Remember the name Carter Brathwaite. You’re going to keep hearing it a lot in Maine high school boys basketball.
That’s because, while only a freshman, the 14-year-old Brathwaite is already commanding the court for one of Maine’s best offenses. In his first eight high school games, the formidable freshman is averaging nearly 21 points per game for the high-octane Cony High School team from Augusta.
And that’s not the only way that he contributes for the Rams. Through the end of December, Brathwaite was also averaging more than six rebounds, five assistants and four steals per game.
Bangor-area fans got a look at the talented freshman on Tuesday when Cony traveled to Hermon to take on the top-seeded team in Class B North. Brathwaite led Cony with 16 points but the Hawks pulled away in the fourth quarter to deal the Rams their second loss of the season.
Hermon coach Mark Reed highlighted Brathwaite’s abilities after the win.
“I think everything starts with him when you’re watching them,” Reed said. “I mean, he’s such a talented kid. He’s big. He’s long. He can score in different ways, he can take you to the basket, he gets downhill really well, can shoot the three for them, really makes them go, and they play off that.”
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Brathwaite plays alongside several of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference’s other top scorers in seniors Jackson Kay and Parker Morin. With all the offensive firepower, the Rams have already scored 90 or more points in three regular season games so far this season.
The team is coached by Isaiah Brathwaite, Carter’s father.
“I’m proud of him. He’s doing really well,” the coach said about his son’s start to the season, noting his maturity as a 14-year-old who is already helping to lead a team. “He’s carrying himself well.”
Carter Brathwaite said he’s been able to put up those impressive numbers by attacking the rim and getting free from defenders.
“A lot of people don’t understand how much time and sacrifice he put into this game to be to where he’s at, and he definitely earned every bit of what he gets out of it,” Isaiah Brathwaite added.
The coach said the freshman has been able to stay levelheaded and poised so far, and “not let the moment be too big and just know what he’s capable of doing.”
The Brathwaites have already been fielding plenty of attention, even before Carter began his high school career.
“We take it as it comes,” Isaiah Brathwaite said after the Hermon game. “People have been in contact since he’s been in 8th grade and stuff, and we’re excited about it. But at the same time, we’re just enjoying every moment while we can.”
Both Brathwaites said that the Cony team would learn from the loss in Hermon this week, and Carter Brathwaite was confident that he and his teammates are going to be prepared for the playoffs.
“Halfway through the season, we’re going to fix some things and we’re gonna be ready,” the freshman said.