Showcase Q&A: Clark County’s Parker discusses golfing with his dad, ag classes and Philly cheesesteaks
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.
KAHOKA, Mo. — Harrison Parker openly admits his golf game isn’t up to par.
“I’m no good at golf, but I enjoy going out there,” he said.
The recent Clark County graduate, who was an All-Clarence Cannon Conference basketball standout, isn’t worried about his score when he plays. Rather, it’s about the opportunity to bond with his dad, Shaun, in a less competitive environment.
“I’ll go with my dad, and my dad is a pretty good golfer,” said Parker, whose dad is the head baseball coach at Clark County. “He’ll embarrass me, but I still have a great deal of fun out there.”
Every now and then, Parker gets the better of dear ol’ dad.
“Well, at least one hole I can tie him,” Parker said. “I’ll give it to him a little bit. I’ll be in his ear the next hole.”
It’s all in good fun with memories and moments that can’t be erased.
“I have a lot of fun,” Parker said. “I feel I can talk to my dad about anything.”
Even the postgame breakdowns.
“I played baseball this year, and I felt I tried to help him sometimes,” Parker said. “I don’t know if he really wanted that, but I feel like we can talk about sports and how the game should be played and how we want it to be played.”
They’ll get to break down Parker’s final high school basketball game after the 6-foot guard represents Clark County and Missouri in the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase, taking place Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.
Parker recently chatted with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman to discuss his getting an education degree, the influence of former Clark County coach Dennis Dent and helping on his grandpa’s farm for this Muddy River Showcase Q&A.
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing in the Muddy River Showcase?
A: What I’m looking forward to the most is playing with all the guys I’ve played against. I’ve played with Mason Smith and Preston before, but the rest of them I’ve never gotten to play with before. That’s kind of exciting.
Q: Is there anyone you’re looking forward to playing against?
A: Probably the Quincy kids. I have played with Lewis, Gavin and Alex on our AAU team, and I’ve played against Lewis and Gavin during the regular season. The rest of them I’ve never played against.
Q: What do you love about basketball?
A: The thing I love the most is the sense of camaraderie and the sense of team. You always have a friend on there, you always know somebody.
Q: How did you get more involved in basketball?
A: It was during the summer of COVID. Since there was no baseball you could play — you have to have nine for baseball — I started going outside with a basketball hoop at my house and really working at that the whole year.
Q: How would you describe your game?
A: I would describe it as old style. I don’t like to shoot threes that much.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I’m going to go to Moberly Area Community College and I’m going to get my education degree. I’d like to be an ag teacher.
Q: How did you get interested in that?
A: It starts with my high school ag teachers. One of them my dad has been friends with since they were kids. The other one, Mr. Lemmon, I grew to know as time went on, and we’re pretty good buddies I think.
Q: Are you the kind of guy that likes being outdoors?
A: I would say I am. I help my grandpa on his farm and I like that.
Q: What’s the best part of helping grandpa on his farm?
A: Just getting to be with him and the experience he’s giving me and all the valuable lessons he’s taught me over the years.
Q: Where is grandpa’s farm located?
A: It’s in Laray.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A: Always give 100-percent effort on everything, no matter what’s going wrong or what’s going good. Just give 100-percent effort.
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on you?
A: I’ve had a lot over the years, but I’d say former Clark County coach Dennis Dent. He was our coach from my freshman through my junior year. He really empowered me to do more and be more. I’d say my ag teacher, Mr. Lemmon, too. He did the same thing.
Q: What was it about Coach Dent that you related to?
A: His demeanor. He was one of the guys who would get in your face. I kind of liked that. I like those coaches that push you, and if something’s not right, they’ll tell you.
Q: Would you consider coaching as well?
A: I really would like to. I’m going to stay involved with sports. I’m going to get my umpiring license for softball and my refereeing license for basketball.
Q: What made you want to do those things?
A: It’s a way I can give back to the sports that have helped me become me.
Q: What did you enjoy most about playing sports for Clark County?
A: I feel we have some of the best fans and the most committed fans. A lot of times for home games, you see all of those people there every home game. Our student section makes the trip to away games. I think our first game of the year at Scotland County there were just as many Clark County fans as there were Scotland County fans.
Q: Is there an opposing gym or a neutral site gym you enjoyed playing in?
A: I’d say the old Palmyra gym. I really like that gym. I’ll have to give an honorable mention to the Hamilton gym. I only played there once, but the Hamilton High School gym, I like that pit area.
Q: What’s your favorite meal?
A: Philly cheesesteaks.
Q: Where’s the best place to get one?
A: I like mine from Subway. There’s a place in Donnellson, Iowa, called the Stumble Inn and they do a good one.
Q: What do you like about a Philly cheesesteak?
A: I can get just about everything on that. I can put my veggies, my steak and I can add some black olives if I really want to.
Check out more of the Muddy River Showcase Q&As at the links below:
Payson Seymour’s Blake Schwartz
South Shelby’s Callie McWilliams
West Hancock’s Lewis Siegfried
Quincy Notre Dame’s Alex Dance
Central-Southeastern’s Lauren Miller
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