SW Metro Boys Athlete of the Week: Austin Carter
The Chanhassen faithful know how to support their guys! More than 2,000 votes propelled one of their own into the weekly award.
Senior guard Austin Carter has been a steadying piece in the Storm rotation all season. Chan is currently sitting around .500 and playing some of their best ball right now as section playoffs approach. Austin, who scored 28 in a big win over Richfield last week to secure Athlete of the Week honors, spoke with NHR about his season and the expectations for the Storm.
“We’ve been doing pretty well this year. We’ve lost a lot of close games to very good teams (East Ridge, Edina),” Austin said. “That tells us we can be a very good team if we can just finish games.” Chan’s Metro West and non-conference slates have been challenging to say the least.
Individually, Austin has been stepping up as a senior leader with increased production. “I’ve been doing pretty well this season helping out my team the best I can. I’ve been trying to drive more so that my three-point shot opens up,” he explained. “I’ve been shooting close to 50 percent from three this year.
“We have a lot of shooters on our team so it feels pretty easy for us to score. We just need to focus on our defense and I feel like we will do pretty well these last few games.”
Chanhassen has had a handful of players step into the spotlight with big nights every once in a while. Regan Tollefson, Carson Hollowaty and Austin all have had their share of scoring explosions to lead the Storm, and Austin is grateful for how his team plays well together. “It’s very important to trust my teammates because that is a huge part in basketball,” he said. “If we don’t have trust in each other then that’s when we start to lose games.”
Just two games remain on the regular season schedule, and a maximum of six playoff games. It’s no secret that high school ball is drawing to an end, and Austin will have plenty of opportunity to continue his career if he so chooses.
“I’ve visited Hamline, Gustavus, Augsburg and Saint Mary’s, and plan to visit Wartburg soon.”
Congratulations to Austin on receiving SW Metro Boys Athlete of the Week!