`Slim And Slam' Confound Prep Foes In Carolina

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Let's see now, I think I've got this straight. That's Simeon Haley on the right. Six-foot-10 3/4, 205 pounds, plays center and forward, wears No. 40 and a knee brace. And that's Sammy Haley on the left, a little taller at 6-11, a little heavier at 210 pounds, plays center only, wears No. 44 and no knee brace.

Or is it the other way around?

``Oh, it's easy to tell us apart,'' Sammy said . ``I'm older by six minutes . . .''

``. . . But I'm prettier,'' Simeon said.

``. . . And I'm smarter,'' both said in unison.

Talk about your twin towers in basketball: Myrtle Beach High has the real thing this season. Real twins, juniors Simeon and Sammy Haley, towering above the crowd, confounding the opposition and quite often their coach, Keith Hunt.

From their short-sculpted hairdos down to their size 15 shoes, the Haleys are virtually identical. They think alike, smile at the same time, almost always finish the other's sentence, especially during an interview. At least once every 10th question, they'll answer at the same time in exactly the same words.

Only on the basketball court does the real difference show.

``He's got the touch, I've got the strength,'' Sammy said.

``I shoot, he dunks,'' Simeon said.

``They call him Slim and me Slam,'' Sammy said. ``Take the `L' out, and you've got our names. Sim and Sam.''

``Leave the `L' in, and that's the difference in our game,'' Simeon said. ``He plays center. I play center and forward. I handle the ball better, shoot from 10 feet out. He slams it home and blocks shots.''

``And one more difference,'' Sammy said. ``I'm left-handed.''

``And I'm right-handed,'' Simeon said.

So who's the best player?

``I am,'' the Haleys said in unison.

The Haley twins have played huge roles in Myrtle Beach's drive to a 20-2 record and the No. 3 ranking in the state in Class AAA. Sammy is averaging 14 points, Simeon about 10. Sammy's best game was either 36 points against Marion or 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots against St. John's, take your pick. Simeon twice has had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

But when they talk, they talk team.