Alcoa junior guard Jahvin Carter (2) scores the championship-winning basket against the Douglass Red Devils during the TSSAA Class 2A state finale in Monte Hale Arena at the Murphy Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Alcoa boys won 59-58. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Jahvin Carter took his game to another level during the 2022-23 high school basketball season, and in the process carried Alcoa to its first state championship in 56 years.
The standout junior combo-guard cashed in on a drive through the lane with 2.5 seconds to play as the Tornadoes edged Douglass High 59-58 to claim the state Class 2A title-game thriller.
A spectacular finish to a storybook season for Carter and Alcoa.
“Jahvin had a lot of individual accomplishments, but the biggest thing I’m proud of is now he has winning attached to his narrative,” said Alcoa coach Ryan Collins.
“He has the ability to channel some force in him that says ‘I’m going to deliver,’” continued Collins.
“And you saw him channel that at the state tournament. And to me, that’s what’s special about him.”
Special J has a nice ring to it, and Carter certainly did his part on the court last season to earn well-deserved recognition as the 5Star Preps Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-2.5 Carter, a Mr. Basketball finalist, averaged 28 points during the state tournament and was named tourney MVP as Alcoa claimed its first state crown since 1967.
That capped a monster season where Carter averaged 27.2 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals per game.
There were a couple of milestone moments along the way.
Carter broke the single-game Alcoa scoring record with a 62-point outburst against Cumberland Gap.
Carter, with 2,102 points in three years at Alcoa, is already the career-scoring leader for the Tornadoes.
He surpassed the previous career-scoring record (1,748) of Travis Stinnett, a 1998 graduate of Alcoa who went on to play at Alabama.
Collins said Carter upped the ante in a big-time way from his sophomore to junior season.
“He’s just a player who impacts winning in so many ways,” said Collins.
“Last year, who he became was someone who made an impact all over the stat sheet.”
Going into his junior season, Carter said he wanted to prove to everybody that he was much more than just a scorer.
“I feel like you don’t want to be (known) as somebody who can score 30, but they can score 30 on you too,” said Carter.
“Coach (Collins) definitely wanted me to be a better leader and pick it up on the defensive end last year. Obviously I could score, but you’ve got to go guard somebody,” Carter continued.
“In college, you’ve got to play defense to be on the court – and my goal is to play in college.”
Collins said Carter took his challenge to become a more complete player at heart.
“He is really talented and gifted on the offensive side of the ball, but what separates him now is he has come a long way defensively,” offered Collins.
“Defensively, there’s more there for him on that side of the ball. Jahvin is a kid who is curious about just how good he can be. He will continue to live in the gym and work on his craft,” continued Collins.
“He is a kid who has a lot of confidence, and I think that stems from his body of work – and he has put in the work.”
It sounds like Carter has already challenged himself to be even better next season.
“I can always grow and be a better leader,” Carter said.
“I’m not satisfied with myself.”