March 29, 2006

WACO, Texas - Baylor signee Demond "Tweety" Carter of LaPlace, La., has been selected as the 2005-06 Gatorade Louisiana Boys Basketball Player of the Year, the organization announced last week.

Gatorade, in partnership with Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine, named state Boys Basketball Player of the Year award winners representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Carter is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award to be announced in late March.

The 5-10, 170-pound guard has also been honored as a McDonald's All-American and a Jordan All-American this year. He finished his fantastic prep career at Reserve Christian School with 7,494 career points, more than any high school player ever. Carter will officially rank second in scoring on the National Federation of State High School Association's all-time record book because it will not include the points he scored during his seventh and eighth grade seasons on the varsity team.

Among his numerous accomplishments, Carter led RCS to four state championships, was a five-time Outstanding Player of the Year in Louisiana, was a five-time all-state selection, was a four-time state tournament MVP, was the 2005 National Christian School Athletic Association Player of the Year and the 2003 national high school freshman of the year (for all sports) by SuperPrep.com.

Earlier this month Carter led RCS to its fourth state championship and a 48-8 record. He scored 38 points in the 96-56 state championship win over Marion and was named the tournament MVP. Carter averaged 33 points as a senior in 2005-2006 and shattered the national high school 3-pointers made record, hitting 287 3-point field goals (old mark was 215). He scored a single-game high 74 points as a senior in a 114-71 win over East St. John's.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes one winner in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in football and baseball (boys), volleyball and softball (girls), as well as soccer, basketball, and track & field (boys and girls). Each state winner, selected by a panel of sport-specific experts in conjunction with a national media advisory board, is chosen based on his or her outstanding accomplishments on and off the field of play. In addition to athletic performance, award criteria include the achievement in the classroom and overall character.

For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program visit www.gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.

RECENT LOUISIANA GATORADE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Season Player           Hometown            College2005-06 Demond Carter   LaPlace          Baylor2004-05 Tasmin Mitchell Denham Springs  LSU2003-04 Glenn Davis Baton Rouge LSU2002-03 Brandon Bass    Baton Rouge LSU2001-02 Darrel Mitchel Jr.  Saint Martinville   LSU2000-01 Marcus Spears   Baton Rouge LSU1999-00 Chris Duhon Slidell          Duke1998-99 Hollis Price    New Orleans Oklahoma1997-98 Stromile Swift  Shreveport  LSU