Sister Act Powers Grosse Pointe North

Senior Micaela Liddane dribbled the ball past center court, dogged by a pesky defender, and stopped just shy of the 3-point line. She held the ball with both hands above her head, ready to make a pass.

Her teammates moved around Chippewa Valley defenders Thursday night until one of them were open.

Liddane fired a pass to the Norsemen’s lone freshman, her sister, Maria Liddane.

The younger of the two sisters took a triple-threat stance with the ball and watched as Micaela raced to her left toward the basket, getting just open enough for Maria to bounce a pass to her. She did.

Moments later, the ball fell through the hoop and the two ran down the court and played defense.

Sure, sometimes the roles are reversed and the recipients of such a pass are different, but nonetheless, these two girls are vital parts of what the Norsemen try to do each night, and perfect fits to a brand of basketball GPN has brought to the floor for many years—play smart, play hard and play defense.

Although injuries (North has played with as few as seven girls numerous times this year) and inexperience have hindered North’s Macomb Area Conference Red Division title hopes this season, what the squad has been able to do despite this has been remarkable.

The squad is currently 5-5 in the Red and still technically in the hunt for a share of the crown.

Maria and Micaela Liddane are a big part of this remarkable season.

Micaela’s contribution to the squad is obvious to anyone who has watched the team. She’s the team’s primary ball handler and the unquestioned leader.

“She does a lot for us,” North coach Gary Bennett said. “She’s got a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. She’s a leader for us by how hard she plays. She does a lot for us.”

Micaela has also stepped her offensive game this season, Bennett says.

“She’s a significantly better offensive player this year than last year,” the coach said. “This year she set her mind to becoming a better offensive player and she’s done that.”

The younger Liddane, Maria, starts for the squad in the backcourt, along with Micaela, and Bennett says this isn’t by accident.

“She has a very high basketball IQ, and she has a really good feel for the game,” Bennett says. “She also gives us another really good ball handler on the floor and that’s good. She’s earned it.”

Freshman or not, Micaela sees her sister as vital to the squad.

“I couldn’t imagine not having her on the court,” Micaela said. “I mean, she is a very essential part of this team. I think we complement each other really well. It’s worked out nicely for the both of us.”

There is a noticeable connection on the court between the two, and their games do seem to reflect this, despite the fact that this is the first organized team they’ve played on together.

“I wouldn’t call it telepathy,” Maria said. “But I think we do have something out there. I mean we have our handshake and all, but I do think there is a little something else.”

Micaela agreed.

“I think I can notice it more as the season goes on,” Micaela said. “In the beginning of the year it was different, but now, it seems like we’re clicking more and more, and there is definitely a connection.”

It’s a connection prep sports fan rarely see—siblings on the same varsity team—but it’s an experience Maria and Micaela Liddane will remember long after they’ve moved on from the halls of Grosse Pointe North.

“People always ask me if it’s annoying to play with your sister,” Maria said, smiling. “I always tell them that I think it’s great. I really enjoy it. I really do.  I think it’s something that has definitely made us closer, too. We’ve become good pals, I guess you could say. I think it’s been great. ”