Middleton's Tylandrius Parks is All-West Tennessee boys basketball player of the year

MIDDLETON — Tylandrius Parks went to the scorer's table to check in to his first high school basketball game.

He remembers vividly how nervous he was.

“I remember sitting on the bench thinking I wasn’t going in,” Parks said. “And just hearing my name called and me running up to the scorer's table and getting ready to get checked in. I was nervous because I didn’t want to mess up.”

He didn’t then and he didn’t a few games later when he made his first start. Playing point guard at the time, Parks finished his first start with zero turnovers. Before that, Middleton coach James Burkley knew he had something special in Parks.

Three years later, Parks lived up to his potential for the Tigers. Parks is the All-West Tennessee boys basketball player of the year after averaging 21 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 assists. Parks is committed to Union.

Burkley said there haven’t been many players like Parks who have come through Middleton.

“He ranks at the top,” Burkley said. “Probably 2 or 3. A great kid. When he came in as a freshman, I knew he had potential to be a real good high school basketball player and have an opportunity to play college. He’s one of those type of kids that a coach loves to coach.”

Going back to his first game, he was a skinny kid who was thrust into the fire and was expected to contribute right away.

He never imagined he would get to this point by his senior year.

“I really didn’t think I would, but Coach helped me get better,” Parks said. “I knew I could be good, but he made me better than I thought I could be. He pushes me.”

Parks admitted he’s still a bit skinny, but his lanky body helps him on the court.

He is also not that big of a talker on the court or at home.

“(He’s) very soft spoken,” said Twilla Perry, Parks’ mom. “You gotta really pull things out of him to elaborate more. He’s always been quiet. Not a trouble child, but very humble.”

Burkley said it won’t be easy replacing Parks. But he’s just happy that he had a chance to see him grow into the player he is now.

“He’s been a great joy to coach, and Middleton basketball will really miss him,” Burkley said.

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9638 and follow him on Twittter @LFTorresIII.