GOLDEN, Colorado — A game of horse can be competitive. Especially when you’ve been playing against each other your whole life.
“I mean we’re sisters like, we’re gonna clash sometimes,” Ashley Van Sickle laughed and smiled. “We’re very similar ages and same friend group so of course we do clash. We’re definitely competitive.”
Sammy and Ashley Van Sickle are now playing hoops together at Mines, but their journey started when they were taking trips to the Great 8 and the final four as Ralston Valley Mustangs.
“To have us as sisters like on that team, growing up, playing in the same programs and just going there together I’d say that was a super cool experience,” said Sammy, who was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and also became the Orediggers all-time leading rebounder this season.
Ashley went to play five years at Montana State, but she had one more year left of eligibility. Sammy just finished her fourth season at Mines. And then, she had an idea.
“I would say I told her she was gonna come here before she told me she was gonna come here,” explained Sammy.
“Getting to be with Sammy, drive to school together, and go to the same classes with her and her tutor me is like, no one else has that, you know? So it’s really awesome,” said Ashley.
The Arvada natives are back together: smack talking and cheering each other on. Sammy says she is grateful for this experience.
“Everything we envisioned like how this would go is kinda coming to fruition right now so that part’s really really cool.”
With the Van Sickles sisters, there are baskets, laughs, and priceless moments.
“Just having here here and experience everything with her, she gets to come to Sunday family dinner, smiled Sammy. Sammy says she’s glad to be there for more family events now, “I haven’t been able to celebrate her birthday in years so we finally got to do something together. We’re gonna get to tell your families and kids later on like we got to play together at Mines like at home, in front of our family. Super special.”