Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 15, 1993 TAG: 9304150373
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SALEM DYNAMIC DUO BOOSTS TEAMS
In July of 1975, when Salem's Yolanda Helm and Michelle Harrison were born, they almost got to know each other on the first day of their lives."You want to know the story," said Yo Helm, as everyone calls her. "I was born on July 3. `Pee Wee' [Michelle] was born on July 2. Our mothers were in the same hospital room for a couple of hours."
Maybe that's why everyone thinks these two standout athletes are more like sisters than friends. They go everywhere together, and most of all, they are the ones who have made life rough for opponents of Salem in girls' basketball and softball.
But, "we didn't really meet each other until third grade," Helm confessed. "I went to a Roanoke school through second grade."
In basketball, Harrison was second-team All-Timesland the past two years. She and Helm teamed up at guard to give the Spartans one of Timesland's strongest duos at that position.
In softball, Harrison was the Timesland player of the year and both were All-Timesland a year ago when the Spartans made the Group AA semifinals. As sophomores, they were key players on the Salem softball team that won a Group AA state championship.
So are they friends?
"We are," insists Helm.
"Well, we're not close friends. I don't even remember meeting you to tell you the truth," said Harrison with a laugh.
"We've played on the same teams all our lives. Well, maybe a couple of times we didn't," said Helm.
That's true because Helm wasn't around when Harrison was given her well-known nickname of "Pee Wee."
Said Harrison, "I was drafted in [recreation] softball on a team that had people two or three years older than me. I was the youngest and a lot smaller. So they called me `Pee Wee.' I don't even realize it now when people say that."
These two are always joking and always laughing with each other. Salem softball coach Jim "Shorty" Wright is glad to have them this year as the Spartans try to regain the top spot in state softball.
" `Pee Wee' is a great shortstop. I'd be willing to take it to the bank that if the ball's hit to shortstop, the runner's out," said Wright.
"She's very good on offense. A lot of times, she'll get in a slump and swing at some bad pitches."
Rarely does that happen. Last year, Harrison led Timesland in batting average and doubles. Amazingly, she hit .667 in fast-pitch, which was higher than even the best slow-pitch players could manage.
Besides that, Harrison was third in homers, second in RBI and doubles, and tied for 13th in stolen bases. Somehow, she was overlooked when the Blue Ridge District coaches picked two other girls to share player-of-the-year honors.
"Sometimes I think I'm better at fielding, but really it's about equal," said Harrison. "Sometimes I have good days in one and bad days in the other."
Helm hit .416 and knocked in 28 runs, just nine fewer than Harrison, and also stole 19 bases, one more than Harrison. Helm patrolled center field and the alleys so that nothing got past her. She played deep enough and still could come in on the short fly ball to make the out.
Until their sophomore year, though, Harrison played in the outfield and Helm played infield. Ex-Salem coach Buddy Ward made the switch and it helped lead to a state title.
Neither can explain the switch, nor do they care to. They just enjoy playing where they are for the time being.
There is also the question of which sport the two favor or which one they're best at.
"I think softball is `Pee Wee's' better sport, even though she's a great basketball player too," said Wright. "Yo is about 50-50."
"Really, I like softball better. I've been playing it longer," said Helm. "After getting into softball when I was about seven or eight years old, I wanted something more to do so I got into basketball."
"I enjoy whichever sport's in season," said Harrison. "They're really two totally different sports."
Next year, these two might go their separate ways. Helm is going to Averett College in Danville where she'll play both sports. Harrison doesn't know where she's going, but insists wherever she lands it'll be for both sports.
There is a final question for these two friends. Both are quick and fast, as one can tell from their stolen base totals. So which one is fastest?
"We ran indoor track together [a couple of years ago]. I'd usually win when we raced, but it was always close," said Harrison.
It's been that way ever since the two came into the world back in the summer of '75.