'We weren't supposed to be here': Parkview basketball reflects on historic semifinal run

COLUMBIA — A 44-year hiatus from making the state semifinals appeared to be headed toward a 45th year around the midway point of Parkview's season.

The Vikings were 9-9 and facing a crossroads. No one doubted their talent, but a rough stretch in which they lost six of seven games was their reality. At one point, Vikings coach Jack Simpson benched all his regulars at halftime and then benched a few in future games.

The Vikings weren't playing at the standard they were supposed to be, let alone one that would be worthy of being the Parkview team to make the semifinals for the first time since 1981.

But the Vikings stayed together and found a way to play up to their potential when many other teams would have folded. Somehow, some way, the 2024-25 Vikings team was the one to break the 44-year drought. That inability to fold followed them into their historic Class 5 semifinal game on Wednesday night, only to come up short in a 69-60 loss to Summit Christian.

"We weren't supposed to be here," Simpson said. "Everybody wrote us off, and these guys stayed the course. They kept saying 'yes, sir,' even when they didn't agree with me. They just bought in, and they've done that for the three years that I've been here."

The Vikings have plenty of reasons to be proud of themselves. Whether it was for the way they responded to the season's adversity or Wednesday's game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, they will remember their resilience in every situation.

"We just turned Coach Jack," senior Christian Cordova said. "We rallied together. We all came together and knew that we had something to accomplish here."

Against Summit Christian, the Vikings controlled much of the first half despite Eli Govan, the team's top big man, getting into early foul trouble. Critical buckets from Carlitos Sanchez kept the Vikings afloat.

When Govan picked up his fourth foul early in the second half, Summit Christian took advantage of its upper hand down low. Sophomore Michael Thomas III led the Eagles' charge when they outscored 34-14 in the paint and created a 37-26 rebounding advantage.

The Eagles led by as many as 10 with seven minutes left in the game, but the Vikings' resilience made another appearance. Sanchez and Ethan Fernandez combined for nine of the game's next 11 points to bring it back within three midway through the fourth.

"They don't quit," Simpson said. "They don't quit."

Unfortunately, those efforts came up short. Summit Christian freshman Grady Ellerman couldn't miss, finishing the fourth quarter with 10 of his game-high 23 points. It held off the late charge from Sanchez, who finished with 20 points, and Fernandez, who scored 14.

In a way, the late push represented who the Vikings have been this season.

"We knew what was at stake; if we got the job done, we could have played for a state championship," Sanchez said. "We just never give up. We just try to fight for everything we can."

Parkview will now play in the Class 5 third-place game against Westminster Christian on Thursday at 2 p.m. A win would match the Vikings' 1981 third-place finish. A loss wouldn't take away from one of the great seasons in Parkview history and the program's greatest run in decades.

A win behind the effort the Vikings have displayed throughout the second half of the regular season would also be indicative of what Simpson believes Parkview basketball should be all about.

"I told them, 'What defines Parkview is how you respond at 2 p.m. tomorrow," Simpson said. "That defines adversity, and that's what we're about. That's what these guys are about."

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Parkview basketball falls to Summit Christian in Class 5 semifinals

Topics

Parkview basketball vs Summit Christian in Class 5 state semifinals: How to watch, live updates

Parkview and Summit Christian will play in a Class 5 state semifinal on Wednesday night. Check this page for updates throughout the game.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Parkview basketball's Christian Cordova's life was spiraling. Now, he's thriving.

Christian Cordova had two choices: Do what's right or continue to see his life spiral. He will start for the Vikings in Wednesday night's semifinal.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
PHOTO GALLERY | 'We didn't quit': Central Cambria girls rally, but fall short in Class 3A quarterfinal

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Central Cambria High School girls basketball team implemented a spirited, sometimes frantic pace while cutting a 14-point deficit to four points in the final minute of ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
PHOTO GALLERY | 'We just didn't make shots': Greater Johnstown boys' historic season ends in PIAA quarterfinal round

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Shots that usually find the net – both from long range and inside – didn’t fall for Greater Johnstown Friday night. The defense, which played flawlessly throughout the ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
2025 NFL free agency: Vikings' season didn't end as they hoped, so they fixed what went wrong

The Vikings have been one of the most aggressive teams in free agency.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 11
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss 'didn't anticipate the global impact' Doncic trade would have

The Luka Doncic trade didn't just shock the NBA, it shocked the basketball (and non-basketball) world.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 11
It's not quite a Tiger-like vibe, even if crowds at Players Championship love big names

The Players Championship paired the world's top three players -- Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele -- for two days. But it didn't elicit a Tiger buzz.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Ohio high school basketball tournament scores | OHSAA state semifinals

The 2025 OHSAA boys basketball tournament continues this week. Here's a look at the Ohio high school state semifinal scores from across the state.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
These free-agent signings didn't break the bank — but they were right on the money

There were only a couple perceived blue-chip talents that hit the market this spring, but that doesn't mean there weren't chances to get better. These teams did.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 12

'We weren't supposed to be here': Parkview basketball reflects on historic semifinal run

Topics

Related

Parkview basketball vs Summit Christian in Class 5 state semifinals: How to watch, live updates

Parkview basketball's Christian Cordova's life was spiraling. Now, he's thriving.

PHOTO GALLERY | 'We didn't quit': Central Cambria girls rally, but fall short in Class 3A quarterfinal

PHOTO GALLERY | 'We just didn't make shots': Greater Johnstown boys' historic season ends in PIAA quarterfinal round

2025 NFL free agency: Vikings' season didn't end as they hoped, so they fixed what went wrong

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss 'didn't anticipate the global impact' Doncic trade would have

It's not quite a Tiger-like vibe, even if crowds at Players Championship love big names

Ohio high school basketball tournament scores | OHSAA state semifinals

These free-agent signings didn't break the bank — but they were right on the money

More from Yahoo Sports

Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee

Bucs make big leap in PFF power rankings following free agency

More in Sports

Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee

Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee

Bucs make big leap in PFF power rankings following free agency