CHRIS PARKER

SAGINAW, MI – Justin Thelen’s first season as the Saginaw Heritage coach was a bit less than ideal. “When you only play five games … and only four regular-season games … it’s certainly hard to catch a groove. “We’ve got good team speed with a lot of players who have worked hard to get stronger and faster. As we’ve planted our roots as a coaching staff, we’ve done different things in practice to maximize our players’ speed. “Josh has made a huge jump in the off season,” Thelen said.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)INDIANAPOLIS – Cade Cunningham vowed to lead Oklahoma State to a strong run through the NCAA Tournament. 4 seed Oklahoma State to its first NCAA Tournament win since 2009. AdAnderson picked up the offensive slack for Oklahoma State and scored 14 points in the first half. Liberty was seeking another NCAA upset two years after bouncing Mississippi State in the first round. McGhee's long-range shooting gave teammates the confidence to contribute and keep Oklahoma State honest defensively.

Jalen Tate spent four years at Norther Kentucky, where he made an NCAA Tournament appearance, and Connor Vanover, who began his season at California. His teammate, Tanner Groves, wound up being league MVP — yet wasn't even an all-Big Sky pick before the season. They're a tough team to guard.”BIG MOMENTS, BIG SHOTSMount St. Mary's will likely be long gone by next week. He scored the final seven points to beat Central Connecticut State, then did the same thing against Long Island. In the Northeast Conference final, he scored 17 of 21 points after halftime to book an NCAA trip.

The Saginaw Heritage receiver earned Associated Press Division 1-2 football second-team all-state honors after claiming the Hawkins Award, which is given to the top high school senior football player in Saginaw County. MORE: Meet the Associated Press Division 1-2 football all-state teamParker, who has signed to play for Central Michigan University next season, was a first-team Saginaw Valley League pick on both offense and defense. WIDE RECEIVERSChris Parker, Saginaw Heritage, Sr.LINEMANTerrence Enos, Detroit Cass Tech, Sr.Bruno Guberinich, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr.Weston Jones, Romeo, Sr.Michael Heldman, Romeo, Sr.Ethan Boyd, East Lansing, Sr.LINEBACKERKarsen Marihugh, Muskegon Mona Shores, Sr.Mike Sherrill, White Lake Lakeland, Sr. KICKERHayden Hetherington, Midland Dow; Finn Durbin, Traverse City West; Josh Hernandez, Detroit Cass Tech; Ryan Heicher, Walled Lake Northern. MOREMerrill’s Logan Heath earns spot on 8-player all-state teamMeet the Associated Press 8-player all-state teamIthaca’s Brady Hessbrook named Division 7-8 Player of the YearMeet the Associated Press football all-state team for Divisions 7-8Frankenmuth duo leads Saginaw-area Division 5 all-state football playersMee the Associated Press football all-state team for Divisions 5-6Mount Pleasant’s Josh Schell earns Division 3-4 first team all-stateSee Associated Press Division 3-4 football all-state team

Central Michigan University football coach Jim McElwain added plenty of size to the program, signing seven linemen to NCAA Letters of Intent Wednesday. Michael Heldman, Defensive End, 6-4, 230, RomeoMichael Heldman had 19 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles in 2020, earning all-region and all-conference honors. Trevor Jones poses during football practice at Lincoln High School on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. He also earned all-area and all-conference honors in basketball. He also earned all-conference and all-area honors in basketball.

Just as Chris Parker went from tickling the Fisher-Price ivories to jazz performances on his Yamaha keyboard, the Saginaw Heritage receiver hopes to do the same when he takes the next step in his football career. The piano lessons began when his mother, Lashay Parker, overheard her 2-year-old son Chris banging out a melody on his Fisher-Price piano. Parker played Christmas carols for his Kempton Elementary classmates before attending Saginaw Arts & Sciences through the eighth grade. Parker is also a hit at Brookdale Saginaw assisted living, where “The Christmas Song” is the most-requested song. “He’s just a dynamic player and a dynamic individual.”MOREHeritage’s Chris Parker catches a break, wins Hawkins AwardMount Pleasant’s Anton Ricumstrict, Josh Schell commit to play Division I football

The popular early signing period has arrived, meaning high school football recruits in the 2021 recruiting class can sign with NCAA Division I programs. Recruits across Michigan can start sending in their National Letters of Intent at 7 a.m. Wednesday and up until 11:59 p.m. on Friday. MORE: Donovan Edwards not concerned about Michigan’s struggles this year, eyes improvement with new recruitsSigning with Northwestern football ‘a dream come true’ for Portage Northern’s Anthony Tyus“It feels great,” Tyus said. East Lansing wide receiver Andrel Anthony makes it official with Michigan while teammate Ethan Boyd signed with the Michigan State Spartans. Check out his highlights below!#NIU2K21 | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/M2e4ccxW4R — NIU Football (@NIU_Football) December 16, 2020Oak Park’s Jaylin Mines signs with Toledo

SAGINAW, MI – Finally, in a season full of bad breaks, Chris Parker caught a good one. The Saginaw Heritage receiver was named the second annual Harry Hawkins Award winner Thursday at the Saginaw Sports Hall of Fame. The award is presented by The Saginaw Club to the top senior high school football player in Saginaw County. I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”The Saginaw Club presented the second annual Harry Hawkins Award to Saginaw Heritage receiver Chris Parker, center. MOREHeritage, Chris Parker cap frustrating regular season with loss to Mount PleasantChris Parker commits to play for Central Michigan University

