Southmoreland senior Briana Bunner and her sophomore sister Bethany Bunner have been playing softball together for nine years,and each year their bond grows stronger. The girls enjoy watching each other grow and are extremely proud of each other’s accomplishments. While they are sad that this is the last year that they will get to share the field, they are excited to experience this final softball season together with the other girls.

“We feed off of each other’s intensity, enthusiasm and love for the sport” said Briana Bunner. “Being able to communicate what was done right or wrong after a game helps us improve our skills mentally and physically.”

Siblings who play sports together often say that working together pushes them to be better at the game.

“It’s going to be hard not playing together because Bri is the only person who pushes me to my full potential,” said Bethany. “But I want to make her proud.”

Although the sisters are brokenhearted that they will be playing without the other next year, they are excited for their future plans. Briana plans to attend Robert Morris University with a scholarship next fall.

“I cannot wait to play softball in college,” said Briana Bunner. “Softball has always been my number one sport, and I am truly passionate about every aspect of it.”

While the Bunners are anticipating their futures, they are not the only siblings at Southmoreland that share the same passions. Senior Doug Leighty and his brothers, junior Zak and sophomore Johnathan, love being on the basketball court together.

“It’s pretty nice playing together because I know what areas they strive in and what they are not the best at and they know the same about me,” said Zak Leighty. “We all do different things and it works well.”

The three brothers always manage to effectively work and communicate with each other. Although John and Zak are sad to see their brother graduate and move on to other things, they are making the most of their time with him in the sports they share a love for.

“Doug and I never really play together, so the times we do play together is pretty special,” said John.

The three brothers are excited for this basketball season and have a goal to “always win” whether it’s a scrimmage, section, or a rivalry game.

“We want to win and make Southmoreland known around our area as having a great basketball team,” said Zak.

The Leightys are excited for what the future has in store for them. They are all looking forward to spending their final year together in high school on the court.

Senior Halle Blair and her sister, sophomore Mackenzie Blair, have loved playing soccer together since they were little. Even though they may be “butt heads” on the field they are still devastated that it is their last year with one another.

“When one of us tells the other that she isn’t giving 100 percent and it causes bickering between us,” said Halle Blair. “I’ve still loved growing up playing soccer with Mackenzie, and knowing it’s all over is depressing.”

Next year will be a big change for the two sisters; Halle will be attending Slippery Rock University and Mackenzie will be beginning her junior year without her sister keeping her company on and off the field.

“It’s going to be a lot different next year not having my sister to look out for me but I know she’ll be moving on to better things,” said Mackenzie.

Although the girls cannot continue playing together, they do hope to be able to attend each other’s games and cheer each other on. They plan to continue supporting each other when off the field as much as they currently do on the field.

“It’s a weird feeling thinking about not playing with my sister anymore and her not being there after a game,” said Halle. “But I’ll definitely be there after her games as much as possible.”

Halle’s attendance at SRU in the fall is a huge accomplishment for her. She has wanted to attend Slippery Rock since she was a little girl because it is her mother’s alma mater.

“Slippery Rock is where my mom went, and I’ve always wanted to follow in her footsteps,” said Halle.

Siblings are bound to disagree and argue with each other, but the way they unite on a field or on a court is remarkable. Even with conflicting ideas, in the end they only want what’s best for each other, and the quality time they get to spend together is unforgettable. Even with Halle Blair, Doug Leighty, and Briana Bunner graduating in the spring, their siblings will be left behind to continue striving for athletic success at Southmoreland.