By Derrick Smith

Trips to the state tournament are nothing new to Kira and Rees Berkey. The twin sisters, who are members of the Hydro-Eakly girls’ basketball team, have advanced to the state tournament all four years of their high school career, winning two state championships. 

Throughout their varsity career, the Berkey girls have amassed a record of 111-12 and for Kira, the success that they have enjoyed is something she attributes to her coach and family.

“Whenever most teams have light practices, we had harder,” she said. “Whenever most would have snow days, we would still be at the gym everyday conditioning and pushing to the limits. None of it was necessary but, in the end, that is what helped us in the long run. I also attribute my family because of how competitive they are. Growing up with a twin and three brothers, I learned quickly that I had to fight if I wanted to win at something, and that has helped me mentally to strive to be the best that I can be.”

Basketball has been a part of the seniors’ lives for as long as they can remember.

“We have played basketball since we were able to walk,” Rees stated. “I have always had a ball in my hand from the time I could remember. We started playing travel ball in the fifth grade so when we moved to Hydro, we played on the Ravens based out of Clinton up until last summer.”

While the on-court success was great, both girls agree that being able to play alongside each other made the journey even better.

“Sharing all this success with my sister has been extremely important to me because I wouldn’t want to share any of those precious moments with anyone else other than with my best friend,” Kira stated. “Even with all the awards and accomplishments, it was not a smooth ride to get there. My sister understood the struggles and stress that come with trying to be the best and she helped me relax and remind me that I play in the first place for the love of the game and to glorify God with the talents He has given me and my sister.”

Rees echoed her sister’s thoughts, adding that she is not only Kira’s teammate, but she is also her biggest supporter.

“Having my sister by my side has been amazing,” Rees said. “We might bicker here and there, but we do it because we know how to push one another, and we want to succeed. Most of the time we do encourage one another and are each other’s biggest fans. It’s great always having someone with you day and night because let’s say we want to go to the gym and get shots in, we don’t have to call someone to come up to the gym and not knowing if they can, we just ask each other and go without complaints. I’m so proud of my sister and excited to start my new basketball career with her.”

Though their high school basketball career has ended, it’s not the end of their story. Both girls plan to attend Oklahoma Christian University to play basketball. Kira is going to major in Mass Communications and Journalism, while Rees is undecided on her major.