By Will Bryan
MaxPreps.com
The name “Curry” has established resounding significance in basketball circles in Charlotte, N.C. First there was Dell Curry lighting up the “hive” for the Charlotte Hornets. Then there was Stephen and Seth Curry lighting up private school basketball arenas with their gritty performances while at Charlotte Christian.
The two Curry brothers owned the trophy stage at the prestigious annual Bojangles Shootout, a tournament put on by their father’s foundation.
This year, however, everyone thought they would get to see a new name holding the championship trophy and bringing home the MVP award.
They were wrong. Curry won again.
This time, though, the family lineage was a little bit different. Brandyn Curry, Hopewell’s star guard, led the Titans to victory three nights in a row en route to a Bojangles Shootout local division championship and an MVP honor.
Last Thursday’s 61-57 win over Myers Park was just another typical double-double for Curry as he tallied 15 points, tied for a team-high, and notched 10 rebounds and four steals.
Curry scored seven and 13 points in wins over Charlotte Latin and Cannon earlier in the tournament.
Curry has struggled in terms of shooting percentage and efficiency at times, but coaches say that his intangibles are what continue to make him such a crucial component of Hopewell’s success.
Hopewell is currently 13-0 on the season, including a 70-46 win over an overmatched J.R. Robinson team on Tuesday night. The Titans’ defense is averaging nearly 21 turnovers forced per game, further emphasizing their commitment to superior play at both ends of the court.
While Curry isn’t always the lead scorer on his team – teammate Jordan Downing often fills those shoes – his leadership and determination has been palpable since his move to point guard.
“Brandyn made the transition from the two-guard position to the point and hasn't had the big numbers yet this year that he put up last year,” Hopewell assistant coach Andrae Butts said. “However, he is doing all of the little intangibles well, and at times his grit and determination have literally carried us to victories.”
The senior point guard has committed to Harvard for next year.
West Mecklenburg 58, Olympic 54
The West Mecklenburg Hawks (11-3, 4-0) remained unbeaten in Queen City 3A/4A boys basketball by overcoming a six-point fourth quarter to deficit to beat Olympic 58-54 on Wednesday.
West Meck’s Aaron Bennett scored eight points in the final period, finishing with a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Bennett’s stellar play sparked a lethargic Hawks team that was put on their heels by the upstart Olympic Trojans (1-4, 1-2) who created points off of drives into the paint.
“I thought we had a little bit of tired legs coming back from break from the Bojangles tournament,” West Meck coach Donald Kirby told the Charlotte Observer. “One of the things we learned playing over the Christmas holidays is the kids are mentally tough, and I thought they demonstrated that tonight.”
Reggie Arceneaux led all Olympic scorers with 12 points.
