Torreys seeing double on court

Hood twins sparking La Jolla Country Day team

Terri Bamford takes sincere pride in the fact that her players communicate on the floor better than most other teams, but the La Jolla Country Day girls’ basketball coach has a special case in sophomores Maya and Malina Hood.

As twin sisters, they always seem to know which way the other is going to cut, or exactly where the bounce pass from the other is going to land.

“It’s pretty exciting for me — they’re double trouble,” Bamford said with a laugh.

The sisters’ steady play has helped the Torreys open the 2009-10 season with an 11-3 record through Jan. 17. Maya, who beats opponents most often by slashing to the basket, was averaging 7.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Malina, who Bamford described as more of a mid-range shooter, had averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists a contest.

Maya and Malina are fraternal twins, so there won’t be any cases of mistaken identity on the court, but the two do share a sort of non-verbal communication that works to their benefit.

“I think we have an advantage,” Malina said. “Most of the time, I know when she’s going to cut back door, so I’ll cut the other way, or she’ll set a screen for me.”

It wasn’t until sixth grade that the sisters started playing basketball, and they came under Bamford’s tutelage a year later. They quickly took to the game, and even as freshmen last season, they were contributors on Country Day’s varsity squad.

Maya said she loves playing basketball, but it is even more enjoyable having her twin sister wearing the same uniform.

“I’m really close to her, so having her there has really helped,” she said. “Always knowing that I have someone there for me if I’m not having a good game helps a lot. We just have that connection, especially on the floor.”

Gregory Ball covers sports for La Jolla Light. He can be reached at ballgregory@yahoo.com.