[ HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ]
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They're the best of friends and they share the same passion for the same sport. Carson, Gravelle reunite
By Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comBut today, Iolani's Ginger Gravelle and Kalaheo's Bre Carson have to forget about a friendship that they rekindled with the help of the Internet.
Gravelle and Carson play against each other in a game that counts for both teams.
Iolani defeated Lahainaluna 60-35 to move into a quarterfinal matchup against Kalaheo in the Hawaiian Airlines Girls State Basketball Championship. The Raiders play the Mustangs at 8 p.m. in the quarterfinals at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Gravelle and Carson met 10 years ago and played in a youth basketball league together in Kailua. The two friends loved playing ball and putting Legos together. But Gravelle moved from Kailua a few years later and the two didn't see each other as often.
Seven years later, they no longer play with the plastic pieces since basketball dominates much of their lives. Both have become integral parts of their respective teams.
Carson is a 5-foot-2 point guard who helped Kalaheo reach the state championship last year as a freshman. Gravelle's team also made the state tournament in 2001, but a first-round loss to Honokaa delayed a meeting between the friends.
Gravelle and Carson competed in a preseason tournament last year and now the sophomores will stare each other down in a game neither wants to lose.
"It'll be weird," Carson said. "I don't want to lose and I don't want her to lose, either. It's kind of sad.
"We played each other last year in preseason. We hadn't talked for a long time because we went to different schools. But then we found each other through the Internet. We talk a lot more now and we're really close."
Gravelle agreed.
"It's weird because we've never really played against each other except preseason, but it didn't really count," Gravelle said. "It's going to be a different experience. We both want it. We know we have to leave everything on the court. We're always going to be friends. This is just one game. It counts, but in the long run, it doesn't really."
Gravelle said that she and Carson instant message each other every night. They also attend each other's basketball games. Carson's team had a bye yesterday so she watched the 5-10 Gravelle lead her team to a win. Gravelle scored 20 points, snagged seven rebounds and had four steals.
It's not the first time they've watched each other play. With the ILH and OIA championships on different nights, both were able to attend each other's games.
"It's fun because we can see how each other grew and got better," Carson said.
They would like to grow together for the next phase of their lives.
"I want to go to college with her," Gravelle said. "I just want to be on her team. It would just be the best experience."
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