NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School girls basketball coach Melanie Hall is unashamed in her faith in Jesus Christ.

In victory and defeat, Hall often says, “To God be the glory,” following a game. She also makes it a point to use basketball as a ministry outlet, teaching her players the importance of having Christian values and making the right choices in life.

But Hall’s ministry extends beyond the basketball court, as her twin daughters, Brandy and Sandy, can testify. Their mother’s faith had an impact on the both of them at an early age, Brandy said.

“Her and dad always had us in church, and mom would always have Christian music playing and would sing along,” Brandy said. “We’d also try to sing along.”

Sandy said while other children often had play dates with their friends, weekends for the Hall twins were often spent in the company of their parents.

“That’s why our bonds are so close,” Sandy said. “When we were little, we didn’t stay out on weekends. We were usually with Mama at tournaments and games, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Melanie said her parents raised her in a Christian environment, which led to her wanting to create that same environment for her daughters.

“I loved the Lord as a young girl, but I didn’t have that one-on-one relationship with Him until my adult life,” Melanie said. “I always knew He would take care of me, and that I would be fine.”

Both girls played for their mother when she coached at Trinity Episcopal. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Brandy eventually chose to take up youth basketball coaching in order to prepare younger girls at ACCS to eventually join Melanie’s high school squad. After watching the two of them coach, Sandy said the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

“They’re alike in every way, from mannerisms in coaching to other things,” Sandy said. “When we were on vacation, seeing them together — the way they walk, look, act — they’re in every way alike.”

Brandy also said she’s gotten comments about her similarities to her mother.

“They always tell me it’s like watching Mama down there,” Brandy said.

Both girls are in their final semester at Alcorn State trying to complete a triple major in elementary education, special education and psychology. While Brandy wants to both teach and coach, Sandy said the sidelines aren’t for her, even though she did help Brandy coach youth basketball at first.

“I know I’m meant to teach,” Sandy said. “When I was younger, any time I was in front of someone, it felt right. We enjoy working with kids, and we’ve always liked it. They just flock to us.”

Melanie said she’s very grateful to watch her daughters grow up to be strong women, and she takes it as a blessing from God.

“I don’t have enough words — it’s overwhelming,” Melanie said. “They’re our double blessing. God must love us that much.”
Both girls were also quick to credit their father, Terry Hall, for providing a strong Christian home in which to grow up.

“Dad is our rock — he supports us in every way,” Sandy said. “If anyone knows what true love is, it’s our parents. They fall in love with each other again every single day.”

Her father’s selflessness is something Brandy said she admires about him.

“Dad would always put us ahead of himself,” Brandy said. “We never had to ask for anything.”

Though both girls played basketball, Brandy insisted that basketball — or anything else — was never forced on them.

“But if you started something, you were going to finish it,” Brandy said.

Sandy said she was grateful for everything her parents provided for her and her sister.

“Mom asked me once if we were never given an opportunity in something or if we were ever not loved,” Sandy said. “I told her, ‘Absolutely not.’”