For three years, Clayton Parker has had a successful basketball career at Montgomery County High School, earning all-Eastern Missouri Conference honors three times, receiving all-state notice twice and helping the Wildcats win two EMO titles and two district championships and place fourth in the state tournament.

Next year, the MCHS senior will look to carry his success at a school that’s 476 miles away from home. He plans to continue his basketball career at Morehead State University, a Division I school in Morehead, Ky., about an hour east of Lexington.

Parker will be playing for a program that plays in the Ohio Valley Conference and competed in the NCAA tournament nine times. The Eagles went 26-9 and lost to Illinois in a first-round game of the NCAA tournament last year.

“I watched them play against them a couple of times,” Parker said. “I know they’re a winning program. That’s what I was kind of looking for. They win a lot, so that’s always good.”

The 6-foot-8 Parker said he decided to play for Morehead State after taking an official visit in late September.

“I went through the recruiting process as any recruiter would,” Parker said. “They were actually one of the last schools to reach out to me. They watched me online through AAU, which is different from other coaches. The other coaches usually come to my games and watch me play. They saw me online. They were in need of a big man. They really liked me.”

Parker said he is thrilled that he finalized his college plans just weeks before basketball season begins. The Wildcats start their season on Nov. 26 at Fatima.

“Whenever everybody asked me when I was going to commit, I said right before the season so I can focus on the season,” Parker said. “It just feels good to finally have it and get it over with because it’s been a long time coming, so it feels good to finally get it off of my plate. Now, I can look forward to having a fun and great season with my best friends for the last time.”

Parker said his goal at Morehead State is to help the Eagles continue their winning tradition. The Kentucky school finished with winning records in each of the last four years and has won 1,275 games since its inception in 1948.

“My goal is just to win there,” Parker said. “I want to get to the NCAA Tournament and compete for playing time. As I get older, I should be able to rotate into their system, know the coaching staff and know the guys a lot more.”

Last year, Parker averaged 20 points per game and was named to the all-conference, all-district and all-state teams. He helped the Wildcats make their first Show-Me Showdown appearance since 1974.

This winter, he will be playing with a talented senior class that includes Tyler Erwin, Isaiah Thomas, Jay Rodgers and Sean Rodgers. All of them have been playing basketball together since they were in elementary school.

“We just can’t wait to be around each other again,” Parker said. “Wins and losses really don’t show what a basketball season is for us. I think it’s the most fun you can have through how many months it lasts. We try to get the most out of it. Wins and losses will come, but getting that time with your best friends, you will never get back for sure.”

Parker will be the third member of his family to play college basketball. His older brothers Carson and Collin are playing their final season at Columbia College this winter.

“It’s nice,” Parker said. “My older brothers definitely paved the way for sure. They taught me about all I ever use in a game. I would say it’s definitely really nice to have them showing me how to be successful in college and playing at the highest level. I would say going to the games and watching how college basketball is played has definitely helped me out a lot and grow as a player.”