Way To Go: Parker Wiesner, Glen Cove

A Glen Cove student with a love of basketball scored a second-place finish in a competition for children ages 7-12 during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Manhattan.

Parker Wiesner, 9, a fourth-grader at Landing Elementary School, was the runner-up last month in the NBA FIT Dribble, Dish & Swish Contest held at Moynihan Station.

"It was awesome," he said. "It was also great because I got to share the day with family and friends."

Boys and girls participating in the event -- more than 46,000 across the tri-state area, including at the school and regional levels -- were split into three divisions: ages 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. They were timed on a skills course that challenged them to dribble, pass and shoot as accurately and quickly as possible.

Parker's winning time was 20.5 seconds. He was awarded a trophy and NBA clothing.

He took first place in his age group at the regional level to reach the finals. He also was invited to attend various All-Star festivities, such as the All-Star Celebrity Game and the Rising Stars Challenge.

Parker plays lacrosse and soccer, as well as basketball in a league through the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club in Locust Valley.

"Parker is humble, but leads by example," Principal Dimitri Kryoneris said. "All the kids really rallied around him because he's so likable."