March 29, 2024

C-M’s Nichols signs with Midland University baskeball

COLFAX — Two years into his high school basketball career, Colfax-Mingo senior Jarod Nichols didn’t think he would score 1,000 points in his career, wasn’t sure he would set any of the school’s rebounding records and certainly didn’t expect to extend his career in college.

But all of the above happened, with the final chapter coming on April 11 when he signed his national letter of intent to play basketball for NAIA Midland University in Fremont, Neb.

Nichols made things official with the Warriors in the presence of his parents, Rick and Renee, his brother Jake, Colfax-Mingo coach Nick Noring and Midland University assistant coach Cam Schuknecht.

“My first two years, I was here just to play basketball and have fun,” NichoIs said. “I had no idea I would score 1,000 points and have all these rebounding records. At the end of the day, when I look back and think that I am one of the best to play at this school, it’s pretty special.

“I worked hard to get to this spot. And I hope I can continue this in college. I am grateful to have the opportunity.”

Nichols said he chose Midland over NCAA Division III programs Central College and Coe College.

“Each time I visited there, it felt like home to me,” Nichols said. “It wasn’t too big, and it wasn’t too small. It’s the perfect size for me.”

Nichols exits the program ranked fourth on Colfax-Mingo’s all-time scoring list. He averaged 18.8 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor this past season.

The Tigerhawk senior had 20 double-doubles in 21 games this past season.

It’s the rebounds and the effort on the floor that stood out to Schuknecht and Midland University head coach Oliver Drake on film.

“He’s a physical, hard-nosed, blue collar kid,” Schuknecht said. “Those are the type of players we are attracted to. He’s a real good fit for our program.”

Nichols finished his career with 1,132 points and a school-record 846 rebounds. His 271 rebounds this season is a single season school record and his 395 points scored ranks sixth all time for a single season.

“I am extremely proud of him. He bought into what I was saying from Day 1,” Noring said. “Without a doubt, I feel he’s 100 percent ready for college basketball. This is a good moment for him and for our program, and we couldn’t be more excited for him.”

Noring played collegiately at the same level as Nichols is going to play at, spending some of his college days at Grand View University. He knows what it will take for Nichols to be successful at the next level.

“He’s a versatile player. If he can improve his ball handling, he’ll definitely be able to play either forward position,” Noring said. “Everyone is going to have an opinion. He just needs to be the best that he can be, and be aggressive doing it.”

The coaching staff has never seen Nichols play live, but the C-M senior has attended a few Warrior basketball games, and he also made a recruiting trip to campus in the fall for a football game.

Schuknecht is unsure if Nichols will play right away next year. The Warriors were 16-14 last year and graduated just three players.

“We try to predict if they’ll play right away, but a lot of times you just don’t know,” Schuknecht said. “We like to get them here, get them into our scheme and get them under the lights. It could take some time, but we did play a first-year guy last year.

“He works hard. We like guys who work hard, and those are the ones who usually get better as they go along, too.”

Nichols himself knows he may be undersized to grab early playing time in the post. He may have to shift some of his game to the outside early in his career.

“I don’t think I am ready to be a post player at that level yet,” Nichols said. “I may have to switch positions and play some small forward. It may take a year to get on the court.”

Nichols will be part of a recruiting class that features a few other state of Iowa players, including Van Meter’s Grant Johnson, Johnston’s Bo Sandquist and Treynor’s Dillon Faubel.

Nichols played against Johnson at the AAU level. The two may be roommates when they get to campus.

“Getting to know him before and eventually going to college with him will likely help us both out with the transition,” said Nichols, who plans to major in elementary education.