By MICHAEL BOYLAN

Sports Editor

Carlton Griffin, a sophomore at Atlanta Christian College, was recently named a first team All-American in the National Christian College Athletic Association. Carlton is originally from Tyrone and was a member of the Sandy Creek Patriot basketball team a few years ago. In his senior year, the Patriots went 22-7 and went to the Elite Eight. They finished the season ranked sixth in AAA.

He was also named The Citizen's Player of the Year in 1997. He originally went to school at LaGrange but transferred out to Atlanta Christian in his second semester. "I feel like God willed me to where I am today," Carlton said. "Everything happens for a reason and if I'm happy where I am right now, why go anyplace else?"

Playing for Atlanta Christian College this year, Carlton scored 989 points and pulled in 511 rebounds. He averaged 30.2 points a game and 15.7 rebounds per game. He was the leading scorer in the nation in the NCCAA. Carlton was named to the All-Region team and the all-tournament team, as well as making the all-tournament team for two preseason tournaments.

Carlton is 6'4 and 225 pounds. He shot 36 percent from the three point line this season as well. "He just overpowers people," said Coach Joe Griffin. "He keeps getting stronger too." The team went 20-13, won the region and placed fourth in the nation. They started one junior, three sophomores and one freshman this season and things look very bright for Carlton and his team.

"I really stepped up my play at the end of the season," Carlton said. " We were literally points away from playing for the championship. It's my job to take control and I'm going to do that from early on next season." Carlton feels that he is a strong player down low with good instincts and in the off season he will work on his defense and endurance. Carlton wants to make his mark some place, he's on pace to break all school records at Atlanta Christian.

Coach Griffin explains Carlton's strengths by stating, "Carlton has a great deal of individual talent but his real strength is that his knowledge of the game continues to grow as well." As more and more teams recognize Carlton and the type of player that he is, he is forced to battle double an triple teams. Atlanta Christian plays a very tough schedule outside of their region, so it will be a challenge to repeat this season's successes. The team enjoys the challenges and Carlton likes rising to the occasion.

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