Pickett County girls basketball player Zoey Nicholas’ basketball journey began in a small church gym, but it has carried her all the way to a Division I future.
Nicholas first picked up the game in second grade while playing in a church league, where long afternoons in the gym quickly turned into a lifelong passion. Nicholas said she credits her father for showing her that early love of basketball.
“My dad first sparked my interest in basketball,” Nicholas said. “We would go to the gym several times a week. I just have loved basketball since an early age.”
Since stepping into the Lady Bobcats’ program as a freshman, Nicholas has entered the top 20 in Pickett County’s history in points and assists. Nicholas said her growth has come from focusing on multiple areas of her game.
Nicholas said leadership is one of those roles, one she feels has followed her throughout her high school career. While she embraced more responsibility this year after several key contributors graduated, Nicholas said she has always felt a sense of accountability on the floor.
“I accepted [being a leader on the team,]” Nicholas said. “Coming in my freshman year, I was still a key player, so I feel like I’ve always been in a leadership role.”
Physical development has been another major step. After describing herself as undersized during her sophomore season, Nicholas said her strength and confidence have grown significantly, translating into improved efficiency and consistency.
Her commitment to improvement shows in the hours she puts in outside of games. Nicholas said she spends nearly 30 hours a week between lifting and getting shots up, a routine that has helped boost her field-goal percentage and overall effectiveness.
“Scoring has always been one of my up sides to my game,” Nicholas said. “I know I have to try to come out perform and try to win, and also get my teammates involved. We have to have pretty balanced scoring if we want to beat good teams.”
Nicholas has committed to Tennessee Tech, where she will join the Golden Eagles next season and continue her basketball career at the collegiate level.