Lexington coaches to honor Parnell

Cancer is a disease that affects so many people in every walk of life. That became even more apparent to the high school basketball community in West Tennessee when former Freed-Hardeman assistant coach Ryan Parnell died Wednesday morning after a battle with liver and colon cancer.

So some basketball coaches are taking a step in memory of Parnell and to bring awareness about cancer.

In college basketball, there are a group of games called Coaches vs. Cancer to bring awareness for cancer research. The college coaches wear tennis shoes.

Lexington boys basketball coach Andrew Hicks is bringing the tribute to a local level, and he is inviting other coaches to do the same.

"That is one of those things that you see on TV, and you want to have a reason to be a part of on a local level," Hicks said. "Parnell's passing is a tragedy, especially for his wife and two boys. We as basketball coaches can't do anything to make up for that loss, but we can honor his legacy as a part of West Tennessee basketball and we can bring awareness about the disease."

Hicks knew Parnell from his days as a travel basketball coach.

"He was recruiting at Freed-Hardeman, and he would come and watch some practices, and we played golf together a couple of times," Hicks said.

For Hicks, this is the second friend in the past year that has died of cancer.

"I personally haven't dealt with cancer until this past year with two friends passing away, and it has heightened my awareness," he said. "Guys around my age dying from it. It is scary."

Hicks has talked to Jackson Christian coach J.D. Byrd, Crockett County coach Jerrod Shelton and Dyersburg coach Blaine Mahaffey, and all three are going to wear tennis shoes during their basketball games on Friday night.

But this doesn't have to stop with those three coaches, Hicks said. He would like for all coaches who knew Parnell to show their support by wearing tennis shoes while coaching Friday night.

"It would be fantastic if all of the West Tennessee basketball community that knew Coach Parnell and Chester County coach Jason Shelton, who Parnell coached under, would join in," Hicks said. "I have also reached out to Jarrett Jones, who was at Liberty and now coaching at Fairview to join in."

Before Thursday night ended, coaches for South Side boys and girls, Liberty boys and girls and Chester County boys had also joined in the cause.

Hicks said that the proceeds that the Lexington boys get from Friday night's home game against Dyersburg will be sent to the Jimmy V Foundation in memory of Parnell. If any other coaches would like to join in on sending a contribution, Hicks said to feel free to contact him.

"We need to continue to pray for his family and the healing process," Hicks said.

Michael Odom, 425-9754