AJ Dixson shows no fear taking on 6-foot-5 Camas Papermaker Titan Phillips.
Zeke Dixson finishes at the rim for the Prairie Falcons against Camas.
It’s hard to tell AJ and Zeke Dixson, left and right respectively, apart on the basketball court. They both go all out for those points and rebounds. The Dixsons also play football and run track and field for the Prairie Falcons.
AJ and Zeke Dixson are putting their heart and soul into three sports for the Prairie Falcons.
During the fall, the Dixsons helped the Prairie football team reach the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Now they are going all out to earn points and rebounds on the basketball court and looking forward to another fun spring on the track.
“Having my brother play every sport with me, it pushes me,” AJ said. “We’re twins and we push each other to the next level and just get better every day.”
Their parents are Patrick and Beth Dixson. In track, AJ competes in the 100- and 400-meter, 400-meter relay, and the high jump. Zeke performs the long jump, triple jump, 400 relay, and 1,600 relay.
“It’s really cool because we hand off the baton to each other,” AJ said.
AJ adds that football is his favorite of the three sports. He is the quarterback for the Falcons. Zeke enjoys whatever season he is in. He loves all three sports equally.
“You’re really in good shape going from basketball to track,” he said. “There’s almost not any difference.”
“Track teaches you running, so it transfers to football and basketball,” AJ said. “All those jumping techniques, I use them on the court and I use them on the football field.”
The Dixsons enjoy wearing the Falcons crimson and gold year round.
“Prairie really is a family,” AJ said. “It’s cool to represent your school, especially when everybody is really friendly.”
“We always have so many people out here supporting us for the games,” Zeke said. “It’s infectious. It just puts a smile on my face.”
Head basketball coach Kyle Brooks sees a lot of advantages to having two twins out there.
“The biggest part for me is it took me so long to tell them apart,” he said. “Their athleticism stands out. Our school is all about having those three-sport guys.”
Especially two speedsters who can hit acrobatic shots in transition, chase down rebounds, distribute the basketball and make things difficult on the defense.
“They’re competitive, their brothers, but they’re not the same player. AJ is a little more athletic on defense. Zeke is more offensive minded and can shoot the three,” Brooks said. “They complement each other well out there. It gives us a lot of freedom to put in different spots. They both have a chance of being our two best rebounders.”
AJ and Zeke Dixson plan on making the most of their opportunities on the court, field, track and in the classroom.
“Hopefully, we can get to the next level in sports,” Zeke said. “If not, pursue college and get our education. Just start our life there.”
