By Justin Graves
HUNTSVILLE — When Paige Parker looked around the gymnasium at UAH, she noticed a few familiar faces.
But even though the faces were familiar, the Cold Spring High basketball star didn’t really no any of her new teammates when the players participating in the AHSAA North-South girls basketball game began practice Tuesday.
“With the exception of Red Bay’s Morgan Duncan, I don’t really know anyone up here,” Parker said. “And the only reason I know her is because we’ve played against each other.”
Since arriving in Hunstville Tuesday afternoon, Parker has already been through three practice sessions with the North squad. And according to the Cold Springs forward, the All-Star experience has been fun.
“We’ve actually been really busy,” Parker said. “Our first two practices were really fast-paced. The coaches are actually pushing us hard. There have been a few college coaches watching our practices. This is just a really good opportunity.”
Parker may not be acquainted with her new teammates, but she’s well aware of the talent around her. After all, the North-South All-Star rosters are a who’s who of Alabama’s elite basketball players.
“There are a lot of really good players up here,” said Parker, who was the MVP after last year’s Class 2A state championship game. “Everyone on the team can play. But that’s what you would expect from something like this.”
Even though Parker is surrounded by some of the best basketball players in the state, she hasn’t been intimidated.
“I’ve been able to hold my own at practice,” she said. “I’m actually looking forward to playing the game.”
With three practices in two days, Parker hasn’t had a lot of time to socialize with the other players —especially the members of the South team.
According to Parker, the AHSAA has kept the players on the North team separate from the members of the South team all week.
“They have us on separate buses and everything,” Parker said. “We haven’t been around any of the South players at all. Everyone really wants to win this game because the South has only won twice in 12 years. No one on the North team wants that trend to change.”
Parker may not have seen the South team practice, but she did see another basketball team that was impressive.
“I got to watch the boys All-Star team practice for a little bit, and those guys are good,” she said. “There were some big guys on the boys team. I mean, they’re huge. I’m actually looking forward to watching them play.”
The North-South girls basketball game will be held at UAH’s Spragins Hall tonight at 6 p.m.
