Chichester’s Carlton Gordy III finds solace on the basketball court: ‘I have a lot of people to play for’
He carries a 3.4 grade-point average and is an honor-roll student who is thinking about going to a junior college or a prep school for a year.Five years ago, Gordy, flanked by his two older sisters, Zanya and Zanirah, gathered around a kitchen table to hear a story no one would want to hear. It is a story that has haunted Gordy, even though he was 11 months old when it happened.
“This never went to trial, because me being the type of person that I am, I never wanted my children to know what occurred. I took the plea deal. I was charged with third-degree murder openly because I never had any prior offenses. I’m currently on 10 years parole. I asked my children for forgiveness and I always ask them for their forgiveness.”“I had an idea what happened to my father growing up, but I didn’t really find out everything until I was 13 when my mother told us,” Gordy said.
“We are proud of him. He is 18 and look at everything he has been through. His main goal is to one day play in the NBA, but as he gets older, he is starting to realize he is good enough to play in college. He has some growing up to do and coach Jones has been remarkable.“I know God has a plan and he can do no wrong, that’s what carried me,” said Swiggett, a 1977 Chester graduate. “I get asked all the time what keeps me standing.