Parmer provides link between first Solanco girls basketball team to make states and the 2018-19 team3/7/2019
There is a direct link between the first Solanco girls basketball team to qualify for the state tournament and this year's squad which will make the third PIAA appearance in program history. Emily Parmer has been part of the program both times, albeit in much different roles. Parmer, a seventh grade math teacher at Swift Middle School, was a sophomore reserve guard on the 2012 squad which earned a state berth for the first time. Seven years later, she is coaching at her alma mater. Parmer guided Solanco's seventh grade team this season and is serving as one of several assistants on the varsity staff. In 2012, Solanco won its section for the third straight season and finished fourth in the district tournament to punch its ticket to states. "It was insane to be part of something so big," Parmer recalled. "This was one of the first times I was part of something like that. We were traveling all these places we never played at, teams we'd never heard of. And especially with some of the girls I was playing with who were really big leaders like (Emily) Allport, Makenzie (Keys), Jillian (Eberly), Gillian (Glackin) and all of them. They led the team pretty well." Solanco earned its first-ever state tournament win by topping Central (Philadelphia) 46-39 in the opening round before being eliminated by Cheltenham. The win over Central was played at Germantown Academy in Philadelphia, an unsuitable setting for a game of that magnitude. "It was nerve-racking," Parmer said. "We didn't know if something happened to a starter, who would go in, and if that you went in to the game, you had to do your job. It was interesting because the locker room we had, we make a joke about it now. We stayed in this one little corner because the rest of the room was pitch black. It was definitely nerve-racking because it was a new place and we didn't know what to expect…It was intense because we never knew what game was going to be our last. Every single game, everyone was putting everything all out on the court." That mindset is the message Parmer plans to provide to the 2019 team. "What I can pass on is lean on your teammates, play every game like it's your last because you never do know when something can happen," she said. "You can lose. Every game you go out there, put everything on the court, play with all of your heart. And really just enjoy it. For the seniors, this could be the last time they play basketball. For the younger girls, we all want to get back there next year. But we went in 2012 and didn't go back again until this year. You never know, so do what you can do now." In addition to basketball, Parmer played field hockey and softball at Solanco before graduating in 2014. She played softball at Penn State-Harrisburg and graduated in May, 2018. Parmer knew right where she wished to start her teaching career. "This is definitely the place I wanted to come," she said. "I didn't think it would happen so soon. I was at a softball game. Solanco is a small community so someone heard I needed a job. Next thing you know, I was sending in my resume. I'm very happy to be back." Parmer also wanted to get involved with coaching. "That was one of the biggest things when I was interviewing," Parmer said. "I said, 'Yes, I'm excited to teach but also want to be coaching, getting on the field, getting on the court, as soon as I could'." Solanco head coach Chad McDowell is also the Mules' JV softball coach and Parmer played on that squad as a freshman. McDowell also coached Parmer for a year on the JV girls basketball team. "Emily brings some good things to our program," said McDowell. "She's a great role model for those younger girls on the 7th grade team. On the high school program, just being part of the team, part of the staff and learning, for her, is awesome." Before being chosen to lead Solanco's seventh grade team, Parmer's previous coaching experience consisted of attending clinics and working with a travel softball team over the summer. "It was new this year," Parmer said. "It was my first time being the head coach of one team and making the decisions." Since the middle school season ended, Parmer has taken on a larger role with the varsity squad during the Mules' postseason run. "I sit on the bench. I try to motivate the girls the best that I can," said Parmer. "I keep a clipboard that tallies what plays are working and what plays aren't working. I keep some of the stats Coach McDowell will look at to determine what our next moves are and what we need to work on." Parmer has gained an even higher level of respect for McDowell now that she works with him. "It was different going from being an athlete where he was my coach to working with him now," Parmer said. "It was a transition. It makes me appreciate him more when he was my coach, too, because I realize how much work he puts into it." McDowell encourages his assistant coaches to provide input. "He is very good about, especially during halftime, meeting with all the coaches and asking for suggestions," Parmer said. "He's constantly asking for feedback. He uses the staff to the best of his ability." Parmer occasionally chimes in. "I try to speak up," she said. "I'm still kind of working my way through it because I'm the newest member. The other coaches have been with them all year. While we were at the middle school, we came to the high school games, but we didn't get to see their practices. A lot of the coaches like Evan (Mankin) and Jeff (McCardell), they've been there the whole year." Parmer says serving as a coach has paid dividends during the infancy of her teaching career. "Being a coach has definitely helped me connect more with my students in the classroom," Parmer said. "I really enjoyed that part of it. Some of my students say, 'You play basketball? You know how to coach basketball? We have a lot of students who play basketball at recess so they think that's the coolest thing that I'm coaching a team. Especially the girls who I have who are playing a sport, I'm more aware of how much they put into it." Parmer plans to continue coaching. "I'd love to keep doing this," she said. "I'd come back in a heartbeat next year if we have a 7th grade team. I'd like to get more involved so if the opportunity arises for softball or field hockey I would like to do that." Adding Parmer to the basketball staff was an easy decision for McDowell, who says he sees a natural fit with the quality coaching staff Solanco has assembled. The staff is also comprised by Jeff McCardell, Evan Mankin, Isaac Robinson, Michele Lovell, Morgan Miller, Neil Munro, and Matt Himmelberger. "As soon as Emily got hired as a teacher at Swift I immediately reached out to her and wanted to know if she'd be interested," McDowell said. "It's always great to have alumni on the staff. Having Taylor Kreider on the staff for my first two years was awesome. It just brings a lot more back to the program. Emily can offer experience being in district and state games. Her knowledge and experience playing in big games really adds to our coaching staff." McDowell plans to take advantage of Parmer's experience to go along with what the Mules learned during last year's postseason run. "I'll probably have Emily talk to the team a little bit one day before practice or when we're on our way to the game just to let the girls know what this means for our program," said McDowell. "She was part of the team that won one state game. She's been there. She's lived it so we can benefit from her experiences and her knowledge of playing in the big games and against big schools." McDowell feels fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of colleagues. "I have one of the best coaching staffs around," he said. " I only have so many paid positions and a lot of volunteers. It's a tribute to them that they give up a lot of their extra time and don't get paid for it. It's absolutely awesome they have an opportunity to give back to the school. They bring so much to my staff. I can't say enough about the time and effort they put in from watching game film to being at practice. It helps me out tremendously as the head coach, to have such great support and have great coaches around me that I can bounce ideas off during the game and at practices. They're all awesome to have and great for our program. We wouldn't be where we are without them." Comments are closed.
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