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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

“I started playing [basketball] because I saw that my brothers were playing, and I found it fun; I started playing at age eight and have continued to play ever since. [Something] I enjoy [is] the back-and-forth competitiveness of basketball that I don't get when I play softball, as well as our team bonding activities because I think it helps with the chemistry throughout our group and in the real world. I also enjoy winning and all of the competitive aspects. [Basketball] has brought great memories and people into my life, and I enjoy spending most of my time with them and cherish the memories my team has created. Getting to go out and play with my very best friends every day is just the best gift a girl can get. A big thing that motivates me is how much time and effort my coaches put in. I just want to work hard because they work hard, while also making my parents proud at the same time. Sometimes, it’s not an easy task being able to balance school and athletics, but with the right mindset and focusing on the goals that I have set for myself, it’s achievable.  In high-pressure situations, I just go back to playing my own game [and the basics within the game] rather than focusing on everything around me because I trust my training and my practice. [My advice for upcoming players] is to keep going and continue to practice. Nobody is perfect, there is always going to be something to improve or get better at. There is always going to be someone out there who is doing better than you, and if you want to be the best, you have to keep going and push yourself to be better, but most importantly just have fun in what you’re doing.”  - Siena Snyder, 12

Siena Snyder

Ella McNeal, CJ1 Writer 1 day ago

Athletes of West: Senior Gavin Hamlin

Connor Grant and Patrick May February 7, 2025

Sophomore Connor Grant: I'm Connor.  Sophomore Patrick May: I'm Patrick, Grant: And this is the athletes of the West, where we let athletes share their story. And in today's episode, we'll be talking...

Looking for an open teammate, freshman Patrick May passes the ball across the court at the Nov. 28 game against Parkway Central. May started in the game against the Colts. ”Growing up, [my parents] always gave me a basketball, [and] we had a basketball hoop outside. I grew up playing [all the time], playing on the [driveway] and shooting hoops with my dad.” May said.

Fresh court

Payton Dean, Staff Writer February 26, 2024

Shoes squeaking on the floor, freshman Patrick May comes to a halt as he tosses the ball past a defender. The ball finds the hands of an open teammate, who then races to the basket, putting the Longhorns...

In perfect shooting form and with eyes on the rim, junior Tyler Kuehl is about to shoot his next basket in the last game of the season against Marquette High School. Kuehl has been playing basketball since he was 5. “Even though I played basketball all my life, the game-winning shots can be pressure, it's confidence. If you're going into that shot and not thinking that you're gonna make it, it's obviously not going in. And if you believe, [it will]. That's the only way you can succeed,” Kuehl said.

Athletes of West: Episode 6

Raj Jaladi, Newsletter Editor/Data Analyst January 19, 2024

  Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zq-u92tFZY Senior Raj Jaladi: Welcome to another episode of Athletes of West. Today we are joined by varsity basketball player, junior Tyler Kuehl....

“I started playing basketball in first grade. I kind of played every sport when I was younger, but basketball has always been the one that stuck with me [for] the longest. Basketball is important to me because pretty much everyone in my family plays basketball, and overall, a very enjoyable sport. I’m definitely excited for basketball season. I’m hoping that we can have a pretty good team this year, win a lot of games, and have a lot of fun. My goal is to get into basketball coaching. A lot of my family is involved in that, and I think that it would be a great career for me. I really like to be a leader, and inspire people. I am really passionate about the game of basketball. Being a senior is so special because [I] get to be [a] leader [in] the school. [I] also get to help out the underclassmen, and it’s [my] last year here so I want to make the most of it, and really enjoy it. It feels great; I’m really happy that I made it through the first three years of high school and get to continue [to] further my education.” - Jamie Franciscus, 12

Jamie Franciscus

Taylor Faintich, CJ1 Writer November 28, 2023

One of my biggest accomplishments is winning all districts and second, all-conference in the top suburban conference of Missouri. No freshman in Missouri won my conference, so I’m really proud because all of my hard work paid off. I’ve been playing basketball for my whole life, and so did my mom and my grandma, so it sort of runs in the family to play basketball in high school and college. My coach is my biggest inspiration because he’s always cheering me and motivating me on the court. He’s probably my number-one fan. I can see myself playing for the rest of high school and it’s also my dream to play basketball in college.” - Ava Albanese, 9

Ava Albanese

Angie Ren, Staff Writer May 18, 2023

Exclusive Highlights of The Senior VS Faculty Game

Raj Jaladi, Newsletter Editor/Data Analyst March 4, 2022

Back on the court, senior Abbie Zensen warms up to play in the first game of the Summit Holiday Hoops tournament. Zensen was injured in May, leaving her unable to participate in sports. “I was a little worried at first because I wasn't sure what it was going to be like cutting on my knee. I hadn't done stuff like that,” Zensen said. “The first basketball game was really exciting. When I first went down with my knee injury, I didn’t see myself coming back.”

A season-ending injury to a new school record

Danica Gatchel, CJ1 Writer January 27, 2022

During one of the soccer team’s last games before the quarter-finals, senior Abbie Zensen was involved with a contact-on-contact collision, resulting in a dislocated kneecap and torn knee ligaments leaving...

Jumping toward the basket, above his opponents, junior Tyler King launches the ball. Ending the game 84 to 61, King made one of the winning baskets. “Beating [Parkway] South was one of my favorite parts of the game. We played to crush them and that is what we did,” King said.

Photo of the Week- Nov. 29

Emma Iswarienko, Staff Writer December 3, 2021

After hearing about our winter sports teams let’s wish them the best of luck as this season is getting ready to start. If you want to follow a specific team, the team schedules are below.

Meet our winter warriors

Tre Bell, Staff Writer November 22, 2021

After experiencing a season played in the midst of a pandemic, the winter sports teams are ready to play with some normalcy. Here is what you can expect to see from them this season. Boys Basketball  After...