HANCEVILLE, Ala. — This season, five sets of twins are ready to make their mark on Wallace State Community College’s athletics teams. United by their passion for sports and their shared experiences, these siblings bring a unique dynamic to the court and field, ready to elevate their performances and create lasting memories.
As the winningest community college athletics program in Alabama, Wallace State boasts a legacy of excellence with 12 athletic teams, nine national championships and approximately 100 conference titles. With the stage set for another exciting season, these five sets of twins are eager to contribute to the storied success of Wallace State.
Caden and Camren Johnson (Men’s Basketball)
Caden and Camren Johnson, both sophomores, are excited to be part of the Wallace State Men’s Basketball team this season after playing last year at Shelton State. The Johnson twins, hailing from Jacksonville, bring a rich history of playing basketball together, having developed their skills on the court since childhood.
“Basketball has always been a big part of our lives. We have played together for as long as I can remember,” Camren said. “It is not just a game for us; it is a way of life. Sharing this journey with my brother makes every moment special.”
The brothers chose Wallace State for its promising environment and the strong leadership of new Head Coach Faron Key.
“Coach Key talked about his vision of bringing together a solid group of players. I really liked what he had to say about teamwork and building something special here,” Caden said. “He has a clear plan, and I felt like I could be a part of it.”
In addition to the coaching, the Johnson twins were drawn to the college’s vibrant campus and supportive atmosphere.
“We appreciate how welcoming everyone has been. The school is nice, and the environment really feels like home,” Camren said. “It is great to be in a place where we can grow as athletes and individuals.”
As they transition to the collegiate level, Caden and Camren are eager to embrace the challenges ahead. With their strong bond and shared passion for the game, the Johnson twins are poised to make a significant impact on the court this season.
“This is our first year at Wallace State, and we’re ready to put in the work,” Caden said. “We have set high goals for ourselves and the team. It is an exciting time, and we cannot wait to get started.”
Caleb and Joshua Paige (Men’s Basketball)
The bond between Caleb and Joshua Paige extends far beyond brotherhood; it has been forged on the basketball court since early childhood. Having played together their whole lives—including their time at Eufaula High School and a successful season last year at Florida State College at Jacksonville—the Paige twins are now thriving in their shared passion for basketball at Wallace State.
“We’ve been playing basketball together for as long as we can remember—probably since we were around 3 or 5 years old,” Caleb said. “It’s been an incredible journey, and being able to take this next step together is amazing.”
The transition to the collegiate level has been an exciting adventure for the Paige twins, and they relish the opportunity to navigate it side by side.
“It’s been a good adjustment, and we’re enjoying every moment of it,” Joshua said. “We always dreamed of playing at this level, and now that we are here, we are fully committed to making the most of it. Playing with my brother on the collegiate level feels like we are in the back yard, just having fun, playing with each other like we always have. I know that he has my back, and I have his, and we can always count on each other.”
“Having your brother by your side is special, Caleb said. “There is a bond and a trust that comes from growing up together, and it really shows on the court.”
Both brothers said they appreciate the welcoming atmosphere at Wallace State and the unwavering support from their coaches and teammates.
“The environment here is great. Everyone has been so friendly and supportive,” Caleb said. “It feels like a tight-knit community, and we are excited to be a part of it.”
As they gear up for the upcoming season under new Head Coach Faron Key, the Paige twins are optimistic about what lies ahead.
“Coach Key is great,” Joshua said. “He truly knows what he is doing, and he is a great person to be leading the way for all of us here. We are both looking forward to learning from him and contributing to the team.”
While they are still deciding on their majors, the Paige twins are excited to learn more at Wallace State.
“Wallace State is a great place to start, and it really is a great school.” Joshua said. “We are eager to see where this journey takes us. We cannot wait for the season. There are some big things coming, and we are excited to dominate the court this year.
Bailey and Heather Tetro (Women’s Basketball)
The Tetro twins, Bailey and Heather, have been honing their basketball skills together for over a decade, growing up in Good Hope, just down the road from Wallace State. Their familiarity with the campus goes back to their early years, as they often competed in local tournaments here, making the transition to collegiate play with the Wallace State women’s basketball team an exciting milestone.
“Having played here since we were young, we always envisioned taking our game to the next level together,” Bailey said. “It’s incredible that we have this opportunity at Wallace.”
