Carson High's Nicole Scott could be called a Renaissance woman. She has kept a busy schedule which has included playing three sports in high school, not to mention club basketball, and maintaining a job.
Through it all, Scott has been able to earn a scholarship to play basketball at Division I Eastern Washington, which competes in the Big Sky Conference. Scott signed her letter-of-intent with the school on Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period.
Another female Carson athlete, Alex McAlman, arguably the state's top all-around thrower, will also sign with the University of Nevada where she will compete in track. McAlman will sign with the school on Tuesday.
Scott, a 6-2 post player, has competed in volleyball, basketball and track at Carson. "I'm proud of Nicole because she's played three sports," said her Jam On It club coach Matt Williams, who attended the signing ceremony on Wednesday. "To me that's a lost art."
Williams also noted that Scott was able to play three sports and club basketball while maintaining a job. "She had to balance work full-time," he said.
While Scott received a great deal of attention from many Division I schools as a result of her play this summer with Williams' team, Williams said her development began much earlier.
"Her development really started in the seventh grade," Williams said. "She is a determined kid."
Scott is a versatile player who can play inside and outside and run the floor. "She'll do well," Williams said. "She'll make an impact right away. I honestly think she could have played college in all three sports."
Williams also talked about Scott's mental toughness and how she was able to handle his tough program.
"She's grounded," Williams said. "If she can survive my program she can play for any coach. She could take it with the best of them. Nicole's one of the special kids we've had.
"All of us coaches can take the credit. But she is the one who made the commitment. You also have to credit her parents."
Williams said he was also proud that Scott made her decision based on academics. Scott wants to go into athletic training or physical therapy and Eastern Washington has a strong program in that area. Williams, though, pointed out one disadvantage to Scott attending Eastern Washington.
"I'm sad because she's going away of course," he said. "I'm a little disappointed that she isn't playing a little closer to home."
Williams also said that Scott will benefit from playing under Ric Garcia, a coach with extensive experience, who is taking over the Carson girls team this year. Williams said Scott will continue to play with his team in the spring as well.
"He's a basketball guru," said Williams about Garcia. "Nicole will have an easy transition into college. She will keep working."
Scott sustained a broken ankle during volleyball season, but has almost completely recovered from the injury and should be ready to play by the start of the basketball season.
McAlman, who is a National Merit semifinalist, will receive a financial package at Nevada that virtually covers her entire cost. McAlman has a personal best of more than 39 feet in the shot put and more than 126 feet in the discus.
Her obvious goals this year are to go over 40 feet in the shot put and 130 feet in the discus and to win state titles in both events.
"I never thought I was going to be that good," said McAlman about earning a scholarship.
"If they're going to give money to me, I might as well keep doing it. I have a lot of fun. If I didn't have fun I wouldn't do it."
