You might have seen two new students sitting in classes and walking around the halls of HS223.

The Toxey twins, Kennedy and Jessie Toxey (Class of 2026), transferred from St. Francis Prep, and are now HS223 students.

And they are excited and ready for the basketball season!

“They’re coming here with experience, and it’s going to help us with some leadership that was very much needed,” said Coach Trawally. 

Standing at 6’1 and 6‘2 the two seniors have lots of experience on the basketball courts including time playing in multiple national tournaments. The hope is that their work on the court will lead the Lady Cougars to another chip. 

“Anchoring the paint, rebound, finish, they’re leaders so they’re gonna help to keep the team together,” said Coach Trawally.

The expectations for the 2025-2026 season are very high for the team. The Lady Cougars are already off to a great start winning their first three games by an average of almost 70 points.

And the Toxey twins are a big reason why.

Over the first three games of the season, Jessie and Kennedy are averaging combined 12 points a game and 23 rebounds for the team.

“It was a major adjustment coming [to HS22] but in a sense I think it was fine,” said Jessie Toxey.

“It’s a big environmental change, but the people here made us feel comfortable,” said Kennedy Toxey. 

This level of comfort is noticeable to players on the court.

“The team looks better than all the years that I’ve been here. This is the first year we have really good big. They adjusted really well” said South Bronx Prep Senior Fatoumata (Fatou) Siby.

Coach Trawally agrees.

“You have to be talented, but outside of that you have to have a positive attitude, extreme effort, and be a good teammate. Those three things will get you to the next level. And these girls have it” said Coach Trawally.

What can we expect for the upcoming season from the twins?

“You can expect multiple double doubles,” said Jessie.

“Blocks on the defensive end, rebounds, and putting shots back up,” said Kennedy.

After high school they want to keep basketball in their lives.

“We would like to go to school for free and play in college, but we want people to remember the fact that we are two completely different people,” said Kennedy.

You can see the Toxey Twins and the Lady Cougars in action next week. The team plays Christopher Columbus Campus at home on Monday at 4:30 and then play Kipp NYC College Prep on Wednesday at 4:30 away.

And the Toxey Twins will be there.

“We’ll be ready,” said Jessie.