A quick look at the basketball court when the Wright City girls basketball team is in action would have people doing a double-take.

That’s because senior guards and twins, Kaitlyn and Kaylee Mikus, are both important parts of the line-up for the Wildcats.

Even though they both play big parts, they’re not identical parts, or identical people, Kaitlyn said.

“People just assume we're always going to be the same, we’re not the same,” Kaitlyn said. “We’re completely different, depending on the people we’re around. She’s more outgoing around random people, but when I’m around people I know, I am outgoing. It depends on who we’re comfortable around.”

While the type of people may make a difference in how the Mikus sister display their personalities, they both feel that it’s their teammates – and each other – who help bring out the best basketball players in them.

“We play well together,” Kaylee said. “I’ve always had someone to support me, whether we’re losing or winning. I’ve always had someone to pick me up.”

“I’ve been playing with her so long, I know what she’s thinking on the court,” Kaitlyn added. “I know her moves, her skills, where she’s going to be and what she’s going to do. We connect a lot of the time with passes and stuff, but really she picks me up and is there for me.”

The pair supports each other and the team very well, Coach Dustin Elledge said.

While Kaitlyn (4.5 points per game) and Kaylee (1.4 PPG) play roles in the team’s 34.1 points per game, Elledge said that it's on defense where the sisters shine.

“It means a lot having them here, their leadership and their willingness to work, “Elledge said. “Having them both here has helped on the defensive side, seeing them working hard. Offensively, Katelyn is coming on big time. It is great to have their expertise.”

Even though basketball has the pair’s full attention, their interests tend to diverge away from the court.

Kaitlyn is also a member of the Wildcats soccer team in the spring. Last year, she helped the team to an 8-11-1 record.

On the other hand, basketball is the only sport for Kaylee. She is active in clubs, such as FFA. The chance to carve their own path appeals to both, they said.

 “Sometimes when we’re around each other too much, we can (butt) heads, but that’s mostly about her being my sister; everybody is going to do that sometimes (with a sibling),” Kaitlyn said. “When we’re away from each other, it is good, but I also miss the person who’s always been there for me.”

“I don’t like it when people say that we’re the same person,” Kaylee said. “I do like having my own individuality. We each do our own things.”

That path may well diverge after graduation for the sisters.

While their career choices could be thought of as somewhat similar, the way they go about them will differ, in the beginning, at least, as Kaitlyn is looking into being a medical technician while Kaylee is thinking about dentistry.

“I’m looking at being an ultrasound tech,” Kaitlyn said. “I think I’m going to go to St. Charles Community College and doing A-plus. She’s talking about Missouri Western, so I might look into transferring there if they have what I want. I’m also thinking about Radiology.”

No matter how the basketball season or high school finishes for the pair, one thing is certain.

They will continue to have each other, no matter where their paths lead.

'Where we end up, who knows?’ Kaylee said. “I do know she’ll always be there for me, just like I’ll always be there for her.”