Winnipeg twins score basketball scholarship deal with University of Regina

Sisler High School students Kyanna and Kyia Giles have signed with the University of Regina Cougars to play in the 2016-2017 CIS season.

"I'm filled with excitement. I'm so happy to just announce where we are going. And happy to have my family and teammates here with me," said Kyia Giles.

"I'm feeling happy. And relief cause it's finally off my chest where I'm going. Everyone's been asking so many questions," said Kyanna Giles.

The twin sisters have played at the varsity level since Grade 10and are co-captains of the Sisler Spartans Varsity Girls basketball team . They've also played for the Manitoba Provincial Team since 2010, where they won the National Championship in 2014.

Their high school team is ranked number one in Manitoba at the AAAA girls' level, with an overall record of 25 wns and one loss.

Spartans head coach, Michael Tan, couldn't be more proudof the twins. He has known them since they were in Grade 6.

"It's been pretty special to watch them grow, not just as teenagers but to see them grow as young adults. They've put the time into the gym and they are now starting to reap the benefits of it," said Tan.

The girls garnered a lot of attention from collegescouts and are regarded as some of the top recruits to come out of western Canada. They attracted interest from colleges across Canada and the United States but ultimately the sisters chose Regina because it was close to home and felt like the right fit.

"It just felt right. The coach let us in with open arms...and the girls were just so welcoming," said Kyia.

"For them to pick a school like Regina...is a reflection on the type of basketball that they plan on playing in the future and what they want to accomplish going forward with their basketball careers and hopefully getting the chance to play pro," said Tan.

The girls were often scouted as a pair and even though they could have gone toseparate schools, they decided staying together was important to them.

"I feel like we play better together. Just me knowing where she is, getting that basket, everything just clicks on the courts," said Kyanna.

"I could not see them being separated. Not only are they sisters, they're twins, they're best friends, " said Carolyn Giles, the twins' mother.

The girls had interest from Manitoba universities as well, which made the decision even harder.

"It was hard to turn them down, just because the coaches are like family, they've coached us for many years so it was really hard," said Kyanna.

The twins' family issupportive and happy to have them close to home.

The girls who are 17 now, will start university this fall. Kyanna hopes to pursue kinesiology, while Kyia is interested in business and marketing.