Expectations could have been a burden for Merrillville’s Charles Hardiman after his breakout freshman season.
Instead, the 6-foot-4 guard is shattering them.
“People talk about ‘sophomore slump,’ but he’s started off very hot,” Merrillville coach Bo Patton said. “It’s the weight room, his willingness to work, his willingness to make his teammates better and just his humbleness. He’s a team-first guy.
“We have other guys that can make plays, and Charles is a very willing passer. He’s very efficient, shooting over 50% from the field. Although he’s scoring 30, nothing’s forced.”
That’s only a slight exaggeration. Hardiman is averaging 29.3 points, posting totals of 35, 30 and 23 in the first three games before the Pirates (1-2) played East Chicago Central on Friday.
“My seven, eight years of being a coach, I don’t know if we’ve ever had a player score at this rate, even with Keon Thompson,” Patton said. “Score 30 off the bat, people know who you are. They’re still game-planning for him because of last year. I’d call it special.”
Hardiman burst onto the scene last season, setting a team record for points scored by a freshman. He also was chosen to participate in the Indiana All-Stars Futures Game after averaging 15.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.0 steals.
“It was a great experience,” Hardiman said. “Having a season and a year like that, it really built me. It was good individually.
“But from a team standpoint, things weren’t where we wanted them to be. But I know this is my path. Everyone has a journey. I didn’t have expectations to do what I’ve done. I just believed in myself. I was confident. I just went out there and gave it my all.”
Hardiman’s efforts continued during the offseason, when he grew 2 inches and gained 10 pounds.
“I took the weight room more seriously,” he said. “I got taller. Mentally, I’m more mature, just realizing I have even a bigger role this year. Being a leader on the team, I have to do whatever it takes and be an example for my teammates.
“I can take more hits. I’m not as tired anymore.”
Patton applauds Hardiman’s commitment to getting stronger.
“The biggest thing’s the weight room,” Patton said. “It’s just his work ethic. The guy puts a lot of work in.
“Last year, you could tell he was a scrawny little freshman. Now he steps on the court, he looks like a Division I prospect. He’s taller. He has that wiry strength. He doesn’t look like a scrawny freshman on the court anymore.”
In Hardiman’s freshman season, the Pirates went 7-19 — “obviously a down year for us,” Patton said — although they did reach a Class 4A sectional final.
“Scoring is one thing, but Charles just wants to win, and eventually his scoring will lead us to some wins,” Patton said. “Being a sophomore trying to lead a team, it’s a tough job.
“When I think about when coach (TJ) Lux was the head coach and I was an assistant, we had DJ Wilkins and Jairus Stevens and those guys. When they were sophomores, we won four games. By the time their senior year came around, we were the No. 1 team in the state. So we’re just trusting the process, game by game, not trying to get it all at once and just trying to get Merrillville back to where we need to be. Obviously, Charles is a big part of that.”
Hardiman has set a high bar.
“Obviously, you always want to win a state championship,” he said. “That’s the main goal. Just play hard and do what we need to do to win and see how far that takes us.”
Junior guard Michael Hill Jr., a star quarterback who continues to recover from a broken left collarbone suffered in the Class 5A state championship game, believes Hardiman can help take the Pirates far.
“Charles is an amazing all-around guy,” Hill said. “He does a lot as a scorer, but he’s very unselfish. He loves being around his teammates, having fun with us. He loves the game of basketball. He always gives 100%. He always tries to help the team as much as possible.
“You would think he cares about scoring, but he doesn’t. He just wants to win. That’s the end goal. He really wants to win a state championship. He wants to bring a culture and bring life to Merrillville basketball.”
Meanwhile, Hardiman is taking his hot start in stride.
“Keeping God first, not worrying, trusting the coaches and my teammates to put me in positions where I can be successful — me just growing as a player, a person, a leader,” he said. “I just want to be the best version of myself.”
