By Brian Bohl
Charles Jenkins tried to capitalize on an odd-man rush, dribbling into the lane without any hesitation. Normally that type of fast break leads to an easy lay-in or a perfect assist opportunity as the outmanned defense struggles to stop a two-on-one or three-on-one fast break.
But in his haste to make a play, Jenkins made one mistake when assessing the numbers differential, leading to a comical situation.
“Coach always tells me to be calm on the court because sometimes I try to take on the whole team instead of waiting for my teammates to get on the floor,” said Jenkins with a laugh following an 81-67 win over Towson last week. “Coming down, I tried to go one-on-five instead of waiting for my four [teammates] behind me.”
Coach Tom Pecora quickly followed that synopsis with color commentary.
“It was like a sea of black. They were all standing in the lane, and he dribbles in like a kamikaze.”
That one aggressive play was the only poor decision Jenkins made all game. The freshman guard continued to entrench himself as the wingman to leading scorer Antoine Agudio, pouring in 17 points against the Tigers. It marked the 23rd time in his last 24 games that Jenkins scored in double figures.
Jenkins was redshirted last season, using the time to learn Hofstra’s playbook and become adjusted to the college game. He roomed with fellow guard Loren Stokes and watched as the Pride qualified for the NIT for a third consecutive year.
After finally getting a chance to play, the former Springfield Gardens standout is averaging just under 15 points while hauling in over four rebounds per game. The 6-2, 220-pound frosh will also be expected to raise his game next season after Agudio leaves, and Pecora and his staff are encouraging him to take a more active role.
“In most places you get in trouble for shooting too much,” Jenkins said. “My coaches encourage me to shoot more. Speaking to them every day and them telling me to keep shooting no matter what makes me very comfortable on the court.”
With next month’s CAA tournament in Richmond approaching, Jenkins’ continued maturation could help spur an unlikely run that would turn a disappointing start into a surprise return to the NIT or a storybook spot in the NCAA Tournament if they can somehow win four straight games down in Virginia.
The Pride entered Wednesday’s game at Delaware with 7-9 record against CAA opponents.
“We made mistakes at the beginning of the year,” Agudio said. “Now we’ve got to come together, and put away the mistakes, and play as a team because we’ve got to make this run at this March tournament.”