Shalonda Carter , Forsyth County Asst. Basketball Coach

“Cover someone, cover someone,” yelled Shalonda Carter assistant coach for the Forsyth Heat basketball team.

The Heat were scrambling to get back on defense against the Rowan Intimidators in the gold medal game of the 2008 Special Olympics North Carolina Basketball & Cheerleading Tournament on Sunday afternoon, March 9. The game was very tight all four quarters but the Heat pulled out the victory 33-26!

Carter in her first year as an assistant to Coach Robert Little brings a lot of basketball knowledge to the bench. She was a star basketball player at Winston-Salem State University from 2003-2007. Her stellar Lady Ram career included scoring 1,000 points and pulling down 1,000 rebounds. She earned All-Rookie and First-Team All-CIAA conference honors during her career as well. Basketball was a big part of her life and being able to coach the Forsyth Heat allows her to stay in the game.

“My major was Recreation Therapy so working with Special Olympics athletes is in my field,” said Carter. “I interned as a bocce assistant while in school but knew I wanted to be a Special Olympics basketball coach and impart my knowledge to the athletes.”

Her coaching philosophy and style was shaped by her college coaches. She emphasizes teamwork and demands the players work hard but she doesn’t want them to lose sight that basketball is fun. She can be hard on the players but also makes sure they know her pride and love for them.

“As long as they go hard, if they make a mistake then make a hard mistake,” said Carter. “I want them to give their all in a game.”

The season has been very rewarding for Carter. While she feels she’s imparted some basketball lessons she also admits learning a lot from these Special Olympics athletes.

“They’ve opened my eyes,” said Carter. “Sometimes I forget they have any disabilities, they prove that it’s true, anybody can do anything they want to do. These athletes are good and deserve a lot of respect. They can play as good as anybody else.”

She’s most proud when a Heat player makes a lay-up or has success after following her instruction and then looks over to her on the bench with a big grin. That’s what makes her feel like she too won a gold medal!

Congratulations to the Forsyth Heat on their gold medal performance at the SONC Basketball & Cheerleading Tournament!

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