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THE FAMILY BUSINESS: Carlton Name a Basketball Brand
SEVEN LAKES IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST PREMIER BALLERS THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS SEEN IN RECENT MEMORY.
As the top-ranked female player in Texas, as well as being 10th overall in the nation, senior forward Justice Carlton is in a league of her own. Despite her status, she stays modest.
“It’s super humbling and a blessing,” said Carlton. “Girls walking around, little kids who I see are looking up to me, it’s just an experience that I never thought would be in my life.”
Considering her proficiency on the court, it might come as a surprise that basketball wasn’t always Carlton’s game.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Honestly, I didn’t always think I’d be playing the game,” she laughed. “I played soccer my whole life, and I didn’t start playing basketball until about sixth grade. When we moved here from Austin, I finally picked up a basketball and eventually I got pretty good at it, which kept pushing me to want more.”
However, it would seem that it was meant to be since hoops has been part of the family business.
Justice’s mother, Kacy Carlton, is the assistant basketball coach for her team at Seven Lakes. Mom also has some game, starring at Baylor, playing in the WNBA and in Europe. Additionally, Carlton’s younger sister Madison joins her on the court.
“Being with both of them is the best possible situation for me,” Carlton said. “It’s nice to have my Mom there, knowing the plays and I can always go to her when needed. The same goes for my sister. There’s already an established relationship with us, which makes this experience that much more awesome.”
The stars of 2023-24 Seven Lakes Girls Basketball Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Carlton will soon be moving back to Austin after the season, where she will play for the University of Texas. After her recent experience with injuries, the Seven Lakes senior already has a plan for her future there.
“I think I want to go into the Health Science field and minor in Business,” she said. “I want to do my own practice with physical therapy. It’s a lot of school but it’s what I’ve always wanted to do, especially after my ACL injury in July and going through rehab.”
Since she’s almost finished with the rehabilitation process, Carlton expects to return to the court in December, where she’ll headline a Seven Lakes team that has its eyes set on a State Championship.
“I’m really going to put it all out there this year,” said Carlton. “I’m excited to come back to play with my sister and the rest of the girls. I’ve grown up with all these girls – we were all on the same AAU team. We’re going to leave it all on the floor for our last run, and that’s crazy to think about."
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BLESSED: Washington adds to list of national recruits out of Langham Creek
Through the past few NFL draft classes, the tight end position has become one of the most versatile positions to pursue.
Given the tremendous threat a big-bodied receiver poses down the field, several of the biggest names in college football make it a priority to stake their claim for the absolute best in the nation.
Enter Jordan Washington.
During his high school career, the 6-foot-4 senior-to-be has raised eyebrows, making him the next big-time prospect to come out of Langham Creek--following the footsteps of former teammate, Jaquaize Pettaway.
“He [Pettaway] would always tell me to make smart decisions and to ask questions,” said Washington. “That gave me some insight on how to carry myself throughout the recruiting process.”
After much deliberation, Washington ultimately landed on the University of Texas as his new home, come the Fall of 2024.
“Me and coach [Jeff] Banks (UT Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Coach) really clicked,” he said. “Not just on the topic of football and what I should expect, either. We talked about relationships, student life, restaurants–because we’re both food lovers.”
“It was more of a friendship than something of a business transaction, which really appealed to me. At some point, I realized UT was the place for me.”
As previously mentioned, Washington is just one of the many big-names to emerge from Cy-Fair ISD onto the grand stage.
While the fame may go to others’ heads, Washington remains humble.
“I feel like it’s a really big role to play,” Washington said. “I’m very blessed to be where I am right now. To be able to represent the Cy-Fair area and Langham Creek in this fashion, it tells me that I can’t become complacent. I need to show up for my family, and that’s what I intend to do--one step at a time.”
Big words from a big man.
Football will be back before you know it, so don’t expect Washington to slow down anytime soon.