Carmody ready to have some fun
times, because you’re trying to manage that, but also at the same time be a kid and enjoy life a little. He has more of his smile back. I think he has had so much fun so far in his senior year. He has done stuff I know he wouldn’t have done if this college decision was still hanging over his head.”
Young Rob dressed up as Star Wars character Chewbacca for every Mars football game and sat in the student section. For a homecoming event, he dressed up as Napoleon Dynamite and did a dance in front of Mars’ student body.
When he put his basketball costume on last weekend for the first time this season, he played the part of stud player. He scored 29 points in the season opener last Friday against Avonworth and scored 43 a day later against South Park. On Tuesday, he scored 44 against McKeesport, which brought his three-game average to 38.7.
Mars is the Post-Gazette’s No. 1-ranked Class 5A team in the WPIAL and this senior season excites Carmody. This is why he spurned those prep schools who tried to get him to leave Mars. He has proven basketball players can still make it big right here in Western Pa., with their long-time buddies.
“Really, it’s been a surreal experience,” said Carmody. “I haven’t had to get away from my friends to enjoy all the experiences I’ve had. I sat down with my parents and went over this year and said this is something I’ve worked my whole life for. Growing up here and seeing how Mars has gone from not even making the playoffs to expecting towin every game. “
Carmody also said he is trying to have a different attitude toward opponents. The past two seasons he has endured numerous double teams and special defenses. Student sections get on him. Even Carmody admits he hasn’t always responded in the best of ways.
“Hindsight is 20-20 and you don’t always make the right decision,” said Carmody. “I regret some of the things I’ve done. But I’ve been doing a lot better with that. That’s part of the new kind of player you’re maybe going to see this year. I’m going to try to not react to everything and just try to keep a straight face.”
But the work ethic hasn’t changed in Carmody. He still goes once a week to a workout under the tutelage of Micah Mason, former star guard at Highlands High School and former Duquesne University player. Carmody’s father tells a story that says a lot about his son’s work ethic and drive to succeed. A few weeks ago, dad was watching a Steeler Sunday night game on television when Robby called him.
“He said I didn’t shoot very well at practice today and he wanted to go back up to the gym and shoot,” said Carmody the coach. “I said, ‘Rob, it’s 9:30 at night.’ He said, ‘We’ll go at halftime. I just want to get 100 shots up. It won’t take long.’
“When he goes off to college, those are things that I will miss, just going to the gym with him.”
But there is plenty to do before college. Carmody has close to 800 career rebounds. He could be one of the few players in WPIAL history to have 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds.
“He’ll play everywhere on the floor for us because he has to. He’ll be the Swiss Army knife of this team.”