GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks Red River senior Paine Parks finished his high school basketball career about 40 points shy of the milestone 1,000 career points.
If Red River hadn't needed to cancel two games late in the year due to weather-related scheduling problems, Parks would've had a chance to hit the big mark.
Roughriders coach Kirby Krefting said those type of individual achievements, however, weren't important to Parks and his selflessness was part of his strength.
Those qualities were part of the reason Parks was named to the North Dakota Class A all-state second team, which was announced Wednesday by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Parks, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, has signed to play college football at UND.
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On the court, Parks averaged 16.8 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game.
"He was so physical," Krefting said. "He was more of a defender than an offensive player but at the same time he spread out his offense with hitting some threes and not many people can guard him in the post. He would also guard the other team's best player. He wanted that."
Surpassing 1,000 career points at Red River would've been a rarity recently. In the last 10 years, only Mack Arvidson, Mac Kroeplin and Braeden Hanson have pulled off the feat.
"On the court, he was an absolute animal, but he's going to be tough to replace off the court, too," Krefting said. "He set the tone in practice and games."
The all-state first team includes UND recruit Treyson Eaglestaff of Bismarck, Darik Dissette of Minot, Michael Nhial of West Fargo Sheyenne, Mason Klabo of Fargo Davies, Anthony Doppler of Bismarck Century and Alex Dvorak of Dickinson.
The second team includes Parks, Ian Motschenbacher of Fargo Davies, Isaiah Schafer of Bismarck Century, Carson Hegerle of West Fargo, Jeremiah Sem of Fargo North, James Hamilton of Fargo South, Eric Wentz of Minot, Evan Gross of Bismarck St. Mary's and Aaron Grubb of Mandan.
