TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - There's never really been a time where Lincoln's Erin Turral hasn't suited up alongside twin sister Erica.
"This is probably my first year not playing with Erica so it is kind of weird," she laughed. "I'm used to having her on the court."
From State titles at FAMU DRS, to reaching the Final Four in their freshmen year at Lincoln, the double dose of talent was separated this season after Erica tore her ACL, moving Erin from a shooting role, to running the Lincoln offense.
"When she got hurt, it made me step up," said Erin. "When Erica went down I had to get more vocal and take more of a role and everything."
"This is a new role for her. She's always had her sister to balance things out.," added Lincoln head girls basketball coach Rod Mack. "She hasn't always had to be the point guard and the scoring guard."
Which is what makes what she's doing even more impressive. Erin is averaging close to 33 points per game, even scoring 60 at a game in December.
"With her having such a high IQ, sometimes you sit back and you watch her and you forget to make sure you're coaching her," said Mack. "That's probably the toughest thing this year vs. last year with Erica being out is making sure now that she understands not only to be the score for us, but you have to facilitate being one of the better ball handlers."
A ball handler that's getting National recognition, as Erin is a finalist for both USA Today and Gatorade Player of the Year honors, recognition that is driving Erin to be even better.
"I think that motivates her to stay in the gym 5-6 days a week or stay working on her craft," said Mack. "It's become more of a challenge and goal to see how can I top what I've done already?"
"I don't really like think about it a lot, but right now, it's kind of good though," smiled Erin, who admits, she just loves playing the game.
Mack said Players of the Year for both USA Today and Gatorade will be announced within the next two months.
