— Sydni Carter said she was more nervous about Friday’s basketball game than she was about being Muskogee High School’s 2013 basketball queen.

“It’s my first game since I hurt my ankle at the Moore Tournament,” the MHS Rougherette forward said. “I missed two games.”

Sydni smiled through her nerves as she watched the post-coronation pep rally Friday afternoon.

Her mother, Bonnie Carter, also smiled.

“I’m real proud of her and all that she’s done in her 18 years, all that she’s accomplished and her grades,” Carter said. “She was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 3, but that has not stopped her one bit. She’s been involved with basketball, soccer. In college, she hopes to continue to be in basketball. She’s had several colleges call on her.”

Sydni said she’s had to be careful with her diabetes. But she showed confidence.

“I just trust in God a lot,” she said. “He gave me this for a reason, so I just manage it.”

Carter said Sydni began using an insulin pump when she was in the fourth grade. She said her daughter makes sure her coaches are aware of her condition when she plays.

Sydni is not about to let that define her. At MHS, she is active in the National Honor Society, the Student Council and the advocacy program. She also is involved with the Rayfield Baptist Church youth group and the Retired Educators for Youth agriculture program.

Sydni said she felt confident about her coronation Friday afternoon. She said she was out of school all day getting ready.

The coronation also proved to be a family affair – Sydni and the freshman attendant, Leigh Westbrook, are cousins.

Sydni’s escort was MHS junior Andre Biglow, who also attends Rayfield Baptist Church. He plays basketball for the MHS Roughers.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

MHS 2013 basketball court



• QUEEN: Sydni Carter; Escort, Andre Biglow.

• FRESHMAN: Leigh Westbrook; Escort, Matthew Maxwell.

• SOPHOMORE: Danazia Brown; Escort, Lavare Reed.

• JUNIOR: Hailey Clemons; Escort, Anthony King.

• SENIOR: Mari Jackson; Escort, Liu Lee.

• FLOWER GIRL: Sydney Joyce Walker, 5.

• CROWNBEARER: Davian Jefferson, 3.