CHOCOWINITY — It can take years to build the perfect chemistry between a point guard and the team’s top scorer. Fortunately for Southside that won’t be much of a problem this season.
While this year might be sophomore Donshae Miller’s first playing point guard on the varsity level, he has logged in a lifetime of minutes playing with his brother Rokeem Miller, the Seahawks’ starting SF/SG and leading scorer.
Last year, Rokeem handled a bulk of the point guard duties for Southside and still managed to score a team-high 17 points per game en route to being named a WDN All-Area first-teamer.
This year, Southside coach Sean White was hoping to alleviate his team’s top scorer from some of his ball-handling duties and was in desperate need of one of his young point guards to step up.
If only there was another Miller?
Luckily, there was one. Donshae won the starting job in the preseason and appears to have solidified his role on the team.
“It’s been a blessing to have Donshae on the team,” White said. “And with that brotherly love they kind of push each other at practice a little bit more.”
While the play of the younger Miller may have caught some by surprise, it was nothing new to Rokeem.
“I believed in him and talked to him about it and told him what he had to do,” Rokeem said. “He’s come in and stepped up.”
The duo also starred on the football team as Rokeem played running back and the versatile Donshae was used as a back, a pass catcher and thrower on a verity of occasions.
Rokeem has been a successful athlete on the varsity level for some time now and can cast a big shadow, but Donshae has fully embraced playing with his big brother.
“It feels good, I love it,” Donshae said. “We used to play all the time together back in the day.”
Aside from the obvious height difference – Rokeem stands at 5-11, while Donshae is roughly 5-6 – the two have similar personalities. However, when it comes to which sport is their favorite the two part paths.
“Basketball,” said Donshae faster than he can breakdown a defender off the dribble.
“I’ll take football,” Rokeem said. “I like the contact.”
As for who wins the backyard basketball games? Rokeem gets the edge but, “Only because of my size,” said Donshae.
While the two may differ on which sport they love the most, both share the same passion to win.
“Rokeem’s a stalwart. He’s been here the whole time and he never gives up. (In Friday’s loss to Washington) he was playing hard all the way to the end,” White said. “I think he’s brother has a lot of that in him. He works hard in practice and really gives a full effort.”
“I definitely think Donshae is a little bit more quieter, but they’re both feisty on the floor. Both of them work hard and go at it. If there’s a loose ball they’re both hitting the floor for it.”
The duo will be back in action tonight, as the Seahawks host Mattamuskeet at 6 p.m.