For Seina and Marina Adachi they have always wanted to be basketball teammates and that will be the case this coming season with Notre Dame College Women's Basketball. Seina has become a fixture on the Falcons since setting foot on campus her freshman year. Her younger sister Marina will look to do the same as she enters her freshman campaign.
The Adachi's were both youngsters when they began playing basketball. Both Seina and Mari were born in Japan. It was second grade for the Adachi's when they started playing organized basketball, as they played for Takinoi Elementary School.
"We grew up in a city called Funcbashi. Growing up we were always together and we played together for hours. We practiced dribbling and played soccer one on one. We did everything together. Our father Masami lives in Santa Clara, California and runs a business called Meiko Electronics. Our mom Sherri works for Tiffin Fine Sinter. Mom and dad are both still together but we get to see him maybe every two months." Seina mentioned.
The elder Adachi continued on what she learned from her folks:
" We both learned from our folks not to give up on anything and our mom always tells us once you start something you have to finish it. Both of our parents will never let us quit something we started. We always have to tough it out."
Seina told me an interesting story about what the first memory of basketball as sisters was for her and her little sister:
" First memory of basketball as siblings was when I was in sixth grade and Marina was in third. The team we were on competed in a tournament. Sadly the majority of our team had the flu and could not attend the first round. It was so bad that third grade Marina had to start with me. She scored the first points of her career that game. She was fouled so she had to shoot a foul shot. She did not know where the foul line was nor what was going on.
" I will never forget cute Little Mari telling me to explain what a foul shot was to her. That was the first game we ever played together."
Seina explained to me that the town Attica that they live in is a really small town. It is a small village in Seneca County. We have one gas station and that is about it she told me. To go shopping we have to drive like 40 minutes.
Both Adachi's had similar sentiments about high school:
" The most challenging part was learning the language and adapting to the environment.
" I did not enjoy high school as much as college. Coming into high school not knowing anyone and barely speaking English was challenging." Seina stated.
Marina added:
" I did not like high school at all. I struggled with the language at first but basketball was the best part of high school."
Both sisters agree education was tougher in Japan and adapting was the easiest:
"The easiest part coming to the United States from Japan was passing classes with good grades. Compared to Japan the educational system is a lot easier in the United States. The most challenging part was learning the language and adapting to the environment.
Then the dream of playing together on the same college team became a reality. Marina was recruited as a basketball-cross country- and- track star out of Seneca East High School. Seina played in 28 games her freshman year starting 10. She was third on the team averaging 10.2 points per contest. She averaged 2.4 assists in 22.9 minutes per game in that 2016-17 season. She was also second on the team in steals. Off the court she was Academic All-MEC. The following season she started all 32 games. She was one of just six players in the MEC to score over 500 points. She was eighth in the conference in field goal percentage (43.8 percent-) was also third in steals (20-) and- seventh in 3-point field goals made (61.) Seina was just the 11th player in NDC history to score 30 or more points when she scored 31 against Ursuline. She nailed seven 3-pointer's in that game which was the second most in school history. She became fifth in NDC history in single season points (516-) third in field goals made (199-) fifth in 3-point field goals made, and sixth in free throw percentage (85.9 percent.) That season she was First Team All-MEC- to go along with being a member of both the MEC All-Tournament Team and All MEC-Academic Team. A season ago she played in all 29 games, starting 27. She averaged 17.8 points- 4.4 rebounds- and- 2.5 assists per contest. She scored 515 points to become the third player in NDC history to have two 500-point seasons. She was second in the MEC in steals (71-) sixth in scoring average- and- sixth in free throw percentage (75.9 percent.) She was once again a member of the MEC First Team and was on the First Team All-Academic Team as well.
Seina stated about the dream becoming a reality:
" We always thought it would be cool to play together. Of course it will be more challenging for both of us compared to high school but we are ready to face that challenge."
Marisa Finnazo talked about the chemistry the Adachi's show:
" As sister's who are very close, Seina and Mari have great visible chemistry."
Head Coach Lauren Macer agreed:
" I am very excited to have Marina and Seina playing together this year. Marina came up on a visit and seemed to feel comfortable because of the size of our school and the girls on the team. I also believe the chance to be able to play with her sister in her final year really helped her choose Notre Dame College. Mari will fit right into our system in being able to play up tempo on both ends of the court. She has a great work ethic and is very coachable.
"The biggest asset for them as sisters that will translate on the court is already having that natural bond being sisters. Although Seina and Mari are a few years apart they have grown up playing with and against each other. They will be able to challenge and encourage each other throughout the season."
Marina talked about the biggest challenge for her:
"The biggest adjustment for me is class schedules and morning practices."
They both agreed that English is harder to pick up than they thought. They still struggle with it a little bit but they are still learning!
They also spoke about the toughest part of the recruiting process:
" The toughest part of the recruiting process was it was hard to make the decision where we were going to attend- but we are both happy we chose NDC!
Seina told me how she does not model her game after anyone in particular but she challenges herself everyday. Marina told me how she has learned a lot from her big sister.
