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Tracking the College Basketball Stars of the Future
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ECU &
C-USA Hoops
Recruiting Report
Monday, October 20, 2003
By Thad Mumau
Special Correspondent |
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Herrion's Philly legacy pays
off 'big'
©2003 Bonesville.net
The late
Charles Bronson was an actor who played roles in which he instilled fear in
whomever got in his way. Another Charles Bronson could be doing the same for
East Carolina’s basketball team in the future.
A 6-10,
235-pound center from Lutheran Christian Academy in Philadelphia (PA),
Bronson has committed to the Pirates with plans to sign a letter of intent
during the Nov. 12-19 early signing period.
"When he gets
stronger, people (he plays against) are going to be in trouble," said
Lutheran Christian Academy coach Darryl Schofield. "This is a kid who is
getting better every day. He has a bright future."
It was not
always that way for Bronson. Three years ago, he stood 6-7 and weighed in at
350 pounds. He did not make the basketball team at Norristown High, located
just outside Philly.
"He couldn’t
jump high enough to dunk the ball — at 6-7," Schofield said. "When we first
got him, he was an eager kid, but he was a long way from being a basketball
player.
"But he wanted
to be one; that was the key. And he wanted to be good, so he paid the price.
He did the work, and he’s still doing it. We gave him a boost, but Charles
had to do it."
Bronson, who
would have been a senior last year, was re-classified after taking basically
the same classes for two years. He worked hard the summer of 2001, then made
the hoops team at Lutheran Christian. But he was sitting at the end of the
bench.
Until his
coming-out party.
"It was in
January at the Rim Rocker Tournament in Long Island (NY)," Schofield
recalled. "We were playing Mount Zion (of Durham, NC) in the finals. We put
Charles in, and he got nine points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots
against Mohamed Tangara, and we won by 15.
"College
coaches started paying attention to Charles. He was the seventh or eighth
man after that and averaged around 10 points and 11 boards the rest of the
season. He kept getting better, and he would ask for extra instruction. He
would stay and work an hour after practice, then run an hour after that."
By the end of
his sophomore year, Bronson was down to 260 pounds. He enjoyed a fine (2002)
summer of AAU ball and began his junior season at around 230 and in the
starting lineup. He averaged 24 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in an
early-season tournament, giving him confidence and the foundation for a big
season.
He finished
with 17 points, about 12 boards and 4.5 blocked shots on a team led by
current Massachusetts freshman Maurice Maxwell, who scored more than 22
points per game.
"Charles has
to carry us this year," Schofield said. "He will be our No. 1 option. He got
better every single game last year, and we’re expecting big things from him.
He is ready to deliver, too.
"He has a
jump-hook with both hands, an up-and-under, a drop-step and reverse pivot
with a face-up jump shot. He can shoot well from 15 feet, and he will show
the ball to a defender and drive around him. He is also a great passer who
recognizes double-teams and finds open people."
Schofield said
he didn’t mind admitting that he steered Bronson toward East Carolina.
"I have been
knowing Bill Herrion a long time," Schofield said, "and I know what he is
going to do for Charles. I have had kids go places where things didn’t work
out, so I try to help them avoid that if I can.
"I don’t have
to worry about Charles not showing up for class at East Carolina. Life is
about commitment and loyalty, and Billy Herrion has been recruiting Charles
for about a year. He came to see him play four times last season. Billy made
Charles a priority.
"Charles was
going to visit Nebraska," Schofield said, "and Michigan State was calling.
But I said, `Let’s go with who brought you.’ Charles is relieved it’s over
and he’s going to East Carolina. It’s a very good match."
Bronson and
Schofield were scheduled to attend Midnight at Minges Saturday night. It was
to be an unofficial visit. Schofield said Bronson will probably take his
official trip to Greenville in November.
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02/23/2007 02:40:46 PM |
