Eastern District Female Player of the Year
Many Maury coaches rave about senior Jasmine Parker, who has received the honor of Gameday magazine's Eastern District Female Athlete of the Year.
Since transferring from Norfolk Collegiate her sophomore year, Parker has been contributing her hard work and personality to each of the three sports she has played - field hockey, basketball and soccer.
"She's fantastic," says Maury varsity girls' soccer coach Christine Bouzaine, "She will give you 110 percent all the time. If she is having a bad day, you would never know it."
With their previous goalie out with an illness for the entire season, Parker stepped in to cover the net. This was her first year goal keeping and as the last line of defense, she took care of business for the Commodores. "She's fearless," says Coach Bouzaine.
Parker is one of those all-around athletes that can play any sport. During the fall, she was being heavily recruited for field hockey as she helped lead the team to a second place finish in the state tournament. She also received All-State honors.
When she is not blocking soccer balls, or wielding her field hockey stick, Parker is playing guard on the basketball court. Basketball season is when she really has a chance to shine.
"Basketball, for me, is a joy," says Parker. This season, the team finished in second place in the Eastern District tournament and went to the first round in Regionals. Parker took home the honors of All-Tidewater, All-Region and Player of the Year for the district.
Maury basketball coach Jennifer Parker is not surprised by the recognition Parker has been receiving. "Her work ethic, her desire, and her strive to win is what made her stand apart from others," says Coach Parker. Her winning attitude allows for the players around her to improve their own skills.
Thanks to Parker's "born leadership" that Coach Bouzaine gives her credit for, Coach Parker reports her job being much easier with her on the team. "She is like the coach on the floor."
Earlier this year, Parker was planning on attending Longwood University on a full ride, until she was told that the coach who originally signed her would be leaving. Now, she will going to George Mason University in Northern Virginia on a full basketball scholarship. For Parker, this is a chance to branch out on her own to further her basketball career. "My mom always told me to choose a career that I enjoy, and that's what I'm doing," explains Parker.
