At 6-2 in height, Orangeburg-Wilkinson center Erika Sumpter stands about five inches taller than older sister and former "Miss South Carolina Basketball" guard Brittany Sumpter.

Yet the "Big Little Sister" and team's leading scorer and rebounder still very much aspires to reach the championship goals and individual accomplishments her older sibling achieved during five seasons with the Bruinettes.

"It does make me want to work hard seeing how great my sister did and everything," Erika said. "I really look up to her and everything she did. It's very important to me."

These days, Erika does not have to call long distance to Charlotte to get hoops advice or inspiring talks from her older sister. The University of Charlotte graduate is currently the head coach of the undefeated O-W girls' junior varsity team and is an assistant on the varsity team which is two wins shy of clinching their 21st region title with a win in tonight's 7 p.m. game against Goose Creek.

"I'm enjoying it," Brittany said. "It's a transition because I'm so use to being out there doing things myself. Going from that position to come into the position where I have to tell them and hopefully, they'll visualize what I'm saying. But the passion for the game and just loving the game, it's all the same."

Despite averaging 13 points and nine rebounds per game for O-W (17-2, 6-0), Erika still gets an earful from Brittany, only it also takes place on the bench.

"It's just like home," Erika said. "No slack."

While Brittany pulls no punches in critiquing Erika's game, she does not try to add onto the expectation placed upon her based on her family pedigree as the younger sister of a two-time state champion and daughter of a former All-State forward.

"I never, ever put any pressure on her to perform because she's my younger sister," Brittany said. "I've always supported her no matter what she was doing. Just the fact that she picked up basketball, I feel like I have a certain amount of knowledge that I can pass over to her. That's what I try to do whenever I have the chance."

"She pushes and gives a sincere, honest push with Erika," O-W girls' basketball coach Joshua Staley. "She doesn't baby her because she's her little sister and she doesn't give her any special treatment. She coaches her in a very professional manner and she gets the best out of her."

Erika is not the only Bruinette who gets the same treatment from her older sister. Having known many of the current varsity players since their middle school days playing at the city gym, Brittany is almost like a big sister to them as well.

"I look at all these girls in the same light," Brittany said. "Just like I would push her, I've pushed 'Teia (Brailey), I've pushed Shawanda (Hanton), Waneeshia (Perry), 'Meka (Daniels). I push all of them the same, so it's not all in the same light. I want the best for all of them and I just want all of them to do good."

Sumpter's past linkage to the program's past title history and her enthusiasm has been a plus for the Bruinettes, according to Staley.

"She's brought a whole other level of expectations and high standards," he said. "By her being a part of this program and being a part of a championship team and championship program, she brought that in and gets that out of the girls on the varsity and the JV level and it's a blessing to have her on the team."

Erika's six-game absence with a sprained right foot provided a different blessing as it showed the depth of the Bruinettes' frontcourt. Senior Jessica Jenkins had double figure rebounds in three of the games missed by Erika, Kenyatta Thrower has averaged 10 boards the past six games and sophomore Janee' Simmons has provided a boost both scoring and under the boards.

"We were able to come together," Staley said. "Jessica really upped her point total while Erika was out...Janee' was averaging 8-9 a game while Erika was out and Shameka Daniels and Kenyatta Thrower really upped their totals."

With Erika still less than 100 percent for the first meeting against Goose Creek on Jan. 11, the frontcourt stepped up defensively in holding All-State forward Sierra Williams to two points.

"Those girls always do good and still are," Erika said. "All of us together are unstoppable and we're hoping to reach the same goal which is a championship."

Williams missed the Lady Gators' last contest on Friday against Stratford, but Staley expects to see her in action for Goose Creek (17-3, 4-2).

"I'm fully anticipating Sierra being there by far," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that she's going to play. If she plays, we're prepared. If she doesn't play, we're still prepared. But I'm anticipating that she's going to play."

n T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

TONIGHT'S T&D REGION PREP BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

(S.C. High School League)

Denmark-Olar at Allendale-Fairfax 6 p.m.

Silver Bluff at Edisto 6 p.m.

Pelion at C.A. Johnson 6 p.m.

Woodland at Barnwell 6 p.m.

Airport at Swansea 6 p.m.

Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Blackville-Hilda 6:30 p.m.

St. John's at Branchville 6:30 p.m.

Calhoun County at Ridge Spring-Monetta 6:30 p.m.

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler at North 6:30 p.m.

Hilton Head Island at Lake Marion 6;30 p.m.

Goose Creek at Orangeburg-Wilkinson 6:30 p.m.

(SCISAA)

Colleton Prep at Jefferson Davis Academy 4 p.m.

Thomas Sumter Academy at Orangeburg Prep 6 p.m.

Holly Hill Academy at Bowman Academy 6:15 p.m.

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