Metcalf sisters tip off
By Staff
Kim West
Franklin County Times
BELGREEN – For Belgreen senior Keri Metcalf and Tharptown sophomore Lori Metcalf, there's a little more riding on tonight's varsity girls basketball game, which tips off at 6 p.m.
The sisters will be playing to determine who's the best player in the family and to settle a bet brokered last summer by their uncle, Todd Metcalf.
"We went to Illinois over the summer for our cousin's wedding, and our Uncle Todd brokered a deal between the two of us," Keri said. "I bet I would out-rebound Lori, and Lori bet that she would out-score and out-rebound me."
There is a possibility that the sisters will have to declare a draw, because Tharptown hosts Belgreen Nov. 16. But if one team sweeps the other, then the loser must watch an entire season of the winner's favorite TV show. Lori favors "Charmed," while Keri loves "West Wing."
The sisters, who can play either guard or post, have never played on the same team and now play on separate varsity squads due to Tharptown's expansion from a junior high school to a high school last year.
Keri is older by two years, two months and two days, but Lori is at least three inches taller than her 5-3 older sister, thanks to a growth spurt a few years ago.
"In sixth grade, I was 5-0, but in seventh grade I grew to 5-4," said Lori, who said she's now 5-6, although she appears at least an inch or two taller in person. "I'm a pretty good shooter, but Keri's a good rebounder – she may be short but she's a good jumper."
The sisters have a basketball hoop at home, and Lori said they usually play against each other at least once a month and that she can now beat her older sister in 1-on-1 or shooting games.
"We played last Sunday, and she surprised me," Keri said. "I'm a short post player, but I can jump and can handle the ball. Lori shoots well and she has developed a lot in the past year."
Since this is her final year, Keri has set some specific goals for this season, including beating Tharptown and Red Bay; winning the regional tournament; and advancing to sub-state. The Lady Bulldogs won the Class 1A, Area 16 championship last season, but lost to R.A. Hubbard in the regional finals.
But with the playoffs months away, Keri is focused on making sure Belgreen walks off the court with a win tonight. And Lori is equally determined to help the young Lady Wildcats pull off an upset.
"I can't wait. I'm a little nervous, because it's going to be my first varsity game, but I'm ready and we've been talking about this for months," Lori said.
The intense sibling rivarly means Forshia Pennington, Keri and Lori's mother, has to decide which team's bleachers to cheer from at their games.
"She's going to flip a coin to decide where she's going to sit during the first half," Keri said. "Then at halftime, she's going to switch sides."
