When junior Trey Nicholds collided with teammates Ethan Brain and Caine Naramore on a bunt coverage drill early last spring, a broken wrist ended his baseball season. It kept him sidelined from summer basketball as well.
But injuries and health complications have never slowed Nicholds. When Nicholds was born, he was diagnosed with bladder exstrophy, a stomach disease that caused him to have 12 surgeries throughout his childhood and left him without a belly button.
“The doctor said I should never play sports,” Nicholds said. “Now with all of the surgeries I had, I know how to go through adversity and then what it feels like when people think you can’t do it, but you know that you can. Now I am a two-sport varsity athlete.”
The wrist was just another challenge for Nicholds to overcome. He immediately followed his doctor’s orders for rehab and worked his way into a starting role on the varsity basketball squad.
His determination impressed basketball coach Jeffrey Hamilton, and so has Nicholds’ leadership skills.
“Trey is a leader on the floor as he’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached,” Hamilton said. “He shows up every day with a great attitude and ready to work; he’s a true leader by example. He is loved by all his teammates, has a great personality, is always smiling and positive, and an awesome young man.”
Being able to balance two sports at once is a challenge most athletes cannot handle, especially ones in sports that are that close together. But Nicholds’ commitment to both sports has left Hamilton in awe.
“Being a dual-sport athlete is extremely hard, but I have been so impressed with Trey and his ability/commitment to both programs,” Hamilton said. “I’ve literally seen Trey play multiple baseball games as well as multiple basketball games in the same day.”
Hamilton has built a relationship with Nicholds over time and has been able to not only see him on the court, but he has also seen his character off the court. Nicholds is friends with Hamilton’s sons Carter and Cole.
Junior Carter Hamilton, who has played basketball with Nicholds since Creekwood Middle School, said he admires how respectful Nicholds is and his kindness towards everybody.
“He will always have your back no matter what,” Carter Hamilton said. “Trey’s always happy and smiling. Even when he’s playing bad, he’s cheering on the team.”
With the team chemistry that Nicholds brings and physicality on defense, the team hopes he can help lead the team back to the playoffs.
Last year, the team lost in the bi-district round to Montgomery 65-61. The boys have made the playoffs for the past five years, but the team has not made it past bi-district since 2022 when the Panthers reached the Regional Semifinals before losing to Katy Paetow, 63-43. This year’s team returns only three players from the previous season.
Even though the squad has new faces throughout its roster, Nicholds said he believes the team will still complete its goals.
“We were more skilled last year,” Nicholds said. “But this year we are way more disciplined and have the ability to win a district championship.”
Overall, basketball has been a comfort spot for Nicholds since he was a young boy. From winning a youth championship game to being the starting post player on varsity, basketball has always been home for him.
“My favorite part about basketball is my family,” Nicholds said. “I love the environment and amazing atmosphere of the program.”