Last season, the Tetro twins were instrumental in leading the Good Hope High School Lady Raiders to victory in the 2024 Class 4A State Championship, marking a historic achievement as the program secured its first state title. As they embark on this new chapter, the twins share an eagerness to tackle the challenges of collegiate basketball while relying on their longstanding partnership on and off the court.
“Big changes can be nerve-wracking, but having someone you’ve played with your whole life by your side makes everything easier,” Heather said. “We’re in this together, and that makes it more enjoyable.”
Preseason training has proven to be a mix of challenges and camaraderie for the Tetro twins, as they adapt to their new teammates and the rigorous demands of the collegiate level.
“It has been tough, but I love the challenge. Getting to know the new girls and building those relationships has been awesome,” Bailey said. “While it’s challenging, every moment is fun.”
With their first game approaching on Nov. 6, the Tetro twins are looking forward to displaying their skills and contributing to the Lady Lions’ success.
“Wallace State is a fantastic environment for sports and for students,” Bailey said. “Expect us to be strong contenders this season. We are ready, and we hope everyone comes out to support us.”
Alex and James Edley (Men’s Tennis)
Growing up in Durban, South Africa, Alex and James Edley have shared a lifelong passion for tennis that has shaped their lives. Starting their tennis journeys at five, the twins shifted their focus from cricket and rugby to commit to the sport by age 14. Their dedication has not only strengthened their bond as brothers but also prepared them for the competitive collegiate environment they now embrace at Wallace State.
“We have always gone to the same schools and played at a high level wherever we were. James and I have played doubles together for most of our lives. We trained together every day, and being that James is left-handed, and I am right-handed, it works well for doubles,” Alex said. “Before coming to Wallace, we spent six months in the United Kingdom working and training. It was a great platform for us to prepare, and we were competing at a high level in the super league there.”
The Edley twins were drawn to Wallace State in part due to their connection with Assistant Coach Muntingh Hamman, a fellow South African who offered them insight into the college’s tennis program.
“Our assistant coach is South African, so we grew up playing tournaments with him,” James said. “He offered to give us a tour of the college and even came to South Africa to meet with our parents. During his visit, he shared more about the tennis program at Wallace State, and it was great to learn about the opportunities here from someone who really understands our background. It is very cool having a South African coach as part of the team.”
Alex added, “We also have another South African player on our team, Jean Badenhorst, who is from Johannesburg. It is great to have four South Africans on the team, and I am really loving it so far.”
Transitioning to the collegiate level has been a natural progression for the twins, who have always played together.
“It has been great. We have grown up playing together at every level, so getting the chance to move on and play at the collegiate level is great,” James said.
“Throughout my junior career, James and I played doubles together. I do enjoy playing with him, but sometimes it is good to switch things up and play with different people. It gives me a chance to see where I’m at and improve my overall game,” Alex said. “But I always come back to playing with James—it’s nice to get that variety while still having the consistency of teaming up with him.”
Both brothers appreciate the welcoming environment at Wallace State and the emphasis on player development within the tennis program.
“I really love the tennis program here and how much emphasis is placed on developing us as players,” James said. “The campus is great too—it is spacious, and there is plenty of room to move around without feeling crowded. The weather here has been great, especially after coming back from the cold and rainy UK. It’s been nice to be able to practice outside regularly.”
“My teachers are all really nice, and everything is well-organized in class,” Alex said. “There’s a friendly environment here, and everyone on the tennis team gets along really well.”
Alex also noted the comfortable living situation, saying, “We are staying in the men’s dorms, and I think they have done a great job with the space. I was talking to Coach recently about how, at a lot of other colleges, the campuses may be bigger, but the dorms are usually small. Here at Wallace, even though the campus is a bit smaller, the dorm rooms are a really good size. Especially for two people, there is more than enough space.”
Brayden and Casen Heaps (Baseball)
Casen and Brayden Heaps have been inseparable both on and off the baseball field since they first picked up gloves at age three. With a shared passion for the game and an impressive legacy behind them, these sophomore twins are eager for another season at Wallace State.
“Baseball is something we have been doing our whole lives,” Casen said. “Our mom played softball in high school, and our dad was drafted by the Yankees and spent three years in their minor league system. He is probably the main reason we play baseball. He had so much fun with it, so we both thought we could too.”
The twins have traveled extensively in their lives, moving around the state due to their father’s coaching career. They spent most their high school years at Russellville High School, before transitioning to Briarwood Christian School for their senior year. Their diverse experiences have instilled in them a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt.
