Bobcats’ Holle twins forge their own identities on, off court
For Brooke and Bailey Holle, being identical twins doesn’t necessarily mean living identical lives. The Texas State basketball players don’t share all of the same friends, and they have different majors. Even their playing styles are different.
The former Westlake High School standouts are making an impact as sophomores for the Bobcats, who are 16-7 and, at 9-3, in second place in the Sun Belt Conference heading into Saturday’s game at UT-Arlington.
Brooke, who has started this season at the three spot, is more of a physical scorer. Bailey is an on-ball defender at the one and two spots.
And n eit h er played much during her freshman season. Brooke broke into the starting rotation this year and is averaging 11.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 31 minutes. She’s scored in double figures 11 times, including a 26-point effort in an 81-56 win over Georgia Southern on Jan. 25.
“I’m definitely more comfortable and more confident in myself,” Brooke said of the difference in her play this year. “I wouldn’t be able to be where I am without getting in the gym and working hard in the summer and in the preseason, but just having the confidence in myself and thinking, ‘I can do this; I did this all of high school. I can score; I can rebound; I can defend.’ Just pushing the mental aspect of it more so even than physical.”
With the one and two spots occupied by the Bobcats’ two leading scorers — junior Toshua Leavitt at the two (19 points per game) and senior Taeler Deer at the one (16.7) — Bailey is patiently waiting her turn for increased playing time while she cheers