Carter is a Winner on the Field and on the Court . Brad Davis
If you spend any time around Ava Carter , you realize that she is different . Carter is a fierce competitor , a natural born leader , and a super , athletic talent . These characteristics have helped win at a high level in two sports at Greene County Tech High School , and ensure her future as a Lady Razorback , signing to play softball for the University of Arkansas . The Lady Eagle senior is a three time all-state and allconference centerfielder and two time Best Under the Sun Player of the Year . She was a huge part of the GCT softball team reaching the state championship game each of the last two seasons , and signed her letter of intent to play SEC softball for the Hogs fulfilling her lifelong goal . “ Growing up I knew I always wanted to go play softball somewhere ,” she said . “ I didn ' t really care where , I just knew I never wanted to not be on the field . As the recruiting process started coming stronger and stronger , I realized immediately I wanted to be a future Hog . The team and coaches are like no other and I have been counting down the days to step on that field since September 11th of 2022 .”
On the field , Carter is a five tool player that can do it all . She has elite speed and athleticism , can hit for power or timely base hits , and can read and track down anything in centerfield , then showcase her strong arm . For her high school career , Carter has hit . 531 with 14 homeruns and 104 RBIs . Her speed has helped her score 149 runs and steal 72 bases in only three years . One astounding stat is the senior has only struck out 18 times in 352 at bats . “ Ava is a true five tool player that can play anywhere on the field and excel in every area ,” Greene County Tech softball coach David Reynolds said . “ We cannot wait to watch her grow as a person and player next year in Fayetteville .”
While Carter has excelled in two sports , it ’ s softball that was her first love . “ Softball makes me feel free ,” she said . “ I am able to be out in the beautiful field , see the sunsets or sunrises and travel to so many amazing places . Softball has also given me my lifelong friends , and I couldn ' t thank this sport enough for them .” The memories she ’ s made traveling and playing softball have always stayed with her . “ I would have to say my favorite memory in softball would be my travel ball team when we won in Colorado . I was with my favorite people and was able to have fun and have what was my vacation , and we won the trophy so it was the cherry on top .”
On the basketball court , Carter stepped into a bigger role over the last two seasons and became a major factor in the Lady Eagles ' run to a 5A East Conference Championship and the 5A State Final Four . She admits that basketball brings out a different side of her . “ I am more physical , angrier , and most times more vocal with this sport ,” the senior guard said . “ But , it allows me to embrace a different side of my leadership skills . This sport also is more of a challenge to me seeing that it doesn ' t come as easy to me as softball does , so I have to work with my mental side a bit more .”
Greene County Tech girls ’ basketball coach Jason Smith would agree . “ Basketball never came easy for her ,” he said . “ She had to work and work at the skills with the ball in hand . Ball handling and shooting weren ’ t natural but she worked so hard at it and got to the point where we gave her the green light to shoot it and so many times actually played the one . She hit so many big 3 ’ s throughout her last two seasons and actually led us in assists from the three spot this year even missing the last six games with 105 .”
That hard work attitude helped her earn All-NEA and All-Great 8 tournament team selections and All-5A East conference for the second year in a row . For Carter , the best feeling is the success with her teammates . “ For basketball , my top memory would have to be this entire year .,” she explained . “ We made it to the Final four and were 5A East Conference Champs , but without that , I made new friendships and got closer to my future bridesmaids . This year and this team have been my all-time favorite team to play for .”
With three games left to go in the regular season , Carter suffered a knee injury that ended her basketball season and will keep her off the softball field for her senior campaign . While she is devastated not to be out there with her teammates helping