Taft’s Carter going about his business without much fanfare

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Terran Carter doesn’t receive much, if any, recognition for his contributions on the basketball court at Taft. Everyone is too busy praising NCAA Division I-bound teammates Larry Drew or Justin Hawkins. And Eugene Phelps and Bryce Smith get their share of attention too.

Carter is constantly overlooked. Perhaps he shouldn’t be. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound junior is shooting better than 53% from the field and is averaging 10.4 points and 10.4 rebounds a game for the Toreadors, The Times’ top-ranked team. You can check out Carter & Co. on Monday in a Spalding Hoophall Classic showdown against St. Raymond of Bronx (N.Y.) in Springfield, Mass., on ESPNU at 10 am.

‘Terran is unique. I’ve never had a player like him before, never had an opportunity to coach someone so gifted,’’ Coach Derrick Taylor said. ‘We’re talking about a big guy, a guy with an Antonio Gates-type build, a big guy who’s extremely athletic. He’s serious business. He’s convinced that he can play at a high level now. He’s rolling.’’

Indeed he is. Carter is playing about as well as anyone these days. He has finished with a double-double in each of his last five games, highlighted by a 20-point, 15-rebound effort against Dominguez. Longtime rival Birmingham had no answer for him Friday when he finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds. Those kind of numbers deserve acknowledgment. Carter deserves acknowledgment.

-- Sean Ceglinsky