Community welcomes Parker Minier during basketball game, spends time with teammates

LAGRANGE CO., Ind. (WANE) - For the last three months, Parker Minier has been in therapy recovering from a car accident, but Friday night, he took a break from it to be with his teammates.

Minier was in a serious wreck near Hudson last November. His injuries were serious enough that the doctors thought he wasn't going to make it, but he has pulled through.

"He moved his right leg for the first time, he moved his right arm for the first time," said Chad Minier, Parker's father, explaining his progress from therapy.

Parker got a chance to leave Indianapolis to come to the Hamilton High and Prairie Heights basketball game Friday night. He plays on the Hamilton High's basketball team, but attended both schools. Chad said doctors worried all the excitement would over stimulate him, but he said Parker was just fine. His teammates have been there for him during his recovery.

"We been there to support him all season and finally, he's made such great progress," said Brett Converset, one of Parker's teammates.

This is the first time Parker has been back on the basketball court since the accident. During the game, as the teams were introduced, both sides of the gym welcomed him with open arms.

"He got a standing ovation, everybody stood up and clapped for him, and he waved and just really enjoying himself," Chad said.

He said Parker has between six to eight more weeks of recovery before he gets to come back home.