Updated 01/18/2008 10:28 PM
Dewhurst stepping up for Charlotte
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CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte 49ers are undefeated in league play this season and currently ride a three-game winning streak, thanks in part to a number of role players who have been stepping up.
One outstanding freshman can be added to the list of those Niners who have made a name for themselves this season: Charlotte Latin graduate Charles Dewhurst.
While many likely associate the red-shirt freshman with a huge block recorded against St. Joe’s, Dewhurst has put together two double doubles this season, and is averaging seven points and seven rebounds in Atlantic 10 play.
Coach Bobby Lutz is happy with his progress.
“Charles’ confidence is up a little bit because he was making a lot of the same drives earlier in the year, and shooting about 20 percent cause he wasn’t making any,” said Lutz. “He was making great passes, but not finishing. Now he’s starting to finish, and get fouled, and make his foul shots at a good percentage as well. And I just think it’s a natural growth.”
Dewhurst makes a huge block against St. Joe's.
That development has opened up some possibilities for other players on the team, namely Leemire Goldwire, who scored a career-high 36 points on Wednesday against St. Joe’s. He definitely sees the benefit in having a strong bench players like Dewhurst.
“I love it,” said Goldwire about the bench support. “Because that means teams just can’t focus on me or on [Lamont Mack] or [An’Juan Wilderness], now we got [Dewhurst], [Gaby Ngoundjo] come in and give us great minutes whether it be blocking shots or scoring for us, so it’s definitely great to get plus from our bench. Now that [Ian Anderson] is out for a couple of games, it’s definitely a plus.”
Against St. Joe’s, Dewhurst only scored four points, but his most impressive two came on a reverse lay-up late in the game to help ice the win. Believing he could score in the college game has been the difference.
“I’ve always been capable, it’s a little bit hard for a freshman especially to adapt to the college game, but I think as the season has progressed I’ve got a lot more comfortable out there and the shots are starting to fall.”
Charlotte now leaves the friendly confines of Halton Arena to play the next two on the road, where they are 2-4.