Prep Basketball:

Siblings working together to help Coronado climb the ranks

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Brothers Adam (left) and Nicholas Schmitt watch from the bench as Coronado plays against the Patriots at Liberty High on Dec. 16.

By Jared Harmon (contact)

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 | 5:40 p.m.

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Coronado sophomore Adam Schmitt (10) takes a pass from a teammate during a game against Liberty on Dec. 16.

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Coronado senior Nicholas Schmitt (21) comes in off the bench against Liberty during a game on Dec. 16.

High school sports section

Separated by two years, Coronado's Schmitt brothers have always been competitive.

Whether it's video games, academics or anything else, senior Nick Schmitt and sophomore Adam Schmitt can turn it into a contest.

But Coronado basketball is where they draw the line.

"We can be real competitive. When we play 1-on-1 it gets intense," Adam Schmitt said. "We argue, we fight, but when we step in the gym we're teammates first and brothers second. We can be competitive about everything else but not the program."

The brothers each have key roles for the Cougars off the bench and combine to average 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game through Jan. 5.

Their biggest game this season came on Dec. 8 against Pahrump Valley, when they combined for 18 points in the Cougars' 89-53 victory.

"They're both shooters and they're both very versatile," Coronado coach Paul Berg said. "They're a real asset because they can come off the bench and come in as a wing or guard or post when we need them. The big things is they come off firing. It's huge to get that level of production off the bench."

Berg described Adam Schmitt as the more fearless of the two who will charge into any situation while Nick Schmitt's experience has led him to be more analytical and deliberate.

One attribute they do share, he added, was the attitude he credits with always lightening the atmosphere in the locker room.

"We've always gotten along pretty well, and basketball was something that has kept us close," Nick Schmitt said.

Adam Schmitt said those marathon games helped shape the type of player he is today.

"Playing all the time with Nick, because he was always older and bigger than me, helped me get a lot better," Adam Schmitt said. "Because I was always testing myself against him, when I would play kids my own age it was nothing. "

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.