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LAUREL HILL — There is a definite family resemblance between Laurel Hill boys basketball players Tommy and Tamaria Calloway. It’s evident in their physical appearance and the way they play basketball.
Tommy, a senior, and Tamaria, a junior, give the Hoboes a strong one-two punch at guard on both ends of the floor. On any given night, the brothers will top Laurel Hill’s scoring chart as they continue the family tradition their older brother Travon, a 2012 Laurel Hill graduate, began.
Tommy and Tamaria said it’s fun playing with their siblings and enjoying instincts the brothers often share on the floor.
“It’s been really good because we’ve been able to do it all together,” Tommy said. “We help each other rather than us trying to do it all alone. And to play as a team, we can pull for each other.
“Sometimes, I can just feel where my brother is without looking. We can feel each other wherever we are on the court; we can feel exactly where each other is … so if we are in trouble, we can get each other the ball.”
Tamaria, the youngest and tallest of the three brothers, appreciates playing with his older brothers.
“Last year, it felt good because there were all three of us on the court and we communicated good,” he said. “And we worked together as a team. This year, it’s still the same, but not like it was last year because there are only two of us.”
Longtime Hobo assistant coach Ronnie Smith praised the Calloways as players and students.
“They are tremendous young men,” he said. “They are leaders in the school. Travon was Homecoming King, which means they’ve got the respect of their peers, and Tommy won the Homecoming King (title) this year.
“And it wouldn’t surprise me if Tamaria did (next year), which goes to show how respected they are and well liked in the school. Both guys come to school and do things the right way. They are a pleasure to be around every day.
The Calloways bring multiple skill sets to the court, Smith said.
“Both of them take great pride in their defense and they are pretty good offensive players too,” he said. “Tamaria plays point guard and Tommy plays the shooting guard for us. They are, I would say, 30 or 40 percent of our offense on any given night. They are very important to our basketball team.
“They work hard for their team. They come out here and give it a good day’s work every day unless they are sick or hurt. They are a pleasure to be around and those kind of guys are needed on a basketball team.”
Tommy said Travon showed him how to go strong to the basket and play with confidence and composure.
While Tommy learned from his older brother, he’s willing to take constructive criticism from Tamaria. For instance, Tamaria suggested that Tommy keep his head up when coming up the court with the ball so he could easily spot an open teammate.
Tommy said Tamaria does a good job with drawing the defenders so he can dish off to an open teammate. Tommy also pointed out that Tamaria needs to work on his outside shot.
In years to come, the Calloways will share in that extra common bond of being teammates as well as brothers and the memories that go with it.
“I’m never on the court alone,” Tommy said. “With him (Tamaria) on the floor, I feel comfortable because we have been playing basketball together the longest time.
“Having him on the court just makes me feel comfortable because I know what he’s going to do.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Double trouble Calloway style