The Gatorade State Girls Soccer Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.
For a list of the other Gatorade State girls Soccer Players of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Kasey Parker
THE BASICS
School: Dreher (Columbia, S.C.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: the 5-foot-7
Athletic achievement: The returning Gatorade State Player of the Year, she scored 22 goals and passed for 10 assists this past season, leading the Blue Devils (20-2) to the Class 3A state tournament quarterfinals. Parker missed the final seven games of the regular season with an ankle injury and participated in the postseason at less than full health. She was the 2015 SCSoccer.com Super XXII Player of the Year after leading Dreher to the 3A state championship and concluded her prep soccer career with 155 goals and 37 assists.
Academic excellence: Parker has maintained a weighted 3.89 GPA.
Exemplary character: She has volunteered locally as part of a fundraising campaign to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research and has participated in a leadership conference for the South Carolina High School League.
THE PRAISE
“Kasey Parker is the real deal,” said Emily Heise, head coach of Brookland-Cayce High. “She is dynamic because of her speed and her knack for finishing. You don’t find many players who can run for days and finish shots.”
THE FUTURE: Parker has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer on an athletic scholarship at the University of North Carolina beginning this fall.