EVANSVILLE — Kynidi Mason Striverson and Alana Striverson shared the near-side basket of the University of Evansville women’s basketball team practice facility, as they have with many things throughout their lives. The sisters, now on the same team again for the first time since winning an Indiana state title with Silver Creek, were shooting free throws at the end of practice before heading to the bus for a road trip.
They’ve long done things like this — sports together. It’s the kind of sibling bond siblings know. Competitive but loving; fierce but fun. It didn’t, however, start on the hardwood, but on the pitch.
They had different attitudes toward soccer. Kynidi was a high-pressing runner who never stopped moving — “Defensive queen,” she said. Alana, well, wasn’t. She was the one sitting on the side, picking dandelions on the field and not quite enjoying it as much as her sister — “I hated it,” she said.
That led Alana, coached by their mother, to the basketball court. Kynidi soon followed.
“I think what kept me in it was her,” Kynidi said. “Seeing her push, even before I started playing. … Seeing that at a young age, seeing her persevere and try to be successful at what she liked, it was kinda like I wanted a piece of that, too.”
That connection brought them together again with the Purple Aces. Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells recalled a time in summer workouts when Alana had just joined UE from Lindenwood and one of the sisters hard-fouled the other. “I was just kinda waiting,” Scherr-Wells said. But nothing came of it. They carried on with their business. “It was just like normal for them,” she said. No one got mad. Both kept playing.
“They compliment each other really well,” Scherr-Wells said. “They really build each other up. While they’re competitive, they do it in a really, really supportive way.”
That’s just who they are. It stems from the bond that came from sisterhood, a competitive edge that started on the soccer field — regardless of one running and the other’s interest in botany — and translated to the hardwood. It fueled state title pushes and has them both playing college basketball together.
“That’s kinda helped us make our bond and relationship stronger,” Alana said. “We kinda know what the next person’s gonna do without saying anything. All you need is a little eye contact and we’re on the same page.”
Scott Schoen: ‘They were our hardest workers’
The Striversons moved to Sellersburg, albeit with some angst, but gave it a chance. Seeing a basketball practice changed things. Things moved from there. They made a run to the sectional final only to lose on a buzzer-beater. Kynidi said that loss “is what made everything happen.”
The summer message was clear: “We’re winning a state championship.” Both talked about the work and how competitive practices were, with the players who didn’t get as many minutes making everyone better with their performances: “When did everyone become Steph Curry?” Alana said.
They wanted that title. Kynidi and Alana were paramount to that.
“Kynidi and Alana were exactly what we needed as far as attitude, as far as the work ethic. Their leadership qualities,” Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen said. “They were our hardest workers and they were fun to coach.”
The Dragons completed that run, beating South Bend Washington in the state final. Schoen watched his players pile on each other on the floor, a smile on his face. There’s no greater feeling. This was the mountaintop.
UE women’s basketball: Inside the University of Evansville women’s basketball team’s efforts this season
“There’s a lot of people that are like, ‘You’re really going to keep talking about the success you had in high school?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes,’” Alana said. “I will keep my ring, I will keep my little posters. Until you’re in it and you know the long haul of what that actually means, no one can take that away from any of the players or coaches on that staff.”
That was Alana and Kynidi’s senior and junior seasons, respectively. What better way to end playing together than finishing at Indiana’s highest point?
“We’ve been playing with each other since I started playing basketball,” Kynidi said. “It was like, ‘Dang, this is the last time we’re going to play together,’ and we left it at that. It sucked.”
Together again
Alana entered the portal following last season and found her home at Meeks Family Fieldhouse, back on the court with her sister again. Alana didn’t want to be blindsided by anything. Having her sister already there to fact-check was helpful.
Her commitment, and thus the continuation of their careers together, was announced on March 20.
“I thought back to those feelings,” Alana said. “I can’t pass it back up to do it again. Mom’s definitely happy. … I think it’s a nice way to have my career end on a solid, homey feel while obviously still being competitive and having that drive with Kyn with me.”
It means a lot to both to be together again. It’s not simply a state-title run or memories of one enjoying soccer more than another, it’s a sibling bond that transcends sport. It’s a connection that goes beyond the field and will continue to do so after their days on the court are finished.
“Life goes by so fast,” Kynidi said. “We’re digging in; we’re doing it for each other; we’re doing it for something bigger than us. … Things go so fast, and just to always not take iot for granted.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville basketball: Striverson sisters playing together again
