It’s impressive to be a two-sport athlete, but what about being a two-sport athlete in the same season? That’s exactly what seventh grader Lexi Greene is doing this year, splitting time on both the dance team and the basketball team.

As a starter for the basketball team, she has been given special permission by Sparklers Co-Coaches Mrs. Rachel Rudner and Mrs. Piper Crisafi to miss dance practice to attend basketball practice. However, in order to make sure she knows the dance routines, Greene sees her coaches during lunch. “I do both basketball and dance because I have an equal love for them,” explained Greene. “A couple years ago I started watching Dance Moms and I just fell in love with that show,” she said. “It really inspired me to start dancing more. My brother and my dad inspire me because they love playing basketball, and we love the sport.”

While both sports began in early November, there is only a four-week overlap: basketball ends the second week of December and the dance team will continue performing through February. For Greene, the month of double commitment is worth it not only because of her passion, but also because of her ability in both sports.

“She’s hardworking,” noted one of her assistant basketball coaches, Mr. Marshall Mullnix. “She’s not going to back down in anything, whether in school or on the court. She does her best no matter what.”

Added Crisafi, “From what we have seen so far of [Greene], and it is the beginning of her trying to balance these things, I have been very impressed with her desire to be up to speed and have all of her dances memorized on time.” Crisafi further stated that it takes “someone with a great work ethic and someone who has a great desire to succeed” to balance both dance and basketball. Greene’s teammates also realize she possesses those same qualities.

“When she does miss practice, she gets back and works even harder,” said seventh grader Hannah Perez, a starter on the girls’ basketball team. “She doesn’t expect to skip practice and start in the game. She works hard to be there whenever she can and cares deeply about both basketball and dance.”

Which sport, though, does Greene like more? That’s a tough call, and when it comes down to choosing, Greene leans more towards the sport she feels would provide her with more opportunities.

“I really would like to play basketball in high school as my main sport,” she said. “I am having a dance career now, rather than later, because I know I am more likely to succeed in basketball than in dance. I really enjoy both, but basketball can get me somewhere bigger in life.”

While basketball may take Greene further, she’s already making a name for herself by participating in both sports simultaneously. For her and her two sets of teammates, that’s a winning combination.