After suffering a 27-point loss to their crosstown foes in the league championship last year and graduating all five starters, the Giants entered the season searching for answers. Then Semetri “TT” Carr, the No. 12-ranked senior in California according to ESPN, transferred in, instantly changing the trajectory of the Giants’ season. 

Following three stellar seasons at Branson, in which he twice beat the Giants in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) championship, Carr unexpectedly joined the rival Giants. The University of California, Berkeley (Cal) commit intended to switch to Archbishop Riordan for his final year, but when California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) transfer rules prevented him from playing, he opted to finish his high school career at Redwood before heading to Cal in the fall.

Carr wasted no time making his presence felt on his new team. At the Classic at the Damien, recognized as the premier high school tournament on the West Coast, he erupted for 37 points in a win against Etiwanda and backed it up with a dominant 34-point performance in a victory over Prescott. Then came the moment many had been waiting for: Carr’s return to face Branson. In a packed gym, with heckles ringing from his former classmates, he delivered his best performance yet: 38 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, leading a thrilling comeback victory after being down double digits. Carr showcased his talents as a multi-faceted scorer, finishing at the rim and knocking down shots from deep, but also as a great facilitator, penetrating the defense to create open looks for his teammates.

“Playing against my former team and performing how I wanted to was a special feeling and ultimately getting the win made it all the more special,” Carr said.

Carr is no stranger to big-stakes moments in high-level competition. The former MCAL player of the year won back-to-back league titles over the Giants, one of which was a 46-41 overtime win as a sophomore in 2023. 

“I try to just breathe. Sometimes I feel pressure but at the end of the day. [Basketball] is what I love to do, so I remember that,” Carr said.

Now with Redwood, he hopes to go for not just the three-peat, but to make a run in the North Coast Section (NCS) and CIF.  

“I would like to make a good state run,” Carr said. “That’s the one thing I haven’t done — I’ve gotten MCAL, gotten NCS, [states] is what I’m really hoping to accomplish.”

Varsity basketball coach Jay DeMaestri believes Carr has made a smooth transition onto the Giants roster, adjusting to his role as the season has progressed.

“We’re hitting a spot in our season where he’s really starting to figure it all out on offense and everything is picking up now that we’ve been doing it for a couple months,” DeMaestri said.

DeMaestri has high praise for the Giants’ star. Watching him from the other team’s sideline for three years before coaching him for a half-season, DeMaestri has seen firsthand Carr’s influence on the court.

“He’s extremely athletic and a very good decision-maker with the ball. He’s just one player on a team, but especially when he’s rolling and catches fire, that’s definitely contagious. He also brings a level of calmness to everyone in the team room,” DeMaestri said. 

He also acknowledged Carr’s growth as a leader since joining the team, encouraging him to continue being a vocal leader.

“At the start, [he] wasn’t as vocal, but [all of the coaches] have told him to take a leadership role. With him going to Cal, he will have to stand out in a certain way. Now that we’ve been doing this for a few months, in timeouts [and during] practices, he has stepped up and become an impactful leader on the team,” DeMaestri said.

Beyond his on-court development, DeMaestri has enjoyed getting to know Carr’s personality. As Carr’s growth as a player continues, his character and presence off the court have also become more evident. 

“He’s a standup guy — he’s trustworthy, independent [and] he’s got a funny little sense of humor. The more I get to know him, the more [I realize] he’s just an unbelievable person,” DeMaestri said.

Coach DeMaestri emphasized Carr’s ability to elevate those around him, which will play a key factor in Redwood’s postseason success. 

“Having the confidence in him to make the right decisions, whether that’s laying it up, shooting or passing, that’s going to be infectious for the entire team” DeMaestri said.

Carr’s work ethic and dedication continue to push him toward success, as he remains motivated by the many opportunities basketball can offer — opportunities beyond the court and into his future education and career. 

“Knowing there’s a lot of opportunity with the game, it can take you far with college and name, image and likeness (NIL), getting an education at the next level for free,” Carr said.

With a championship mentality and a future at Cal on the horizon, the end of Carr’s final high school season promises to be an exciting one.