In three years at Coeur d'Alene High, junior Kyeli Parker has proven that she can spark the Vikings on either the softball field or basketball court.

Tonight's 18th annual Jack Blair Memorial All-Star girls basketball game will be a test of how bright her star can shine against some of the best players in the Inland Northwest.

Parker, a 5-foot-6 guard, is among three Vikings who will play for the Region team when the game tips off at 7:30 at Lake City High.

"I'm really excited," Parker said. "All the girls are super talented. To be playing with girls that are Division 1 quality - I'm excited for the opportunity."

Parker holds down third base for the Viking softball team, but of the two sports, Parker can't decide which is her favorite.

"It changes every year," Parker said. "I'll be playing more softball this summer than last year."

Parker will compete with the Coeur d'Alene Crush under-18 team in an estimated 30 games. She'll play some summer league basketball, but not as much as in previous years.

“She’s done a lot of improvement in basketball off-season the last couple of years,” Coeur d’Alene girls basketball coach Dale Poffenroth said. “Not because she has to, but because she wants to.”

“I have a better time playing softball in the summer,” Parker said. “I love to do it and would like to keep playing it moving forward.”

Parker finished the season leading the Vikings in runs (22), hits (36), walks (10), total bases (42), batting average (.444), on-base percentage (.521) and slugging percentage (.519).

“She’s our ignitor and gets us started,” Coeur d’Alene softball coach Larry Bieber said. “She hit .444 this year, which is more than adequate with the competition we faced. She’s been an anchor for us at third.”

Whether leading or down, Bieber added her positive attitude keeps the Vikings upbeat.

“You never see her without a smile,” Bieber said. “She’s got the best attitude there is. She keeps everyone else on the team up and positive. I’m looking forward to her senior year.”

Coeur d’Alene lost to Rocky Mountain in the consolation championship game of the state softball tournament last month at Post Falls High.

“The group we’ve got coming back is really hungry,” Bieber said. “They all are working hard to find a way to get past Lake City and trying to find a way to hit the ball. Our group coming back knows the state title goes through them next year.”

Even with all her athletic accomplishments, she still might not be the most recognizable one in her family.

“The dogs are more well known than I am,” said Parker, whose dogs “Lucky” and Sunny” often appear with Jim in the Parker Toyota Auto Dealership television advertisements. “Lucky has his own Facebook page, but I’ve got him beat by a few friends.”

Her father, Jim, is the dealer principle of the dealership owned by Doug, her grandfather.

“My grandpa is always joking with me to get me fired up for a game,” Parker said. “He’ll ask me whose sister I am before a game. ‘Are you Sydni Parker’s sister tonight or is she Kyeli’s sister?’”

Parker is also on the student council at CHS and is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She currently ranks 26th out of 350 students in the junior class.

“My schoolwork always comes first,” Parker said.

“Kyeli is a very outgoing person,” Poffenroth said. “She’s got a whole range of friends that spans the high school. She’s easy going and congenial and that makes her very easy to talk to.”

“She’s an absolute great kid,” Bieber said. “She’s a quality kid in the classroom and on the field. Her attitude is something that every coach and teacher likes to have. The cup is always half-full with her.”

Coeur d’Alene will also be represented in tonight’s game by Carli Rosenthal, who has signed with Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., and sophomore Caelyn Orlandi.

“Carli is the best player I’ve ever played with,” Parker said. “Hopefully it will end with a win.”

Of playing against some of the best in the area, Parker welcomes the challenge.

“I’m really nervous,” Parker said. “I want to go out and show how good you are. There’s tons of girls with talent in this game. I just want to come out and play my game.”

The only time the Region team won was two years ago at Lake City High (92-74) — the site of this year’s matchup.

“I never would have thought I’d get a chance to play in this game,” Parker said. “I hope we can show the kids from Washington we’ve got good players just like them.”

“She’s an easy player to coach,” Poffenroth said. “She’s torn between a lot of different things, between academics and also playing softball. This summer, I know she’s got to decide between both, but I know she can make up for whatever she misses. Kyeli does a lot of good things for our program.”

Poffenroth was slated to coach the Region, but had to back out after a family emergency. Lapwai coach Shawn Spencer, slated to be his assistant, will coach the team.

Parker will also share the floor with players from Lake City (Sydney Butler) and Lewiston High (Tanis Fuller and Chelsea Waters). Timberlake’s Cassie Thompson will also play for the Region.

“It will be a fun game,” Parker said. “It will be nice to be on the same team as some of them for once.”

Parker finished the season with 230 points, which tied her for second on the team with Orlandi. She had 49 rebounds, 37 steals and 37 assists as the Vikings finished second in the state 5A tournament.

“If we could have won the state title game, she would have been all-state,” Poffenroth said. “She can go to her left hand more than her right with the ball. I’m really happy with the kind of player she has become and happy she’s a part of the program.”

Brooke Gallaway, 5-11, G/F, Jr., Central Valley; Tia Presley, 5-9, G/F, Sr., Gonzaga Prep; Aleisha Hathaway, 5-10, G/F, Jr., Shadle Park; Devyn Galland, 5-8, G., Jr., Lewis and Clark; Riley Holsinger, 5-10, G/F, Sr., North Central; Taylor Ingebritsen, 5-10, G/F, Sr., Mead; Hayley Hendricksen, 6-1, G/F, Sr., Lewis and Clark; Chelsea Chandler, 5-9, G/F, Sr., Shadle Park; Nakia Arquette (injured), 6-1, G/F, Jr., Lewis and Clark; Amy Thorton, 5-9, G, Sr., University; Tara Van Weerdhuizen, 6-2, F/C, Sr., North Central; Lindsay Stockton, 5-8, G, Jr., Gonzaga Prep; Haley Sieverding, 5-8, G, Sr., Ferris. Alternates: Hannah Murray, Gonzaga Prep; Katara Belton Sharp, Ferris; Hallie Gennett, University. Coach: Gabe Medrano, North Central.

REGION

Shaniqua Nilles, 6-0, G/F, Sr., West Valley; Carli Rosenthal, 6-3, C, Sr., Coeur d’Alene; Shelby Cheslek, 6-5, C, Sr., Pullman; Sydney Butler, 5-6, G, Sr., Lake City; MacKenzie Taylor, 5-10, G/F, Sr., Freeman; Jamie Weisner, 5-10, G/F, Jr., Clarkston; Cassie Thompson, 6-3, C, Sr., Timberlake; Natawnee Spencer, 5-6, G, So., Lapwai; Tanis Fuller, 5-10, G/F, Sr., Lewiston; Chelsea Waters, 6-1, G/F, Jr., Lewiston; Kyeli Parker, 5-6, G, Jr., Coeur d’Alene; Caelyn Orlandi, 5-8, G., So., Coeur d’Alene. Alternates: Lexie Zappone, Lakeside; Kendalyn Brainard, Coeur d’Alene; Savannah Blinn, Lewiston; Katie Rowe, Lake City. Coach: Dale Poffenroth, Coeur d’Alene. Assistant coach: Sean Spencer, Lapwai.