Only a freshman, Mia Carter knows all about the Larkin-Elgin basketball rivalry. Her dad is the boys coach.

Freshman guard Mia Carter grew up entrenched in Larkin’s basketball culture.

As the older daughter of boys basketball coach Deryn Carter, Mia understands how big the Royals’ rivalry games are against Elgin — but even she had to pinch herself this season.

All three times.

“Growing up and living in Larkin basketball, I know how important those games are,” Mia said. “My first time, it was surreal that I was actually playing in that game.”

And if the third time is the charm, this is something else. Carter and the Royals get a fourth shot playing against Elgin in Tuesday’s Class 4A South Elgin Regional semifinals.

Carter has adjusted quickly to the varsity, earning a starting spot right away. She was named honorable mention all-conference Friday.

“A big thing that I think has come a long way is her aggressiveness to the basket,” Larkin coach Stephen Knapp said. “She’s going to be really successful when she figures that out, and she’s been very successful the last couple games she’s done that.

“That will open up her outside shot, and she can be a very scary player here in a couple of years.”

While the talent was always evident, Carter had to figure out how she fit in with older players on the team.

“At the start, I was very nervous,” she said. “You’re a freshman and you’re playing with juniors and seniors. At some point you don’t want to speak up or be as aggressive because you feel like you’re taking somebody else’s spot.

“As the year went on, I guess I just noticed how much the team actually needs me.”

Carter has more than enough sounding boards to get her through the process. Primarily, she calls on her father, who also happens to be her AAU coach.

“It’s been fun to see it from that side,” Deryn said. “It’s two different hats. When she’s asking questions, I don’t know if she’s asking dad or if she’s asking coach.

“I’m proud as heck of her. She’s come a long way since November. She’s gotten a lot better, a lot more comfortable. It will be fun the next three years.”

Coach Carter knows carrying the family’s name puts more eyes on Mia than most players.

“It’s not easy,” he said. “There are probably expectations on her that not a lot of 14-year-olds have, but she’s handled it well.”

And Mia Carter has at least one more game to continue her development this season for Larkin (16-13), coming against Elgin (8-23).

“I’m going to be nervous, especially playing against our rival,” she said. “I know how much it means, but I don’t know how much it means to seniors when this could potentially be their last game.”

Milestone moment: On Feb. 8 against Fenton, Raina Yang became the sixth player in South Elgin program history to eclipse 1,000 career points.

The four-year starter, who also was named all-conference Friday, has filled a variety of roles this season for the injury-riddled Storm.

“She went from a pass-first point guard to scoring more because that is what we needed to succeed,” South Elgin coach Dan Mandernack said. “She has really excelled not only getting to the rim as always but has added a great 3-point shot to her game.”

Stealing the show: Junior guard Laney Stark has made an immediate difference for St. Charles North, especially on the defensive end.

She recently became the program’s all-team leader in single-season steals, breaking the previous record of 85.

“Laney has been such an incredibly valuable addition to our team,” North Stars coach Mike Tomczak said. “What she brings on the defensive end of the floor with her length, physicality and versatility has really taken what we wanted to do to the next level.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.