Stefanie and Briana Gilbreath had a game plan. Go to college. Play basketball together. It seemed so simple.
Both sisters received a scholarship to USC, Stefanie first and then Briana a year later. But then things started to get complicated.
Stefanie first tore her ACL at 12 years old and then again in 2007 right before she was supposed to play in the McDonald's High School All-American Game. She sat out her freshman year at USC in order to rehabilitate properly. But she ended up tearing the same ACL (her right) just before her sophomore year and was forced to sit out a second year.
Meanwhile Briana, who is a year younger, hit the ground running as a freshman. As Stefanie watched from the sidelines for the second year in a row, Briana became the only Trojan to start all 32 games, leading USC in rebounds (5.4 rpg) and steals (1.6 spg). She averaged 10.5 points per game, making her the third leading scorer on the squad.
"I was always looked to her to be my leader. She always led me on the court and kind of told me what to do and pushed me in the right direction being out there so it was kind of tough being by myself," said Briana. "Having to learn everything new I was hoping she would be out there for me and helping me out, but I had to just play for the both of us."
Briana continued her rise to the top as a sophomore and was named Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. She led the team in rebounding (5.9 rpg), blocks (1.6 bpg), steals (1.8 spg) and was second in scoring (15.1 ppg) and assists (3.1 apg).
But Stefanie watched from the sidelines again, rehabbing from a third tear in her right ACL.
"I wanted to play. I wanted to play with my sister. That was the whole plan," said Stefanie. "It just motivated me to do better in rehab."
The older now was looking up to the younger. Whether they planned it or not, Briana's presence became an inspiration for her older sister.
Stefanie finally saw her first career action on Nov. 12, 2010 versus Gonzaga.
"Putting the jerseys on in the locker room, it was just kind of surreal. It had been so long. We kind of got a little teary eyed," said Briana. But the emotion lasted only a moment. The sisters had a game to play.
Nine days later, Stefanie had her first collegiate start -- against Long Beach State. Her first year back, she saw action in 13 games, averaged 3.9 points and 1.7 rebounds. It was a start.
In their second season together, they now bring a special chemistry to the court that head coach Michael Cooper is happy to have.
"They're almost like twins," said Cooper. "The fun part is playing them together because they know what the other is doing out on the court. Bri reads Stef well and Stef reads Bri well."
Stefanie is trying to catch up to where her sister is, but is still providing valuable skills on the perimeter for the Trojans that will help USC reach their goal of an NCAA Tournament bid. Because of a medical redshirt, Stefanie still has one year left, but this will be Briana's last season. Though both want to eventually try to play in the WNBA, after this year they might never get the chance to play on the same team again. For the first time, they don't exactly have the next step figured out.
"We're making plans, but we're trying not to think about," said Briana.
They don't need to worry about a new plan right now. They original one is finally working. Stefanie and Briana are in college and playing basketball.
Together.
