Hopewell pair excels after disappointing season

Hopewell’s C.J. Bryce and Taj Middleton used last year’s struggles on the basketball court as motivation.

After a disappointing 8-16 season, the sophomores spent the offseason going to the gym together and playing for former NBA player Jeff McInnis’ Team Charlotte to craft their games and finally prove that they belong on the varsity level.

“We both had a bad taste in our mouths because we didn’t have a good season last year,” said Bryce. “We figured we would have to play a lot harder to lead our team.”

That approach seems to be paying off for Bryce and Middleton, as they have combined for more than 35 points per game to start the season.

The duo’s progress has impressed Titans’ coach Damon Bost.

“This is probably the biggest jump I’ve seen two players make in all of my coaching,” he said. “To go from averaging five, six points per game to 17, 18 a game is remarkable.”

The 6-foot-4 Bryce mostly played power forward as a freshman but has transitioned to his natural small forward position this year. That has helped him to average more than 18 points per game to lead the Titans to a 3-4 start heading into Dec. 14’s game against West Charlotte.

“He’s really the motor of our team,” Bost said.

Middleton, a 6-foot-3 guard, has found more ways to consistently put points on the board this season.

“We saw spurts from him last year, but he’s really putting the ball in the hole this year,” Bost said. “He’s always been able to drive the ball to the hole, but what he’s doing now is picking it up from his mid-range and 3-point range.”

Bryce and Middleton have played together since seventh grade, which has created an on-court chemistry they try to use to their advantage.

“We know what we want to do just with eye contact,” Bryce said.

Bost said that connection has helped his team play more cohesively.

“Because these two play together all the time, it’s become contagious for the rest of the guys,” Bost said.

Middleton has also noticed that.

“We’re more of a family this year,” Middleton said. “Everybody is working harder together.”

Although Bryce and Middleton have been putting up better numbers and helping the team with their high basketball IQ, Bost said that their biggest improvement has been their confidence.

The third-year Titans’ coach also attributed the duo’s improved play to Hopewell’s new up-tempo offense, which better suits the athletic sophomores.

Bost explained that he decided to play faster after his team turned the ball over 19 times a game last year.

“My philosophy now is we’ll shoot it before that happens,” Bost said. “I’d rather get an attempt than a turnover.”

Aside from Middleton and Bryce, the Titans have two other returning players, Kalon Buchanan and Michael Sandry. Bost said that the seniors have also stepped up for the team.

Buchanan, a 6-foot-7 forward, is averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds a game, while Sandry, who Bost said was the last guy to come off the bench last year, has become a utility player that averages nine points per game.

“He’ll do whatever the team needs him to do,” Bost said. “And he’s pretty good at it all.”

Seniors Eric Williams and Josh Ross have also contributed early.

With seven newcomers, the Titans have to grow up quickly as they get into their I-Meck schedule to overcome their inexperience.

“We don’t have it all the way right now, but we’re working towards getting it done,” Bost said.

“If we can gain that, I think we might come on late.”

Middleton agreed.

“We just have to get those kinks out,” he said. “I think the team is there, we just have to put it all together.”

Bryce and Middleton agreed that the team needs to continue to work hard in practice to get where it belongs – back in the playoffs.

“I just want to do a lot better than we did last year,” Bryce said. “I want to get that ticket to states.”