Hannah Collier of Watertown
By RICK WILSON
WATERTOWN — There is much that separates Abby and Hannah Collier in the basketball world. They are different builds and their style of play is diverse. They are different ages, their paths on the court never crossing over.
But for all the differences it is the connections that rule the day: blood and baskets. Mighty powerful ties that bind. Unbreakable ties. Ties that cannot be challenged.
On their own, each is a good story. Together, it gets extra special. Abby, a Watertown High senior, broke the the 1,000-point career mark Jan. 8 in a win over Wilby and now is up to 1,164 points (17.2 ppg).
Abby joined her sister, Hannah (class of 2009, 1,046 points) in the 1,000-point club. They are not the first sister or family act to complete the feat. Wamogo had the Stolle sisters (Tracey, Kristi and Kerri) while the Matthews clan (Amy of Thomaston and Katie and John of Wamogo) also are in the club.
But it is a rare family bond of brilliance.
“It’s really special,” said Abby. “Twenty years from now, we’re going to see mine and my sister’s name up there (on the banner) and it is something we could share. We have gotten closer over the years.”
It is an appreciation for each other born out of blood and a competitive nature. There is a seven-year age difference, which prevented the two from playing with one another. To this day, they have never played against one another.
“There is no one-on-one; it’s not going to end well,” said Abby with a laugh. “She doesn’t want to lose to her little sister, and I don’t want to lose to her.’
Abby Collier of Watertown
Hannah, 25, is a second-grade teacher at Jonathan Trumbull School in Watertown, but during the summer the two sisters work for the Watertown Parks and Recreation Department. This is where their dad chimes in.
“A lot of their friends want them to play one-on-one, and I encourage them not to play against one another,” said Troy Collier. “I told Abby, ‘Don’t do it; you won’t win.’ Hannah is old school. You are not going to win against her. Denise Brown (former Watertown field hockey coach) said Hannah will hit you and hit you hard. She left it on the field.”
“I never let (Abby) beat me in horse,” noted Hannah.
Abby is mum in response despite the look in her eyes that suggest a different viewpoint. She lets it ride while reflecting on the connection.
“I went to Hannah’s games when she was playing, and her scoring made me want to be like my sister,” said Abby. “We are competitive, but friendly.”
Nobody cheered louder when Abby sank a 3-pointer against Wilby to go over the 1,000-point mark than Hannah. No one took more pride in being passed on the Watertown scoring list.
“I think a little part of her (Hannah) never wanted to beat her, but when I scored the 1,000th she kept asking me, ‘Aren’t you excited, aren’t you excited?” said Abby. “It is something she really wanted us to have as a bond. She’s very supportive of me.”
“I’m so happy for her,” said Hannah. “I’ve had time to grow up and people would say to me that Abby was going to beat my record. I couldn’t be happier. If anybody is going to be better than you, you want it to be your sister.”
The two sisters developed different games along the way. Both about 5-foot-11, Hannah was more the outside threat (although she is capable of going inside). Abby has been more the inside player (although she can hit the 3-pointer).
Former Watertown coach Ed Lopes coached both as well as their middle sister, Maggie, also a fine player with more of a defensive mindset.
Maggie Collier of Watertown
“Hannah turned into a 3-point player and Abby had more of a desire to go inside,” said Lopes from his home in Blythewood, S.C. “Abby could shoot outside and go inside and Hannah didn’t like to play in the paint as much. Abby sees advantages and takes advantage of it. She would show me and the coaches mismatches we could take advantage of. The whole family is a class act.”
The season is rapidly winding down with only the state tournament to go. In the fall, it is off to Mercy College for Abby. The next chapter is ready to roll. She made her mark at Watertown and moves on. If the future story is still to be written, one thing is for sure. Hannah will be in her corner.
They are and always will be bonded by blood and basketball.