By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After nearly a decade of sustained success, the Parkview Vikings cashed in with a milestone achievement last season.
Parkview made the final four for the first time in over four decades.
As the banner goes up and a new season begins, standards and expectations remain the same. When you play the Vikings, be ready for a grueling, 32-minute battle.
“We have to use our depth, athleticism and quickness to our advantage for what we lack in height,” said Parkview coach Jack Simpson. “This team is going to show up and make teams uncomfortable each night, which will give us a chance to win.”
Following the historic 2024-25 campaign, Parkview will have a fresh lineup this season with four new starters taking the floor.
“The biggest factor (in our success) is how well our team can come together and be able to accept our roles offensively and defensively,” Simpson said. “In a way, our team is deeper than what we were a year ago. We will play around nine or 10 guys depending on the night.”
Parkview returns just two full-time varsity players: junior guards Ethan Fernandez and Eason Nash.
Fernandez (4.2 ppg) comes off a solid sophomore season and is poised to make a bigger leap this winter. He scored 14 in Parkview’s state semifinal game.
“Some of his best moments were in our biggest games,” Simpson said. “Ethan will be a player to watch in Southwest Missouri this season.”
Nash was a smooth shooter off Parkview’s bench last season. He was 6-for-9 from 3 and scored 22 in a regular season win over Webb City.
“He’s one of the best shooters in the area,” Simpson said. “Eason’s role will get bigger this season, and he should be another player to watch.”
Adversity has already hit the Vikings.
Senior guard Khasye Highley, Parkview’s top returning scorer (6 ppg), is expected to miss the season with a knee injury. The standout running back suffered the injury in mid-October of Parkview’s football season.
On the hardwood, Highley’s best attributes were defensive toughness and relentless competitiveness. Highley was expected to take on more offensive duties for the Vikings as well.
“Khasye was a big part of our final four team from a year ago, primarily guarding other teams’ best players,” Simpson said. “He is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached.”
Parkview has won back-to-back district championships. The Vikings have also finished with a winning record every season since 2016-17.
The 2024-25 season will go down as one of the most memorable in program history. The Vikings went 19-13 overall but peaked at the perfect time. Parkview won a district championship and then defeated Jefferson City Helias on the road to reach the final four (Class 5) for the first time in 44 years.
Parkview graduated four superb seniors from its final four squad. Guards Carlitos Sanchez (Westminster College) and Dassiah Green (MSU-West Plains), along with forward Eli Govan, were named to the All-COC West team. Green and Govan scored over 1,000 varsity points during their PHS careers.
In addition, the Vikings graduated a team leader in Christian Cordova (9.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg).
The four seniors “transformed the trajectory” of Parkview’s program, Simpson said.
“They will go down as one of the best senior classes to come through Parkview,” he said.
At least six new players are projected to see varsity playing time this season.
Senior Isaiah Hampton has been with the program all four years and is eager to make a bigger impact on the varsity level.
“Even being undersized, Isaiah will help us with (rebounding), leadership and toughness this season,” Simpson said.
Titus Tustin is a senior guard and move-in from Springdale, Ark. who should contribute right away. His Springdale team played for a state championship last season.
“Titus will help us out at point guard, and we believe he can make an immediate impact,” Simpson said.
Juniors Timothy Lawson and Cordell Davis will also see more varsity minutes. Davis moved in from Nixa right before the season a year ago.
“Timmy mostly played JV last season with a couple of key varsity moments. He will be a big piece,” Simpson said. “Cordell has become an even better athlete and will do a little bit of everything for us.”
Sophomores Mikyas Riley and Zae Allen are two building blocks for the future who may also factor in this season.
“Mikyas is one of the best athletes in the city. He will be one of our best defenders on any given night,” Simpson said. “Zae is strong and plays really hard. He worked to improve his shooting over the summer and will give us a huge energy boost.”
Parkview opens the regular season at home Dec. 4-6 in the Arvest Classic. The Vikings will also participate in the Blue and Gold holiday tournament.
“Making the final four was huge for our program. But our standards and expectations are the same,” Simpson said. “We believe in the process we have used to elevate the program the last couple of seasons and our kids believe in it. It isn’t always fun, but commitment to doing things other (teams) don’t want to do is what has helped separate us over the last couple of seasons.”
