by Alexis Riddick
Many teams consider themselves family, but this is actually true for sophomores Dexter, Desmond and Donovan Dowling, who play varsity basketball.
Dexter and Desmond are fraternal twins whose first cousin is Donovan. They have been next-door neighbors their entire lives and share the same initials, D.D.D.
It is a family tradition for the males to have the “D” sound in their names. The females have their own unique set of initials.
When people refer to the brothers as “the twins,” Dexter said it doesn’t bother him because each has something different to bring to the table.
“I’m the quieter one, while Des is more talkative and outgoing,” Dexter said.
The trio has been playing ball for 10 years since the age of five, so they have developed chemistry.
“We use the chemistry to put up more points and help our team get more wins,” Desmond said.
Donovan is a small forward; Desmond is a power forward, and Dexter is a center.
“If one of us is in the game, then the other is looking to give pointers on the other’s game,” Dexter said.
Junior Christopher Rhem said it is difficult to play against them because they form a “triangle” and dominate the game regardless of the score.
Junior center Kristopher Wilson has played ball with the Dowlings since he was 5, including AAU basketball and Blue Devil basketball. Kristopher said the Dowlings are fun to be around.
“I don’t think it’s weird for them all to play together. They’ve played well together for so long and bring a lot of energy. They’re just a close family,” Kristopher said.
The Dowlings are committed to each other and the team. Their goal is to win district games and have their new coach Donald Payton put them on the court together more often.
“We’re a team, so he should be able to have anybody on the court at any time. We all made the team for a reason,” Desmond said.
While they might not get on the court together, the dynamic trio lives by the motto, “Dowling isn’t just a name—it’s a movement.”
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