Sydney Carter readying to go out with another bang

Jordan Kirkland speaks with the Aggies' senior leader

Jordan Kirkland: Last Saturday was your Senior Night against Texas Tech. Your entire team dominated throughout the first and second half. What did that game mean for you personally?

Sydney Carter: "Senior Night is definitely a night that you want to embrace. It’s your last home game and the last time you will have the opportunity to play with some of your teammates that you’ve been with for four years. It was definitely a heartfelt night. I heard that I made a lot of people laugh and cry at the end of the game with my speech. I thought it was good that we were able to show off our personalities, broadcast our public speaking skills, and just to get a win … that was enough for me!"

JK: The No. 1 team in the country, Baylor, came into your house on Monday night; it obviously didn’t end the way you and your teammates wanted it to. What was your game plan going into the game, and did you fell you executed it in some capacities?

Carter: "I think the most important thing coming into the game was confidence. We had to go in with a lot of confidence and not be scared that they were the No. 1 team and were undefeated. It was big for us to have that pride and to say that, especially for us seniors, since it is the last regular season home game. It could also be the last time that we played them as well, unless we see them in the conference tournament (which we should).

"It definitely was heartbreaking that we lost because we were so close. I’m just so proud of my teammates and the effort they put out. We can definitely learn from the game though and see where we did some good and bad things. Obviously, it’s a good learning experience for us and hopefully next time we’ll be able to get it done."

JK: One positive note from the Baylor game was that you had over 10,000 fans supporting you at Reed Arena. What did that mean for you and the rest of your teammates to have the 12th Man behind you?

Carter: "The 12th Man was big. I think that they kept us in the game. Once we hear all the students and everyone else that was here cheering for us, it gives us that momentum to want to make plays. I think that a lot of us made big plays because of the support and cheering. I can’t thank the crowd enough for how they helped keep us in the entire game."

JK: Looking back on your four years here at Texas A&M, what has been your favorite memory?

Carter: "Gosh, it definitely went by fast. I was sitting in my bed the other day just thinking how I’m not going to be here next year. It feels like yesterday I was in diapers and now I got the big boy pants on. The most heart-warming experience was definitely the National Championship because I had the opportunity to experience something that not many college athletes can say that they have accomplished.

"Just being able to experience that with the group of girls that we had last year, it was just enough for me. I’m glad that I can say I have accomplished something that means so much and with the type of characters that we had on this team and the personalities. I just couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to spend that time with."

JK: Coach Gary Blair has always spoken so highly of you, both with your off-the-court character and the athlete you have become. What has been your favorite memory with Coach Blair and what is the one thing he has taught you that you are going to take with you after graduation?

Carter: "My best memory would probably be when he did the ‘dougie’ after we won the National Championship. I told him that if we won, I was going to dye his hair and he was going to have to learn to do the dougie. I wasn’t able to dye his hair, but at least he did half of what I told him he had to do. He’s taught me so much about being a person. Not just a basketball player.

"He teaches us life lessons every day. It’s not just about what we’re doing on the court, but a lot of it has to do with your character on the court reflecting onto your character off the court. He asks me all the time, 'Did you ever box? Because I’m going to call you Rocky.' When he says that to me, I just feel like he’s letting me know I’m a hard worker and I can be successful later on in life, not just on the basketball court. He really harps on being a good individual and really being successful later on in life."

JK: You are playing Texas on Sunday in Austin. A few months ago they came into Reed Arena and snapped the 11 game winning streak you had going against them, so are you planning on seeking revenge and taking back some pride?

Carter: "Definitely revenge for sure! I had never lost to Texas since I’ve been here, and dropping that game here at home definitely hurt my soul. We’re definitely looking for some revenge, and we’re going to do everything we can to prepare to win this game. It’s always nice to take that Lone Star Trophy back home with us, especially playing in their house."

JK: Looking back over your four years here, the seniors that are with you ... Tyra White, Kelsey Assarian, Skylar Collins, and Adaora Elonu ... what has it been like to have those girls at your side through the extreme high of the National Championship and some low points as well?

Carter: "Those girls are my sisters. We’ve been through it all together. We’ve been through the swamps freshman year, and we’ve all progressed and grown up around each other. We definitely have that chemistry and that bond that we’ll take with us for the rest of our lives. This is our class and nobody can take that away from us. I’ve been with Skylar [Collins] going on eleven years, so we definitely have that friendship. We are just all so close and it breaks my heart that I’m not going to be able to play again with them for the rest of my life. I’m getting a little teary-eyed right now because I love those girls."

JK: Looking ahead to the Big 12 Tournament, if you come away with a win against Texas you will most likely play Oklahoma State in the second round. There is already a lot of buzz about you girls taking it all the way to play Baylor again and finally getting it done against them. Is that talk already in the locker room? Are you and your teammates looking for revenge already?

Carter: "You know, not necessarily. We know we have to play Texas first and win in order to play Oklahoma State. We’ve always been a team that takes it one game at a time. We’ve got to pass all the other teams before we get to play Baylor again. It’s always important to respect the opponent, but respect yourself at the same time and know that you can get the job done. We haven’t really thought about Baylor since the loss, and we’re just taking it one game at a time."

JK: Finally, The NCAA tournament first and second rounds will be hosted here at your home court, Reed Arena. How much of an advantage is that to you with the 12th Man here behind you?

Carter: "I think it’s big. I think it’s definitely an honor that we get to host the NCAA Tournament and it being my senior year, I really want to take the opportunity to seize the moment. It’s not every day that you can host the NCAA Tournament, to have two games here, and to have people come out and support you with the student section completely full, hopefully. It’s just nice. I really think that support can carry you through NCAA Tournament, which you will need all the help you can get."