In the photo to the left, Triad’s Frani LeVan (23) goes up for a shot in this file photo. She finished her senior season with more than 1,000 career points. At the right, Cati LeVan of Triad (13) drives the baseline. Like her sister, she went over the 1,000-point milestone this season. (Journal-Tribune photos by Sam Dillon)
An era recently came to an end for the Triad High School girls basketball team.
However, the legacy will live on for years to come.
Senior twins Frani and Cati LeVan concluded their high school hoop careers at the conclusion of the 2020-21 campaign.
They were the top scorers for a Lady Cardinal squad that posted an 8-15 record during the season.
The siblings reached the 1,000-point milestone for their four-year careers within a week of each other.
Frani tallied her 1,000th point on Thursday, Jan. 27.
Cati was right on her heels when she reached the coveted mark on Thursday, Feb. 4.
Frani finished the campaign with 344 points (15.0 per-game average), while Cati scored 323 for a 14 per-game mark.
Lady Cardinal head coach Erica Trainer had plenty of praise for the twin hoopsters.
“Cati and Frani are two of the hardest working and dedicated athletes that I have ever had the honor of coaching,” she said. “They never missed a single off-season session, as long as they were in the state and not out playing AAU basketball.
“They practiced like they played and were leaders on the floor,” said the coach. “As you can see, they have clearly left their mark at Triad High School and are two of the best girls players of all time to come through our gym.”
The LeVan girls will leave Triad as the Nos. four and five all-time Lady Cardinal basketball scorers.
Frani stands at 1,099 points for her career (fourth), while Cati is No. 5 with 1,063.
The top three scorers in Triad girls hoop history are Kelsey Funderburgh (1,631), Jennifer Burton (1,275) and Laurie Henry (1,240).
The sisters earned Ohio Heritage Conference and district accolades throughout their careers.
“Cati is an offensive powerhouse from behind the arc and has been our most consistent free throw shooter,” said Trainer. “She also has the quickest hands I know and is the only one on our team for the past four years who had the green light to steal off the dribble.”
LeVan finished her career with 287 steals and averaged nearly five per game this season.
“Cati was a selfless player and always looked for her open teammate,” said the coach. “She rebounded like crazy (5.4 per game this year) on the backside. She held herself and her teammates to the highest of standards and was one of the smartest players I have ever coached.”
Frani also averaged 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest during her senior season.
“Frani is a born leader and is going to make an amazing coach one day,” said Trainer. “She was the heart and soul of our team and the most supportive teammate.
“She was also selfless and always cheered for her teammates to succeed,” she said. “Our offense ran through her.
“She split defenders like nobody’s business and finished at the rim.”
Frani was also a weapon from the perimeter.
“She made you pay for it if you left her open behind the arc,” said Trainer. “She was a motivator, a perfectionist and a die-hard competitor.
“When the game was on the line, she wanted the ball or she wanted to guard the other team’s best player,” said the coach.
“I honestly can’t say enough about these two,” said Trainer. “They are going to be missed. I will be hard-pressed to find two other girls who love this game as much as they do.”
Although the siblings have ended their basketball careers, they will be staying together.
They both plan to attend The Ohio State University and major in biology.
The sisters have not decided whether to go into pre-medical or pre-veterinary programs.