“I don’t know what happened in the past. I really don’t care to know,” Hoskins said. “Right now, I’m sure our kids are in information overload. It’s a completely different system and a completely different thought process to how we approach things. In everything we do, you’ve got to bust your butt at it.
“A big part of it is just coming in and changing the culture to a culture of expectancy, both academically and athletically and to some degree socially. The group that we have now has to set precedents for groups coming behind them. Anything less than your best is going to be unacceptable. I’m big on holding you accountable to that.”
Kobie Johnson, Jimmy Ratliff and E.J. Williams were the biggest losses for Middletown. Johnson and Ratliff were seniors last year, while Williams transferred to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va.
Cliff Snow, a 6-foot-5 senior wing, returns after averaging 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last year. Senior guard Nelson Rutledge is another returnee, having marked 7.8 points per contest in just six appearances.
Jomar Bailey is the only other returning player of note. The 6-6 senior center got 7.1 points and 2.5 boards per game last season.
“Cliff’s got great size, he’s got a great release point, and he’s starting to shoot the ball in consistently,” Hoskins said. “We’re trying to locate him and get him shots. I don’t think that’s a big secret.
“Jomar could potentially be our leading scorer. He’s got great athleticism and great quickness for his size. Once he figures it out, I think he could be a terror on both ends of the floor.”
Jawunn Bailey, a 6-6 junior, and 6-6 sophomore Chris Stallworth bring even more size to Middletown’s post crew. Keion Williams, a 6-0 junior, is a physical presence as well.
“This is by far the biggest team I’ve ever coached across the board,” Hoskins said. “The unique thing about our inside guys is they’re pretty quick to have that kind of size. I’d put Jomar Bailey on the line against guards, and he can run just as fast as any of them.”
Hoskins said Rutledge, 6-3 senior Christian Strother and 6-5 junior Broderick McGhee will bring versatility to the floor.
Senior Colin Isaacs, junior Blake Marshall, and sophomores KeiAunte Powell and Aaron Jones are in the mix at guard. Junior Alonzo Corbin is one of the forwards.
“If you ask me — and this is no slight to our program — the guards are the weakest area of our program,” Hoskins said. “That’s a little nontraditional to me because I come from a program where I was inundated with those kind of guys.”
So what style of play will the Middies employ?
“A former coach of mine, Dick Bennett, had a phrase that I’ve kind of adopted: Run in such a way as to win,” Hoskins said. “I’ve always believed in getting up and down, pressuring 94 feet, etc., etc. But I read a book somewhere that said, ‘Do not let your philosophy outweigh your personnel.’
“We’re big. We’re long. We’re semi-athletic. We’re not the quickest. So I’m adopting that theory. We have to be smart and take advantage of our strengths, which are length and size.
“I’ve never been worried about manufacturing points. If you look back at last year statistically, this team didn’t have problems scoring points. The problem was stopping people. We have a lot of questions in a lot of areas, but the one thing I do know is we’ll be capable of defending folks. I won’t stand for anything less than us being tough, hard and physical on the defensive end of the floor.”
Hoskins scheduled the Middies for three difficult showcase games: Dec. 17 vs. Lyndhurst Brush in the LeBron James Classic in Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Jan. 16 vs. Alter at the Flyin’ to the Hoop at Fairmont and Jan. 21 vs. Wayne in the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Woodward.
“You find out a lot about your kids with the toughest competition available,” Hoskins said. “I just don’t know any other way to do it.”
Middletown opens the season Friday at Princeton.
Middletown Middies
Coach: Darnell Hoskins, first season
2015-16 Record: 11-14 overall, 6-10 in the Greater Miami Conference (seventh place)
2016-17 Schedule (all start times 7:30 p.m. unless noted): Dec. 9 — at Princeton; Dec. 13 — at Sycamore; Dec. 16 — Colerain; Dec. 17 — vs. Lyndhurst Brush at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 2 p.m.; Dec. 30 — at Lima Senior; Jan. 3 — Fairfield; Jan. 6 — at Oak Hills; Jan. 7 — at Springboro; Jan. 10 — Lakota West; Jan. 13 — Hamilton; Jan. 16 — vs. Alter at Fairmont, 8:15 p.m.; Jan. 20 — Princeton; Jan. 21 — vs. Wayne at Woodward, 8:15 p.m.; Jan. 24 — at Mason; Jan. 25 — Fairmont; Jan. 27 — at Colerain; Jan. 31 — Lakota East; Feb. 3 — Oak Hills; Feb. 7 — at Fairfield; Feb. 10 — Sycamore; Feb. 14 — at Lakota East; Feb. 17 — at Lakota West
About the Author