Pike Liberal senior Regine Parker signed a basketball scholarship on Tuesday to play basketball at Faulkner University in Montgomery.

Parker was able to share the moment with family, friends and coaches.

“I am really excited about it,” Parker said. “It’s exciting to have family and friends around and to know that I am accepted and supported in everything I do.”

After coming from Montgomery Catholic, Parker only played one season with the Patriots, but she instantly felt right at home.

“It was a good move for me. They helped me grow as a person,” Parker said. “I learned a lot from them. I had a fun senior year at a new school. They took me in and treated me like family.”

Parker was one of the leading scorers for the Patriots and she made an immediate impact both on and off the court.

“I think her character played a role,” said Patriots head coach Robert Hawkins. “We wanted to bring in someone that had really good character that would fit in with the rest of the girls and she was all of that. Her knowledge of the game was so much more than anyone else that she just brought everybody else up.”

Parker will be heading to Faulkner University, a place that is familiar to her. It is that familiarity that drew her to be an Eagle.

“They treat you like family as soon as you walk through the door,” Parker said. “I have been around the campus ever since I was in the ninth grade. It really feels like family.”

Parker will be under the tutelage of an Eagle coaching staff led by head coach Reed Sutton.

“They take time to help you get better at what you do,” Parker said. “They take time to perfect your craft and help you get better.”

Hawkins said Parker can make an immediate impact for the Eagles.

“She will be able to handle the ball, “ Hawkins said. “She will be a three-point shooter for them. They will set her up and their opponents will have to send someone out there to guard her.”

Although Parker was only in the program a short while, she hopes that her hard work and dedication will be an example for her friends and teammates to follow.

“I hope it inspires them to keep their dreams alive,” Parker said. “I hope that no matter what sport they want to pursue they strive and work hard for it and try to play and get an education at the next level.”