BENTONVILLE -- Trent Carter definitely has earned the admiration and respect from his Bentonville basketball teammates this season.
The Tigers thought so much about their senior guard that Carter was named the team captain -- even though he spent the first two months of preseason workouts on the sidelines. It's also a role he has learned to embrace.
At a glance
Trent Carter
School: Bentonville
Class: Senior
Height: 5-11
Notable: Has started all 22 games at point guard and was named the team captain by his teammates. … Averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season. … Scored a 33 on his ACT and earned an academic scholarship at Arkansas.
"I thought it was pretty cool because I hadn't been able to practice a bunch," Carter said. "I just tried to stay in there and help them by coaching them up.
"When they said that, it felt really cool because I knew they were listening to me and they really have my respect."
Carter wasn't cleared for full workouts until the first week of November, the result of a stress fracture in his left foot that he suffered during the offseason. He knew his time was limited once he could practice again, so he rode an exercise bike and lifted weights as much as he could in order to keep himself in physical shape.
He also made sure he kept himself in mental shape, particularly when practices were in session. He kept a keen eye on everything the Tigers did, particularly in defensive drills, and put his observations to good use when he played the role of coach when necessary -- a trait that didn't go unnoticed by Bentonville coach Jason McMahan.
"He's the guy that people look to," McMahan said. "He's the one that has stepped up to do that. He did it by example and, equally as important, did it with his voice. That's been, no doubt, a marked improvement in our whole team.
"He's the guy that is focused in practice every day. He knows what we want. He's able to get those things fast and demand that others get it. Trent's the one that is holding others accountable with his actions and his voice."
Carter said his biggest goal this year was to be a more vocal leader, and the Tigers pay attention when he needs to make a point to make on the court. He quickly pointed to his temple and mouthed the words "use your head" when a teammate made an unforced turnover during Wednesday's makeup game against Springdale High, and the mistake never happened again.
McMahan, on the other hand, said he's seen an all-around improvement in Carter's game this season, particularly when it comes to defense.
"Defensively, he's really, really good," McMahan said. "He can guard multiple types of people. He can guard shooters off of screens, or he can guard athletic point guards with his great footwork and strength.
"He's been able to do these things, then you throw in the fact that his point guard play. He's protecting the ball, getting everybody in the right position and knowing the plays and getting us into the right place for the best shot at all times."
Henry Apple can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAHenry.
Sports on 02/20/2015