Flyers' Bryan Boston Bound
Winston Bryan has turned a strong finish to his basketball career at Sandhills Community College, including a national title on his resume, into an opportunity to continue playing the game at Dean College in Franklin, MA.
The 6-foot-1 guard has committed to join the NCAA Division III program that is a member of the New England Collegiate Conference. Under Coach Rico Cabral, the Bulldogs began a transition from NJCAA Division II three years ago. They finished with a record of 12-15 this past season. Franklin is located about 40 miles south of Boston.
A product of Dudley High School in Greensboro, the son of Sheila and Winston Bryan III, red-shirted as a freshman at Sandhills. He was a member of two Region 10 and district champion Flyer squads that qualified for the NJCAA Division III National Championships in Rochester, MN.
The Flyers coached by Mike Apple finished in fifth place a year ago before winning the program's second national title last month.
Bryan started the final 21 games of this season, including the 18 wins in a row that culminated in the 93-89 championship game victory over Mohawk Valley CC. Second on the team in three-point baskets, he was 3-for-6 from beyond the arc in that game.
He averaged 5.0 points per game this season. During his Flyer career he was among the team leaders in free throw percentage (78.0) and his assist/turnover ratio (3.0) last season was the 25th best in NJCAA Division III.
A member of the coaching staff at Dean College reached out to Apple for information on potential players for their program.
"Winston is very much a self-made player who absolutely got better every year he was here," Apple says. "He was a tireless worker in the weight-room and on the court.
""I talk about guys leading by example and Winston exemplified that. Many mornings during the season he would get to school before I did and be getting shots up as the other guys were just getting to school. He most certainly had the respect of all the coaches and players. "
C. Bergmann