Area high school feature: Making his mark on the boards

FOSSTON, Minn. -- Achieving a family first is no easy task for Garrett Carlin.

The Fosston High School senior grabbed the 1,000th rebound of his basketball career Friday. Carlin also has more than 1,000 career points -- a pair of four-figure milestones that nobody else in his family has accomplished.

"I guess the standards are pretty high in sports," Carlin said. "It's an athletic family. I guess you're just born with that competitiveness."

The family ties include:

n Carlin has 1,320 points. But two first cousins are out of his reach -- Kelly Roysland, a 2003 Fosston High grad, holds the overall school record with 2,811 points. Her brother, Josh, is a 2006 Fosston grad who holds the school's boys basketball scoring record with 1,945 points.

n Carlin has played in three state tournaments, two in football and one in baseball. But he has two second cousins, sisters Jill and Angie Carlin, who each played in eight state tournaments during their Fosston High School careers. The twins each played state volleyball, basketball and golf tournaments during the 2003-04 school year when they were seniors.

n And that's just the current generation. His mother, Cathy Miller Carlin, was a volleyball player at UND. Her brother, Don Miller, played football at UND. An aunt, Kim Roysland, and well as grandmother Berniece Carlin, are members of sports coaching halls of fame in Minnesota.

"I don't think there's any pressure on me," Garrett Carlin said of his family ties. And the 1,000 rebounds? "I'm sure it will be brought up at family get-togethers. But it will be getting congratulations from everybody."

A versatile standout

The 6-foot-6 Carlin is double-figure scorer and rebounder for the third straight season, averaging 16.6 points and 10.8 rebounds this season. While he's primarily a post player, Carlin also is second on the team with eight 3-point baskets.

"Garrett's pretty versatile," Fosston coach Ben Hemberger said. "We use him inside mostly. But he's one of our better perimeter shooters. And he's an athlete -- he's had a couple of dunks this year, a two-hander and one off an alley-oop pass.

"He's by far the best rebounder I've been around in high school. He has a knack for it. Obviously, his length is a part of it. But he also reads the shots and gets good position."

Hemberger said Carlin also is aggressive going after rebounds. It's a different mentality than Carlin has off the playing fields.

"I'm a different person off the court," Carlin said. "I don't think I'm an aggressive person. But when you get into sports, when you start competing, you just let everything go."

Tougher than points

Points probably draw more attention. But, Carlin said, getting 1,000 rebounds was a more satisfying accomplishment than 1,000 points.

"I've always focused on my rebounding," the senior said. "And, I'm told, not too many people have gotten 1,000 rebounds.

"If you make 500 baskets, you can get 1,000 or more points. You get two or three points for every shot you make. But when you get 500 rebounds, that's what you have -- 500 rebounds."

Carlin, however, isn't concerned about individual statistics. He's looking for team success -- something the Greyhounds have enjoyed.

He was a defensive back and receiver in football. On last season's Section 8A-champion baseball team, he batted third in the order while seeing time at third base and catcher. He shared time catching with Nelson Papke, who also was 6-6. "We probably had the tallest catchers in the state," Carlin said.

Carlin has made all-conference in all three sports. He's has received attention from college recruiters in all three sports. The senior is open to playing any of the three in college.

"My best sport maybe is basketball," Carlin said. "But I don't have a favorite sport. It's whatever season I'm playing in."

DeVillers reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1128; (800) 477-6572, ext. 128; or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com .