LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: Darnell Parker

  • One on One with Jillian Hayes

    One on One with Jillian Hayes

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – With the beginning of a new school year quickly approaching, Loveland’s top athletes have been working hard all summer to perfect their craft! Over the past few years, Loveland High school has become a powerhouse when it comes to sports, producing both collegiate and professional athletes. Well, Loveland High school has done it again! Her name is Jillian Hayes, a 6’1 multi-faceted athlete that averaged 17.3 points and 8 rebounds per game last year. Hayes is not unfamiliar with the idea of competing at the collegiate level, as her mother, Kristi Hayes broke several records in high school and at her alma mater, Drake. Kristi averaged 52 points per game her senior year in high school and went on to become the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year at Drake scoring over 1,500 points during her collegiate career. Hayes’ father, Jonathan Hayes, played 12 years in the NFL and was a tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the current head coach and general manager of the St. Louis XFL team. Her brother, Jaxson Hayes, was just picked 8th overall in the NBA Draft signing to the New Orleans Pelicans.

    After several collegiate offers, Jillian recently committed to the University of Cincinnati to play Bearcat basketball. As her senior year approaches, there’s no doubt the sky is the limit for her upcoming basketball season with the Loveland Tigers!  

    I jumped at the opportunity to chat one on one with Jillian about her passion for basketball, her love for her family, and her dedication to both athletics and her education. Instead of doing a traditional interview I decided to put a spin on the interview process and do a question and answer forum so that you, the Loveland Magazine readers, could really get to know Jillian Hayes! So sit back, kick your feet up and check out Loveland Magazine’s interview with the basketball superstar herself, Jillian Hayes!

     

    First off congratulations on your most recent accolades and achievements! Tell me what was it like growing up in the Hayes house? Have you always lived in Loveland? 

    Thank you! Growing up in my house we were always on the go, trying to get from one sporting event to the next. My brothers and I grew up playing games and sports with the other neighbor kids in the driveway and the yard. I was born in Norman, Oklahoma but have been raised in Loveland since I was about 2.

     

     

     

    When did your passion for basketball begin? I know both of your parents and your brother are top-notch athletes themselves, is that where the passion came from for the game of basketball?

    I grew up around basketball it was always a part of my life. Through competition – and the more I played, the more I fell in love with it. 

     

     

     

    You are going into a very important year at Loveland High school in regards to education and sports, what are you most excited about? What has your experience been like as a student-athlete at Loveland?

    I’m so excited for one last go around with all of my friends, teammates, and coaches. Being a student-athlete at Loveland has been amazing. We have such a supportive community!

     

     

     

     

    I have chatted with Coach Parker about some of the athletes he has had the pleasure of coaching and he seems to really have a passion for the game of basketball and his athletes. What does Coach Parker mean to you? How has he helped you as a student, athlete, and person?

    Coach Parker is such an amazing coach! You can truly tell how passionate he is for the game and his players just by watching him in games. He brings so much energy! He makes it known from the very beginning that academics come first and are very understanding when it comes to needing to stay after school to make up a test or ask questions. Every day in practice and even outside of practice he continues to push us and is always there to open the gym when we need to use it. Coach Parker really has helped shape me into the person I am today by teaching me various life lessons on and off the court. 

     

     

    Let’s talk about basketball! What position do you play? What position do you prefer? What’s your favorite part about the game of basketball? Do you have a basketball role model?

    I play anywhere from 1 to stretch 4 for Loveland. I’ll play whatever position my coach needs me to, but I mostly play a 3 or stretch 4. I love the competing aspect of it and continuing to challenge myself to become the best player and teammate I can be. My basketball role model would have to be my mom. She averaged 52 points in her senior year of high school and was an All American division 1 player. Not only did her accolades make her great she also had such an amazing basketball IQ and had counter moves for every defender that tried to stop her. 

     

     

    Ok so let’s take a moment to go over your awards and accolades as a basketball player! What are your proudest accolades? Have you been selected to be apart of an elite basketball team or play in any all-star games? It’s okay to brag about yourself for a minute!

    My proudest accolade is getting the chance to play for Coach Heard at UC and getting 3rd in the nation at Nike Nationals. I got the chance to play for an EYBL team for the AAU season. The EYBL is a Nike circuit that has the top competition from all around the country.

