Craven twins mean much to the Raiders, each other
WEST POINT – With Oak Hill Academy's district basketball tournaments beginning next week, a pair of players have learned just how important they are to their teams.
Over the past several months, twins Raylee and John Ross Craven have learned just how important they are to each other.
After a week of delays, Oak Hill Academy will open today at Kirk Academy. The Lady Raiders will face North Delta beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Raiders against North Delta at 7:45 p.m.
As the past year and this current basketball season have progressed, the Craven twins – Raylee is the elder by 1 minute and she makes sure her brother knows it – have admittedly become closer. That strong bond between the siblings has become evident to those who know them well.
“You can tell they love each other,” Oak Hill girls head coach Terry Walters said. “They communicate with each other, and they support each other. They watch each other at practice and if they can get to the other's practice, they will.”
Raider boys head coach Lee Hazelwood concurred.
“They're very well matured,” Hazelwood said. “They're the kind of kids who will do anything you ask of them. They're happy go lucky kind of kids.
“They're competitive, but they're not jealous. I've coached both of them and I have never seen two that are more supportive than they are of each other.”
That support clearly paid off for John Ross, who plays baseball, basketball, tennis and football for Oak Hill. John Ross is a state champion in tennis in singles competition. This gridiron season he set school records with 1,714 yards rushing and 25 rushing touchdowns.
“We support each other,” John Ross said on his relationship with his sister. “We're not nagging at each other like some people might think.”
With two brothers constantly pushing her to improve, Raylee said her household has become extremely competitive, but John Ross's considerate side will always shine through.
“Everyone in the family is competitive,”said Raylee who is a cheerleader and plays softball and basketball for the Lady Raiders and herself is a state champion tennis player in mixed doubles. “My dad (Chris) played football for East Mississippi Community College and my mom (Stephanie) played softball and basketball for Oak Hill.”
Raylee says her brother is mature and respects everyone. That doesn't mean there is not a spat every once in a while between the two siblings.
“We're not perfect,” Raylee said. “We get mad at each other, but we've matured. Even when we want to get mad at each other, we know we love each other.”
John Ross recalled senior night, when he made a bet with brother Jaden – an assistant coach at Oak Hill Academy -- that he would score more points than Raylee.
“Raylee scored 22 points and I went out and scored 23 points,” John Ross said. “I had to. The head trainer told me, ‘you can't let your sister outdo you.'”
The twins' mother, Stephanie Craven, called the pair “hard working” and “very determined.”
“They've loved sports since they could walk,” Stephanie said. “Their grandfather instilled competitiveness into them a long time ago. Both of them know it's not about them. They want their teams to do good and they're proud when their teammates do well.”
As for their future endeavors, Raylee said she plans to attend Mississippi State, where she plans to major in Kinesiology and become an occupational therapist.
John Ross, meanwhile, said he doesn't plan on giving up playing football yet.
“I love playing football,” John Ross said. “I'd love to play somewhere. I'm trying to get my name out there and see what happens. I may go to EMCC.”
As for her relationship with her younger brother, Raylee said she expects them to remain close.
“As we've gotten older, we've realized how much we need each other,” Raylee said.
vered her purpose for giving performer and will now ack to the community through led by special teams coach
er outreach and mission with look to take that to the next Eric Mele offered Beard a
arkville Strong, Brandi Herlevel at Northeast Community preferred walk-on spot last
ngton has been in charge College. As Roberts said, month and a visit to MSU last
f the nonprofit organization he will no longer be a big fish
week sealed up his decision to nce 2020. in a little pond, however. For this week's program for “It's up to him how productive head for Starkville.
e Starkville Rotary Club on he wants to be,” “Growing up 30 miles
Monday, Herrington and her Roberts said of Kennedy. from Starkville, Mississippi
sistant director Cate Van “He had a really good work State has always been a dream alsema both spoke to the ethic the last couple of years of mine,” Beard said. “The ub about what Starkville and he's going to need it to coaches talked me through rong does in the commuty have to go in and compete. what their roster deal was. in addressing its needs. He's been the guy for the last They've got two guys there When she stepped up to few years and now he'll be
now and they want me to e podium, Herrington first going up against some really ared with the Rotarians talented players.” come in and compete for it.
at she was glad to be in their For Beard, the opportunity Coach Mele is a great guy and
esence on Monday because of a lifetime popped up does a great job with the special assion drives us all.” just a couple of years ago. In teams there. He and his “Whether it's in your pery 10th grade, Beard started to staff gave me a great visit this try his hand at long snapping. past weekend and I enjoyed His dad Glen and brother every bit of it.” Trace have been college Wednesday was a special punters and he's following in
day for Roberts, the signees the family footsteps on special teams. His opportunity and everyone associated with will come just up the road at the Chargers. Now, it's time Mississippi State. for the next group to make
The Bulldog coaching staff *their way. and everyone who is with us, that is what continues to drive us,” Herrington said.
In March of 2020, Starkville