By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jefferson City spoiled a Hollywood tale of redemption during Saturday’s Class 5 quarterfinal with a 58-57 overtime victory over host Parkview.
The home court matchup had been a long time coming for the Vikings, as water damage prompted a 379-day gap in between home games at Valhalla Court.
Trailing 25-22 at the half, Parkview rallied in the third to take the lead.
The Vikings were able to extend the lead to as many as 6 points during the second half; however, struggles at the free throw line allowed the Jays to storm back and hold on for the win.
Dassiah Green had 17 points to lead the Vikings, 13 of which came in the second half.
“I really hurt for our kids,” head coach Jack Simpson said. “I wanted that opportunity, especially for our seniors, to go to Columbia, and now there’s nothing really good to say besides hug them and tell them you love them.”
For Parkview’s three seniors – TJ Hill, Jamile Johnson and Tayshaun Finley – Saturday’s loss marks the end of long and memorable high school careers on the court.
Hill, who finished with 12 points, reflected on the deep bonds and camaraderie gained over his time in the program.
“I’ll never get moments like these from, not just teammates, but family at this point,” Hill said. “I’m starting to get that feeling of being empty inside, but it will go away. I’m just going to miss those that I’ve put in all that time with for the past two years.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Johnson, who spent much of the game in foul trouble, reflected on the senior-led group’s complete adaptation of Simpson’s primary philosophy during the season.
“Coach Jack preached to us buying in with the pillars and the passion, love, resilience, and if we wanted to get the district championship, we should look ourselves in the mirror and say, ‘did we do enough today,’ and we really bought into that showing up every morning just doing better and putting in the work so we can achieve our goals.”
A key portion of those goals was capturing a district championship, which Parkview achieved earlier in the week.
Following the 58-53 victory over city rival Hillcrest, Simpson learned Parkview’s long-awaited court renovation would finally be complete in time for the quarterfinals. Instead of, once again, being forced to play at another school, the Vikings would have a true home court advantage for the first time this season.
“I said, ‘you’re going to pack out Parkview – you’re going to play on a brand-new court,’” Simpson said. “I said the goal today is have fun and compete, and they did. We just didn’t make plays at the end, and [Jefferson City] did, and that’s basketball.”
With Johnson plagued with foul trouble, Finley stepped in to help secure Parkview’s front line and finished with 6 points..
“Just the countless times we had to persevere due to adversity,” Finley said. “I mean, going for practice in a small gym every day to getting a district championship and coming home to play in front of this crowd just means everything. I’m going to miss every second of it. I never thought I’d be in this position, but here I am today.”
As to the senior trio’s legacy, Hill was quick to point out the group definitely left its mark on the program’s overall identity.
“There’s definitely been a culture change,” Hill said. “Coming into Parkview, there was kind of a sense of – I don’t even know how to explain it. There wasn’t a spirit here. There wasn’t a true culture here, and just coming in and being able to win games and pull in a crowd like this just really shows how much this basketball team has changed the way Parkview just runs and our culture.”
A season’s finality is never easy; however, Parkview emerges victorious all the same after overcoming a season of adversity and capturing a district championship in the process.
For Simpson, the season may have ended prematurely and on a sour note; however, memories of the very special journey will resonate throughout the entire program and school.
“I don’t know if I could find a better group to do it with, to be honest,” Simpson said. “I love these guys, man. I hate to see the ride end, but I am very, very proud of them.”
