Interview with Nicole Woods, point guard, Nottingham Wildcats

This christmas break, I ran into Nicole Woods, former Hunter Huss standout and former Belmont Abbey point guard. Last year she helped coach Hunter Huss's varsity basketball team, and we renewed a friendship that had slipped during her college years. Nicole was the ultimate athletic in highschool, studious, polite, hard working and a definate team player. She is currently doing a blog with the gaston gazette about her life as a point guard in England. Her are some of the things about Nicole, what she's done in life so far and how she got to Nottingham.

Nicole, would you tell us a little about your high school adventure


My position in high school was the 1-5 spot. I played just about everywhere you can imagine, just ask head coach Jan Wiggins. I played wherever I was needed, as long as I was on the court, I was happy. Some of the awards I received during my hs days were 1st and 2nd Team All-Conference, All-Gazette first team, Best and Brightest Award from Hunter Huss, Grenier Just Do It Award, Female Athletic of the Year Award and way too many scholarship awards to mention (I cant remember them all). Let me say this though, by far, I wasn't the best player on my teams either, but I worked hard at it and never gave up and that is what got me where I am today, and with the help of the good Lord of course.

Nicole, what colleges did you apply to or what colleges were interested in you as an athletic

There were countless schools offering me partial scholarships all across the state. I had my heart set on going to UNC, but I didnt want to be a burden on my mother financially, so I weighted them all via academically, athletically and socially and by far, Belmont Abbey came up a winner for me. I didnt know it then, but this was the best decision I had ever made on my own.

What was your most memorable moment in highschool and college?

My most memorable high school moment would have to be senior prom without a doubt! It was the best time I ever had, not to mention nobody knew who I was going wit until we showed up, and in walks the Male and Female Athlete of the year, myself and Shug Patterson. Seeing those faces and the time we had that night was great! A memorable college moment would have to be my senior year when they had "American Idol" at Belmont Abbey. People that really know me, know that my passion is singing. I love singing, its in my blod. My dad's side of the family might as well be the Winan's family in my eyes as they are all awesome singers. After joking around with it, i finally got the gall to go and audition. I have never been as nervous as in the moment, not in all the nail bitter games that I have played in, that was by far the worst, and that feeling was terrible. I finally sucked it up and sang Whitney Houston's "I have nothing" and tore it up. It showed everyone that I was much more than a basketball player.

My most momerable moment in college would be that I was the number one scorer in the nation DII for seven weeks, but that was eclipsed by a girl wcoring a basket in overtime to beat me by .03ppg. Nobody remembers who's second

 

Nicole, how did you get recruited by the Nottingham Wildcats?

The whole overseas basketball thing I believe is nothing but God to tell you the truth. I had tried to play my first year out of college and all of my attempts were in vain. I believe God planned for me to not go that year because he had to shape and mold me into what he would have me, so that when I did go, I could do his work. After my first year of rejection, I had put my basketball shoes up. Friends and family though that I wanted to still play but I had quit. Then out of the blue on June 1, 2007 I got an email from an old rival in college. We caught up and after about the 2nd email she said I am now the head coach of the Nottingham Wildcats and I don't want anybody but you to be my point guard. This doesn't happen everyday. It was nothing but divine favor from God as far as I'm concerned. It goes to show you have to be ready at all times, as you never know when opportunity will come knocking. Truth be told, I was not sure I was going to play pro ball until the day I stepped on the plane, I was still in limbo.

Did you try out for any WNBA teams?

No, I didnt get the chance as the Sting folded before I could get on the floor with them. If you think about it, there are only certain sports open on the WNBA teams, and if you aren't a big time division 1 player, your chances are slim. You would have to try and walk on for a tryout.

Is your goal to make it to an WNBA team?

I dont know if it is my goal to play WNBA ball, if that opportunity presented itself, of course I would play, but I learned early that basketball is not my entire life. At the age of 14 and 15, I had two ACL injurie, one to my right and one to my left knee. As a young kid, I learned that if I wanted to make it in this world, then I better get my education because when everything else fails, I will always have my brain to rely on. If ball is still there, then thats a plus. It took a lot of hard work to get to where I am now. Physical conditioning and education are the most important things when it comes to college basketball. If you are not in shape then you might as well go back home, and your ARE going back home if your don't get your grades in order. Going into my junior year, I worked out with my assistant coach everyday, and worked very hard to lose 30 pounds just to be considered for a starting spot. As hard as I worked, I still didnt get the starting spot right away, I had to work harder. I wasted 2 years before I realized the importance of conditioning and cost myself the All-time leading scoring record due to being lazy. It is nothing like what you are used to, and you have to be prepared from the first day, or get left behind. It's your choice....

Thanks Nicole, conditioning is very important. Nicole has consented to doing a couple of return interviews to tell us how things work in the pro leagues. feel free to email Nicole at "[email protected]" I'm sure she will answer any questions and being in England away from home, she would welcome any correspondence from basketball players at home.