Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Brooke Nicholson, Chinook Basketball

Chinook senior Brooke Nicholson is a star in every sport she plays, but basketball makes the Sugarbeeter's heart beat the most

A lot of great athletes have come out of Chinook recently, but one of the most impressive and most decorated is Brooke Nicholson.

Nicholson, who is in the midst of her final year as a Sugarbeeter, has made the most of her athletic career in Chinook, playing volleyball, basketball and tennis. And not only has she played all three sports, she has played them extremely well.

The success came early for Nicholson, who made it on to the varsity roster in all three sports her freshman year. She played important roles on all three teams right away and quickly became the starting point guard for the girls basketball team.

The Beeters made it to the Northern C Divisional basketball tournament that season and with each year on the hardwood, Nicholson has gotten better and better.

As a sophomore, Nicholson earned All-Conference honors and helped the Beeters get back to the Northern C tournament, but ultimately the team fell short of a berth in the Class C state basketball tournament.

Then, last season, as a junior, she took her game to an ever higher level, averaging 11 points and six assists per game. In the process, Chinook won the 9C regular season title and advanced to divisionals for the third straight year. The Beeters were within a few points of winning a challenge game, but once again came just shy of state.

Yet, Nicholson was recognized for her efforts and was named not only to the All-Conference team, but also the Class C All-State team for the first time as well. And despite the loss of seniors Katelyn Neibauer and Hannah Weber to graduation off last year's team, thanks to Nicholson's presence and steady leadership, the Beeters are 9-1 and primed for another run to divisionals and state in 2016.

However, Nicholson's accomplishments are not just limited to basketball. She has earned All-Conference honors twice in volleyball (2014 and 2015) and also received All-State honors this past season, as she helped Chinook reach the State C volleyball tournament for the second time in three years.

And when it comes to the tennis court, Nicholson might be even better. As a freshman, she qualified for the Class C state tournament as an individual and won three matches before being eliminated.

In each of the past two seasons, Nicholson had medaled as an individual at the state tournament, finishing third on each occasion, which played a key role in the team capturing back-to-back state championships on the girls side.

But, as with most great athletes, the three-sport star is far from satisfied. After falling short the three previous seasons, Nicholson desperately wants to reach the state basketball tournament.

It has been a crazy few years for Chinook basketball with the passing away of former head coach Charlie Robinson and the graduation of so many talented players. Yet, through it all, has been Nicholson. She has helped the program maintain its spot as one of the elite teams in the 9C, even with all the losses, and if she has anything to do with it, the Beeters will be on Class C's biggest stage at season's end.

But, before the Beeters continue their 9C basketball schedule with Hays-Lodge Pole Thursday, the Havre Daily News caught up with Nicholson for five questions.

HDN: What do you think has been the key to your athletic success?

Nicholson: "I have always just had a love of competition. I love just going out in any sport and competing. I have great support at home, my parents are really great, and I have just always been driven to be one of the best."

HDN: Of the three sports you play, which is you favorite?

Nicholson: "I enjoy basketball the most. But, when it's tennis season I really enjoy tennis, you know how that works, but I definitely think basketball is my favorite."

HDN: What do you like so much about basketball?

Nicholson: "I like how it's fast paced. How you have to be able to think quickly on your feet and how there is some contact. I don't know; there is just something about it that gets my blood going."

HDN: With all the graduation losses, you have had to take on a bigger leadership role for the team this year, what has that been like?

Nicholson: "It has been a different transition, taking on the leadership role, you always rely on those other girls and then it's handed to you. But, I think these girls are just amazing girls and, really, we all work together, so I don't feel like it's too different. We have four juniors and we all just work together."

HDN: The only sport in which you haven't reached state is basketball. How much would it mean to you and your teammates to make it to state basketball this season?

Nicholson: "That is definitely the goal. It would be an unbelievably amazing feeling. I don't even know how I would describe that feeling, it was just so close last year, that the want for it is even bigger this year."