Hamden High’s twins Leah and Alana Philpotts are a devastating duo

“Do you guys play basketball?” asked Nick Economopoulos, who died earlier this year at the age of 72.

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“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” replied the twins.

“Would you like to play with AAU?”

I was nervous at first, but they said it was a big step in their game.

“The great Nick Economopoulos convinced them to play for the AAU,” Hampden High School coach Amanda Folcucci said. “From there, it’s history.”

Leah Philpotts is 22 minutes older than her fraternal twin, Alana, and together the 5-foot-8-inch junior has perhaps the most devastating 1-2 punch in state high school basketball.

There are many similarities. Also, there are some differences. Hampden’s hair showed some sort of yin-yang side to them on Tuesday night during his 66-32 win over Ponagansett (RI) in the inaugural Zigs Cecchini Holiday Basketball Challenge at Mohegan Sun Arena. best represents

Leah’s hair was carefully braided to mostly hide the left side of her dyed hair.

Alana was an amazing sight. Her hair is grown out, her right side dyed blond at the salon, and her left side is the polar opposite of her naturally dyed twins.

“It stands out,” Alana said. “I really like it. It’s my curly hair. I don’t change it.”

When she doesn’t style her hair, Leah said she rocks the look, too.

they like to be the same. they like to be a little different.

“They are both very talented,” said Forcucci. “They can go in the basket. They can create their own shots. They make a fuss. They also do all the little things, which makes it even better.”

A late start to his AAU career, now playing for the New York Gauchos, did nothing to stop them from a strong start to the season at Hampden. Hamden, who ranked him No. 5 in the first GameTimeCT poll, beat No. 1 Sacred Heart last week, leaving the Green Dragons undefeated after his three-game stretch for three days.

Against Ponagansett, Lear led with 21 points. The team took a bus home from Montville and got up early Wednesday to beat Newington easily, 59-35, in the West Haven Holiday Tournament. With Arana scoring his 17 points and being named tournament MVP, Hampden beat West Haven in Thursday’s championship, where he went 57-50.

Hamden High School’s Leah Philpotts (left) and her twin sister Alana (right). (photo courtesy)

A 7-0 record portends Hampden to take the top spot in the second poll released after the New Year.

Asked about the similarities and differences between the twins, Folcucci replied: Both can be easily scored. Both have access to the rack at all times. They are both working on their shots. They know they have to be consistent on their (outside) shots to be even better this year, next year and the next level. “

And what is the difference?

“One is a little more ridiculous than the other,” said Forcucci. “I don’t want to say either. I will plead fifth about it.

As Leah flies around the court in bright orange sneakers, her game screams louder as she quickly reaches the breakout basket, darts into the post and looks inside before returning.

But no, No. 15 Leah is more understated.

It is Alana who confirms that she is goofy. Coach, no need to plead with the Fifth. she is number 5

“We are more than sisters. We are twins,” Alana said. “We are very close. It’s a bond that not everyone understands. The love we have for each other, the way we hold each other accountable.

“We know everything about each other.”

is that good?

“Of course,” said one.

“Of course,” said the other.

High school coaches are always looking for the next generation of players. I don’t care about sports.

“There have been whispers about these two Hamden children,” Forcucci said. “They didn’t go to our middle school. It was like, ‘We have really good twins.’ I’m like, “OK, cool.”

The twins attended Hyville Charter School. He said they knew they were going to attend Hampden because Highville didn’t have a basketball team.

Better than cool for Forcucci.

It’s interesting to hear the description of the two games. They are like dual commentators.

“We both love driving,” said Leah. “We have the same competitive edge. I’m more of a shooter. She’s better defensively.”

“I agree,” Alana said.

“I’ve been working on getting the shots together,” said Leah. “It’s good for me once I’m in college so I can focus on my shots, free throws and things like that.”

“So am I,” Alana said. “That includes defense. .”

And they don’t take anything for granted.

“Never,” said one.

“Never,” said another.

“We pick each other up,” said one.

“We push it on each other,” said another.

So who will win 1v1? They get asked that question all the time.

“I,” Alana said. “I’m going to beat her.”

“Whoever wins, whoever wins,” said Leah. “Different every day.”

Over the past few years, Seishin Gakuen has been without its best players. It had the most depth. As influential as the twins, Folucci knew Hampden had to be more than Leah and Alana to be SCC and state champion.

Gianna Donnarmo can hit threes. Camora Moore can move and is an effective scorer. It was Gianna Robert who scored the basket with one second left in overtime to beat Sacred Heart.

“We had kids last year and this year who thought the twins would do it all,” Forcucci said. “There was even a moment when we were watching the movie where the twins were literally doing something and everyone else was standing there. We saw the movie. We talked about it.” The other kids have built their confidence in the offseason, which is huge, and now you have five kids on the floor who are expected to do something.

Sacred Heart?

“Statement game,” said Leah.

“Statement game,” Alana said. “A lot of people didn’t respect us.

The idea of ​​suddenly being a team wearing targets doesn’t scare the twins.

“Of course, whenever you’re feeling good, you say, ‘We should beat that team,’ right?” Folcucci said. “Knocking out Sacred Heart was obviously big.

And the twins say it’s up to them to keep developing their game and improving their shots.

“It’s not an option,” said Leah. “We have to do it.”

So far, Howard and LIU have offered Division I scholarships.

“They continue to prove themselves,” said Forcucci. “They will get a little more.”

They will always push each other and keep each other accountable, said one twin.

My partner always said.