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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EWU seniors face Montana in final home game

As Parker Kelly said this week at Reese Court, it’s been a great ride. Which sounds so effortless. It wasn’t. Since he arrived in Cheney four years ago, the Eastern Washington senior guard has done it the hard way. Originally recruited by Whitworth, the former Gonzaga Prep star followed coach Jim Hayford to Eastern with no guarantee of a scholarship. He walked on with the Eagles, then earned a scholarship through hard work in the weight room, the film room and at the training table. In the summer of 2013, he dropped his body fat percentage from 9 percent to 4 percent. The hard work paid off, and he’s been a key player for the Eagles for almost his entire career. “I think it was part of God’s plan for Coach Hayford to come to Eastern, and I feel I was destined to come here and play here,” said Kelly, one of three players who’ll be honored today at Senior Day ceremonies at Reese Court. Best known for his outside shooting – his 202 3-pointers are second on the EWU career list behind teammate Tyler Harvey – Kelly also has played in 119 games (second in EWU history) and twice been selected a team captain. “From Day One since he arrived here, he’s done every single thing the coaches have asked him to do – and more,” Hayford said. “He’s been the epitome of hard work, dedication and being a man of action. He’s been a joy to coach.” Only a few games are left in Kelly’s career, but they’re big ones. This afternoon (Saturday), it’s a Big Sky Conference showdown with Montana. Win that one and two road games next week at Idaho State and Weber State, and the Eagles just might host the Big Sky tournament March 12-14. “It’s been an awesome ride, and I’m hopeful it’s not the end of me playing at Reese,” said Kelly, who has a 3.6 GPA. “It’s been great, and Reese has been really great to me.” Today, the Eagles also will honor point guard Drew Brandon and forward Garrett Moon. Brandon, who transferred to Eastern in 2013 from Sierra College in California, has been a key part of the Eagles lineup for two years. This season, he’s averaging 9.6 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists. In the Eagles’ landmark win at Indiana, Brandon scored a career-high 27 points, hitting one key shot after another to give Eastern a shot at the upset win. “He’s been our glue guy,” Hayford said. Moon, who transferred three years ago from City College of San Francisco, redshirted in 2012-13 then played in 26 games last year. This season, he’s been a key contributor off the bench, playing almost seven minutes a game and shooting 56 percent from the field. Said Hayford, “We’ve worked hard to help these players go be successful in life, and they are kind of putting a comma in their life to go from one thing to the next. “The best way to enjoy Senior Day is to beat Montana – that’s what I will be telling the guys.” Hayford said.