Merrill quarterback-defensive back Logan Heath, Saginaw Nouvel quarterback Jack Kujawa and Saginaw Heritage receiver-defensive back Chris Parker comprise the three final candidates for the second annual award. Heath had 74 tackles during his season season. Saginaw Nouvel senior quarterback Jack Kujawa throws a pass on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 in Saginaw. Saginaw Heritage senior Chris Parker returned a 91-yard kick return for a touchdown against Midland Dow on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 in Saginaw. MOREPresenting the 2020 Saginaw Valley League North footbal all-conference teamsMeet the Saginaw-area teams still competing in the Michigan high school football playoff

Al Money used tough running and sharp passing to power his team to a perfect run through the Saginaw Valley League. The Midland High quarterback capped off a stunning senior season by earning Most Valuable Player honors for the SVL North, headlining the all-conference team for 2020, as selected by league coaches. League champion Midland was represented by 12 players on the first-team, second-team and honorable mention lists. Bay City Western's Joe Wiedyk (6) charges through Holly's defense during a football game on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.comHonorable MentionBay City Central: Dre Hawkins, A.J.

Michigan high school teams finished off the regular season, with Week 6 showdowns that set up the first week of the playoffs. Callahan ran nine times for 109 yards, including TD runs of 53, 3 and 6 yards. Huckeby completed 11 of 14 passes for 116 yards, including a 12-yard TD, adding four carries for 95 yards, including a 63-yard TD run. Johnson ran for 147 yards, including TD runs of 6 and 2 yards. Valliere ran 16 times for 190 yards, including TD runs of 40, 42, 40, 18 and 3 yards.

RELATED: Top 50 Michigan high school football teams: How they fared in Week 6RELATED: Live updates from Week 6 of the Michigan high school football seasonRELATED: Michigan Week 6 scoreboardANN ARBORDexter hosts Ann Arbor Pioneer Friday Oct. 23, 2020. Week 6 scoreboardJACKSONJackson's Dorion Riley (21) runs the ball against Northwest during a high school football game in Withington Stadium at Jackson High School on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. See Week 6 prep football schedule, Player of the Week winnerGame Day Bay City! Player of the Week winner and Week 6 football schedulesGameday Saginaw! See Week 6 football schedule, player of week fan poll winnerGame Day Ann Arbor!

“That was a great catch,” Mount Pleasant coach Jason McIntyre said. Heritage answered with a 20-yard TD run by Josh Braley and Parker’s 19-yard TD catch. Mount Pleasant finished its scoring with a 21-yard TD run by Ryan McIntyre. Heritage tacked on the final score with 2:46 left in the game, following a 53-yard Parker run off a forward handoff. The Hawks have played just four games this season, losing to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Midland High, Midland Dow and Mount Pleasant.

MLive photographers and reporters from across the state captured images and stories of the third week of Michigan High School Football. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.comThe ball flies past West Bloomfield's Donovan Edwards (6) as he is hit by Clarkston defenders during their high school football game at Clarkston High School in Clarkston, on Friday, October 2, 2020. Scott Park | MLive.comHanover-Horton's Trent Hocter (99) leads the team on to the field during a high school football game at Hanover-Horton High School on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Scott Park | MLive.comGrass Lake's Braedon Leathed (8) tries to haul in a pass during a high school football game at Hanover-Horton High School on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. For more coverage: Read the full story here | Photo GalleryFor additional Coverage:Michigan high school football scores from week 3Live updates from Week 3 of the Michigan high school football seasonSee how Kalamazoo-area high school football teams fared in Week 3 of 2020 seasonSee how Muskegon-area football teams fared in Week 3 (Oct. 2, 2020)Flint-area high school football scores, highlights from Week 3‘Long time coming’: Huron earns first win over rival Pioneer since 2002See Metro Detroit high school football scores from Week 3

SAGINAW, MI – Matt Peterson spent two years watching Chris Parker up close and personal, pulling for his star receiver at Saginaw Heritage. But Friday, he was on the other sideline and pulling the other way, limiting the Heritage star and helping Midland Dow claim a 42-28 Saginaw Valley League win. After a Dow TD gave the Chargers a 24-7 lead in the first quarter, Parker returned the following kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. Dow didn’t slow down in the second quarter, with Bakus hitting Pomranky for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Kohtz caught three passes for 111 yards, with Pomranky catching four passes for 65 yards.

The screen grab provided by the Missy for Senate campaign, shows a photo of an ad featuring Virginia Beach shooting survivor Karen Havekost. The campaign for Democratic candidate Missy Cotter Smasal began airing the ad "Karen" as she runs for Virginia state Senate. The TV spot quotes a woman who survived the Virginia Beach mass shooting in May and claims Republican incumbent Bill DeSteph hasn't done enough on gun control in the shooting's wake. In one TV ad, a survivor of the Virginia Beach shooting directly criticizes a Republican senator for not doing more to curb gun violence. The NRA, which relies more on member advocacy than large campaign contributions, hasn't come close to matching what gun control groups are spending.

Parker leans Democratic and believes there "definitely" needs to be more gun control, including limits on military-style assault weapons. In one TV ad, a survivor of the Virginia Beach shooting directly criticizes a Republican senator for not doing more to curb gun violence. The Virginia Beach shooting was just one of several high-profile mass killings that took place around the country this past summer, leading to widespread calls for new gun laws at the federal level. Virginia Beach voter and retired professor Janet Meyer said she was disappointed the special session went nowhere and said she fears the shooting has already been forgotten. The NRA, which relies more on member advocacy than large campaign contributions, hasn't come close to matching what gun control groups are spending.