HE’S ON FIRE!
After missing a year and a half with a medical condition, Niego scores 15 of his 20 points in the 1st quarter to power Brother Rice past Richards
Just like his brothers Quinn and Josh, Nick Niego grew up dreaming of wearing a Brother Rice basketball jersey.
His chance to do that was delayed, however, by a medical condition — amplified pain syndrome — that sidelined him for over a year.
“I was out all freshman year,” Niego said. “I was really fatigued all the time. I was out for about a year and a half and came back to play JV my sophomore season.
“It was hard. My family and friends were always with me. I came to a lot of the games. I wasn’t able to play, but I was here with my teammates.”
Niego, however, is now back with the Crusaders — and starring in his first season as a varsity starter.
The junior guard/forward helped Brother Rice get off to an electrifying start Friday night, scoring 15 of his 20 points in the first quarter as the host Crusaders rolled to a 77-55 win over Richards.
Niego hit six 3-pointers, including five in the first quarter.
“It means everything to be back,” Niego said. “I didn’t realize how much it’s hard being out. When I came back, I realized how
much it means to me.”
Ahmad Henderson led Brother Rice (9-1) with 21 points and five rebounds. Khalil Ross added 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Peter McShane contributed nine points and nine rebounds.
Greg Miller scored 12 points for Richards (6-4), while Santiago Rios, Lavell Nash and Deven Jiles each had 10. Nash added eight rebounds.
Niego’s hot shooting, along with Ross dominating inside with eight points, allowed the Crusaders to storm to a 28-9 lead after one quarter.
Brother Rice coach Bobby Frasor was not surprised to see Niego knocking down 3-pointers.
“You saw him in the fall and the summer and he could just shoot it at an insane clip,” Frasor said of Niego. “Better than anybody I’ve been around. So, we just let him keep shooting it.
“His work ethic is relentless. You watch him work out and you get motivated. It’s like, ‘Hey, I’ve got to be doing something.’ He does everything he should and he maximizes his potential.” McShane has seen it firsthand. “I work out with him all the time in the summer,” McShane said of Niego. “He’s hit close to 30-something threes in a row. It’s normal for him.”
Henderson, a Division I prospect at point guard for the Crusaders, did not start because he was late arriving to the gym Friday, according to Frasor.
By the time Henderson entered the game a little more than three minutes in, Niego had already hit
three 3-pointers.
“It’s fun to watch them do it without me out there,” Henderson said. “It’s fun to watch Nick Niego make threes. When I got in, I just had the same mindset as if I were starting.”