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Sean Delany

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

The Woodstock Academy Post Graduate basketball program, which won’t officially take the court until later this year, is rapidly filling its slots for the upcoming season.  

In a recent announcement from coach Tom Espinosa, he indicated that another New York product, Sean Delany will be a Centaur this season.  Almost simultaneously New England Recruiting Report announced that Saul Phiri, who starred at Worcester Academy last season, is transferring to Woodstock. The arrival of Delany and Phiri brings to seven the number of recruits already headed to Woodstock Academy next year.

Delany, a 6-foot, 4-inch guard who recently completed 12th grade at New York’s Kennedy Catholic, joins previously signed guards Brandon Steed and Taurian Archie in coach Espinosa’s backcourt stable.  Delany brings some impressive credentials in his basketball resume.

Last season, he averaged 16 points, seven assists and seven rebounds per game in leading his team to a 26-2 record and to the New York State Championship finals.  Kennedy won the New York CHSAA league and New York City championships.  Delany was named an all league CHSAA A Division All Star.  He was also selected to the Mayor’s Cup all star team, which honors the top players in New York’s public and private high schools.

Delany, who holds a black belt in taekwondo, posted impressive statistics as a 10th and 11th grader.  As a 10th grader he averaged 14 points and five assists per game, while starting every game.  He was named First Team CHSAA A Division All Star.  He repeated that performance in 11th grade and was also named honorable mention all state, averaging 15 points, six assists and six rebounds per contest.

“Delany is a rugged guard who is difficult to defend because of his size.  He’s a strong leader and a good floor general.  He’s another player who provides us flexibility because of the talents he brings to the game,” said Espinosa.

Phiri, who put up some huge numbers for Worcester Academy last season, has seen his stock rise tremendously since completing the basketball season in strong fashion.  Considered an NCAA Division I high mid-major recruit previously, Phiri has recently been drawing attention from some highly competitive schools.

DePaul University in Chicago became the first high-major to offer him a scholarship.  The Blue Demons play in the Big East Conference and are coached by former University of Connecticut assistant Dave Leitao.  This will be Leitao’s second stint at DePaul, having previously been the head coach there from 2002 to 2005.

Prior to the offer from DePaul, Phiri had gotten offers from Atlantic 10 Conference schools, George Washington University, LaSalle and Duquesne.

“We’re very familiar with Phiri from our trips to Worcester Academy.  He’s a rugged individual who’ll give us scoring and strength off the boards,” said Espinosa.

Phiri and Delany join Archie and Steed as well as holdovers, Hamidou Diallo, Mamadou Diarra and Brandon Hurst as the new Woodstock Academy PG hoop program gears up for the upcoming 2015-2016 season.

 

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