First the Bilney sisters (remember Sam and Rachael)? Now meet another pair of Richmond sibs – Micaela and Alex Parson. Micaela is a 5-foot-8 senior guard who averaged 11.2 points and 3.5 assists last year for the Spiders. Alex is a 5-6 freshman guard who helped Monacan High School win three consecutive state titles.
Our LadySwish contributor Bob Flynn got their thoughts on playing together in college.
Q: Was playing together in college always the plan? If not, how did it come about?
Micaela: I hadn’t really thought about it until Richmond started to recruit her. But after my last senior game (in high school), I was a wreck, and I was upset that I would never get to play with her again.
Alex: Even when I started my freshman year in high school, it hadn’t occurred to me that I would be playing with Micaela. So playing in college together was the same thing. I never really thought it would happen, but when the opportunity presented itself, I put a lot of thought into it, and Micaela and I even talked about it together and just thought about how crazy it would be to play together again.
Q: Any apprehensions about going to college together?
Micaela: It’s still weird. I forget that she goes here until I see her at D Hall or at practice. Honestly, it’s a difficult position. Sometimes I’m stuck between mother figure/big sis vs. friend and teammate. I’m finding a balance, but she’s quick to make sure I know she’s an “adult.”
Alex: It is a little weird at times, but it’s comforting because I know she’s always looking out for me.
Q: What’s the best thing about going to college together?
Micaela: Since we were kids, we have never been able to get through a day without laughing. Sometimes I definitely need to laugh when times are tough and so far, although we just started the school year, it’s nice to have someone who I’ve known since I was 3 that can always keep me smiling. Also, I feel like I’m in a good position to set an example for her. We are both biology majors and pre-med, but I like to make sure she does better than I did as a freshman, and have a better head start on the med school process.
Alex: I think Micaela really has helped me out a lot, especially if I need something or have any questions. She’s the first one I call. Plus, I know I always have someone to run to whatever the case.
Q: What’s the worst thing about going to college together?
Micaela: Everyone who knows me will say, “Hey I saw your sister today. She looks just like you, just shorter. That’s about everyday so far. I knew it would happen, but I thought it would stop after the fourth week of school. Also, I have to yell at her sometimes, in the most loving way possible. But it feels slightly like a sibling dispute to some people, but it’s really just a teammate discussion.
Alex: Being called “little Micaela” once I meet someone that knows Micaela.
Q: Are you rooming together? What about on road trips?
Micaela: No, I live with a few other teammates in my class in an apartment. I couldn’t live in a dorm again! It’s much more liberating! We might room together on road trips, I’m sure we will at some point. Hopefully, she doesn’t snore anymore!
Alex: I room with my teammate Kailyn (Fee). We might end up rooming together while traveling, but it wouldn’t be bad! And I don’t snore.
Q: Name one trait your sister has that you wish you had.
Micaela: Consistency.
Alex: She can find humor in any situation.
Q: Name one trait your sister has that you are glad you don’t have.
Micaela: Giggly. She laughs at everything, even when you’re not supposed to laugh. She’ll have these moments where she can’t stop laughing and then she won’t breathe for at least 20 seconds.
Alex: Micaela will make a joke in any situation, more so when she’s not supposed to and that’s the reason why I will laugh non-stop. But, I would say sometimes she can be very bold. So that trait can go either way.
Q: What is one basketball skill your sister has that you wish you had?
Micaela: The ability to shoot five feet behind the 3-point line.
Alex: The ability to score at the basket whenever, and (her) crazy athleticism.
Q: What other sports did you play in high school?
Micaela: None.
Alex: I played softball and lacrosse in high school.
Q: Does your other sibling (brother Aaron) also play basketball?
Micaela: Not for a team, but he’s a practice player and manager of the Monacan girls basketball team. His main sport is tennis.
Alex: No, he tried it and figured out it wasn’t for him, but he’s shown an interest in tennis. Last year was his first year playing on a team and he’s gotten pretty good at it.
LadySwish also got in touch with Spiders coach Michael Shafer and he offered his thoughts on the sister act.
Q: How long had you had your eye on Alex Parson? Did Micaela lobby for her sister or were you already looking at her?
Shafer: We have been watching Alex since her freshman year in high school – basically about the same time that we were finishing up recruiting Micaela. Micaela never lobbied for Alex. In fact, we asked Micaela if she would be OK with us recruiting Alex. We knew it would be Micaela’s senior year and we didn’t want to do something that might not be productive for either of them. Micaela said she would be fine with us recruiting Alex, and it went from there.
Q: What’s the recruitment process like when recruiting sisters? Any differences from recruiting other players?
Shafer: I think the recruiting process for sisters is only different in that it is incredibly important to understand that they are two completely different people; what is important to one is not necessarily important to the other. The other dynamic is that the older sister has a perception of the program/school and obviously has shared that with her younger sister. It is important to be very honest about your program and school, with both sisters.
Q: Any apprehensions about having sisters on the team?
Shafer: The only apprehension we had was alleviated before we started to recruit Alex. We just wanted to make sure that Micaela was comfortable with it. After that, we felt very comfortable with it because, again, they are two completely different people and players.
Q: What’s the best thing about having siblings on the same team?
Shafer: They have a great familiarity with each other. They really play well together and they truly appreciate the opportunity to play together. I believe there is a far more internal dynamic at play because they are family. We can’t necessarily quantify what that sibling dynamic is, but I have seen it in most, if not all, of the siblings I have coached. They just have an innate ability to “know” what the other is doing and thinking.
Q: What’s the worst thing about having siblings on the same team?
Shafer: I have not had any issues at Richmond with siblings on the team. I have seen them become emotional for the other sibling if something isn’t going well, but they tend to have an ability to work together to work through those issues. They always have each other’s back.
Photo courtesy of Micaela Parson