This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
08/06/2024 10:52 AMKevin Parker will stop at nothing no matter the day or month on the calendar to sharpen his skills with lacrosse. The desire and determination to thrive for both himself and his team have helped him establish himself as an impactful force and leader for North Haven.
Also a captain for the North Haven boys’ soccer team, Kevin grew up playing almost any sport under the sun. It was not until sixth grade that he came across lacrosse. He later made the varsity squad during his sophomore year. For his junior campaign last spring, Kevin laid a helping hand in several tallies with 11 assists out of the midfield to help lead North Haven back to another state tournament berth following a 9-7 regular season.
“One of my favorite things about lacrosse is how you can directly translate things learned in practice into a game, and you can clearly see it. I also love the culture created for this team with our coach,” says Kevin. “For me, it has been about continuous effort and determination. It is also about doing those extra things year-round and doing those things that some of the other players on other teams are not doing. I have just been putting in countless hours.”
Serving as a medium between both sides of the turf, Kevin loves the diverse skill set that entails helping facilitate the offense. Yet he also loves using just raw talent acquired from the soccer pitch to lay the licks defensively.
“As a midfielder, I love playing both sides of the ball. I love scoring and passing on offense. But I also like using my athleticism and endurance from soccer on defense. The endurance has translated well to lacrosse,” Kevin says. “It is a huge responsibility to play both sides of the field. You have to get right back on defense whenever there is a turnover that occurs, which can be hard, especially when you may be tired.”
There is also a communal factor that goes well beyond the sidelines for Kevin. He always takes stock of the local fans and how they need Kevin to be at his best mentally and physically to help the Nighthawks take flight. He knows that no matter what cards he is dealt, he must play the hand with positivity.
“Whenever things get tough, in the game, I think about how the team and people watching me are counting on me,” says Kevin. “I just think about the next play and how I can do better than the previous play for my team. I just make sure to never think negatively or get down on myself.”
Kevin fancies himself as a strong and wise student of the game and knowing the why behind each maneuver he makes. He adds, though, that he aims to be more ambidextrous and add a southpaw to his arsenal to bring his game to a whole other tier of excellence.
“One skill I think I have gotten good at is understanding the game and when to make certain passes and where everyone should be. I feel like all of the guys click well together on the field," Kevin says. “I think I need to work on consistency with my weak hand on the left. I need to work on it because it can take your game to a different level when you can use both hands effectively.”
Being a steward is something that truly comes natural to Kevin through his other athletic endeavors and walks of student life. He adds that he has taken a great liking to some of the underclassmen and rising stars of the program, and the camaraderie has certainly shown itself on the field.
“I love being a leader and organizing a group,” says Kevin, who is also a Class President. “My leadership experience from school and soccer I feel has translated seamlessly to lacrosse. I have a lot of fun with the younger guys, and it shows in our game play.”
North Haven boys’ lacrosse Head Coach Justin Blood commends Kevin for being a person who commands the utmost respect by his actions in all avenues of his life. On the field, he is a competitor who will lay it all out and in any capacity for the betterment of his team.
“Kevin is a leader on and off the field who always leads by example during games, practices, and his daily life,” says Blood. “He is an incredible athlete, able to meet the needs of his team by adapting his play to benefit the betterment of the team. He is able to transition the lacrosse ball down the field with ease and finesse, able to find the open player with ease. Kevin is a genuine leader, is compassionate towards others, and has a true understanding of utilizing different leadership methods.”
Kevin has been quite appreciative of the guidance of Blood and his coaching staff. He explains it has been a steady incline with each passing campaign since his arrival. The early exit in the postseason for the Nighthawks certainly left a bitter taste in their mouths. Yet they swallowed it whole and will use it as a motivating force for a deeper drive in 2025.
“Every year since we have been with Coach Blood, we have improved. We did that again this past year,” says Kevin. “We were disappointed with how states went for us. We feel we could have gone further. Yet we are not dwelling on that for next year. We are going to work even harder and continue to move upward. It is important to just keep getting better.”