Seina talked about what she has learned from her coaches:
" Coach Lo (Head Coach Lauren Macer) and Coach Gee (Assistant Coach Imani Gordon) have taught me a lot since I arrived at NDC. The biggest thing they have taught me is to be confident in my playing and to challenge myself everyday. Not only in basketball- but that applies in my studies as well. I will always think of all the support the faculty and staff give us here. Mari and I have definitely thrived off each other as well."
As most college athletes would say Seina's expectations are of course to win the conference and then the NCAA tournament. She always wants to become a better all-around player and rarely do you go past the gym without seeing her trying to improve her game. Seina talked about how Mari will be a good asset to the team as now they have another guard with the ability to play.
Teammate Katie Karalic offered her insight:
" Seina brings a lot of energy on offense and consistently gets steals on defense. We know we can count on her to score when we need it and that is something extremely important in close games. It's exciting to play around such a talented player and I think she'll really standout again for her senior year."
Marina told me the hardest part for her will be getting used to the college level. She does have an advantage though as she's seen many of her sister's games so she knows the environment she will be playing in.
Karalic talked about Marina as well:
" Mari will be a great addition to our team. She is a skilled player like her sister and is very quick. I'm always excited to have another guard who can handle the ball and handle pressure. It opens up opportunities for myself and others on the team."
Mari's biggest goal is to contribute to many wins. Not only her sister but the entire NDC fan base is excited to see a dynamic back court back together for the first time in years.
Fellow senior Kyleigh Ramlow first gave her thoughts about changed roles- and then the addition of Marina Adachi:
" It's nice to have another ball-handler on the court so others can focus on just their position. Last year, we had people handling the ball that weren't used to doing it. It's nice for people to start focusing more on their role on the court."
Finazzo talked about her relationship with Marina and how she has fit in thus far:
She talked about how she has had a good relationship with Marina through Seina prior to her coming to NDC. She told me how excited she was when Marina committed. She talked about going to a few of Marina's high school games last year.
" I was able to see some of her high school games last year and was very impressed by her multitude of skills. I was impressed by her ball handling- her passing skills- and- her on- court vision. She has so much potential and I think she will do big things for us here at NDC."
"Mari has fit in very well so far. Even though it is very early in the pre-season she seems very comfortable and foreshadows a skill set that will be an asset to our team on both the offensive and defensive ends. Both her and Seina are very capable of scoring in a multitude of ways. They can both push the ball and get others involved.
Ramlow gave her thoughts about playing with Seina:
" It has been super fun playing with Sei. I am glad I have been able to play side by side with her. She is a great player and a great person. Seina makes shots that you would never think would go in and it is amazing to watch. Sometimes when she makes some shots I just start laughing because they are such crazy shots. That's why we call them "Seina Shots."
"Seina has been very successful in her career because she is very smart on the court. She has a great feel for the game. She knows when to drive- when to shoot it- or- when to pass it. Seina can create a shot for herself like no other. She has the ability to shake off a defender just enough to get a shot off. She is also very versatile. She can shoot it so well but has the ability to drive the ball so well also. This makes it very tough to defend her.
Coach Lauren Macer told me her thoughts on Seina as a player:
Seina is a great player with a great set of skills. She has a tremendous work ethic and totally wants the team to be successful.
Finazzo talked about having a different perspective watching Seina from the sidelines the last couple years:
" Being sidelined I was able to sit back in a way I wasn't used to before I was hurt- but it taught me a lot (In Seina in particular.) One thing I learned is Seina can handle- and- still thrive playing out of her comfort zone. As the point guard last year Katie did an amazing job but Seina was called upon often to provide the same role. She wasn't the biggest fan of playing point guard but she took on the role and was able to be an offensive threat while also being a distributor- and- getting her teammates involved. It made me realize that Seina will make sacrifices and do whatever needs to be done to help her team win, and succeed."
Finazzo talked about how it is so tough to guard Seina:
" Seina is a great offensive player. it is hard/ nearly impossible to "shut her down." She is so skilled- versatile- elusive- and- she can score in a multitude of ways. She can attack and finish- hit the mid-range jumper- shoot the 3- and- is quick on the defensive end. All of these skills combined make it very challenging for any defender guarding her."
Macer told me that she is so proud of the career that Seina has had thus far and is looking forward to what her team can continue to do with her as one of the key players.
Finazzo told me an interesting quote about her teammate that bears repeating:
" Whether she realizes it or not players look up to her. Seina's biggest development since she got here to NDC is her leadership skills and her ability to lead and mentor other players. Seina has always been a player with a skill set that made her difficult to guard but she has also morphed into someone who is more vocal- encouraging- and- direct. Her work ethic and desire to win allow her to lead by example.
Everyone interviewed had the same sentiments on both of the Adachi's. They have a work ethic that is second to none and not only are they great players but they are great friends also. Spend anytime with them and they will both make you laugh as well. They will sacrifice anything to better others and make the team win. This is why this team will be so fun to watch this season, as Ramlow-Karalic- Macer- and- Finazzo all stated:
" She is also a very good teammate and friend. We all support each other on and off the court."
Macer gave these thoughts on what the ceiling is for this pair of talented sisters:
" Seina and Mari will be able to determine their own ceiling. As individual players they possess a lot of skills. As long as they continue working they will be able to accomplish whatever they set their mind to."
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