Coach Stacie Carter returns to North sideline following birth of child

Stacie Carter returned to coach the North boys basketball team Tuesday night against visiting Firestone, 10 days after giving birth to a baby boy. 

Carter and her husband, Jonathan, welcomed Jonathan Carter II into the world at 2:59 a.m. Jan. 12.

She did not coach North in games at Buchtel and Kenmore last week, but returned to the sidelines in a game that Firestone won 87-75.

“I felt pretty good,” Carter said. “I was surprised. It was obviously a little different. The physical part was definitely different. I think the guys enjoyed seeing me. They were definitely excited that I was there.”

Carter said she is “taking it real slow” as she returns to coaching. Assistant coaches Danyelle Love and Kevin Strickland coached North in Carter’s absence.

“Coach Love has stepped in and taken on a lot of the practice responsibilities, which is a great help,” Carter said.

Senior Damon Bowman paced the Vikings against the Falcons with 25 points. Junior Edward Harris (20 points), junior Trarell Balknight (11 points), and senior Troy Weatherspoon (10 points) also reached double figures.

Senior Jerome Lane scored 24 points to lead Firestone, which also placed senior Kevin Gladney (23 points) and junior Evan Kennerly (15 points) in double figures.

“I actually sat most of the first half,” Carter said. “I was up in the second half. I wasn’t really fatigued. I have been laying in bed mostly for a week and a half. I was going on adrenaline and just excited to be out of the house.”

Carter coached host North to a 68-63 victory over Ellet on Jan. 11, just hours prior to giving birth. Carter, a graduate of Buchtel High School and the University of Akron, has three other children: Shaia (18), Sydney (14), Joelle (3).