Two multi-sport athletes that were somewhat last-minute decisions to play basketball this season have made a dynamic duo on the court. Jaxton Schroeder ‘25 and Parker Sutherland ‘25 are both bigs on the City High basketball team both being 6 ‘6 and above. Sutherland played for the team last season and was a starter the entire season. Schroeder, on the other hand, took a year off basketball last year after transferring from Washington High School last year. Schroeder transferred for baseball as he is playing baseball in college. Sutherland is going to the University of Northern Iowa for football after a very decorated high school football career. Both decided within the last week before the basketball season started that they were going to play basketball for the Little Hawks.
“It’s taken some time to get back into basketball shape, but we’ve had some good games and we’ve made some big improvements. We’re looking for some big wins towards the end of the season and a run into the playoffs,” Schroeder said.
After coming back from an injury early in the season, Schroeder is averaging a double-double with 12 points per game and 10 rebounds leading the team in both categories. Sutherland on the other hand averages five points per game and six rebounds per game. Sutherland also has 15 blocks on the year and leads the team in blocks per game.
“After football, I was going to not play basketball and focus on getting bigger and stronger and when Jax didn’t think he was going to play and some of the other seniors were on the fence about it, I wasn’t going to either,” Sutherland said.
Before coming to City High Schroeder helped his team at Washington High School make it to the second round of the playoffs before narrowly losing to Waterloo West. Schroeder transferred to be on a better baseball team with more of the players that he plays with in club baseball. The City High baseball team last season lost in the semi-finals of the state tournament, but are one of the favorites to win the state championship this year.
“I’ve always loved baseball and coming to City was definitely because of baseball. It’s what I’m doing in college and I’m very excited about that. Our team this year is very good and if we do the right things we can have a great season. Basketball has been a little bit of a break from baseball and it’s been really fun,” Schroeder said.
After first committing to Pitt State, Sutherland recently flipped his college commitment to UNI. He had lots of college interest being one of the best tight ends in the state. Sutherland is also a tri-sport athlete. He has played football, basketball, and baseball all of his high school career. Not only are the two teammates in basketball, they are also a dynamic duo on the diamond. They have helped the Little Hawks make deep runs in the playoffs the past two years and are working to do the same this year.
“I’m super excited about going to UNI, it’s in the state so I’ll be kind of close to home as well as being in Iowa which is a plus. I know a lot of commits and have made friends with them already and looking forward to seeing the whole team. On the topic of Baseball it’s always fun to play a different sport with a bunch of my friends and this year we have a good chance at making a run at a state championship,” Sutherland said.
