(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: STANDING TALL: Wanny Carter surveys the action earlier this season in the Princeton Recreation Department Summer Men’s Basketball League. Last Monday, Carter scored a game-high 13 points to lead Team Turnpike to a 40-32 victory over Princeton Youth Sports. The win improved Team Turnpike to 6-1 on the season, which trails only George’s Roasters/Ivy Inn (5-0) in the league standings.

With Carter as Constant Presence in the Middle, Team Turnpike Still a Factor in Summer Hoops

Bill Alden

It has been a roller-coaster ride for Wanny Carter this season in his role as the man in the middle for Team Turnpike of the Princeton Recreation Department Summer Men’s Basketball League.

Before the season even started, Carter suffered an injury to his right calf which continues to hamper him into July.

In addition, the team, which started the season named Amanda’s All-Stars, lost it original sponsor and was able to stay afloat with the intervention of Team Turnpike.

On the court, the squad hasn’t had a set lineup as players have come and gone due to various commitments.

“I just think we haven’t played together,” said Carter, noting that stars Derick Grant and Christian Burns are currently unavailable due to a house closing and impending wedding, respectively.

“We have like a new roster every game; we don’t know what to expect. It takes us a little bit to get into our rhythm.”

With Carter performing up to expectations last Monday, Team Turnpike pulled out a 40-32 win over Princeton Youth Sports (PYS) at the Community Park courts.

With his right leg taped up to his knee, the powerful Carter muscled his way to a game-high 13 points as Team Turnpike improved to 6-1 on the summer.

In other action last Monday, Cool Runnings edged the Pennsylvania Blue Devils 42-39 while The Bank of Princeton nipped BlackRock 48-46.

For Carter, doing the dirty work inside comes naturally. “I try to play hard every game,” said Carter. “Whenever I get a chance I like to take advantage of opportunity.”

The dreadlocked Carter particularly enjoyed the opportunity to win Monday night as his older brother Jason coaches PYS, the Princeton High boys’ hoops entry in the league.

“It’s good; I liked it,” said a grinning Carter, a 1999 PHS alum. “I like being on the upper end of it this time. I had a lot of checks in the ‘L’ column when I was growing up.”

While the core group of Team Turnpike played for the summer league title last summer as Northwestern Financial, Carter isn’t sure how many more ‘W’s the squad is going to get this year when playoff time comes.

“I think it is going to be a rebuilding year unless we get lucky,” said Carter.

But no matter how the season turns out, Team Turnpike is lucky to have Carter as a constant presence in the middle.

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