Two is Better Than One
Houston holds a highly coveted ranking in the world of high school sports, especially in high school basketball.
In the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD), the girls basketball programs are known for producing sibling all stars such as Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks power foward, and her younger sister Chiney Ogwumike, power forward for the Connecticut Sun. Jersey Village High School now holds the spotlight and is home to the dynamic twin duo, Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong.
This season was a season of high hopes and a turn-around for the Jersey Village girls basketball program. Starting with a particularly young varsity team, the 16-year-old Truong twins led the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 season.
The Lady Falcons took on Bellaire High School in the first round, defeating the Cardinals, 67–48, advancing them to round two. Round two consisted of the Lady Falcons’ rematch against Seven Lakes High School. This particular match up was an exciting one for the Lady Falcons as there was no dull moment throughout each quarter. The Lady Falcons persevered and came out on top, 68–46.
“We’ve seen them (Seven Lakes) before earlier in the season,” point guard Kaylynne Truong said. “Everyone was looking forward to the rematch because they’re a good team. At first we didn’t know what was happening because we were trailing but then we picked it up.”
The third round began the quarter finals where JV faced another district contender, Cypress Ranch High School. The Lady Falcons won 70–62, which qualified them for the regional semi-finals for the UIL 6A State Championship. The Lady Falcons met the Summer Creek Bulldogs in the semi-finals for a give or take game. With both teams neck and neck every step of the way, the Lady Falcons fell short in a disappointing loss by a buzzer-beating shot, ending the game with a score of 59–57.
“At first it didn’t seem real,” point guard and newly appointed post player Kayleigh Truong said. “It didn’t hit me until I was up in the stands thanking everyone for coming out to our games. It was heartbreaking, but looking back on our run I was pretty proud of our team.”
Although their season ended with a different outcome than they had hoped, the twins have bigger plans for their upcoming senior season. Both Kayleigh and Kaylynne show tremendous leadership being three-year varsity lettermen, since starting their freshmen year. They’ve grown as key play makers and use their different skills to their advantage on the court.
“I think I’m more of a play maker and Kaylynne is more of a shooter; she’s a lot more accurate than I am,” Kayleigh said.
They also use being twins as a beneficial factor to their game on the court as well as off the court.
“I know I’ll have someone that has my back,” Kaylynne said. “We’ve played together since we were five so a lot of people say that we have twin telepathy but I think it’s just from us playing together since we were young so we know where the other is at times.”
Kayleigh also comments on how being seen as a collective with her twin sister is actually pretty fun.
“I definitely enjoy it,” Kayleigh said. “Everybody has a partner in crime and I think having somebody with me and knowing somebody has my back gives me a more relaxed mind, knowing the pressure wouldn’t be on just me.”
In their imminent final season of their high school career, the Truong twins are making moves to better themselves as team leaders and bring their drive to better the team as well.
“They are two kids who have not only changed the coaching here at Jersey Village but they have changed our basketball program,” varsity head coach Tamara Collier said.
