A new coach is at the helm of Northwest’s Freshman basketball team, Coach Michael Parker. A graduate of Jackson High School found a new home here in the Mountie Nation, and with being the new coach in the district, he is finding success in the connections he makes with his student-athletes. 

   After completing his Bachelor’s Degree at Siena Heights University, Parker returned to Jackson county and found his first coaching opportunity with the Parkside Middle School with the eighth grade basketball team. But now calls Northwest his home. 

   “Connections with student-athletes have been one of the best parts of my coaching experience and I enjoy watching them grow,” said Parker. 

   The team is having a productive season, and this is reflected in their record, as it is on the rise. Freshman point guard, Gavin Rush, who unfortunately had a season-ending ACL injury, believes that Coach Parker is a great fit for the team and has had a great impact on the team. 

   “He is doing great work in helping us become better players and preparing us for future JV and Varsity basketball,” said Rush. 

   Rush chose to try out for the team because he has played since the age of nine and enjoys spending time with friends while competing in the sport he loves. Coming from middle school basketball to high school, Rush believes that it is more organized and has a better structure due to the coaching. 

   Coach Parker was glad that Athletic Director, Chris Galloway, offered him the opportunity to make an impact on the students and the Mountie Nation as a whole. 

   “I wanted to become a part of the Mountie community because I feel helping our youth is a priority, regardless of what school a student may attend,” said Parker.

   The community and the people in it caused Parker’s decision of whether to try and take on the challenge of being the coach much easier. Teaching and leading his players every week making them better athletes and better men is Parker’s main goal to accomplish this season. 

   Rush, who is cheering his teammates on from the bench, believes that wins for the team this year may not be all that it’s about.

   “Some expectations that I have for our team are that we all improve on our own now and in the offseason, that way we get better for our next three years of high school,” said Rush. 

   While Coach Parker is in his first coaching season at the high school, the motivation and pride for the game allow him and his team to be successful in the long run.