Leighty brothers savor playing varsity basketball together

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Keera Frye in Features, Sports // 0 Comments

Sitting on the edge of her seat in the bleachers while clutching her hands, Cathi Leighty was entranced by the Southmoreland basketball game. As her son Zak Leighty, a junior, took control of the game dribbling the ball down the court, she shifted in her seat and leaned further in the direction of the action on the court. She nervously intertwined her fingers as Zak passed the ball to his older brother Doug. The uneasy fidgeting persisted as her youngest son John ended up with the ball in his hands and a clear shot.

Cathi Leighty is the mother of Southmoreland senior Doug Leighty, junior Zak Leighty and sophomore John Leighty. During Southmoreland’s 50-44 victory over Elizabeth Forward, her movements never ceased as long as one – or all three – of her sons were on the court playing.

“It’s such an incredible feeling as a parent to see all of your boys playing on a varsity team together,” said Mrs. Leighty. “I like seeing them work together to compete with another team instead of with each other.”

Doug, Zak, and John are competitive with one another like all siblings are, but they are also very supportive of one another. All three brothers admit that there are times both on and off the court that they disagree, but they always manage to move past it and better themselves.

“Being on the court with my brothers definitely affects how I play, because I know they’ll get on me if I mess up,” said John Leighty. “It always makes me want to do my best.”

Whether it be at home, at practice, or in a game, the brothers put pressure on each other with only the best intentions, their mother said. The boys want to see each other play the best game they are capable of everytime they step on the court just as much as they want to play their best.

“They’re not only doing it for themselves,” said Mrs. Leighty, “but also for their brothers and their whole team.”

Other members of the basketball team have witnessed how John, Zak, and Doug feed off of each other and work together. Sophomore Brandon Stone and senior Spencer Montgomery have both experienced what it is like to be the minority on the court with the Leighty boys surrounding them.

“When I get on the court and I see all three Leighty brothers beside me,” said Montgomery, “I can just feel the chemistry.”

Even though they are always striving to be better and to better their teammates, the Leighty boys are not always so serious. Stone acknowledged that while they know when to be serious and work hard, the Leightys like to joke around and have fun.

“They’re just great teammates to have,” he said.

The three brothers and their teammates believe that their different talents allow them to work together effectively because they all “bring something different to the game.” Zak Leighty explained that the different abilities bring them together on the court in a unique way and lets them learn from one another. John agreed.

“Playing varsity with Zak and Doug is a learning experience to say the least,” John said. “But it’s one that I’m honored to have, even though they drive me crazy sometimes.”

Siblings playing sports together is not uncommon at Southmoreland, but the basketball team is the only team to have three siblings competing together on the varsity level. All of the Leightys are thankful to be a part of the same team, but this season spent playing together holds even more value for Doug because it is his senior year.

“It means a lot to me to get to share my final season on the court with both of my brothers,” Doug said. “I’m blessed to go through this with them by my side.”

Watching Zak, Doug, and John play varsity basketball together has made their parents, Douglas and Cathi Leighty, very proud, not only of their children’s athletic abilities, but also their ability to come together as a team.

The Leighty brothers look forward to the rest of this season together with hopes of making it to the playoffs and simply “playing their best.”