All-Delco Boys Basketball: Seniors Alikakos, Delaney made their mark at Episcopal Academy
In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Tyler Norwood, the rest of the All-Delco team includes:
Conner Delaney, Episcopal Academy: The senior helped the Churchmen weather the absence of fellow All-Delco Nick Alikakos for nine games, piloting the Churchmen to a share of the Inter-Ac title for the first time since 2006. The heady point guard finished fifth in the county in scoring at 18.8 points per game, outscoring his high-powered teammate in that department. He scored in double-figures in 24 of the 26 games he played, shaking off an early ankle injury. Delaney’s high-water mark came in a 28-point outing against Lincoln Dec. 21, but his scoring outbursts were a matter of quality over quantity. He combined for 43 points in two meetings with co-champ Germantown Academy and canned 23 as the Churchmen downed rival Haverford School Jan. 27. He added the game-tying 3-pointer with six seconds left in regulation of what became an 82-81 overtime win over Malvern Prep. Arguably his best performance came in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association semifinal, where he scored 26 points — including 18 of his team’s final 21 — to push the Churchmen past Hill School in OT, 59-58. In the 10 Inter-Ac games and four PAISAA contests, Delaney averaged 18.4 ppg. A constant double-double threat, Delaney shot 72.6 percent from the foul line in 179 attempts and led the team with 47 3-pointers. The All-Inter-Ac pick finishes his high school career with 945 points. Formerly a Villanova lacrosse commit, Delaney will continue his basketball career at Johns Hopkins.
READ: The full list of All-Delco boys basketball honorees
A.J. Hoggard, Archbishop Carroll: Just a freshman, Hoggard exuded a veteran’s poise to lead Archbishop Carroll to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 5A tournament. Though a pass-first point guard, Hoggard finished second on the team in scoring at 11.4 points per game and orchestrated the offensive balance that incorporated nine regulars. Hoggard averaged 4.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. His non-scoring contributions were illustrated at the Benedictine Capital Classic in December, when Hoggard was named the tournament’s MVP despite scoring just 28 points in three games. Hoggard’s high-point total came in a loss to St. Joseph’s Prep when he accounted for 25 of the Patriots’ 50 points. He improved as the season progressed, averaging 16.4 points per game in the Patriots’ last five contests, all elimination games. He saved two of his most impressive statistical games for the meetings with rival Bonner & Prendergast — 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the regular-season meeting, then 16-7-8, plus three steals and two blocks, in the District 12 5A play-in game.
Jamar Sudan, Chester: The senior forward matured into a leader for the youthful Clippers, who followed his direction to 22 wins and the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals. A steadying presence on both ends of the court, the wing could guard multiple positions and was a handful on the glass, off the dribble and with an emerging shooting touch that produced 17 made 3-pointers. Sudan led the Clippers with 15.7 points per game, but his contributions went far beyond points. He posted 17 double-doubles, averaging 8.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Sudan scored a career-high 31 in the season-opening win over Simon Gratz and 29 in the Jan. 19 win over Academy Park. He added 15 points and 18 rebounds in the first-round states win over Milton Hershey, then 19 points in each of the next two games. Sudan, who is fielding interest at various levels to play collegiately, finishes his Chester career with 940 points.
READ: Final Boys Basketball Stat Leaders
Nick Alikakos, Episcopal Academy: The senior forward overcame what was originally feared as a broken leg, an injury that cost him nine games in December and January, to make his third straight appearance on the All-Delco squad, this season’s only repeat honoree. He came back as strong as ever, averaging 17.0 points per game. The United States Naval Academy signee’s value is difficult to overstate: In games he finished, Episcopal Academy was 16-3; without him, they were 2-8. Though not as explosive a scorer as last season, Alikakos still got the job done. In his third game back, he blitzed Springside Chestnut Hill for 25 points. He added 28 as the Churchmen survived a scare at Malvern Prep. The All-Inter-Ac selection added 37 points combined in the first two rounds of the PAISAA Tournament to help the Churchmen reach the final, adding to the share of the Inter-Ac title they procured for the first time since 2006. Likely a stretch-4 at the next level, Alikakos honed his shooting touch with 13 made 3-pointers this season. He finishes his career with 1,546 points, sixth-most in Episcopal history and the most since the school relocated to Newtown Square.
John Harrar, Strath Haven: The senior forward was a force in the low blocks for the Panthers, which qualified for the District 1 playoffs for a second straight year and made the Central League final. The title game didn’t end as Harrar would’ve wanted, but it illustrated how dominant a presence he had become. Harrar orchestrated a demolition of Conestoga in the semifinals, scoring 25 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in an upset of the top seed. Harrar tallied a season-high 31 points in the championship-game loss to Lower Merion, accounting for over half of his team’s points. The Central League MVP scored 20 or more points in 12 of 25 outings and was in double-figures all but once. He was Strath Haven’s leading scorer in 24 of 25 games for the 14-win team, including 21 points in their districts ouster at the hands of finalist Upper Merion. He averaged 19.5 points (fourth-most in Delco for a team that averaged just 53.3 per contest), 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Harrar’s presence was even more vital given the season-long injury to fellow senior Pat O’Kane and leg injuries that cost forward Cooper Driscoll seven games and hampered his production. Harrar will play football at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
