Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament tips off this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD will be covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of articles in the week ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage with an interview of Charleston drummer Courtney Carpenter.
You grew up in Charleston: what made you choose to stick around for college? My mom went to college here, and they had a great band program that I wanted to be a part of.
You are majoring in international business with minors in music/international studies: how did you choose those subjects? I wanted to leave with a good degree, but also keep doing something I love like music.
You are a SR: what is the post-graduation plan? I am thinking about law school.
1 of your hobbies is traveling: what country is at the top of your wish list? Probably Greece.
You play the drums: how did you 1st get into it? My stepdad is a drummer for a couple of bands and I always looked up to him. He let me practice drums with him in the garage and we would play together side-by-side.
You also teach drums to middle school/high school students: is it more about technique or rhythm or staying coordinated with everyone else in the band or other? Definitely techinque at 1st: when I 1st got to college I needed to be retaught the proper technique! However, rhythm is also important: you cannot play faster than the rest of the band.
The Cougars made the NCAA tourney in 2023/2024 and have won 21+ games for the 4th year in a row: is it more fun to be in the band when the team is doing well on the court? 100%…but even when they are not doing as well we do not lose hope. I was here when they made those 2 March Madness appearances and I got to travel to Spokane and Orlando.
What has been the highlight of your season so far: winning 5 of 6 in December, Senior Night, other? I would say losing by 20 PTS to UNCW…and then beating them in the rematch by pulling a 180.
How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? It is based on instrumentation/attendance/how well we have been practicing. We did not have to cut anyone out this year, and the drummer I am training to replace me after I graduate is here as well.
Any predictions for the Cougars this week? Had you asked me earlier I would have said 100% Charleston, but even though we were trailing early on I still think we have a good shot. We were losing in the 2nd half of both of our previous 2 CAA tourney title games and were still able to win them both.
