Kelvin Carter: VDN’s 2026 Boys’ Basketball Head Coach of the Year

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Kelvin Carter has been named the 2026 Boys’ Basketball Head Coach of the Year, marking the third time he has earned the honor as he closes his ninth and final season with the Vicksburg High School Gators.

Carter led Vicksburg High School to a 14-12 record this season and a return to the postseason following the program’s only losing season under his leadership the year before.

“Overall, I think we did a great job but if you would’ve asked me in June if we would’ve made it to 14-12 I probably would’ve said it would be a long shot because we struggled over the summer,” Carter said. “I think we excelled by what we did especially in our tough district.”

The Gators opened the season with a win over South Pike High School and later built momentum with a four-game winning streak. Throughout the year, Vicksburg remained competitive against strong opponents, including three matchups against No. 6-ranked Holmes County Central.

“It says a lot about the program because we’re losing against the elite and they’re playing in championship games every year so we’re not just losing against anybody plus we’re waiting on football players to get back,” Carter said.

One of the most memorable moments of the season came when Vicksburg defeated Cleveland Central 42-35 to clinch a playoff berth. Just days later, the Gators secured a 32-31 victory over Florence to lock in the district’s third seed and guarantee a winning season.

The Gators’ playoff run ended with a 54-43 loss to Pontotoc, a game that also marked the end of Carter’s tenure after announcing his retirement.

During his nine seasons leading the program, Carter guided the Gators to eight winning seasons and eight playoff appearances. He first stepped into the role as interim head coach in 2017 before later being named the permanent leader of the program.

“The shoes were hard to fill of Coach Robinson but I wanted to create my own shoes and keep it going so I think I did a good job of that,” Carter said. “Making the playoffs is hard because it’s a lot of coaches that never make it out of district but I did it eight out of nine times.”

Carter’s journey with the program began long before he became head coach. A graduate of Vicksburg High School, he returned to his alma mater in 2005 as an assistant coach. Over the years, he helped the program reach numerous milestones and collected more than 150 career wins as head coach. During his tenure, at least one player from the program signed a college scholarship each year.

Along the way, Carter credited several assistant coaches for helping shape the program’s success, including Coach Lee Bell, Coach William and Coach Cable.

“The support system was great,” Carter said. “Coach Lee Bell was very instrumental and a father figure. Me and Coach William are like brothers to this day. Then Coach Cable came along these last couple of years and brought great ideas to help us out, but one of the hardest things was leaving those guys behind.”

Carter also credited his family, especially his wife, Stace, for supporting him throughout his coaching career.

“When you think about family, my wife has truly been my rock and she’s been there since Day 1,” Carter said. “She met me playing ball so she always knew that if anybody’s looking for me they can find me in the gym. My kids have also been instrumental along with my mom so the family support is unreal.”

Though Carter is stepping away from coaching, his legacy will continue to impact future students through the newly established Kelvin J. Carter Legacy Scholarship, which will award two $500 scholarships to Vicksburg Warren School District students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and strong character in athletics and beyond.

As he closed out his coaching career, Carter left one final message about the program and community that shaped him.

“I love Vicksburg High School forever and ever,” he said.