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2013-14 Standard Democrat Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Delfincko Bogan
Bogan's presence crucial for Charleston's success
CHARLESTON -- The importance of Delfincko Bogan has never been a gray area.
After nearly every game, Charleston head coach Danny Farmer made some mention of Bogan and how much his impact was felt on his team and record.
The junior gave his coach much to talk about, too.
Late-game heroics became near ritual for Bogan, who made it his mission to take over close games and put his team on top.
"When he played well we were guaranteed a win," Farmer said about Bogan. "When I say good, he had to score 20 for us to beat other people and most of the time he did that."
Thinking back to his best player's performances brought a smile to Farmer's face. Other coaches? Not so much.
Whether it was his scoring ability or giving the illusion he had the ball on a string, Bogan swept through most teams with the confidence of being the best all-around player in the area. Knowing he could dominate on the basketball court may be his biggest weapon.
"He knew his role for the team and he wasn't afraid to do it," said Farmer. "He didn't sit back and wait for someone else to do it. He knew what he had to do. I knew I needed him to do that and he knew it also.
"He improved on being a leader first and foremost," Farmer added. "Knowing how to lead a team and focusing on winning, that was the most important thing. He wanted to be that guy."
At Charleston - one of the more decorated high school basketball programs in the state - the talent never seems to subside. In Bogan's case, his junior season was the time for him to take the Bluejay reins after following in the footsteps of a senior class that helped win a Class 3 state championship in 2012 and, particularly, two-time all-state point guard Ryan Parham.
"He took me under his wing," Bogan said about Parham. "Everyday we went back-and-forth with each other. I knew I was going to be the top person this year to help the team go as far as we can."
Bogan was the perfect apprentice.
He led Charleston to a 22-8 record with 24.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.8 assists which led to Bogan winning the SEMO Conference John Gibbs Award for the best overall player in the conference. He's the first Charleston player to win the award since 2007 when Justin Clark shared the title with two others.
"Graduating five starters the year before he had the chance [to take over]," said Farmer. "He improved so much from his sophomore to his junior year. He couldn't do the things he did last year."
Bogan, with big brother Robert by his side, put his stamp on the area following a brutal stretch of three games in four days in the middle of January.
First, Bogan turned a once-close game against rival New Madrid County Central into a comfy 65-50 win on Tuesday. The very next night, he put the finishing touches on Sikeston in overtime scoring 14 of his 23 points in the fourth and overtime periods at the Show Me Center. Two days later, Bogan scorched Scott County Central with 33 points (22 in the second half) for an 85-78 victory.
"I call him the Baby LeBron of 3A," Robert Bogan said. "He plays hard during every possession, he never gives up and he's got a big heart."
The list of games where Bogan finished close games is running out of room.
He scored 23 of his game-high 40 points during a win over Poplar Bluff at the SEMO Conference tournament - a performance that highlighted the four-day event. In early January, he scored 10 points in the last 2:45 giving the Bluejays a 58-45 win over Notre Dame.
But none of Delfincko's performances was bigger than his showcase against Sikeston. Battling cramps for most of the second half, Bogan shouldered the Bluejays to a strong finish - the only kind he knows.
Bogan nailed a game-tying 3-pointer with 45 seconds left in regulation. His coast-to-coast layup, bypassing three Sikeston defenders in the process, while being fouled on the shot put the lid on Charleston's arch rival.
"At crucial times during the Sikeston game right when we needed it, Del just took over," Farmer said. "He hit a big three and I'm surprised they left him open, but he hit it. At another turning point Sikeston had about three players trying to trap him and he went through them all to hit a layup that kind of sealed it."
Bogan's shark-like presence when it comes to clutch moments in games is premeditated. He knows that's expected of him. As does everyone else.
"I understand what coach wants me to do," Bogan said. "Whatever it is I'm going to do it. Yeah, I was taking over games and all, but it wasn't just me. Shandor [Webster], Robert [Bogan], Demontrail [Clark], Kevondre [Moore], Mike [Kellum], we all pitched in. We all came out and won games."
Bogan's clutch skills were aided by growing up with, arguably, the best defender in the region right down the hall.
"We're like the duo," Delfincko said about his brother Robert. "Football, basketball, track, with me and him together we're going to dominate. We argue a lot but he helps me out to try and make good decisions,. I look up to him. He's a great big brother."
While Delfincko is known for pouring in points, Robert has the reputation of putting the clamps on other top offensive players.
"Sometimes he gets his," Robert said about defending his little brother. "He's a good player and I loved playing with him. He does all the things a point guard is supposed to do. If you tell him to do something he'll do it. You just have to move out of his way."
Not much is standing in Delfincko's way now. He gave Charleston a chance to win the SEMO Conference out-right going into the last two games with a spotless 5-0 record only to lose the last two. A run that seemed improbable at the start of the season.
"In our minds we were overachievers this year," said Farmer. "Looking at some of the other teams and the personnel that we went up against, the fact that we had a chance to win the conference out-right was tremendous."
Bogan led his team to its fourth straight district title scoring 32 against Caruthersville in the championship game and fell just one win shy of reaching the Class 3 final four.
Fortunately for Charleston, Bogan has another year left to terrorize defenses.
"Just to get Del to play at that level and get him to believe he can was great," Farmer said. "It's kind of unbelievable when you see it happen when you think of how consistent he played this year. The games he was able to put together and shoot that well, it makes you think, 'Man, can he get any better?'"
Knowing Bogan, he'll close the last quarter of his high school career off strong too.