Demopolis alum Tripp making most of MMI opportunity

It is almost decision time for Demopolis alum Charles Tripp. The 6-7 sophomore forward has only the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament remaining in his Marion Military Institute career.

“I have offers from UWA and Emmanuel college so far,” Tripp said of his second time through the recruiting process after having committed to MMI in 2015. “The process has been great. I’m being recruited by a lot of schools at the moment and I’m just trying to find a school that I feel like I can come in and make an impact to the team to be the best that we can be. I’m also looking for a school that’s invested, and likes winning as much as I do.”

Tripp’s fondness for winning has manifested itself in a big way at MMI this season as he has helped the Tigers to a 19-7 record to date while having started 25 games. He is averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season while shooting 71 percent from the free throw line, 60.6 percent from the floor and an eye-popping 40 percent from three.

“Being here has made me better because I’m more aggressive on the floor. I understand the game from a different perspective than I did before because of great coaching,” Tripp said of his growth as a basketball player over the last two seasons at MMI. “Another big thing that I learned is that everything you do off of the court impacts what you do on the court. That’s something that Coach (Philip) Stitt really emphasizes.”

Tripp’s added intensity has resulted in a remarkable uptick in his production over a freshman campaign that saw him average 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest through 29 games and 28 starts. That aggressiveness is also coming to bear on the defensive end where he is averaging 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest this season.

Tripp’s accomplishments in Marion include having earned ACCC Player of the Week honors Jan. 17 following a lights-out performance against Southern Union in which he scored 24 points on 66.7 percent shooting to go along with nine rebounds, a steal and a block.

“That meant a lot to me, but I can’t take all the credit for the award I wouldn’t have gotten it if it wasn’t for my teammates all pitching in and helping out,” Tripp said of the recognition. “So even though they awarded me, it was all a team effort.”

The intermingled concepts of team and community have resonated with Tripp as he readies to wrap up his MMI career. For all the positive experiences he has had in and around the basketball program, Tripp points to the a tight-knit campus community as a hallmark of the institution.

“The thing I will remember most about MMI is the people here. There are so many good people at this school, and they are always supportive and trying to challenge you to make you the best person you can be,” Tripp said. “It has definitely made me a better person. In my time here, I’ve matured a lot as far as decision making and knowing how to put my priorities first.”

Tripp intends to major in physical education for the remaining two years of his collegiate career following MMI, a 24-month span that figures to include plenty of basketball along the way. Nearly two years removed from having gone through the recruiting process as a high school senior, Tripp offered personal insight into the value of junior college basketball as an opportunity for any high school hopefuls currently awaiting their scholarship chance.

“(There) is nothing wrong with going JUCO. it is a great start to improving your game,” Tripp said. “Everyone wants to play at the (NCAA Division I) level and if you’re not recruited by (Division I schools), playing JUCO can be that stepping stone for you to work and improve your game to get to that level,” Tripp said.