One of the keys to succes for the Elco girls’ basketball team this season will be identifying scorers to complement leader and bomber Cheyenne Hassler. And the list of potential candidates is as long as it is capable.

On Thursday and Friday, Halie Parker took her turn stepping up. And because she did, the Raiders took home a championship.

Parker, a southpaw senior point guard, was named the most valuable player of the Lebanon Booster Club’s Christmas tournament. It was a fitting reward for Parker, who, with her all-around play, led Elco to the tourney’s title.

The Raiders defeated Lebanon High 33-31 in the championship game of the event.

Parker’s scoring was only a part of her contribution to the Raiders’ performance. She nailed key free throws in pressure situations, dished out assists, came away with steals and provided a steadying influence for her teammates.

What Parker’s play – offensively and defensively – also did was limit and neutralize the contributions of Lebanon’s guard-heavy attack.

– Jeff Falk