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Wauconda’s Grace Parker isn’t afraid of reaching higher.
The junior guard/forward is aiming to make a name for herself in the Northern Lake County Conference and beyond.
“I want to be the leading scorer in the conference,” Grace Parker said. “I also want the team to win the conference, am hoping to get some colleges looking at me and want to make a good run in the playoffs.”
The 5-foot-9 Grace Parker, who is averaging 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals for the Bulldogs (9-4, 5-0), has a good role model as she tries to achieve her goals.
Her aunt Melissa Parker led Elgin to the 1996 Class AA state championship game, was a four-year starter at Illinois and was an assistant at Florida State, Loyola and Northern Illinois. She was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a player in 2014.
“My aunt sends me videos and drills to do,” Grace Parker said. “She has helped me by always supporting me and giving me confidence. She has been coming to my games ever since I was young. She has always been there for me, whether it was basketball or life advice.”
Grace Parker said her aunt’s success in basketball inspires her.
“Her success motivates me to keep working and just know that it’s all worth it,” Grace Parker said.
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Melissa Parker said she gets chills watching Grace play.
“I think Grace is kind of her own person,” Melissa Parker said. “She has always been that way, which is fantastic, so I let her try to experience what she could without too much pressure. There is that history, but I let her play her game. But when I see something, I try to encourage her to play as hard as she can and enjoy the moment.”
Grace Parker showed she could score last season, when she averaged 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals and was named all-conference. But Wauconda coach Jaime Dennis stressed that it was important to add more elements to her game, particularly on the defensive end.
“Grace always had a knack for offense, and that’s been her favorite, but we pushed her the last couple of years to step up on defense,” Dennis said. “We wanted her to be as valuable on that end of the floor. She’s starting to do that.”
Melissa Parker said she has noticed a significant difference in Grace’s game this season.
Lake County News-Sun
“I think she’s always been offensive-minded — so was I — but I definitely think this year she’s trying to become that all-around player between getting defensive stops, getting steals and focusing on rebounds,” Melissa Parker said. “She realizes with defensive rebounds that she can start her own play.”
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Grace Parker recorded 47 points, 18 rebounds and nine steals in four games at the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic at McHenry.
“Defensive intensity is contagious, and I’ve seen how it helps the team and can translate into fast breaks to score,” she said. “It’s changed my game because I have more opportunities to get more assists and points.
“Getting easy steals can give me fast layup opportunities. Boxing out gives me more putback chances to score and gives the team more time to run our offense and get points. ... I’ve been much more comfortable on the court this year. Giving 100% on offense and defense helps me as a player and helps the team as a whole.”
Grace Parker, who is also involved in three clubs at Wauconda, isn’t satisfied.
“My role on the court is to lead by example and contribute whatever the team needs to be successful,” she said. “I put a lot of work in off the court and in the preseason. I’m constantly learning, practicing and pushing my limits.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.