“Right now, we are transitioning into winter workouts, winding down fall ball and focusing on getting our last reps in,” Casen said. “The goal is to build strength and endurance, so when the season comes around, we can outperform and outlast our competition.”
While the transition to collegiate baseball has its challenges, both brothers agree their upbringing has prepared them well for this next step.
“The transition has been pretty easy,” Casen said. “My dad believes in a rigorous process, making practice harder than the games. That way, when the games come around, they don’t overwhelm you. For us, practice is quite literally tougher than games because of the preparation we put in. Because I have had that experience, the transition has been relatively easy for me.”
“The main challenge growing up, from youth ball to high school, was having our dad as our coach the whole time,” said Brayden. “He had very high expectations for us, putting more pressure and discipline on us than on everyone else because, as his kids, he expected more. Transitioning to college has been pretty easy because you don’t have the pressure of being the coach’s kid. You are just another guy on the team, and that makes it easier to feel like you truly belong, I think.”
As the season approaches, Brayden and Casen are excited about enjoying another year of experiences at Wallace State, both in the college’s athletics facilities and classrooms.
“I am majoring in biomedical sciences, so I really like how thorough the science programs are,” Brayden said. “The campus is great, and the Wellness Center is very nice. I am also really looking forward to the planned upgrades to the baseball field, like the new turf. That will be great to see. The facilities here at Wallace State are fantastic. The grandstand and big lights give the field a professional feel, more like a Division I college than a junior college.”
“I’m really thankful for the athletic facilities here at Wallace State,” Casen said. “The new turf field is going to be incredible. When it rains, we have covered cages and an indoor cage at the Wellness Center, so we can still get our work in. It is great knowing that we have such well-maintained facilities that allow us to keep training, no matter the weather. Overall, we are just really blessed here.”
While they are focused on baseball and their studies, the Heaps twins also enjoy exploring new hobbies outside of athletics. The twins have recently picked up pickleball since there are courts in Gardendale and Cullman.
“Playing pickleball adds some variety to our routine. It keeps us active, and it allows us to spend more quality time with our friends,” Casen said.
The twins also share a passion for graphic design, which started when they ran an Instagram page for their high school baseball team.
“Both of us really enjoy graphic design and have been practicing it for a couple of years now. We started by running an Instagram page for the Russellville High School Baseball team and continued once we moved to Briarwood Christian School. It gives us something creative to do outside of class and workouts. The graphics we make feature game schedules and player highlights. We started this project during our junior year of high school in 2022, right before our move to Briarwood, and it has been a great way to promote the team and get the players’ names out there,” said Casen.
Brayden, who is healing from an injury, has been focusing more on mobility and strength training, working to incorporate fun exercises into his recovery.
“Lately, I have been working on mobility and body strength because it helps in so many areas of life. Since my injury, I have started focusing on full-body strength. Now, I can do things like the splits and pistol squats, and my knees, hips and back are much stronger than before. It has made a huge difference in my training and daily life.” Brayden said. “I have even gotten into mountain biking, which has been a fun challenge. I am still getting used to it, but I can’t wait to hit some trails. It has been a great way to mix up my routine.”
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Brayden creates Christian content on his personal Instagram account, where he shares videos teaching lessons from the Bible.
“I have been a Christian my whole life and have been encouraged by friends to pursue my speaking gift, with several suggesting I should consider becoming a pastor,” he explained. “To me, it is not about gaining followers; it is about teaching and sharing messages from the Bible. We all have our unique gifts, and I think it is important to use them in ways that align with our values.”
The Heaps twins are excited to continue their journey together at Wallace State, where their bond as brothers and teammates continues to flourish on and off the field.
As the 2024-2025 academic year continues to unfold, the bonds between these five sets of twins will play a pivotal role in helping shape their teams’ successes. United by their shared experiences and commitment to excellence, these student athletes are set to create lasting memories that will define their collegiate journeys at Wallace State, a place where athletes become champions.
Registration for the Spring 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning Jan. 8 for Regular and Mini Term I. Spring 2025 Mini Term classes will begin March 6. Registration for online Flex Start courses will open Jan. 15 for Flex Start I and Jan. 22 for Flex Start II.
To register for classes, visit www.wallacestate.edu/register-now, visit Lion Central in the lobby of the Bailey Center or call 256.352.8000.
