Sports

Twins with one thing in common: Winning

January 8, 2024 Andy Furman

Ericka James looks to get the ball past her opponent. Photo: Andy Furman

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The competition goes far beyond the basketball court at Brooklyn College for two young women.

Actually, it starts at home for Ericka and Sarah James, senior twins who play basketball for the Bulldogs of Brooklyn College.

The six siblings in the James home — three girls, three boys — provided most of that competition.

“Our parents placed us in sports,” Ericka told the Eagle. “For me it was basketball, that was my best sport.”

And it shows.

The James Madison High School grad has already surpassed the 1,000-point total in her collegiate career and is the leading scorer on this year’s BC team with her 13.7 points-per-game average.

Winning is also part of the James DNA.

The sisters helped James Madison to three straight PSAL A City Championships (2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19). Ericka was named MVP of the 2017-18 title game.

She amassed 1,432 points during her high school career.

Did we mention that she also lettered in volleyball, softball and flag football?

Sarah James prepares to shoot one from the foul line. Photo: Andy Furman

Sarah is no pushover, either.

She also lettered in volleyball, softball and flag football at Madison, and totaled 1,300 points during her high school basketball career.

So who’s better?

“I’m better at posting in the paint,” Sarah, who is older by a minute, said. “As for shooting the three,” adds Ericka, “I got that.”

Combined, the James girls have won six championships. “We haven’t lost in five years,” said Ericka.

Last season, Ericka played in 23 games averaging 13.8 points and five rebounds. She’s been named a First Team City University of New York All-Star — twice.

She led CUNYAC with 79 three-pointers while also leading in three-point shooting percentage (.362).

And both helped Brooklyn to its first NCAA Tournament win in program history in 2021-22. In winning its second CUNYAC championship; in three years (2019-20), it was Sarah who made six-three-pointers in the final, as the Bulldogs defeated Hunter College.

The Brooklyn College women’s basketball team celebrates after winning a game last year.
Photo: CUNY Athletic Conference

Sarah finished the game with 20 points.

“Brooklyn College was our choice,” said Ericka, “because Sarah and I wanted to stay close to home, and family.”

“We get much support from our family,” said Sarah, “Our parents come to every game.”

Yet. it’s not all fun and (basketball) games for the two. “Basketball at this level is tougher than high school,” said Ericka, “It’s more mental. And time management is a key — balancing basketball and work.”

Ericka says practice is six days a week, and she works as a paraprofessional with her sister.

But maybe it’s not competition at all. Perhaps the real word here is support.

“We really just support each other, as well as our teammates,” says Sarah, who serves as team captain.

Ericka adds: “I’m fine with Sarah as captain. She’s better as a leader. I just go with the flow.”

The two seniors are the true leaders of this Brooklyn College team, which looks to return as City University of New York Athletic Conference champions — and perhaps land another NCAA Tournament berth this season.

They’ll get back to winning when Brooklyn hosts Hunter, Wednesday, January 10.

Winning — it’s something the James sisters are quite used to doing.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR