Double teaming — Sisters relish time playing together

Three sets of siblings have made the ’25-’26 girls’ basketball season a family affair. Seniors Preslee Fitzwater, Sydney Pederson and Brooklyn Benshoof are joined by their younger sisters, sophomore Addison Fitzwater and freshmen Kaia Pederson, Adrianna Schofield and Brianna Schofield.

While all seven players expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play together, Addison said the experience is bittersweet.

“I believe playing with my sister is a privilege that I sometimes overlook because we are so close and do so much together,” she said. “But this year has really brought to my attention that this is the last time we will be on the court together.”

As the season comes to an end, the girls recognize that being able to share the same court has been a great honor.

“One thing I will always remember is growing up and seeing (Adrianna and Brianna) cheer me on at my games,” Brooklyn said. “Now they get the chance to play, and I get to cheer them on, but this time we are on the same team.”

Preslee shared a similar sentiment.

(Photo by Robyn Stanton)

“This opportunity that Addi and I get to have together really leaves me speechless,” she said.

Assistant coach Patricia Miller has also enjoyed being able to see the sibling dynamic in action.

“It’s been fun to watch the older girls be leaders while holding their younger sister to higher expectations,” she said.

Head coach Mike Pederson is Sydney and Kaia’s father, and like his daughters, he appreciates the opportunity for family bonding.

“The biggest thing for me is that I get to spend a lot of time with them,” he said.

John Schofield, father to twins Adrianna and Brianna and stepfather to Brooklyn, also spoke to this benefit and how it will be a major adjustment when all his daughters graduate and none are playing high school basketball.

“It’s been such a big part of our family that it’s kind of our identity,” he said. “The wife and I have talked about it, and we’re going to have to keep going to the Dome (after the girls graduate) because it’s just what we do.”

The girls’ parents also said they were thankful for the opportunity to see the girls mature as players.

“It’s very rewarding because you get to see growth not only in your own kid but in all the kids,” Pederson said. “One of the best things is watching each of them find their own strengths and become more confident as athletes.”

This feeling was echoed by each of the girls but with a common caveat. Each player said that she gives her sister pointers, but most said that these are not always warmly received.

“I definitely try to help (Addison), and she doesn’t always take it very well,” Preslee said.

“(Sydney) always pushes me and makes sure I do stuff the right way, but she pushes me too hard sometimes,” Kaia said.

(Photo by Walter Sprague/NLJ)

Brooklyn said that she loves being able to give her younger sisters advice but recognized that alternating between the supportive sister and the more experienced player can be a bit of a balancing act. However, the twins each affirmed in separate interviews, and without hesitation, her siblings’ gracious acceptance of advice.

Brianna said, “Yeah” and Adrianna, “Of course!” when each was asked if her sisters were always receptive to pointers.

Despite the minor tensions reported by the other girls, each set of siblings was overwhelmingly positive in assessing their time playing together.

“I enjoy having a built-in best friend to discuss everything that is going on in our lives, whether it be on the court or not,” Addison said.

“Sharing the love of the sport with them is something I will always be thankful for,” Brooklyn said.

“(Being teammates with your sibling) is definitely something I wish a lot more people could experience,” Sydney said.

According to the parents, another fun benefit that comes from the siblings playing together is being able to better appreciate each girl’s unique style.

Jenny Pederson, Sydney and Kaia’s mother, did not have to think long before sharing what distinguishes how each of her daughters play.

“Sydney is the finesse and the beauty with her shot. She’s got this beautiful shot,” she said. “And Kaia is that hustle in the muscle under the hoop. She’s a lot more aggressive.”

Billy Fitzwater, Preslee and Addison’s father, was also quick to identify how his daughters differ on the court.

“Preslee is more conservative, sits back and analyzes. She uses her intelligence,” he said. “Addison is more of an instinctive player.”

Julie Schofield, Brooklyn’s mother and Adrianna and Brianna’s stepmother, also had no difficulty characterizing her daughters as ballers.

“Brianna is definitely the most competitive, but Brooklyn is right there with her,” she said. “And then Adrianna’s pretty laid back. She is just the most easygoing kid.”

The girls’ parents have had some time to recognize each player’s particular style since each girl has played since elementary school.

“They started on a traveling team. I believe it was when Preslee was in fifth grade and Addison was in third, and my husband was the coach,” Michelle Fitzwater, Preslee and Addison’s mother, said.

Before coaching them on the high school team, Mike Pederson also coached his daughters when they were younger. With all this time spent together on the court, the Pedersons try to compartmentalize basketball and home life.

“We have a pretty strong boundary in our house where once we walk into the house, home is home and basketball is basketball,” Jenny said. “If I let them talk about basketball at home, my entire life would be basketball.” 

Brooklyn, Adrianna and Brianna’s parents said they do not anticipate their daughters continuing to play after high school and are making the most of the girls’ remaining time playing as Dogies.

Mike said he hopes his girls continue to play.

“I would love for them to be involved in any aspect of it, whether officiating, coaching and/or playing at the next level,” he said.

Billy said he hopes Addison does but that he does not feel the same way about Preslee.

“As much as I would like to see her play sports at a college level, it’s more of a job, which kind of takes the fun out of it. Her future is academics,” he said.

Regardless of whether Preslee or Brooklyn continue basketball after high school, these two seniors remain appreciative of what their high school tenures have given them.

“The Lady Dogie program has given me the opportunity to play with my blood sister, but I would consider all the girls my sisters in some way,” Preslee said.

“Years from now (my sisters and I) will be able to look back on these memories and be grateful we had the opportunity to share the court as teammates,” Brooklyn said.