The Wildcats are down by just a few points late in the fourth quarter, with under 10 seconds left in regulation. At first glance, the kind of “hail-mary” go-for-it-all play seems improbable of actually succeeding…that is unless you have a player capable of hitting a shot in clutch situations.
Sophomore point guard Carter Brooks is that player for the Wildcats. Brooks played in 16 games in his first season on varsity, averaging 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists to help lead the Wildcats to a 13-6 record.
Brooks’ success didn’t come overnight; however, as it took years of training to be successful.
“Basically, I started playing basketball when I was seven years old because my Dad played basketball,” Brooks said. “He wanted me to play football but then I was like ‘I don’t really like football,’ so then I really just got into basketball. At first I was pretty bad, but then I started working out and getting better.”
Brooks started playing AAU as he got older, as he joined teams like Nova 94 and Team Takeover. In his Freshman year, Brooks attended high school in Virginia before transferring to WJ in his sophomore year.
However, because he couldn’t be cleared to play in time for the start of the 2025-26 season, Brooks missed the first four games as the Cats went 2-2 in that span. Since Brooks made his debut against Wootton on Dec. 7, the Cats have gone 11-4 with him in the lineup.
“I think my favorite thing about coaching Carter is just the confidence that he brought to the team,” head coach Chase Rieder said. “You know, we didn’t have him in the offseason and he adjusted very well to the school, the program and the players. And he brings a high level of basketball IQ, which makes it easier as the coach.”
On WJ, Brooks played a key role in the Wildcats offense through his toughness, play-making and overall talent. Brooks joined the varsity team late but nonetheless quickly found his rhythm on the team and eventually meshed in with the team successfully.
“He’s a great kid,” senior captain Will Kreisle said. “And, you know, the way he kind of gelled with the team, he fit right in. He moved the ball well, was a great team player the whole year.”
One of Brook’s most notable achievements is his ability to make a game-changing play, particularly late in the fourth quarter in close games. In an away game against B-CC on Feb. 6, Brooks got the ball with 41 seconds left in the game down three points before pulling up from deep to hit the game-tying three-pointer to force the game to overtime. The Cats ultimately pulled out the win in extra minutes.
On February 20 against Sherwood, with the game tied 51-51, Brooks got the ball in the final seconds as he drove into the lane for the game-winning layup. And the very next game in their regular season finale at home against Churchill, Brooks got the ball in another tie game 62-62 and pulled up for the buzzer-beater three-pointer to seal the win, along with gaining momentum before the playoffs.
“It was fun to play with those guys,” Brooks said. “I really just love those guys, you know what I’m saying? And basically I just came in with like, this thought process to just do whatever it takes to win the game. And that’s exactly what I did.”
As a sophomore, Brooks looks to build upon his recent successes and find ways to improve his game on the court throughout the next two seasons as an upperclassman.
“It means a lot [being able to improve the boys basketball team], because they were 5-15 last year and everyone’s dissing them and basically saying we’re not gonna to be good this year,” Brooks said. “And that motivated us to work hard and practice, and we got to the regional chip (championship). We didn’t finish how we wanted to, but it was a great season.”
The Wildcats will head into next year having to fill the void of several seniors who played key roles in their region finals run, such as Kreisle, Christian Walker, Zaph Abbey and Jake Forburger. However, the Cats have optimism they can continue their recent success as players like Brooks step up into leadership roles on the team.
“I would say personally, I’m going to start getting in the weight room more and as a team I would say just hanging out with each other more, building chemistry. I’m a competitor, and I’m all about the team. It’s a great team, great group of guys. So, we’re ready for next year,” Brooks said.
