Featured Athlete of the Week: Aubrey Nichols, Basketball, South Putnam High School

Aubrey Nichols, 18, is a senior at South Putnam High School. A three-sport athlete, Nichols has been on the basketball and volleyball teams for four years, the track team for two and the tennis team for one. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with her family. Her favorite foods are broccoli, steak and cereal, especially Fruity Pebbles. Her younger sister, Ally, is an eighth-grader at South Putnam and helps motive Nichols to work hard. Her extra curricular activities include Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.I.E. Coalition, Spanish Club, 4-H, advanced choir, student council, academic honors and several more.

Banner Graphic: When did you start playing basketball? Who introduced you to it?
Aubrey Nichols: My dad introduced me when I was really little. I started travel ball in Wabash Valley in third grade and I started here at the camp when I was in kindergarten. But I was never able to play AAU like I wanted to because I wanted to be a three-sport athlete here.

BG: What is your favorite part of basketball?
AN: Defense is my all-time favorite part of basketball. Most people will hate defense, but I love defense. I love getting after it and being aggressive. I didn't enjoy playing point guard last year, but this year I learned to enjoy it. I would honestly say this year has been my favorite year of basketball so far because, even though I miss my team from last year, this year, with a young team, has helped me grow more as a person and as a basketball player and build character, and I'm thankful for that.
I love the team and I love coach Merkel. He's been my favorite coach ever. He's awesome and I've learned a lot.

BG: What have you loved about the team so much this year?
AN: Some people would be frustrated with a young team that hasn't had a lot of varsity experience before this season, but I actually like it that way more because we're able to grow together. Sometimes, when you have a team that's experienced and good it's not as fun because it's not a challenge. We get to grow together instead of just going out there and playing.

BG: What else has helped your team bond?
AN: This year, me and the team pray before each game and I really feel like that's helped the team grow because I really rely on my faith to keep my head up, whether we win or lose. I've been talking to the girls about how we need to praise God whether we win or lose because all things work through Him and I rely on Him for my strength.

BG: How did you pick No. 20?
AN: Two is my favorite number. There's never been No. 2 available since I was a freshman, and I was 42 because I wanted something with 2, but when we got the new years there was 20 so I picked that.

BG: What has been the biggest lesson that you've learned from playing sports?
AN: It kind of goes hand-in-hand with this being my favorite year. I used to just love the competitiveness of the sport, because I'm very competitive, but this year has taught me a lot as far as growing as a person and having patience and seeing people different ways. Instead of being frustrated with them, I just appreciate them for what they do and how hard they try.

BG: What are your plans next year?
AN: I have thought about going to Trine University to play basketball. That's still up in the air. I also might go to (Indiana State University) to study nursing because I enjoy being around people and helping people. I plan on doing something big with myself and when I have babies I want to be able to take care of them.