NO RIVALRY

WASILLA — Two years separate Kate Klapperich and younger sister Mary, but age seems to be about the only thing that sets these siblings apart.

Kate jokes there may be some sort of twin telepathy going on, a connection much more profound than that of typical siblings. It’s apparent off the basketball court, where each calls their sister not just a sibling, but best friend. And it’s obvious on the floor, where Kate (a senior) and Mary (a sophomore) have helped the Colony Knights girls’ basketball team earn a Northern Lights Conference championship and No. 3 seed in the upcoming 4A state tournament.

Kate and Mary are each part of the Klapperich family love for basketball — Colony basketball in particular. And they’re enjoying the ride along a trail blazed by older sister Kristina, a former Knights standout and 2004 Colony graduate who later played four years of college basketball at Central Washington.

Kate and Mary each have vivid memories of going into the Colony High gym night after night to watch their older sister play.

“Kristina paved the way for us,” Kate said. “She was always so much older, but we’d always go to her games.”

Kate and Mary were the little sisters, elementary aged, running up and down the bleachers.

“I remember distinct memories, sitting in the stands, dreaming of the day I could go out there; Kaitlyn and I could both go out there,” Mary said. “If it wasn’t for Kristina, I wouldn’t have started basketball. I’ve always looked up to both my sisters.”

These days, they’re still running in that same gym, but now as two of the Colony’s starting five.

“Growing up I always looked forward to playing with Mary,” Kate said. “I never thought it’d be as exciting and fun as it’s been. It’s one thing to play with your sister, but another to play with your best friend.”

It’s been a memorable season for the Colony girls program. The Knights finished 8-2 in NLC play during the regular season and upset top-ranked Wasilla in the NLC championship game. Each played pivotal roles during the Knights’ effort to win the title. Colony trailed Wasilla by double digits early, but each sister hit a pair of three-pointers during a critical second-quarter rally. The Knights used a 10-5 run during the fourth quarter to edge the Warriors and claim their third title in four years.

“That moment after the buzzer went off, it had nothing to do with Wasilla, it’s the fact we were No. 1 in the NLC, something we’ve tried to overcome for the last two years,” Kate said. “Wasilla is an amazing team full of strong athletes. (Wasilla head coach Jeannie Hebert-Truax) is an amazing coach. (Our team) put in all the hard work and effort, bared our whole bodies and our souls. To see it finally pay off was one of the greatest feelings.”

Kate said as soon as the final buzzer signaled the end of the championship game, Mary was the first person she looked to for that championship embrace.

“I’ll share these memories the rest of my life with her,” Kate said.

Mary said it’s hard to even begin to describe the feeling of winning the hard-fought championship, especially alongside her older sister.

“It’s one of the most incredible experiences, an amazing, amazing feeling,” Mary said.

Two years younger than Kate, Mary said she didn’t expect to have this type of opportunity to play with Kate before she graduated. Little things, like hearing both of their names called each game as part of the starting lineup and giving that little nod to each other each time, are the special moments that stand out, Mary said.

Both have also grown into new roles within the Knights program this year.

Once called “Baby Kate,” Kate is now a captain and leader on the team, a role that she has embraced.

“I love it. I was the young one everyone called ‘Baby Kate,’ looking up to everyone else,” Kate said. “Now (my teammates) value what I have to say. That’s the greatest compliment in the world.”

Colony head coach Tom Lincoln said he’s seen Kate elevate her game in a variety of areas. She passes, penetrates and is a top shooter in the game. Lincoln said Kate could have the quickest first step on the dribble as anyone in the state. Others in the state have noticed, too. After being named first-team All-NLC, Kate was also named first-team all-state.

Mary, 6-foot sophomore and natural wing, has taken her game to a new level, by stepping inside. Growing up facing the basket, with the ability to shoot from long range, Mary is now a threat in the paint, posting up. Kate said she’s watched her sister grow into a versatile talent, who was named second-team all-state.

“I’m my sister’s biggest fan,” Kate said. “She’s by far the most athletic person I know. It doesn’t matter if it’s volleyball, soccer, basketball; she has the body, the build and the competitive drive.”

The Klapperich family is serious about and proud of their Catholic faith, but the sport of basketball is also an important part of their lives. And it’s not just the three sisters; it’s something parents John and Joan also embrace.

“People say there are those football families or soccer families,” Kate said. “We could talk about basketball from the minute we wake up until the minute we go to bed.”

Mary said her parents have always been there to support.

“They’re always our biggest fans,” Mary said.

John isn’t shy about sharing how proud he is about his daughters. He said their goals have been lofty since they were little. But they’ve always been willing to put in the extra effort to make things possible, whether it is a commitment to academics and athletics, or simply working during their spare time to earn money to attend basketball camps or travel with teams outside the state. He’s just as proud of their character as their athletic abilities, he said.

Kate and Mary watched Kristina achieve her goals. Kate realized a goal of her own when she signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Regis University in Colorado. Most who know Mary feel the sky could be the limit for the youngest Klapperich, a volleyball and basketball standout at CHS.

But right now, Kate and Mary are only thinking about their final weekend of high school basketball together — the 4A state tourney which starts Thursday in Anchorage.

“I don’t even want to think about when (Kate) goes off to college. She’s my best friend and my sister,” Mary said.

The focus is on the final three days of the season, enjoying the time with their teammates, playing their final games together as the Knights pursue a state title.

“I really think that state trophy is in our minds,” Kate said. “We’re playing our best basketball right now. It’ll be exciting to see what happens.”