Catching up with Margaret Carter
By Ryan McPhedran
IV Leader Staff
Most children love playing basketball at a young age, and it
was no different for Margaret Carter aside from one thing, her dad was the
coach, “My dad was a coach at Peru Catholic Grade School, So I was just always
at the gym around the basketball when I was growing up.” Carter says.
Carter, a 5’9 guard on the IVCC women’s basketball team, has been making noise
with her tenacious defense and smooth shot. She is currently averaging 17
points, 5 rebounds, and five steals per game this year for the Eagles. Her 5
steals per game has ranked her top 5 in the nation for Junior College play,
which makes it no surprise that defense is her favorite part of the game, “I
love defense. I’d rather have more steals than points any day.” Carter says with
a smile.
After seeing the way Margaret plays, with great intensity,
passing, and defense, it is no surprise as to who she likens her game to, “Kirk
Hinrich! He is a great passer and defender, and he just plays really smart
basketball.” Carter claimed.
Margaret really began coming into her own as a player while playing for the
Bruins of St. Bede. Now that she is playing for the Eagles though, she says it
is quite a bit different here than it was in high school.”
As much as Margaret really does enjoy playing basketball, she
says that after high school graduation, she had no plans of playing at IV until
her biggest fan had a talk with her, “I didn’t want to go on with basketball,
but my grandpa really wanted me to play. He had been to just about every game
throughout my career and he didn’t want me to give up.” Carter says, “So I
decided that I would play at IV where it would be close enough for him to watch
me play.” Sadly, Margaret’s grandfather passed away this past October, and she
says it has motivated her all season, “I’m doing it all for him this season, he
is the reason I stuck with basketball.” Margaret says with a half frown.
Though her grandfather was her reason for playing basketball
at IV, she still gets a lot of support from the rest of her family, “My whole
family is at just about every single game to support me. It’s great!” Carter
added.
Carter might get all of the inspiration she needs to play
from her grandpa, and as much as she enjoys playing with all of her teammates,
she says there is one teammate who always keeps her head in the game, “There is
no way I’d be on this team without Brooke Michaelson. She keeps me in the game
no matter what is happening on the court.” Carter stated.
Michaelson may keep Carter’s head in the game, but Michaelson
thinks that Carter is the leader of the team, “Carter is an all around good
player, she is always trying to help other people improve their game. She is a
great shooter, but doesn’t let it get to her head or make her a selfish player.
Carter is the main reason our team wins the close games.” Michaelson said.
Carter is having fun playing at IV, this being her last year
here, but still is unsure as to where she will go after this year, “Sadly, I
wish I had something to say, but I got no idea right now.”