Post looks to continue winning ways

BY MARK JAFFEE

REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

WATERBURY — The Post University men’s and women’s basketball teams will open this season with high expectations. Both teams, coming off successful campaigns, were picked to finish first in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference North Division by a vote of the league coaches.

The Post men finished last season with a 21-10 record and a .677 winning percentage. The Eagles open the season Friday against Franklin Pierce at 5 p.m. at the University of Bridgeport.

Graduate guard Tyler Small, sidelined last year with an injury, and graduate forward Harrison Warnock, also rebounding an injury, will lead an experienced group. That includes the team’s top three scorers — Deng Deang (16.0 ppg.), senior Bol Akot (14.8 ppg.) and senior Robert Sanders of Naugatuck (10.8 ppg.).

“Robert played at a really high level last year and we need him to get back to that,” said Post men’s coach Marc Kuntz, in his eighth season.

Kuntz said junior wing Caleb Sampson of Waterbury is also on the roster. He graduated from Sacred Heart High in 2021.

Last season, the Eagles got off to their best start in program history at 12-2 before getting mired in a bit of a shooting slump and finishing the regular season 7-6 with a 19-8 record overall and a 10-6 record in conference play to take second in the CACC North Division.

After narrowly getting by Wilmington University in the CACC Quarterfinals, Post would lose to Jefferson University, 70-58, in the CACC semifinals as the Rams went on to take the conference title over Bloomfield, 89-69. “We have talent and

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Post men’s basketball player Deng Deang dribbles the ball during a 74-73 win against Bentley last season at the Drubner Center in Waterbury.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POST ATHLETICS

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depth,” said Kuntz. “We just have to figure out our roles and put it all together and get everyone on the same page. Our experience is the least of our worries. They’re not afraid of the big moments. They know what it takes to win. Now it’s just a matter of getting there.

“We’re looking on being cohesive, and share the ball,” said Kuntz. “If we do that, we can do big things this year.”

Former WCA standout guard Drew Williams is headed for a redshirt year.

WOMEN HAVE NEW LOOK

The Post women (17-10, 12-4 in 2023-24) have won the CACC North Division regular-season title coach of the last four full seasons.

The Eagles travel to the Saint Michael’s Tip-Off to face Southern New Hampshire State University on Friday at 7 p.m. in Vermont.

The Eagles will pose a new look with only three returners from last year’s team in seniors guards Naj White and Jayden Burns along with graduate forward Roxkel Washington.

While all three saw between six to 20 minutes per game last year, none of them started more than nine games overall.

However, the Eagles reloaded with seven Division-I transfers in Nicole Parks (Colgate University), Emma Carman (Quinnipiac University), Emelia O’Gilvie (Boston University), Hannah Finnerty (Siena College), Alana Scott (Bryant University), Erin Harris (St. Peter’s) and Alyssa Rossignol (Niagara University). Six of the seven are sophomores.

Head coach Courtney Burns, in her second season, brought in five freshman — Kamryn Porter, Jaiyla Colon, Jasmine Day-Cox, Jackie Russell, and McKensi Forde.

“We’re fairly young,” said Burns. “I didn’t want to recruit 13 players again. The returning players have done a great job of paving the way of creating (a positive) culture and setting a standard. We have had a good transition with so many new players. The returning players have made the new players feel at home.”

Burns said the team has a lot of depth and that will help as the Eagles substitute with strength.

“We will play a very uptempo style,” said Burns. “We will be a very selfless team and take the best shot available. Defense will win games and we will be in your face and make things uncomfortable for teams.”