Gaylord's Avery Parker commits to Northwood for basketball
GAYLORD ― If you haven't heard, Gaylord High School's graduating class of 2024 is full of talented athletes.
Midway through the class's junior year, multiple Blue Devils' athletes across the three seasons and multiple different sports have already drawn interest from numerous college coaches, with quite a few already confirming their plans to play at the next level, including GHS softball players Jayden Jones and Alexis Shepherd and the football team's Brady Pretzlaff.
This past week, another '24 athlete joined them by making their post-high school plans official.
Avery Parker has made a name for herself as both a basketball player and a softball player in her three years as a Blue Devil, but in the future, she'll be trading in her cleats and glove to be a full-time hooper, committing to Northwood University in Midland, Mich. to join the Timberwolves women's basketball program.
The junior guard said everything about the school and program helped make her decision pretty easy.
"When I went to their elite camp and on a few visits, I just really liked Northwood’s coaches, the culture, the team and the campus," said Parker. "I got a good vibe from the team and I felt like I would fit in there."
Parker is coming off another standout season for the Blue Devils and head coach Kelli Parker, ending the year as the team's leading scorer at 13.6 points per game along with 6.9 rebounds and two assists, helping Gaylord to a 14-10 overall record and while finishing third in the Big North with a 5-5 conference record.
She played some of her best basketball down the stretch as well, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line in the Blue Devils' final five regular season games. She is likely to pick up another All-Big North award for her efforts this year after learning first-team honors as a sophomore in the 2021-22 season.
Parker is also a key part of the talented Blue Devils softball team, earning All-Big North honors as a freshman while looking to bounce back this season after an injury cost her most of her sophomore year.
"It’s funny because the hardest decision wasn’t whether I wanted to go to Northwood, it was if I wanted to pursue softball or basketball in college," said Parker. "Once I narrowed it down to basketball, I did a pros and cons list but I didn’t find any cons, so it was a pretty easy decision. The coaches are really committed to the players and I love the atmosphere. And it helps that I will get a great quality degree."
Northwood women's basketball is coached by Autumn Haggadone, the eighth head coach in the program's 41-year history. She took over in the summer of 2021 after four seasons as an assistant for the Timberwolves, leading NU to an 18-10 record and a 12-8 record in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in her first season.
"I want to thank my parents for always getting in the gym with me and helping me pursue my dreams," said Parker. "I want to thank my trainers that have helped me become a better player. I want to thank all the coaches I have played for, and my family and friends for always supporting my journey."
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord's Avery Parker commits to Northwood for basketball
