CHESAPEAKE – It figures that since Anthony Delimpo had to sift through a mountain of colleges offers that he would pick a mountain.

Thursday, April 26, 2001

CHESAPEAKE – It figures that since Anthony Delimpo had to sift through a mountain of colleges offers that he would pick a mountain.

Mt. Vernon, that is.

The 6-foot-6 Chesapeake Panther senior star center will take his talents to Mt. Vernon next fall to play for the Mt. Vernon Nazarene Cougars.

"I had a mountain of letters, but I narrowed it down to 15-20 schools, and then I got it down to Mt. Vernon, Cedarville, or walking on at Marshall," Delimpo said.

"My dream was to play Division I. I talked a little with Bowling Green and William & Mary, but I liked the Christian atmosphere at Mt. Vernon, I liked the coach and the players, and they have a strong physical therapy program which is what I want. Marshall has a physical therapy program, but Mt. Vernon’s stronger."

Cougars head coach Scott Flemming was pleased that Delimpo settled on Mt. Vernon.

"It’s a great addition for us," Flemming said. "He has the opportunity to come in and help us. He can play a couple of positions, but freshmen are freshmen. They have a lot to learn."

Playing for Chesapeake head coach Norm Persin helped Delimpo catch the eye of Flemming.

"He’s very coachable and he runs the floor well. We play up tempo which is like his high school team," Fleming said.

Delimpo, who figures to play at the four and five positions, understands there will be a difference as he steps up to the next level.

"I figure I’ll mainly be underneath. (Mt. Vernon) has got some guys back. It’s going to be tough. I’m starting over. I’ll have to find new friends and go from building to building for classes. That’s different," Delimpo said.

Delimpo averaged 17 points and 11.5 rebounds a game during the regular season. He shot 63 percent from the field amd was selected second team All-Ohio and first team all-district by the Associated Press in Division III.

Delimpo helped the Panthers to the Division III regional semifinals and finished the season with an 18.0 scoring average and 10 rebounds.

Delimpo has played on the AAU traveling team the past four years. He was Player of the Game at the Hoops Invitational at Ohio University and the Coaxel Classic Invitational in Columbus.

As a participant in the Charley Huggins Eastern Ohio Basketball Camp, Delimpo was chosen to be on the All-Star team that played in Las Vegas last July 15-17.

He attended the Five-Star Camp in Pittsburgh and was named to the All-Star team as a small forward.

He was the MVP at the National Hoops Classic and the St. Joe Invitational. He was nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team.

"Playing in the regionals is a great atmosphere and it puts the pressure on you," Delimpo said. "The all-star games showed me what college would be like. All the guys out there were the best players on their teams. "

Flemming said Delimpo will have an advantage as he attempts to adjust to the college level. Mt. Vernon, 18-15 last season in a strong NAIA conference, has All-American Kenny Chaffins returning. Flemming said he will serve as a tutor for Delimpo.

"Anthony will have the chance to learn behind Chaffins, and Chaffins played one year behind Todd Sand who was an All-American," Flemming said.

Besides his outstanding play on the court, Delimpo has excelled in the classroom as well.

Delimpo has a 3.7 grade point average with a 26 ACT score.

Anthony is the son of David and Valerie Delimpo.