Coaches were important influences on and off the court

"Candace!" I turned as the man who screamed my name placed both his hands on his hips. I glanced up at the clock, five seconds remaining. If only those seconds would last forever. The Jaguars walked off the court, out of the sticky gym and into the locker room. I stayed behind, buying any time I had left to live.

The Jaguars was my AAU team. The coach was none other than my father, Larry Parker.

I stood outside the locker-room door after our postgame discussion. I lost my mind and decided to ride home with my father, I mean coach Parker. The moment my seat belt was fastened, I was ripped from the offensive end to the defensive end. The time I failed to take away the baseline to the time I was not strong with the ball.

I glanced out the window and remembered back to times when my brother, Anthony, was being scrutinized for his play. Well, it was my turn now, and I wished I could revert back to being a little girl.

For reasons such as the one above, my father and I have rules for basketball. For example, we are not allowed to discuss any part of the game for 24 hours. The reason being, you gain a better perspective of your play and you are not acting out of emotion. Throughout my sports career, I have had the opportunity to be coached by many people who have had a lasting effect on me as a person.

Coach Jerald Davis gave me an opportunity in the off-season to hone my skills by playing with his team at Hoops the Gym. Being surrounded by true competitors, practices were more challenging than most games. We worked hard as he challenged us to take no plays off. We were taught to compete hard all the time.

Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum has been my varsity basketball coach for four years. "Coach Nuss" is a great father, coach, husband and Christian man who respects his players. His laid-back personality is contagious, as is his good nature. Treating us like adults, he really tries to understand his players and where we are coming from.

Nuss gave us discipline when we needed it and gave us rest when we were exhausted. My memories with Nuss are our talks and discussions not just concerning basketball but life. I feel that he was the best high school basketball coach for me.

All my mentors have helped prepare me for the next level. And in a way, I chose Tennessee for each of the aspects of basketball my coaches taught me: Intensity, good relationships and competition every day in practice. I am excited to head off to the University of Tennessee to play for coach Pat Summitt.