     

     

     

    We have heard as a Loveland community about the big announcement….you have committed to The University of Cincinnati to play basketball! Are you excited to play sports at the collegiate level? Was UC your first choice? Talk about your journey to deciding where you wanted to play and why.

    I am thrilled to be able to play division 1 basketball. UC was the perfect fit for me. Every time I stepped on campus it felt like home and I would just light up. The relationship I have with Coach Heard is amazing! We have such a great bond. Coach Heard and the rest of the staff already feel like family!

     

     

     

    Your family is a huge SPORTS family with your mom being a former basketball all-star, your dad being a Bengals coach, and your brother committing to play for the NBA. Do you put pressure on yourself because of your family’s success in sports? If so why and how? What have you learned from your family?

    No, each person in our family has their own story and although we are big competitors we don’t compete against each other, but rather support one another. I have learned everything I know from my family, they truly have shaped me into the person I am today.

     

     

     

    Being an athlete myself I know that we are always reaching higher for bigger and better goals, what are some goals you would like to achieve over the next few years? 

    For my senior year, my goal is to help the team win sectional finals. We’ve come a little short in previous years. I would also like to make it to the NCAA tournament my first year at UC and really go on a run in the tournament.

     

     

     

    What are you doing now to prepare for this year’s basketball season? Do you have any advice for any student-athletes out there that are trying to make it to the collegiate level?

    Training with Coach Keith Braswell, lifting and explosion training. No matter what role you have I think you should always lead with confidence, have fun with it and enjoy every chance you have to be out on the court.

     

     

     

    Let’s get a few fun facts out there about you for our loyal readers! What is your favorite color? What is your basketball pre-game ritual? What’s your favorite food? What is your favorite movie? Do you have a favorite basketball team, if so, who? What are some of your favorite hobbies? What do you LOVE about Loveland? Do you have any favorite Loveland “spots?”

    Black or blue. Listening to music. Sushi. Like Mike. New Orleans Pelicans because my older brother plays for them. I like hanging with my friends and playing volleyball. I love the community because they continue to be supporters of all Loveland’s sports. Two of my favorite spots are Loveland Dairy Whip and Trailside Ice Shack Hawaiian Ice in downtown Loveland.

     

     

    Thank you Jillian for your time. Loveland Magazine will certainly be following you on the volleyball and basketball courts your Senior year. Best of luck in all you do.

  • It’s True Loveland, The NFHS has Announced Basketball Rule Changes!

    It’s True Loveland, The NFHS has Announced Basketball Rule Changes!

    “As the game has become more physical there may be times when tempers flare and cooler heads must prevail. Having more Coaches to help facilitate that In a timely fashion is a win in my book!” –  Loveland High School Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Do you know someone who plays high school basketball? If so, you may want to continue reading as the National Federation of State High School Associations announced on June 13th, 7 rules changes, 6 that will go into effect for the 2019-2020 basketball season.

    During an April NFHS committee meeting, all 7 recommended rule revisions were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The NFHS decided to wait until 2024-2025 to implement one of the 7 rule revisions. This particular revision now states the number on a basketball player’s jersey can no longer be the same color as the jersey itself. Before the NFHS made this change the number on a jersey could be the same color as the jersey if it was bordered by a contrasting color. The NFHS Board of Directors implemented a 5-year plan on this particular revision so that schools are allowed time to budget for new uniforms. Below is the official rule revision:

    3-4-3e (2): The team jersey color itself when bordered with not more than two ¼ inch solid border(s) contrasting with the team jersey color.

    The remaining 6 rule revisions going into effect for 2019-2020 are as follows:

    3-5-4b: A headband is any item that goes around the entire head.  It must be a circular design without extensions.  If worn, only one headband is permitted, it must be worn on the forehead/crown. It must be nonabrasive and unadorned, and it must be no more than 3 inches wide.

    3-5-4d: Add to (d) – Hair control devices are not required to meet color restrictions

    3-5-5: Add Note: NOTE: Provided the shorts are not in conflict with 3-4-5, no drawstring or other part of the shorts intended to maintain them in a normal position causes potential harm to the player or others and wearing of the shorts is not objectionable in exposing the anatomy, there is no restriction on folding or rolling the shorts at the natural waistband seam.

