Our boys' winner this week is following in the footsteps of some great players at a 62-year old Bakersfield Catholic school steeped in athletic tradition.

By Harold Abend, Special to CalHiSports.com

Note: Remember, we are looking for those student-athletes who had a standout performance in their sport from the previous week, but we also are looking for a balance between athletic achievement, academic work in the classroom, community service or overcoming adversity. Send nominations to mark@studentsports.com.

After making the CalHiSports.com all state teams his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, by all indications the way Stephon Carter has started this year, the 6-foot-3 senior wing from Garces of Bakersfield is putting himself in a position to make it in his senior year as well.

"We've had some great players in my 16 years here; like NBA player Robert Swift (7-foot-1 center currently on the Oklahoma City Thunder) and Anthony Esparza (who played at University of the Pacific), but Stephon is amongst the best of all of them,” said Rams' Coach Gino Lacava, a Garces alumnus and current PE teacher, who has won nine Central Section and 10 combined league championships in his previous 15 seasons at the Rams' helm.

Part of the reason Carter rates so high on Lacava's list is his production has been consistent from the moment he put on a jersey as a freshman.

In 2005-06, Carter averaged 18.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

	Stephon Carter

The following year he raised his per game averages to 22.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and added 3.7 assists.

Last season, Stephon scored 21.7 points, grabbed 7.4 rebounds and had 3.75 assists per game on a 23-9 team that won its second straight Central Section Division IV title before losing to eventual D4 state champion Campbell Hall of North Hollywood.

This year, his production has increased to 23.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 4.4 assists a contest.

Earlier this season, Carter went over the 2,000-point mark for his career, a milestone very few high school players achieve.

Last week, in a Southeast Yosemite League opener against Bakersfield, Stephon tossed in a season-high 37 points, 20 coming in the second half, in a 96-77 victory that got the team to 10-5 this season going into a Jan. 15 game on the road across town at Foothill.

"Stephon is heady, sees the court very well, and is as hard a worker as any kid I've ever coached,” Lacava told CalHiSports.com.

"Plus, he's unselfish, and a team leader,” Lacava continued with pride in his voice. "Stephon is a kid of great character, a great choice for this award.”

After having some difficulties early on, Carter's hard work in the classroom has significantly improved his grades, and qualifies him for a spot down the street at Cal State Bakersfield, where he was an early signer.

"My GPA is 2.8 right now but my goal is to get it up to 3.0 this semester,” Carter told CalHiSports.com in an early morning interview this week just prior to class.

Family and good friends are very important to Carter.

His father, Steve Sr., a multi-sport athlete in high school, is his biggest fan and encouraged him to focus on basketball once he entered high school.

"I was pretty good at baseball but once I got to high school my dad told me to be successful I would need to focus,” Carter said. "Now basketball is my only sport.”

His mother, Diane Atkins, currently studying to open a day care business, wasn't much of an athlete when she was young, according to her son.

Older brother, Steve, played basketball at East High (Bakersfield) and went on to play at Southern Illinois.

Older sister Sharnea isn't an athlete but according to her little brother she's studying for a career in medicine.

Teammate Ryan Bush, his best friend, and Stephon have been playing together since sixth grade and the 5-11 senior point guard is currently living with the Carter family.

"He's my best buddy,” said Stephon, in a very genuine tone.

By the way, his best buddy had 23 points in the Bakersfield victory

When you go to Garces, there are responsibilities and requirements many schools don't have, that go beyond academics.

"In order to graduate we have to do a certain number of service hours,” Carter said. "I do a little bit of everything. Ref and help out with youth basketball games. I help with volleyball and football, too.”

On his college choice, Carter tells CalHiSports.com he signed with CSU Bakersfield early because of a few reasons.

"I don't see myself as an out-of-state kind of guy,” he said. "Besides, Bakersfield showed interest in me my since I was a freshman. I'll stay home and get some support.”

As for team and personal goals, Stephon would like to help get the team another section title and a possible shot at a state championship.

"We've played a lot of big schools and contenders, and been in all the games,” Carter remarked. "We can be a contender too.”

Carter has a clear picture of his future, is thankful for the recognition, and has some words of advice for youngsters who might start getting a big head

"I plan on majoring in sports management and doing something in the sports industry in management, whether or not I make it big as a player,” he said.

"I'm really appreciative of this recognition,” he said with humility in his voice. "It feels like a dream to be able to show my talent and know all the hard work and extra hours are being recognized by someone like ESPN.”

There are however, two sides to every coin.

"My advice to up-and-comers is this,” Carter said matter-of-factly.

"Don't be around the wrong crowd and get persuaded by the wrong things,” Stephon said after pondering the question for a moment.

"And lastly, don't let people tell you that you can't do something, because you can if you stay on track and work hard.”

This is coming from a young man who has scored over 2,000 points in his high school career, turned up the heat in the classroom, and found time to give something back to other young people; it sounds like solid advice.

The only thing missing at this point for the Rams' faithful is Stephon Carter taking them up the I-5 to Sacramento's ARCO Arena this March for a shot at a state title.