By By BRIAN HAINES
Sports Writer
For the first time in over two years, Washington native Mychal Parker will hit the hardwood in front of his hometown fans tonight when he and The Miller School square off against Stevens Prep in the opening Showcase game of the 30th annual Washington Daily News/PotashCorp Aurora Holiday Tournament.
Parker, a 6-7, 200-pound G/F, starred at Emmanuel Christian when he was in junior high, then excelled at Southside High School before transferring to Terra Ceia at the end of his freshman year. Parker played one full season with the Knights and was named the WDN co-player of the year as a sophomore.
In a quest to boost his basketball stock and take on new challenges, Parker traveled to Charlottesville, Va. to attend The Miller School. Last year as a junior, the versatile Parker led the Mavericks to a 27-4 record and a Div. II state championship.
That effort led Parker, who ESPN ranked the 42nd best prospect in the nation in the class of 2010, to be recruited by several top notch colleges before signing with legendary hoops coach Gary Williams and the University of Maryland in November.
Tonight will be the first time Parker plays in his hometown since becoming a Terrapin.
“I’m just really excited to come back to Washington and play at home again,” Parker said. “Right now I’m just staying focused on exams, but once I get there I’ll be ready to ball.”
Today marks the end of exam week for Parker and the rest of The Miller School. Parker said that he felt confident about the results of his testing, and just as sure that he and his teammates will be ready to play tonight.
The Mavericks will conclude exams today, then hop on a bus for four hours or so before taking on highly sought after recruit Chris Hill and Stevens Prep Academy at 9 p.m. at Northside High School.
Parker, who is averaging 25 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Mavericks, said he feels no added pressure to perform in front of his hometown fans.
“There is not really any extra pressure,” Parker said. “We come out ready to play every game, and tonight I will be ready to play.”
In games like this the general rule of thumb is that a coach will try to get the hometown player a few extra touches and scoring opportunities. However, Mavericks coach Scott Willard said that he will not do anything out of the ordinary as far as play calling goes — not because he doesn’t want Parker to shine at home, just because getting the ball to Parker is always play No. 1.
“We will do nothing different,” Willard said. “Mychal has had the green light to shoot since Day 1.”
When Parker takes the court tonight he will not only be performing in front of fans, but his family as well. Playing in Virginia has made it hard for the Parkers to see Mychal’s growth and development on the court.
While it’s been over a year since Parker’s parents have seen him play ball, it’s been even longer since his brother, Meiko, has witnessed his little brother’s game.
Meiko and Mychal played together for Emmanuel Christian in 2004, and together the two powered the Cougars to an appearance in the state championship game. After that season concluded, Meiko joined the Army and has not seen his brother play since. Tonight, Meiko is back from Germany, where he was stationed, and will get to see how much his little brother has grown.
Parker’s father, Omar, said this opportunity is a dream come true.
“I’m very, very excited to have Meiko back from Germany and have him be able to watch Mychal,” Omar said. “It’s a great feeling to be able to have Mychal come home and play in front of all his friends and family.”
Mychal was equally enthusiastic.
“It’s a blessing,” Parker said. “He hasn’t seen me play since the eighth grade. It will be really great to see him again.”