    3-5-8 NEW: MOUTHGUARD

        1. A tooth and mouth protector (intraoral), if worn shall:
        2. include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) portion;
        3. include a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion;
        4. cover the posterior teeth with adequate thickness;
        5. It is recommended that the protector be properly fitted, protecting the anterior (leading) dental arch and:
        6. constructed from a model made from an impression of the individual’s teeth, or
        7. constructed and fitted to the individual by impressing the teeth into the tooth and mouth protector itself.
        8. State associations may deem a tooth and mouth protector required equipment.

    Change section 6 to 7; change section 7 to 8.

    9-9-1: Exception: A ball in team control of Team A in the frontcourt that is deflected by a defensive player, which causes the ball to go into the backcourt, may be recovered by either team unless the offense was the last to touch the ball before it went into the backcourt.  If the offense was last to touch the ball in its frontcourt, only the defense can legally recover the basketball. 

    10-5-5 Note: The head coach and any number of assistant coaches may enter the court in the situation where a fight may break out – or has broken out – to prevent the situation from escalating.

    Stop Clock for Jump/Held Ball-Part 3 of the NFHS Basketball Officials Manual-#3: When a held ball occurs, covering official(s) shall stop the clock using signal #2 (straight arm, open palm extended) while simultaneously sounding their whistle. Then both arms are extended straight out, at chest level, with fist clenched. Thumbs are displayed as a part of the signal. The signal is given with both arms moving in an upward motion. Should be followed with a directional signal (See #6) indicating team possession.

    *Occurs when opponents both have their hands on the ball and neither can gain control

    *When an opponent places their hand on the ball and prevents an airborne shooter from passing or releasing the try.

    So you may be one of the many parents or spectators of high school basketball that are asking why revise these rules now? Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee, made sure she acknowledged any revisions that could be controversial or misunderstood at the committee meeting in April. One of the revisions Wynns commented on was Rule 3-5-5, a revision that now allows athletes to roll their uniform shorts. According to Wynns, this new change to the original rule “modernizes the rule and allows players to adjust their shorts in a manner that serves no harm to the game or its integrity.” 

    The NFHS released a rationale on Rule 3-5-5 saying that “rolling of the shorts is only illegal by interpretation, not by the current rule.” The NFHS also stated in the rationale that changing the rule, is an attempt to modernize the rule and allow what players seem to want and what serves as no harm to the game or its integrity. The interpretation was made because allegedly manufacturers did not intend on the shorts to be rolled when in fact many manufacturer reps will tell you that the seams are intentionally made to offer options in the way they are worn.

    A significant Change to control outbreak of fights

    Another revision that is sure to stir up a conversation is assistant coaches now will be able to go onto the court with the head coach

    Loveland Head Coach Darnell Parker

    in an effort to restore order when a fight breaks out among players. Wynns gave a very good rationale as to why the NFHS revised this rule stating that “it can be difficult for officials to separate players involved in a fight on the court.” Wynns added that “this change will allow assistant coaches to enter the court with the head coach to assist officials in regaining control of the situation and restoring player safety.” There has been an outbreak of fights in high school basketball over the past couple of years so the revision of this rule now keeps the players’ safety and the integrity of the game of basketball intact according to the NFHS’s rationale to the rule change. 

    The NFHS said that “it is difficult in our society for officials to be able to help to separate players involved in a fight since our society has become very litigious. Changing the rule to allow the head coach and assistant coaches to assist in these types of situations will help the officials to regain control of the entire situation more quickly and especially in regard to player safety.”

    Loveland Magazine asked Loveland High School Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker, what his insight was on the 7 high school basketball rule revisions. 

    “One rule in particular that I am a fan of is 10-5-5. In my opinion, this rule is all about establishing order as quickly as possible!” – Loveland High School Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker

    “I’m always excited when the NHFS is making changes that are for the betterment of our game! When I look at these changes, the word that comes to my mind is consistency,” Parker said, “Making our game more uniform and safer should always be a top priority and that is what this batch of rule changes does. One rule in particular that I am a fan of is 10-5-5. In my opinion, this rule is all about establishing order as quickly as possible! As the game has become more physical there may be times when tempers flare and cooler heads must prevail. Having more Coaches to help facilitate that In a timely fashion is a win in my book!”

    If you would like to learn more about the NFHS visit www.nfhs.org. If you would like to see what Loveland athletics are up to check out www.lovelandtigers.org or @LovTigers_AD on twitter. Loveland Magazine will always keep you up to date on the latest Loveland sports! Check us out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LovelandMagazine/ or Twitter at https://twitter.com/lovelandmagazin.

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