“It’s Been My Dream Since I Was A Little Girl To Be A Golden Eagle”; Pickett County’s Zoey Nicholas Signs With Tennessee Tech University

By Michael Lindsay

Pickett County High School Lady Bobcat senior point guard Zoey Nicholas fulfilled a lifelong dream Wednesday afternoon as she officially signed with Tennessee Tech University.

“It’s feels amazing,” said Nicholas. “It’s been my dream since I was a little girl to be a Golden Eagle, and I’m blessed and excited that I get to do that.

“Tech is close to home; I’m a big family girl, so to know my community and family can watch me play there is big,” added Nicholas. “Pickett County is known for girls basketball, and everybody showing up means a lot to me not only as a basketball player, but as a person.”

New Pickett County head girls coach Brittany Cooper has had Nicholas on her team for only one offseason, but coached against Nicholas while at Clarkrange as an assistant last year.

“Zoey has worked her whole life for this,” said Cooper. “She is always in the gym, and it’s a testament to her work ethic and lays a great foundation to the younger kids that look up to her. She’s a team-first kid and that’s so important.”

Nicholas won the Class 1A state championship as a sophomore and was named District 7-1A MVP that season. Nicholas was named the District 7-1A tournament MVP, first-team All-District 7-1A, TSWA all-state and all-Upper Cumberland 1st team by UCR in her junior season.