DOHA (Qatar) - It sure brings a ton of pressure to be entrusted with the ball come endgame but Tony Carr has been willingly embracing that role for Manama.
Sometimes you miss, sometimes you make. But if you have the courage to take the shot, then you put yourself in a position to succeed.
The American winger has become the Bahraini powerhouse's closer and there should be no question whatsoever as to why, for he's proven himself worthy of it.
"I'm embracing my role day by day, trying to be the best leader I can be," he said.. "I have confidence in myself, and my teammates have confidence in me."
"And I believe Coach does, too," he continued. "He puts the ball in my hands at the end of the game. So, I just try to go with my heart, and get the win."
Carr said as much last Tuesday, moments after towing Manama past Al Arabi SC by way of a pulsating 77-75 decision at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall for their third straight win in the 2024/2025 FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL).
There, the 27-year-old fell just short of tallying a rare triple-double as he finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. He also added 3 steals in another all-around effort, netting an efficiency of 39 - all that without committing a turnover.
But what most fans would remember from that down-the-wire affair, for sure, was the two nerve-wracking free throws he coolly sank to give themselves the lead for good, 76-75, with only 31.7 seconds remaining in the match.
All because he came through in the clutch yet again to will his side to the win that has made them one of the hottest teams in the league after an 0-2 start.
Again, you wonder? Before that solid display of composure versus the Qatari side, Carr nailed the go-ahead lay-up to lift Manama to a 67-66 victory over Saudi Arabia's own Ittihad Club in Jeddah for their breakthrough win this season.
He pulled off that heroic act after missing the potential game-winner against Al Arabi in the game prior, and that should say a lot about his unwavering courage.
It should say a lot, too, about the kind of trust that Coach Linos Gavriel has in the Pennsylvania-native, formerly of reigning two-time Gulf League champs Kuwait Club.
"Tony is our closer," affirmed the Cypriot-Greek mentor, proud of having 'TC' in his team. "He's always the guy who will take the ball and score. Even if he came from the bench cold, we trust him and give him the ball and we live with that."
It's because they all know that being clutch has always been a part of Carr.
During his time with Penn State, he's done it a few times, including this three from way out to lift the Nittany Lions past Ohio State in a 2018 Big Ten Conference duel.
He'd also have a moment like that in the G League in 2020, draining a trey from the right wing to help the Erie Bayhawks outlast the Windy City Bulls in overtime.
With these, coupled with his noteworthy showings with Manama recently, it may be safe to say this: betting against Carr in the clutch may not be a good idea.
For he won't ever shy away from the biggest of moments - no matter how bright the lights could get, no matter how much the odds get stacked against him.
"That's basketball," he said. "Sometimes you miss, sometimes you make. But if you have the courage to take the shot, then you put yourself in a position to succeed."
FIBA