City of Basketball Love

Tyler Sandora (@tyler_sandora)

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During Perkiomen Valley’s deep run into the PIAA 6A state tournament a year ago, much of the attention was put on the Vikings’ all-state guard and current Lafayette Leopard Justin Jaworski, and rightfully so. The 6-foot-1 guard wound up with over 1,500 point in his four-year high-school career.

But the unsung hero of that historical run was senior Hogan Millheim. Even though he didn’t light up the scoreboard with outbursts in the scoring column, the sturdy 6-1 forward was the rock that gave it everything he had, and he played a big role in the Vikings success.  

Even though Millheim and Jaworski have since graduated, a similar duo has emerged for this year’s Vikings team.

Junior guard Tyler Strechay is the one who will light up the scoreboard -- he averages about 18 points a game -- and Carson Parke is the undersized big man.

Because of Strechay’s ability to fill it up in bunches, teams have begun to face-guard him, and attempt to force other teammates to make a difference in the game.

That is a role that Parke has embraced this year.

“There is a hunger between age and experience that we have built over the past few years,” head coach Mike Poysden said. “With young guys looking up and taking notes as to what older guys can do, and it’s been a big part of our success.”

Also a 6-1 “big man” just like Millheim, Parke understands that while he might not be scoring, he can impact the game on the defensive end and by hustling on every play.

“I do all the dirty work,” Parke said. “I box out inside, do everything the team needs. I do everything our big man Hogan Millheim did last year. It’s all about being physical and playing within my role.

“He taught me how to be knacky,” he continued, “how to show the ball, and how to play like a 6-1 big man. It is important.”

Parke found himself battling and competing with Millheim in practice for the past two years, as both of them played a similar position. Because he was always taller than kids his age growing up, Parke has always been groomed as a big man. So when it comes to playing down low at 6-foot-1, it’s nothing new.

Parke’s biggest test of the year so far came on Saturday afternoon, when he matched up against Methacton’s 6-foot-9 sophomore big man Jeff Woodward. Although Woodward has a huge size advantage on Parke, Parke didn’t back down one bit.

Instead, he held his ground, and won the battle down low. Despite fouling out at the end of regulation, Parke’s defense on Woodward was a big reason Perk Valley was able to continue to extend the game, eventually beating Methacton 67-64 in double overtime.

Woodward scored 16 points, eight of which came in overtime of the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty division matchup. Of the eight points he scored in regulation, only four came with Parke draped on him.

“He may have more height on me,” Parke said, “but I like to say that I am playing with more heart. He’s very strong so had to push him to a bad position and force him to a tough shot. You have to get to him early and often, get him off the spot. When you’re losing eight inches and 40 pounds, it’s all about positioning.”

When the ball was entered to Woodward in the low post, Parke did a good job of establishing his ground. Woodward was then forced to either pass it out, or look to get closer to the basket, where Parke would attempt to draw an offensive foul.

“We talk about working as hard to play your role as you can,” Poysden said. “He’s one that epitomizes that. One of the first guys in the gym and one of the last to leave. He gets all the reps and talks to his teammates through the game. He’s great for us.”

When Parke fouled out at the end of regulation, Perk Valley didn’t give up. The positive energy given off by Parke’s effort led to the rest of the Vikings squad picking up right where he left off.  

Junior forward Connor McShea, who stands 6-3, came in and replaced Parke, and scored six points.

For Perk Valley (9-7, 2-4), senior guard Andrew Light scored nine of his 12 points after the end of regulation, including a three pointer to take the lead with 3.2 seconds left. Classmate Kevin Bearnabe added six points in the overtime periods. Strechay also hit a crucial 3-pointer; his at the end of the first regulation. He finished with a game-high 18 points.

“It’s great for team morale,” Parke said. “When you see a 6-1 big man like myself battling out there every night, and playing my heart out there, it is contagious. Then we have every guy out there giving all they’ve got every night.”

Senior Noah Kitaw led Methacton (10-6, 4-2) with 21 points. The Warriors had to play most of the game without their leading scorer David Duda, who didn’t return after suffering a lower-back injury in the second quarter. Even with the loss, Methacton still maintains first place in the PAC Liberty.

Parke only scored three points on the day, but his impact was felt on the defensive end. Guarding Woodward is no easy task, but Parke did a terrific job.

“As much as you’d like to simulate Woodward in practice, you can’t,” Poysden admitted. “He’s a very good player who has got patience around the rim. It’s all about planning and prepping for him. You can’t simulate what you don’t have in practice. The experience he got last year against Hogan is paying off this year.”

With the win, the Vikings gained some confidence in themselves. They struggled in the beginning part of the season, but have started to turn things around and find themselves back in the win column. One thing they have focused on in practice is not letting those losses get in their heads, and the turnaround has been noticeable.

“It says we play together,” Parke said. “You aren’t playing for yourself, but rather the man next to you. That’s what it’s all about.”