High Five: Four-year starter Carly James closes in on 1,000 points

Published 5:45 pm Thursday, December 2, 2021

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Carly James has attended Terra Ceia Christian School since kindergarten. She’s started on the varsity girls basketball team since her freshman year and will eclipse the career 1,000 point plateau in early 2022. The Creswell, N.C. native looks back on life at TCCS and forward to her future.

 

  1. Why did your parents decide to make the 45 minute drive each way so you could attend TCCS?

 

Carly: My older sister went her and so did two of my male cousins, so they knew it would be the right place for me. My younger sister is a seventh-grader here now. It’s a great environment because you know your classmates and teachers really well. I’ve enjoyed it a lot and will be sad to leave, but excited for the future.

 

  1. Your father (Scott) has been your coach all four years on varsity. How difficult is it for your parent to also be your coach?

 

Carly: He definitely expects more from me, but it’s pushed me to work hard to improve. He’s always expected me to be the leader on the floor and it’s been easier this year since I’m the only senior and the others are so young. It’s also been an advantage to have him as my coach, because he has the keys to the gym so we can come to school on weekends to practice.

 

  1. Of the nine players on the team, you are the only senior with four sophomores and four freshmen. How has that worked out?

 

Carly: It’s fine for the most part, but sometimes they tease me and call me the team mom! We all get along very well and work together as a team on the court. Our communication is good and we get along well off the floor as well. It’s been a good year so far.

 

  1. In what area have you improved the most since your freshman year?

 

Carly: My shooting has improved a lot. My dad has worked with me on my form and I’ve taken a ton of practice shots. My favorite spots are behind the three-point line at the top of the key or just to the right of it still behind the line.

 

  1. What’s next after graduation?

 

Carly: I also played volleyball for two years and I’ve played softball since 7th grade. I’m looking forward to my final softball season as the catcher, then plan to attend Mid Atlantic Christian in Elizabeth City to major in elementary education. I am a kindergarten T.A. here at Terra Ceia and want to be a kindergarten teacher. I’m also planning on playing volleyball and basketball there. It’s still a small environment, but bigger than here, so I think it will be a great fit