Nieman Personifies Best In Prep Athletes

Genuinely humble. Graceful in victory and defeat. Doesn’t possess an inflated image of his or her talents.

I’ve been following high school athletes in these parts for nearly 11-1/2 years and there’s only been a few high-profile athletes who share those characteristics with Alli Nieman.

Her qualities are as natural as one of her smooth 10-foot turnaround jumpers or a well-timed, crushing kill off a quick set.

There have been others who have modeled true All-American values like Nieman. But I hesitate to list them here because I’m sure I’d overlook a few.

Among the top basketball and volleyball players in the state since her freshman year, Nieman signed a letter of intent Monday to play both sports at the University of Idaho.

I applaud her decision. There are a number of good reasons she chose Idaho, but a couple are especially laudable.

She wants to stay close to home so her family can watch her and so she can follow her brother’s high school years (he’s a freshman). And she wants to help Vandals coach Julie Holt build a winner.

Holt says Idaho will win a championship during Nieman’s collegiate career. To do that she needs athletes like Nieman.

It was the things Holt shared about Nieman’s character, though, that caught the attention of yours truly.

“We’re going to win here, and for us to do that it’s just not with good athletes and good students like Alli Nieman, but with good people,” Holt said. “And she’s at the top of the list, bar none. The reason we get Alli Nieman is the type of person she is. Her heart made her decision as opposed to her ego.”

Nieman begins her final prep basketball season Friday when the Bulldogs entertain Lakeland.

“I’m really happy to have the recruiting behind me,” she said. “I was really getting tired of it.”

Now she can concentrate on her goal of qualifying for the state tournament.

If you have an opportunity to watch a Sandpoint game this winter do so. You’ll find the $3 or so it costs to watch Nieman play worth it.

And you’ll leave the gym knowing that All-American student-athletes aren’t a dying breed.

Only going to get better

Interestingly, Nieman not only has been among the tallest in her class but also the youngest. She doesn’t turn 18 years old until August.

She has played volleyball largely on natural athleticism, and her time spent out of season playing the sport has been nominal. Her high school coach, Jeff Hurst, and UI coach Tom Hilbert see limitless potential.

“She is the best player in the state and certainly in terms of potential,” Hilbert said. “She’s got a lot of growing to do in the sport, but we’ve made our living at Idaho with players such as Alli.”

Looking ahead

It didn’t dawn on me until a day or two afterward, but Post Falls’ back-to-back losses in the State A-1 Division II football semifinals have been by three points.

Three points. Perhaps three will be the charm for the Trojans next year. Expect the string of success to continue at Post Falls.

Consider this: Nine of the Trojans’ defensive starters are underclassmen, and they started five underclassmen on offense.

Leading the list of top returners will be defensive end/tight end Austin Lee and running back Josh Mort, both juniors.

At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, Lee will be recruited heavily. He’s got the brawn and brains to play anywhere.

And here’s a hunch: Mort, a one-way player the past two years, will see some duty on defense next year. And that’s a frightening proposition.

, DataTimes