Senior Michael Carson of Harmon High School has developed big aspirations for his career in basketball over his years of playing in Kansas City, Kan.
Beginning in the seventh grade, Carson became involved in the game by playing at the JFK Boys and Girls Club of Kansas City, Kan.
“I began to become involved because I was so tall at my age,” Carson said.
Rising above the competition at 6-foot-6, No. 1 Carson scores on average 15.6 points per game and is ranked No. 34 in the state of Kansas for high school basketball players.
As for the Harmon Hawks, who are 7-5 this season and 1-2 in league play, Carson continues to keep the spirits of his teammates high.
“I try to keep the team up by saying good things in game time,” Carson said. “Giving high fives, patting on the back and things like that.”
In the 2011-2012 season, Carson ended his season with an average of 14.2 points per game as well as averaging 7 rebounds. The Hawks made an appearance to the 5A Kansas State Basketball Tournament in that season and Carson claims it was “the biggest game I’ve ever played. It was nice to make it, I just wish we could’ve won it all.”
Carson continues to receive recognition throughout the community and from his family and friends. Recently, Carson gained acknowledgement for his dunking performance during the Piper vs. Harmon matchup on Dec. 3.
Carson was asked how he felt after dunking, then hearing the crowd reaction, and he stated that it simply “feels so nice.”
Looking up to players before him, such as DeMarcus Cousins, Carson hopes to fill the shoes of his role models by continuing his basketball career at Kansas State University one day.
“I want to play there because it’s close,” Carson said. “I've been wanting to play there from day one when the team was under Frank Martin. They are just a good school overall.”
Coach Dave Gonzales of the Harmon High School varsity basketball team said Carson shows potential through his encouragement and dedication to the team.
“Mike has done well with the attention he has attracted this year,” Gonzales said. “When it comes to double- and triple-teaming he has done well, his game has not faulted since last year.”
Gonzales believes in Carson, that he does have the ability to play at K-State. And Gonzales said he hopes that with Carson, he can lead them to another state tournament.