Moving forward: The Andrew Carter profile

Standing 6-foot-3inches with tattoos covering much of each forearm, Andrew Carter, 25, cuts an imposing figure in the middle of the key as Linn-Benton's starting center.

Never mind the calm and easy-going personality that makes him pleasant to speak with. Come game time Carter proves to be a force on the court averaging over 14 points a game and consistently leads the team in rebounds.

Basketball did not come into Carters life until eighth grade. Carter grew up moving all around the Northwest with his troubled single mother. Carter said he spent a few years in the "system."

."I was in and out of different projects, I was in a foster home for a year and got into a little bit of trouble here and there." Said Carter. "I spent my junior and senior year at Corvallis, sophomore year in Warrenton, freshman year in Astoria and eighth grade in Portland."

When Carter was 17 he met his future wife Andrea. Together they have two children; Andrew Jr., 5, and Ezra age 3. They both are currently awaiting the arrival of their third child Zavier, between April and May. Carters wife and kids attend all the home games and can be seen sitting front row cheering their player on.

In 2004 Carter came to Linn-Benton for a term but felt it wasn't as important as working and supporting his family. He spent the next few years working physically laboring jobs such as roofing and construction but it soon burned him out. Now, Carter now has been a student since last year and is pursuing a degree in sports science and looking to possibly further his education at Western Oregon University.

Carter played basketball from eighth grade until his sophomore year in high school, but trouble kept him from making the team his junior and senior year. When a friend of Carter's invited him out to open gym last year, he got to play against a couple of guys on the basketball team and felt he could compete at their level.

"He's the heart and soul of our team,"said head coach Randy Falk. "His leadership is very strong, it is the kind of leadership that guys look up to and respect, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Andrew for what he's doing in basketball and in his life in general."

Carter and the team made it into the NWAACC playoffs last year but were eliminated after the first two rounds. This year, however, leaves Carter and the rest of the team in high spirits.

"The team is a lot better than last year, there is more emphasis on team and there's no selfishness." said Carter. "The chemistry is great we are all friends and buddies and joke around. We care for each other, and get on each other's nerves once in awhile but we're like a family unit. Just like the big brother picking on the little brother."

Teammate Xavier Watson has a similar mentality to Carter about the team. "Chemistry is perfect," said Watson. "We're going to win the whole thing."

Andrew fun facts.

• Childhood dream: To be a professional baseball player.
• Fondest memory: "In eighth grade the first year I played basketball, I actually went the wrong way and went to the wrong basket. First game, first time in, I got the ball and missed the layup." said Carter
• Perfect day: "No classes. Get up, work out, eat a really good breakfast at The Original Breakfast, that is my favorite place in Albany. Then take my kids to the park, go to the lake and barbecue with friends," said Carter
• Tattoos: Left forearm is a large shaded skull with ribbon bearing the words "Till death do us part" signifying the love between he and his wife. Right forearm displays the Greek symbol for Christianity called Chi Rho, a tattoo he and a friend serving in Iraq got together.