Discuss a double-double.
A pair of fraternal twins are main the way in which for Nice Neck South’s varsity basketball group, which is undefeated and vying to win all of it in Nassau County for the primary time since 1967.
Seniors John and Jesse Roggendorf, 17, mixed for 48 factors throughout the Rebels’ most up-to-date victory in opposition to MacArthur Excessive College that moved them to 14-0 — however that’s simply been the tip of the iceberg for the twins.
The dynamic duo — John is a 6-foot-5 ahead and Jesse a 6-1 guard — have been difference-makers on the courtroom at their North Shore college since first making varsity as freshmen.
Having a sibling rivalry has been the very best factor for his or her highschool careers.
“Each time we play one-on-one, whether or not within the yard or on the courtroom, we’re all the time pushing one another,” John instructed The Publish, including that the 2 eat, sleep and breathe basketball.
He teaches his brother, who is 2 minutes youthful, methods to be extra highly effective, and Jesse returns the favor by enhancing his finesse and quickness.
They dedicate six hours a day to coaching and watching recreation movies. The 2 say they’ll constructively critique one another’s video games higher than their very own.
“They’ve taken this system to the following stage,” Nice Neck South coach Mike Holleran instructed The Publish.
Jesse, final 12 months’s convention participant of the 12 months, is understood for having a humorousness, Holleran stated. John, who made all-county as a sophomore, is regarded for exhibiting maturity.
“John averages a double-double, and Jesse is our main scorer with over 1,000 profession factors,” their coach stated.
Holleran is so impressed with the Roggendorfs that he offers them the freedom to resolve issues equivalent to whether or not to remain in man or zone on protection.
“We get a whole lot of belief. I see issues [Jesse] doesn’t, and he sees issues I don’t,” John stated. “It actually helps us.”
As severe about basketball as the 2 are, in addition they let their personalities shine by means of. John wears quantity 20 and Jesse takes 10, as a operating joke that John is “twice” his twin’s measurement.
Their lightheartedness has led to ironclad teamwork, because the Roggendorf boys say that is probably the most tight-knit group they’ve been part of.
“They really feel like our prolonged household now, too,” Jesse stated, recalling the various off-court journeys to Applebee’s the Rebels have taken collectively.
Nonetheless, that’s not why the twins and their teammates have been hungry for Nice Neck South’s first county championship title since earlier than the Jets received the Tremendous Bowl.
Final 12 months, because the No. 1 seed with 17 wins, the group fell quick within the quarterfinal of the AA class of Part VIII in opposition to Floral Park’s Sewanhaka Excessive College.
“We wish it extra now,” Jesse stated. John added that the half-off apps have turn out to be a full-court push as the additional chemistry “is beginning to present” all through the undefeated run.
“We’re rising and getting higher collectively,” he stated.
Nonetheless, with six video games left — the following is a rematch in opposition to MacArthur on Friday evening — nothing is being taken with no consideration.
“We care extra about going undefeated to have a bonus within the playoffs,” John stated.
“We actually wish to put 2025 underneath the 1967 banner,” Jesse added.
The standout athletes stated they’d like to play in faculty after highschool. They’re contemplating just a few colleges upstate.
“We’ve been on the identical groups our entire lives,” John stated. “However we’ve talked about it, and it is likely to be enjoyable to lastly face off in opposition to each other subsequent 12 months.”
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