The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IDENTICAL twin brothers Trevon and Trevin Woods, the first siblings since another identical twin brothers Devard and the late Devaughn Darling, are the latest products of the Frank Rutherford Foundation to ink their names out of high school in Houston, Texas, to full athletic basketball scholarships in the United States.

The six-foot, six-inch combo guard and forward graduated from Stephen F Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas, and have now packed their bags for Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, in the Eastern Conference, starting in July where they will begin summer classes, workouts and conditioning.

Harold Woods, father of the dynamic twins who are following in the footsteps of their mother, Karen Turnquest-Woods, a former standout at both St Augustine’s College and Florida International University, said he’s proud of his sons’ accomplishment. Trevon is the combo guard and Trevin is a combo forward. Together, they make an awesome duo on the court.

“It’s a blessing because it’s been kind of hard. They are the last two out of five, so it’s a blessing that they were able to work hard, coming over here to Frank Rutherford in Houston from Louisiana so they can get exactly what they are getting now,” the senior Woods said.

“This is the manifestation that me and Frank talked about back in October of 2011. So all I can say it’s a blessing and to God be the glory.”

Initially, Woods said he didn’t know what to expect, but they relied heavily on the information that they got from Rutherford in terms of what he can assure them and that was an athletic scholarship for both of them and he delivered on his promise.

“The same positions that he told us they should be training for is the same position that they were recruited for,” the elder Woods said. “So Frank Rutherford knows his basketball and he knows talent when he sees it to say the least.”

Now that the mission has been accomplished, the elder Woods said their prayers is that their children will continue to stay focused on the goal ahead of them.

“We want them to stay focus and remain diligent and that they work hard and raise the bar and keep the high standards so that whatever they endeavour to do after they finish their college run, it will be a cake walk,” he said. “I always tell them that they have to keep God first.

“That’s one of the things I try to encourage them because it ain’t about them, but it is the talent and skill that God has blessed them with. All they are doing is working hard to bring that out. So they have to bring him glory on and off the court and in and outside of the classroom.”

Reflecting on their gems, the elder Woods said he remembers watching their mom, Karen Turnquest-Woods, score 50 points to help SAC Big Red Machine’s senior girls’ basketball team demolish the Government High Magicwomen all by herself.

“This is an extension of her where God has blessed her with two boys to carry on that baton because she was supposed to go and play overseas, but she neglected to,” said the elder Woods. “This is a chip off the old block from their mom. So I’m quite sure she is also very proud of their accomplishments and we will look to see what God will do with them in the future.”

Rutherford, who has been successful in securing athletic scholarships for a number of Bahamians through his Frank Rutherford Foundation in Houston, said the twins are compared to the Oklahoma Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook as far as his athleticism is concerned.

“Their mother is a specimen herself, very tall lady, who played on the women’s national team, so I’m really impressed with the family,” he said. “Both Harold and Karen have put in the virtues of God into the boys. They are very humble kids, very hard working, very good looking and now they have an opportunity to go to a university where they can develop in their natural positions as point guards or two-guard or even combo guards.

“They will have the opportunity at the end of the day, take their team to the NCAA Tournament plus making a serious case to be drafted in the NBA, once God continues to bless them with health and strength. They are going to a place where they love them and they are looking forward to them coming in and making a contribution.

“LIU have a strong programme with Damian Lillard as a former player, who is now the starting point guard for the Portland Trailblazers. The boys are going through the same process. They could have gone to the big tier schools and sit behind the McDonald All-Americans and wait their time. But it’s all about getting on the floor as a freshman and proving yourself and the school they have chosen will give them all that they need.”

Rutherford said when he first made contact with the elder Woods, who is living in Louisiana with his wife, he was able to make the transition for them to Houston where their sons were able to carry on their dreams of following in the footsteps of their mother. Unfortunately, their father lost his sight, so Rutherford said it was a special bond that they developed as a result of their move.

“Their motivation came from the fact that they need to raise up their levels to help their families,” Rutherford said. “That’s what we’re all about here in Houston, helping families to get to the next level. That’s what my foundation represents. I can’t just stand by and see my fellow Bahamians need my help and I can’t lend a helping hand. That’s the least I can do.”

Looking at the progress that the twins have made, Rutherford said the Bahamas has a lot to look forward to from them. He said they remind him of his nephews, twin brothers Devard and Devaughn Darling, who had promising football careers coming out of the Frank Rutherford Foundation.

“They have an opportunity to be drafted into the NBA just because of their size and the positions that they play,” he said. “That was the key. You’re going to be hearing a lot from them.”

The Darling brothers went on to play at Stephen F Austin High School before they were enrolled at Florida State University until the death of Devaughn Darling.

Devard Darling eventually transferred to Washington State University where he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft and he went on to play for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans.