What does Jahvin Carter mean to repeat TSSAA basketball state champion Alcoa? His mom has the answer

MURFREESBORO — Jahvin Carter launched the basketball into the air. 

The Alcoa basketball senior howled in jubilation in front of the sea of fans who traveled 180 miles to watch the Tornadoes play. 

Carter led Alcoa to back-to-back state titles for the first time, beating Douglass 76-67 in the Class 2A TSSAA boys basketball state championship at Middle Tennessee State's Murphy Center on Saturday. 

“I've accomplished everything,” Carter said after Alcoa beat Douglass in the championship for the second straight year. “I wanted to leave a mark here on the community.”

Carter, the two-time tournament MVP, finished with 28 points, five assists, two steals and made 10-of-13 field goals for Alcoa (26-13). The Penn State signee and Mr. Basketball winner is also the program’s all-time leading scorer, which he accomplished as a junior. 

Freshman Jamir Dean had 14 points and four rebounds. Douglass (35-1) was led by Taquez Butler, who had 25 points and six rebounds. 

Alcoa coach Ryan Collins said that he’s proud of Carter's growth over four years. When it comes to his star’s legacy, Collins already thought after his junior season he would be the most recognizable player in program history. However, proclaiming Carter as just a mesmerizing talent would be incomplete. 

“I can’t tell you what he’s done for our community,” Collins said while his voice was hoarse and tears swelled. “He brought a lot of people together, he’s inspired a lot of people.

“I want people to talk about all (his accomplishments) and then say, ‘You know what, he was a great teammate … He was a great kid you know what, he gave back to so many youth in our community. You know what, the reason I want to play basketball right now and I'm out on the hardwood is because of him.' That's his legacy.”

Carter said he was inspired to work hard for another gold ball because of how much the community has done for him.

“Everybody made me feel like family, no matter if I knew them or not,” Carter said. “You see on the back of our jerseys it says ‘The City,’ that’s who I play for.”

Carter’s mom, Claire Carter, said that he’s always wanted to be different. When her son isn’t playing basketball, he’s helping others. 

“He shows up for a lot of community events, and he shows up for other athletes that he goes to school with,” Claire Carter said. “He's constantly out in the community encouraging other people to be their best at whatever it is that they're doing.”

Her favorite part of Jahvin Carter’s basketball talent is his unselfishness. 

BRACKETS:TSSAA boys basketball state tournament 2024 brackets

“I love the way that he embraces his team,” Claire Carter said. “He knows that he has the capabilities to put it on his back, but he wants them to come with him.” 

Carter is willing to score 40 points as he did in the semifinals Friday or just mostly pass and only shot four times in the first half like he did Saturday. 

While Carter’s high school playing career is complete, Alcoa will forever be a crucial part of what he does in the future. 

“I just want to come back and give back whenever I can and just continue to be a positive role model for our community,” Carter said.

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly Twitter, @TJ3rd_.