Adopted twins dominate on the court, in the wild. ‘We have each other’s backs.’

Standing at 6-foot-6 and 6-4, the McFarland twins own the frames of prototypical basketball players. But the siblings from Boise High are much more than that.

Adopted twins Vince and Peyton are just as capable with a rafting paddle in their hand as a basketball. They remain just as comfortable deep in Idaho’s wilderness as they are on the hardwood. And no matter where they find themselves, the two remain joined at the hip.

“I think all the near-death experiences have been super bonding for them,” said Wendi McFarland, their adopted mother.

The entire McFarland family is avid hikers, rafters, campers and explorers with their fair share of close calls. Asked about how many times plans have fallen off the rails, Wendi, Peyton and Vince could only laugh.

They bounced stories off each other that could fill a book. Despite tales of burning RVs, rainstorms and falling boulders, Wendi knows these experiences helped her children mature.

“It’s given them confidence,” Wendi said. “They’ve got self-confidence and the ability to not back away from any challenge.”

Both navigated the North Fork of the Salmon River by themselves at 12 years old. And Vince has worked as an outfitter on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, forging ahead to set up campsites for tourists.

“(I learned) that people can do more than they think they can,” Vince said. “If you throw yourself into a situation that you’re not totally sure about, that’s new for you, you’ll adapt. I think that if you put your mind to it, you will come out stronger and you will succeed.”

With all their experience, Vince said they could survive in the wilderness alone.

“If you just dropped us in the middle of the woods, I feel like we could survive. I guarantee we survive,” Vince said. “Give me something to make a fire and a knife, and I’ll be (set).”

Peyton laughed. She’s not as confident as her brother. But Wendi said Vince’s outdoor adventures helped him grow and rewrite his own story outside of basketball.

“He doesn’t see restrictions on himself,” Wendi said. “He’ll be good at whatever he puts his mind to. He’s more creative than what high school has shown so far. He’s a really good writer and an avid reader. … I think it would be fun to watch him pursue that more.”

McFarland twins bonded for life

Eighteen years ago, Wendi and Andy McFarland applied to adopt a child, never considering twins. But four days after learning about Peyton and Vince, the two traveled to Texas to meet the 1-year-olds and bring them home.

The twins have always protected each other. When Peyton injured a wrist as a sophomore wrestling with Vince, she told her coaches she fell onto some rocks. Two years later, an X-ray revealed a hairline fracture.

And as they’ve aged, Peyton points to Vince as instrumental in her personal growth.

“We have each other’s back,” Peyton said. “He’s also helped me get out of my shell because he’s really out there socially and will say, ‘Hey, let’s go to this party.’ ”

“I’m like her sensei. Her mentor,” Vince said.

“Not really,” Peyton fired back, laughing.

Two college prospects

The McFarland twins came to Boise as a package. But they’ll leave on separate paths.

ESPN ranks the 6-4 Peyton as a four-star recruit and the No. 80 player in the country. After fielding multiple Division I offers, she committed to and signed with the Utah Utes of the Pac-12, a conference where six of the 12 teams are nationally ranked.

“It’s a huge step for her,” Boise girls basketball coach Kim Brydges said. “It’s a really stressful step, too. … It’s super stressful not on just the kids, but the parents, too, because they just want what’s best for their kid.”

Peyton struggled to pick the right school. But Vince always knew where she was headed.

“It was noticeable,” Vince said. “I knew she was going to go to Utah immediately. I honestly wish I’d put money down on where she was going to go.”

Vince is fielding offers from a few community colleges, including Blue Mountain, Peninsula and Green River. However, his sister wants more for him than whatever basketball can provide, because those four years pass quickly.

“I hope that he succeeds. I hope he finds what he really wants to do, sticks with it and becomes successful,” Peyton said. “I want to see him ball out, too.”

Leaving a legacy at Boise

Peyton and Vince entered the week staring down their final days in a Boise uniform.

Peyton remains the focal point of Boise’s girls basketball team. She is averaging 17.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks to lead the Brave (15-8) to the 5A state tournament, where they face No. 1-ranked Mountain View (21-2) in the first round at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Ford Idaho Center.

Vince has blossomed with Boise’s boys basketball team this season, averaging 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds to help the Brave secure the fifth seed in the 5A District Three tournament.

They will leave their own legacies stamped on Boise High. Peyton surpassed 1,000 career points when she scored 32 points against Eagle on Feb. 11. She will also likely finish with her second straight 5A All-Idaho honors.

“I want to be known as a good teammate,” Peyton said. “I played with heart and I just wanted to help the program.”

Vince will be remembered as someone who, after quitting basketball in middle school, took it upon himself to catch up to the other players his age and helped Boise to two straight winning seasons. He wants to leave behind a lesson that will help future teams.

“You don’t have to be the most talented team out there,” Vince said. “I don’t think we were the most talented team by any means, but we just worked hard and played gritty. Take pride in your play and you’ll win games.”

The pair will leave Boise with a larger family than just the parents who brought them here. Asked what they will miss the most, both had the same answer — their teammates.

“That,” Peyton said, “is your family for a large chunk of the year.”