After suffering seizure during game Tuesday, Greensburg Salem’s Parsons plans to play Friday

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2018 | 10:56 AM

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Less than 24 hours after collapsing and convulsing behind his team’s bench during a basketball game Tuesday night, Greensburg Salem’s Dante Parsons was ready to lace up his high-tops and take to the court again.

“I want to put this behind me and get back to playing,” said Parsons, a sophomore guard who suffered a tonic-clonic seizure in the fourth quarter of a 62-35 loss to visiting Highlands.

I would like to thank everyone for all the prayers I really appreciate it and I would like to let everyone know that I’m feeling better and I’ll be able to play Friday

— Dante Parsons (@DanteParsons01) January 10, 2018

The game was delayed 30 minutes as Parsons, who fell backwards in his chair but did not hit his head as a trainer braced him, received attention. The teams went to the locker rooms until paramedics arrived.

Parsons was taken by ambulance to Children’s Hospital. He returned home late Tuesday night and stayed home from school Wednesday to rest.

He has been taking medication for his condition, also known as grand mal seizure, for about three years, he said.

Doctors can’t say what exactly caused the seizure Tuesday.

Tonic-clonic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Harlen Parsons said his son also has spells where he “zones out.”

Parsons said he bit his tongue during the episode and does not remember any of the seizure. He only recalls some plays from the first half, “And then waking up in the ambulance,” he said.

“I want to get back to practice (Thursday) and play on Friday (at Gateway),” said Parsons, who recently had games of 24 and 29 points. “They said I don’t have any restrictions and don’t have to take any time off. I want to get back.”

The incident made for some tense moments for the Parsons family and everyone in attendance, who looked on in room-filled silence. A rowdy gym with cheerleaders and a drum-beating pep band suddenly froze.

“We’re just very grateful that he is all right and home,” said his father, Harlen. “This happened to him before during a youth football game, but he hadn’t convulsed like that.”

Greensburg Salem coach Craig Mankins updated his players and those interested about Parsons’ condition late Tuesday, via text message.

“That had to be very difficult on the family,” Mankins said. “I witnessed it and I was tossing and turning all night. I didn’t sleep at all thinking about him.

“It’s nice to know that he is OK. It’s all about his health and well-being. We’re not worried about rushing him back.”

Parsons became aware of the outpouring of interest and support on social media.

“I really appreciate it all,” Parsons said. “It means a lot.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Greensburg Salem