Who would’ve known that back in 2004-05, the future of Parkland boys basketball was auditioning for what was to come, winning games and titles well before they hit the court at Parkland High School.

The 5th and 6th grade Parkland Youth Center team featured future Trojan players like Nick Rindock, Justin Zajko, Jimmy Hahn and Austin Beidelman back then. They won all but a few games and four league titles before their freshman years (Beidelman was one year older than the other three).

“We grew up playing basketball together,” Rindock said. “It all started back in the fifth grade for PYC. We won a lot of games and titles. I think we won it all four years. It’s crazy to think what we did back then and what we were able to accomplish in high school together.”

Parkland won its first of three straight District 11 Class 4A championships in 2013. That team, featuring Rindock, Zajko, Hahn and Beidelman, set up a bright future, one that is spilling over to teams that played after them.

“It’s really cool being looked at as the stepping stone that started the current run the program has been on,” said Rindock. “I enjoy going back and watching the games and seeing the success that the guys are having. I played with a bunch of them when they were underclassmen so it’s great to see.”

Another reason for Rindock to come back to see his alma mater play is his family. Logan Rindock, Nick’s younger brother, is a freshman at Parkland and a member of the varsity team. Logan grew up around the Trojans program and saw all of its winning ways. He also had someone close to show him the ropes.

“Logan and I talk every day,” Rindock added. “He comes to me for advice, not only on basketball, but life as well. It’s really cool seeing him play for Parkland so young, and I’m proud of him.”

Logan can be proud of big brother Nick for the type of year he is having as a sophomore at Muhlenberg College.

In only his second year playing college basketball, Rindock leads the Mules in scoring at 12.1 points per game through 20 contests. He is also near the top in several other categories (second in rebounding at 6.2 per game, and tied for second in assists with 2.0 per game).

He has started all 20 games, one of only three Muhlenberg players to do so. And that is nothing new for Rindock, as he started about half of the Mules games as a freshman.

“Last year was tough at first,” said Rindock. “It was an adjustment for me coming from high school and facing collegiate athletes. It was a learning experience, and I’ve learned more being on the court so young. I worked on my positioning and my jump shot and I’ve really seen an improvement from a year ago.”

The Mules are 8-12 overall and 5-9 in the Centennial Conference with four games left to be played.

“We’re a young team,” Rindock said. “Last year we were young too, but I’ve had to grow into a leader quickly. But I want to be a leader, and lead by my example and do the right things. There’s a good culture on the team. We have close relationships. We just want to continue to grind out wins.”

Muhlenberg was in a tight battle to receive the commitment from Rindock coming out of high school. DeSales was a close second in the race, but the Allentown school was just too good to pass up.

“They have great academics and a great coaching staff,” Rindock said. “I had a good relationship with them. The campus is smaller and it’s close to home. It’s the best of both worlds.”