Family Matters: The Presence Of A Sibling Can Play A Big Role In Athletic Success

Posted: January 2, 2016
By AMANDA CHRISTIAN
Special to The Winchester Star

Editor’s note: Amanda Christian is James Wood High School junior who participated in the Frederick County Public Schools’ Gifted Independent Study program this fall. Amanda’s project was to learn about how sports writing is done, follow reporters and editors at The Winchester Star and to come up with her own idea and write the story. This is her final project.

In the Winchester area, there have been many siblings and family members dominate in athletics one after another. They come in a wide variety of pairs — ranging in sports and differing in age, schools, and sex. Whether they grow up playing the sport or chose the sport later in their childhood, these siblings have found a way to be successful in high school athletics, and some have taken that success even farther into collegiate competition.

A perfect example can be found in the Millbrook girls’ basketball program with senior Lauren Reed and sophomore Erika Reed. At age 17 and 15, respectively, the girls have exemplified what it means to be strong sisters and successful athletes.

“One of the things that separate them from others is their sibling rivalry,” said Millbrook girls’ varsity basketball coach Kevin Barr. “It’s a fun thing to see. They love each other but they play each other hard. When it’s all said and done, they ride home together and are the same sisters.”

Their competitiveness led to relentless 1-on-1 pick-up games growing up.

When asked how it feels to play on the same team, Lauren said with a big smile, “It’s pretty cool, not many people get the opportunity.” Erika later added, “We can go home and talk about the game with each other, and not everyone gets a chance to do that.”

While these athletes prove to be strong sisters on and off the court, they also have proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. Last year Lauren Reed was named first team All-Group 4A state, All-4A North Region, All-Conference 21, All-Northwestern District, and All-Area. She was also awarded The Winchester Star Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year for the second time. Erika Reed, as a freshman, was named to second team All-Conference 21, All-Northwestern District, and All-Area. Lauren has recently signed with Shepherd University to further her basketball career after graduation.

Carter and Meredith Watts, who attend Handley High School, also have been successful in several athletics. Both of them started swimming at age 5 and then added new sports along the way. Carter, a senior, has played tennis all three years and is swimming this year for the first time since his freshman year. Meredith plays volleyball, swims, and plays tennis for the Judges.

“So far it’s been going well. We spend a ton of time together,” Carter remarked on swimming with Meredith. “Being on a team with a sibling is a lot of fun. There’s an element of sibling rivalry always there. It was a major factor into choosing to swim again this year. I enjoyed it so much with my older brother my freshman year. I’m hoping that it goes as well with Meredith and that we can become just as close.”

Meredith admires that her parents Michael and Jennifer Watts put them into so many sports growing up so that they could develop and choose their favorites to stick with later. She noted that in middle school, she narrowed down to the sports that she was most passionate about. But she wasn’t always set on tennis.

“Carter influenced me with tennis,” Meredith admitted. “My family has always been a tennis family and growing up I never wanted to play, but one day in sixth grade, Carter took me out to the court and I really had fun. Now it’s something I really enjoy.”

Carter Watts received honors in tennis by being named first team All-Area, and was the Group 4A state doubles champion with teammate Parker Wilson. The two also combined to win the 4A North Regionals and Conference 21 championship. Carter was the runner-up in Conference 23 singles and a regional quarterfinalist in singles. He held a 19-0 doubles record and a 19-3 record in singles.

As a freshman, Meredith Watts was named to first team All-Area and later awarded The Winchester Star Girls’ Tennis Player of the Year last year. She was the Conference 23 singles champion and a 4A North Region semifinalist. Meredith finished the season 16-7 in singles and 10-2 in doubles. In swimming last year, she posted Handley’s best times in the 50-meter freestyle, 100 free, and the 200 individual medley. Meredith placed 14th in the 50 free and 15th in the 100 free at the Group 4A state meet; at the 4A North Regional meet she placed 10th in both events. She won the 50 free and took second in the 100 free at the Conference 23 championships.

Keiana and Chandler Brooks, a senior and sophomore at James Wood, both began playing basketball at a very early age. Their dad (Chadwick Brooks) played and led them into the sport before the age of 5.

Their competitiveness has driven them throughout the years to compete at a high level. Keiana noted, “We were very competitive growing up. Chandler can’t stand losing. We could never play board games or go bowling as a family, because Chandler couldn’t handle not winning.”

“I love [basketball] because of the competition and the intensity. There’s nothing like the joy of winning,” Chandler added with a smile. “I hate the fact that someone can be better than me.”

The James Wood varsity basketball coaches expect promising things from both athletes this season.

“He has god-given talent,” said boys’ basketball head coach Tim Wygant of Chandler. “He’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen for only being a sophomore. The sky’s the limit, and I have no doubt that he’ll continue to progress well and potentially achieve all of the goals he sets.”

“Keiana’s smart, dedicated, and easy to coach,” beamed girls basketball head coach Krista Crites. “She is deserving of everything she accomplishes and is exciting to watch.”

Last year, Keiana Brooks was awarded with first team honors for All-Conference 21, All-Northwestern District and All-Area, and received an All-4A North Region honorable mention. She was named the Northwestern District Co-Player of the Year. Chandler Brooks received second team All-Conference 21, All-Northwestern District, and All-Area recognition.

Seth Wade, a junior, is the fourth Wade to play soccer at Sherando. His brother, Andrew Wade, graduated last year and they were able to play with each other for two years.

While they admit that they are players with different styles on the field, soccer has always been a family thing.

“Josh set the precedent,” said Seth, referring to the oldest Wade brother. “Everyone in the family stuck with soccer. It’s really awesome to be able to play with my siblings. We can share success together. When one of us scores or we win, we can hug each other and celebrate. Having them there made me a better player.”

Last year, Andrew Wade earned first team All-4A North Region, All-Conference 21, All-Northwestern District and All-Area honors. Andrew also received honors as an All-4A state second team athlete. He was named the Northwestern District Co-Player of the Year and now plays soccer for Wheaton College in Illinois. Seth Wade was named to second team All-Northwestern District as a sophomore.

Sibling rivalry and competition has contributed to huge athlete success in past years. The relationship between strong bonds in the family and athletics aren’t so far-fetched. Many examples can be found in the Winchester area that prove this idea.

It doesn’t matter which sport or who you are, you can excel in high school athletics, and it shows that having someone by your side through the journey can make a difference.

The competitive edge between sibling athletes contributes to how they develop as players and increases their drive to win. Sherando junior Seth Wade said, “We are highly competitive, whether it’s FIFA on the Xbox [or soccer] — we’re always trying to get better and beat each other every day.”