Ella Stemmer, senior, right, and her younger sister Kate, freshman, in the halls of Saline High School before a game on Monday, March 8, 2021. Ella and Kate have been training with their father since they were young, and the 2020-2021 season was the first year they were able to play on a school team together. Both sisters were starting players on varsity.

Kate Stemmer, left, and her older sister Ella prep for an away game against Monroe by watching film on the way to the game on Friday, March 5, 2021. Their parents drive them to every away game.

Senior Ella Stemmer, left, gets ready for an away game in the locker room with her sister Kate after practicing in the gym by themselves on Friday, March 5, 2021. They go to the school gym before the team arrives, and sometimes before away games, to get extra practice.

Kate Stemmer pulls a note from her mother out of her shoe while she’s putting her shoes on at Monroe on Friday, March 5, 2021. Their mother put notes and a toy in the girls shoes as a surprise before they headed out onto the court.

Saline’s Kate Stemmer (5) defends while her sister Ella keeps other Monroe players away from the basket during a game in Monroe on Friday, March 5, 2021. Saline beat Monroe 64-52. The sisters work together on the court. They play together in sync. It’s almost as if one knows what the other is going to do before they do it.

Ella Stemmer yells from the bench in a game against Ypsilanti Lincoln at home on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

The team was doing well, and so Stemmer was pulled out of the game to give other girls a chance to play but that didn’t stop her spirit. “I wanted to give the ball to someone else who could have that chance to take a shot,” said Stemmer after the game.

Kate, left, and Ella get taken out of the game by coach Leigh Ann Roehm, right, at home on Thursday, March 11, 2021. The Stemmer’s were taken out because the team was winning by over 30 points. Saline won 62-25. Roehm pulled Ella aside after the game and said, “You’re an amazing player and a better person. You had so many opportunities to take shots in the fourth quarter, but you gave it to teammates who don’t always have that chance.”

Eric Stemmer, center, embraces Kate after a game along with her mother, Kara, on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Eric and Kara attend every game the girls play. Growing up, Eric coached the girls travel basketball teams. This year, since the girls were finally able to play on a team together, the games have brought the whole family closer together. “It’s a tremendous memory to be able to see both of my girls play at the same time,” said Eric.

The Stemmer sisters take a break from online classes to walk their dog Harper on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. They started going on walks together when their school went online.

Ella and Kate pack up for a game in their home in Saline.

Kate (5) drives the ball down the court against Belleville at Saline during the district championship game.

Ella Stemmer (12) holds up the 2021 District Champions trophy after a win against Belleville at Saline and her coach Leigh Ann Roehm, left, smiles after the district championship game on Friday, March 26, 2021. Saline won 64-32 and advanced to regionals. This is the second year in a row Saline has won the district championship.

Ella Stemmer, left, and Kate share a moment with their parents after a district championship win against Belleville at Saline on Friday, March 26, 2021. Saline won 64-32 and advanced to regionals. “I couldn’t imagine having any one else as my sister,” said Ella easier in the season.

Ella Stemmer (12) shoots the ball during a game against Brighton in the first round of regionals in Northville.

Saline cheers after winning against Brighton in the first round of regionals in Northville on Monday, March 29, 2021. Saline won 53-42 and advanced to the next round of regionals. Last year, this was the last game the team was able to play because COVID-19 cancelled the season.

Wayne Memorial's Alanna Micheaux (4) boxes out Saline’s Ella Stemmer (12) during the regional finals at Northville High School on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. It was a tough game for the sister’s team. The Saline girls never gave up, but they were defeated in the regional finals.

Ella Stemmer raises her hand for the last time after losing in the regional finals at Northville High School on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. “Team on one!” Ella shouted for the last time.

Kate and Ella embrace after a loss in the regional finals at Northville High School on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. This was the last game the girls played together. “The bond that we’ve made, I just can’t replace it,” said Kate. “I’m never going to forget playing with my sister, my best friend,” said Ella.

Saline seniors Abby Kruzer, left, and Ella Stemmer put on their shoes for before prom in Saline on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Stemmer leaves the next morning for college at Lehigh University, so this is the last night that she has with friends and family.

From left to right: Ella Stemmer, her father, Eric, her sister, Kate, and her mother Kara gather with a small group of friends for pictures before Saline’s prom on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Now that almost everyone is vaccinated, the group decided to get together for photos. Ella leaves for college tomorrow morning, so this is the last night that she has with friends and family.

Ella Stemmer, right, cheers as her friend Josie Bero makes a bean bag toss onto the board during prom at Saline High School on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Stemmer enjoys this last night with friends as tomorrow she starts her college career on the Lehigh University women’s basketball team.