Lawrence High guard Haley Parker moves past Shawnee Mission South guard Rebecca Dunn for a shot during the first half. Parker scored seven points in the Lions’ 50-41 victory on Tuesday at Lawrence High.

Lawrence High senior Haley Parker first saw coaches from Emporia State University at her basketball games when she was an eighth-grader at South Junior High.

Earlier this month, Parker showed that their time on the recruiting trail was worth the trouble when she orally committed to join the Hornets.

“They started recruiting me really early so I gained a lot of respect for them for doing that,” Parker said. “I knew they were not recruiting me because they thought I was good enough to play then but because of my potential. And that really motivated me just to get better.”

Parker, a three-year starter at LHS, said the atmosphere of the Division II school was what convinced her to commit.

“It kind of has a small-town feel and I liked that,” Parker said. “And the coaches are awesome. It was pretty much an easy decision.”

Committing to ESU gives Parker a chance to play in a gymnasium she holds dear to her heart. In addition to loving the reputation that William Allen White Auditorium has around the area as one of the best arenas to play in, one of the best memories of Parker’s career came in the old barn. In March of 2008, she hit the game-winning shot in the state championship to give LHS the 2007-08 Class 6A state title.

“That might have been in the back of my head,” Parker said. “I just have good vibes there already.”

Staying close to home was a priority for Parker. When she and her family first became serious about the recruiting process, she drew a circle within a three-hour radius around Lawrence and would not consider any schools outside of the circle.

Parker is the first LHS basketball player from the Class of 2010 to decide on a school. Although she likely will wait until the spring to make her commitment official, she said she felt great about her decision. First-year LHS girls basketball coach Nick Wood said Parker and ESU were a perfect match.

“I’ve only been coaching Haley since May,” Wood said. “But it’s obvious she’s a special basketball player and a great person. She’s going to be a great addition to that program and a huge asset for them.”