https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Mekeel-Christian-s-Carter-Stewart-to-get-preview-12757414.php
Mekeel Christian's Carter Stewart to get preview at state semis
Lions' standout will play in event in Binghamton, where he'll go to college in fall
Updated 11:10 pm, Thursday, March 15, 2018
Scotia
Carter Stewart wanted so badly to win a Section II Class B boys' basketball title as a senior, he wasn't even thinking about the potential ramifications if Mekeel Christian Academy actually advanced into the state tournament. The Lions did win the sectional championship and added a regional title last week, meaning Stewart will get the chance to compete in the state final four in Binghamton -— the same city where he will play his college basketball as a member of the Binghamton University Bearcats.
"He is excited to be there, playing in the place he is going to spend the next four or five years at," MCA coach Chad Bowman said. "That is a side thing for him and it is a sense of accomplishment, but I know the bigger thing is being here with his teammates with a chance to win a state title. That is what Carter is most excited about."
The Lions (22-3), ranked No. 1 in the state, captured the program's first sectional title since 2007. Up next is a state semifinal contest against Section I champion Briarcliff (22-4) on Friday at Floyd L. Maines Arena. Game time is 6:45 p.m.
Stewart, one of five brothers and the third that will be playing Division I basketball, is thrilled to have his senior season end up with a chance at capturing the program's first state championship.
"Winning the sectional title is a burden off my shoulders," Stewart said. "It is definitely sweet getting this far. We feel very confident moving forward. We've worked very hard for this moment. This is the fourth year for some of us. Coming up short all those years was really tough."
Stewart is one of two four-year players on the Lions' roster, joining senior guard Deonte Holder — the program's all-time leading scorer. A 6-foot-6 swingman, Stewart earned Times Union small-school first-team honors in 2017 when he averaged 18.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
This season, with the emergence of senior guard Jordan Jackson, Stewart's averages dipped a bit. The lefty shooter enters Friday's game vs. Briarcliff averaging 16.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
"I am blessed to have Deonte and Jordan on my team," Stewart said. "Scoring wasn't needed as much when you have two other scorers like that. I have tried to pass more, get the ball moving, be in the right places and be the defensive leader."
"He has had different roles and there have been so many different things he's had to do for us to be successful," Bowman said. "In the last game against Canton, we made a couple of huge defensive plays in the second half. (Declan) Porter was having a good game and he scored the first basket of the second half, but Carter shut him down the rest of the game. We did the job we needed."
Stewart believes the team cleared huge hurdles in winning the sectional title against Schalmont and edging Canton 53-47 in the state quarterfinal, a game in which the Lions shot 30 percent from the field.
"We can go play defense, we can go get on the floor (for a loose ball) and we can get rebounds," Stewart said. "Rebounds won us the game against Schalmont. It has been different aspects that have won us games throughout the playoff season."
Stewart, along with younger brother Cameron, a junior, achieved something older brothers Collin and Caleb did not by winning sectional and regional titles. Collin Stewart completed his college career in 2017 at Monmouth and Caleb Stewart, after playing two years at Division II St. Leo, just completed his junior year at Binghamton. Caleb Stewart played with J.C. Show, Binghamton's leading scorer and the son of MCA assistant coach Mike Show.
"My brothers (are) jealous a little bit of us, but they have been living with us," Stewart said. "When we won the sectional title, they were there and were very happy for us."
George Stewart is also an assistant coach at MCA.
"I know he is proud of all of his boys equally," Bowman said. "This, in particular, is pretty exciting to go to the state final four with Carter and Cam."
jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines
