Men's Basketball: Parrish, Panthers want win
Dan Cusack / Staff Reporter
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Sports
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For the Eastern senior forward from Naperville, it could be his last game at Lantz Arena.
"It is going to be sad," Parrish said. "My time at Eastern went by so fast."
Parrish, Eastern's lone senior and the last of former coach Rick Samuels recruits, will be honored 10 minutes before the 7 p.m. tip off for the Panthers' Senior Night in the last regular home season game.
Eastern head coach Mike Miller said Parrish, who is averaging 6 points and 4.9 rebounds a game, has played well for the Panthers throughout his career, but this is among Parrish's best season. He said he has brought a lot to the Panthers this season and has played with a consistent level throughout.
"A lot of guys have different roles, but he is a great energy guy," Miller said. "He has had some games for us where he has put up numbers, but a lot of what he does doesn't always show up on stat sheets.
He makes his free throws, takes charges, hustles up and down the court and is terrific at setting screens."
Eastern junior center Ousmane Cisse said Parrish has taught him a lot and he will be missed next season.
"He has a great personality and brings a lot of energy to our team," Cisse said. "He brings experience to our team because he's been here longer than anyone. He has been a big influence to me especially with how he plays defense, but also with hustle, how he practices and always communicating on the court."
Parrish and the Panthers (11-14, 8-7 Ohio Valley Conference) will have their hands full against the Skyhawks (18-6, 11-3), who boast the nation's second leading scorer in senior guard Lester Hudson. Hudson is averaging 27.6 ppg this season. UT Martin is coming into the game with the third longest winning streak in the nation at 10 games and is a half game behind Morehead State for the top spot in the OVC.
Parrish said it will be a great sendoff for himself to win his final home game against one of the conference's top teams, but that a win would be more important because the team needs a win right now to compete for a home playoff game in the OVC Tournament.
The top four teams host a first round game, and the Panthers are in sixth place and are behind Murray State (15-10, 10-5) and Eastern Kentucky (16-10, 9-6).
Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.
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