Don’t call Maine South sophomore guard Nicole Scales just a 3-point shooter. According to coaches, teammates and opponents, she’s a multi-dimensional player.
Sure, Scales leads the team with 28 3-point baskets, including at least one in all 10 Hawks games (6-4). She averages a team-leading 12 points per game.
“Nicole has had a significant start to the season from the 3-point arc,” Maine South coach Mark Smith said. “But, you can’t label her as just a shooter.”
Scales averages nearly three rebounds and three assists per game, and a little over two steals. Her season highs are seven assists, six rebounds and four steals.
“I want to get my teammates involved,” Scales said.
In the Hawks’ 48-43 Central Suburban South loss at Glenbrook South on Friday, Scales had six rebounds to go along with five points, three assists, three steals and a blocked shot.
As usual, one of her key contributions came from behind the 3-point line. Well beyond, the line, in fact. She took three steps back from the line to get open and lofted a high arching rainbow that swished. The bucket brought Maine South to within 46-43 with just less than two minutes remaining.
“She’s always been a good shooter,” said junior Fiona Spuria, who led the Hawks with 14 points against Glenbrook South. “Her 3s really bring the whole team up. We expect a lot from her and she brings a lot.”
Smith also lauded Scales’ “tremendous strength” on 3-pointers in particular.
“I’ve put a lot of work in over the summer in the gym,” Scales said. “I’ve been working on my (3-point) range. That’s very important for me to play at the college level.”
Scales’ contributions also can be seen on the defensive end of the court.
“The last couple of games, we’ve been giving her the toughest defensive assignment and she’s been doing very well,” Smith said.
Against Glenbrook South, Scales was assigned to Denver signee and Titans senior Carie Weinman. Scales — along with her teammates, she was quick to point out — harassed Weinman into an 11-for-27 shooting night.
“I thought she did a very good job of face-guarding me,” Weinman said.
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Mark Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press