-11, O'Connor 2-0-5, Boudreau 4-4-12, Breen 1-0-2, Surette 2-0-4, Collura 2-0-4, Enright 1-0-2, Fay 3-0-6, Yeazel 4-1-9,. Blane 0-1-1. Totals: 24-6-58

Triton (37): Smith 1-0-2, Clark 2-0-4, Katin 4-3-11, Devenish 1-0-2, Joy 1-0-2, Short 2-0-4, Dure 6-0-12. Totals 17-3-37

3-pointers: NA - McManus 2, O'Connor

North Andover (12-3) : 17 8 17 16 - 58

Triton (2-13): 9 6 16 6 - 37