Themes: Basketball Players, Sibling Relationships, Twins and Lookalikes
Main Cast: Annie McElwain, Poppi Monroe, Chris Olivero
Release Year: 2001
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
This made-for-cable feature is based on the true story of Heather and Heidi Burge (played by Poppi Monroe and Annie McElwain), twin sisters, who, like many siblings, found that their strongly divergent personalities led to many conflicts as they were growing up. However, both sisters shared a passionate love of the game of basketball; while their rivalry often manifested itself on the court in their school days, in time both Heather and Heidi were recognized as among the best women in the game, and they became the first twins to play in the WNBA. Doubled Teamed also stars Mackenzie Phillips and Chris Olivero. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
The Burge sisters were forced to leave their former school and attend a different school so that they would have better chances at college scholarships, according to their father. Heidi was bothered by her sister thinking that she was always second best. Because she wanted to get out of Heather's shadow, she joined in a school play. Heather was involved mainly in volleyball rather than in basketball, until a coach noticed her because of her height. She seized this opportunity to play basketball because it would help her train for the coming volleyball season. Heather met Nicky, the star of the Palos Verdes Sea Kings. Heidi did not know she could play basketball until her father told her that he told the same coach that both of the twins would play for the school. Heather did not like that her father wanted Heidi to play. Heidi, of course, initially opposed her father's decision because she wanted to be independent of Heather. However, she later accepted it and decided to play.
When the twins first started playing for the Sea Kings, they left a bad impression on the team by lying and implying to their teammates that they were rich. Heather and Nicky formed a rivalry and Nicky even tried to run the Burge twins out of school by telling the school about the Burges' living situation.
They both eventually befriended Nicky, as they saw that her father was too preoccupied with business to attend her basketball games and decided to make peace. At their first tournament in New York, they won second, and Heather won MVP. However, in another of their games, Heidi was the star. This made Heather, the usual star, jealous, so she played basketball, with Galen, a male player also living in their apartment complex Sandy Shores. While playing Heather falls and twists her ankle preventing her from playing their next game, which they nearly lost. Right then, Heather decided to start playing again for the sake of the team, despite being injured. Her effort was rewarded, and they went on to win a championship. After the game, their coach approaches the twins and their parents, Mary and Larry Burge, and tells Mr. and Mrs. Burge they should consider putting the girls in summer basketball camps, saying they have a great, very bright future and they are going to play college ball - "maybe more", he says. "There's talk of a women's pro-league. A clip of the future is then shown, and both Burge twins are playing on WNBA teams. Heidi plays for the Sparks and Heather plays for the Monarchs. As usual Heather talks to Heidi and says "Once second best always second best". And then comes tip off.
