Shane Merrill | Writer

Off a tough loss to number three Canistota, the Parker boys were back on the road last week facing off against Hanson. The Beavers had just four losses on the year, as did Parker, but in the end Hanson used a fourth quarter surge to outgun Parker 52-36.

Colby Olson made the first shot for Parker giving the Pheasants an early 2-0 lead. Davin Fuller was close behind along with Jace Ullerich, giving Parker a 6-4 lead midway through the first. Hanson came right back and led 11-6 after one. 

Carter Robertson hit a three to open the second quarter and was followed by a Fuller three, tying the game at 11. The Beavers retook the lead just seconds later and it was tit from tat from there, with Hanson maintaining a 25-20 lead after one. 

Fuller and Cole Jurgens scored in the opening minutes of the third quarter, keeping Parker within striking distance. The Pheasants held within one throughout the third quarter, but trailed 37-30 at quarters end.

The Pheasants had one last gasp, pulling within three to start the fourth, however the Beavers scored 15 of the final 17 points on their way to a 52-36 victory.

Fuller scored eight points to lead Parker while Robertson had seven. Parker shot just 34 percent for the contest while Hanson hit at 48 percent.

“I liked how we competed, especially on the boards,” said head coach Lance Frisen. “We can’t go long stretches without scoring and need to get to the foul line more. We were more aggressive but need to get contact and finish.” 

Parker’s tough stretch continues with Viborg-Hurley and Sioux Valley this week.

Quick start fizzles as Hawks top Parker

Parker welcomed number three ranked Canistota to town last Thursday night and gave them everything they could, falling to the Hawks 63-46. 

The Pheasants started hot against the number three Hawks, jumping out 10-4 off shots from Davin Fuller, Landri Holzwarth and Colby Olson. The Pheasants had their chances to extend the lead, as back to back threes rattled out, and a missed lay-up also hurt their chances, however the lead held 10-9 after the first. 

Canistota gained steam in the second quarter, after Parker scored first on a Carter Robertson three, the Hawks rattled off 15 points and pulled ahead 32-18 at the half.

Parker had to work from behind the rest of the way, and after trailing by nearly 20 before going back to work and chipping away pulling within 46-34 at the third quarter buzzer, as Fuller drained a long three to end the third. 

The three could not spark a comeback for the hosts as Canistota went on to take the win 63-46.

Fuller led the scoring for Parker with 14 points and nine rebounds. Holzwarth also had nine points.

“I loved our intensity to start the game. We played well in stretches but need to be more consistent offensively. Defensively we played well when we got back in defensive transition,” said coach Lance Friesen.

Up next Parker played Hanson.

Pheasants outgun conference foe Chester 

Parker used a strong one-two punch of juniors Carter Robertson and Davin Fuller to breeze past Chester last Tuesday night, in the opening round of a big week of basketball. The game did not live up to the hype, as just a year ago the Pheasants hit a buzzer beater to topple the Flyers on their home floor. This year Parker scored early and often, on their way to a 56-35 win, arguably their best of the season.

Robertson knocked down his first three of the game, and Parker was off to the races. The Pheasants built a 10-3 lead and were up 12-7 after one.

Chester knocked down the first two buckets of the second quarter, but the Pheasants cranked up their effort, rattling off eight straight and going up 24-15 at the half.

Out of the locker room the Pheasants continued to pour in the points going on an 18-10 run and pushing the lead to 15.

The Pheasants were able to hang on in the final quarter, as several subs got playing time in the closing minutes, on their way to a 56-35 victory.

Robertson was again top point with 21 points and eight rebounds while Fuller chipped in 12. Cole Jurgens also had nine points while Jace Ullerich had seven.

Parker shot 42 percent from the game while holding Chester to 28 percent.

“We played with as much intensity as we have all year. Our defense was outstanding. Offensively we kept the ball moving and attacked well,” said coach Lance Friesen. Up next a tough stretch opened up with number three ranked Canistota.