TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Hundreds of people gathered Saturday at the Jack Gaither Community Center for the second annual \u201cHoops for Karter\u201d basketball tournament, an event created to honor a local teen\u2019s life and legacy.<\/p>\n
The tournament remembers Karter Smith, who died alongside his father in a 2024 crash after their Tesla hit a tree and caught fire in Thomas County.<\/p>\n
For the past two years, Karter\u2019s mother, Shantorria Herring, has organized the event to celebrate her son\u2019s love of basketball and bring the community together in his memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mission is to build Karter\u2019s legacy up, to give back, and for any kid who\u2019s not able to play basketball, I want to be an assist to them and help them fulfill their dreams,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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Herring said she continues to grieve the loss of her only son, but the outpouring of support from his classmates and others in the community has provided comfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWords can\u2019t explain. I\u2019m just honored, I\u2019m grateful,\u201d Herring said. \u201cIt means a lot because they pour into me, so I want to pour into them. I love for everybody to come out and support and help me support him and his legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Herring plans the tournament each year around Karter\u2019s birthday. He would have turned 16 Saturday.<\/p>\n
Around 350 people attended the event to celebrate his life, according to Herring.<\/p>\n
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