Ahoy, Gabe Carter.

The Sequim High senior is slated to be a Whitworth Pirate: Earlier this month he elected to study and play basketball at the Eastern Washington school.

Carter said when it came to making his college decision, it came down to balancing a good education with the opportunity to play basketball.

“Playing college basketball has been a dream since I was young and playing on a team that has Division 3 national recognition is an amazing opportunity for me which I am very grateful for as well,” he said.

Whitworth is a private liberal arts college in Spokane affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The Pirates are a force in the NCAA Division III realm, racking up a 24-3 record for a No. 6 ranking and earning a spot in the Division III’s Sweet 16. They lost to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) which plays for the Div. 3 championship April 7.

Carter capped his prep career at the class 2A state hoops tournament, leading the Wolves to a sixth-place finish. In the process, Carter notched school records in career rebounds and assists and finished second in blocked shots, third in steals and fourth in 3-pointers made.

Going to college in Spokane was a big draw for Carter, since his sister goes there, and his family and friends can see him play games against the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University.

“That played a major role, staying close to home, so I could still be around my family as much as possible,” he said.

His sister has said great things about education there, too, Carter said.

“Overall, I am excited to be able to be pushed as a player, student and person at Whitworth University,” he said.

Carter is undecided on a major, but said he is leaning toward education degrees to become a high school teacher with the possibility of teaching in Sequim, so he “could give back to the community which has given so much to (him).”