HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) – This time of year was supposed to be the most exciting for Hamilton Southeastern senior Sydney Parrish.
One of the best basketball players in the country, she was set to play in every big all-star game: the annual Indiana All-Star game against Kentucky, the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
“It really upsetting. I was very upset that week school got canceled,” Parrish said. “Then, the McDonald’s game got canceled, then the Jordan Brand game got canceled. Just missing out on the rest of my senior year really just made me upset, but I’m thinking of the big picture. Everyone’s going through the same thing right now.”
Now, because of coronavirus, the rest of the Oregon signee’s senior year is looking a lot different.
She’s finishing classes from her computer at home and is using the small cement court in her backyard to get shots up.
“Me and my dad, especially, we always play 'H-O-R-S-E' and 'P-I-G' and one-on-one. My sister has tried to come out a couple times. She’s not a basketball player, but it’s been fun,” Parrish said with a smile.
While disappointed things didn’t go as planned, Parrish received some exciting news during quarantine.
She was sitting on the couch with her older sister on April 11 when she found out she was crowned 2020 Indiana Miss Basketball.
“I just broke down in tears. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl," Parrish said. "I know all of the other Miss Basketball winners, and I’ve looked up to them so just for it to happen and say I am the next Miss Basketball is unbelievable to me, and I couldn't be more thankful."
Parrish is set to head out west to Eugene, Oregon, in July to continue her basketball career. She’s part of the top-ranked recruiting class in the country and expectations are high.
Parrish knows what it feels like to win a championship after leading the Royals to a state title in 2019. She’s determined to do it as a Duck, too.
“Win a national championship, that’s my main goal. It’s one of main reasons I wanted to go there. I knew we could potentially win a national championship, hopefully a couple PAC-12 championships and just win and have fun," Parrish said. "I’m excited to get out there with that group of girls and those coaches.”