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02-13-2011, 01:06 PM
What's the story on Nick?
02-13-2011, 03:43 PM
Then Nick got carried off the court. Memory of a lifetime
02-13-2011, 08:44 PM
18fan Wrote:He is a student that loved basketball and was there at every Russell basketball game and he has down syndrome. Tonight was senior night and they let him and the seniors play. It was awesome to see Nick score.
Cool story!!! Any links about Nick?
02-15-2011, 03:47 PM
ASHLAND â Home stands rocked with awestruck, amped-up fans.
A bubbly student section chanted a fan favoriteâs name.
And the P.A. announcer in Marvin Meredith Gymnasium prepared to make it clear that the much-anticipated moment had finally arrived.
But all of that was just the backdrop as the scene unveiled a local celebrity. The stage was, solely and simply, his.
âIt seemed like there wasnât anybody else out there,â said Russell sophomore basketball player Kyle Skaggs. âIt was just Nick.â
Nick Zambos, who never backs down from a chance to compete, chalked up another shining moment in his remarkable journey on Saturday night as the team manager-turned-player turned into a star.
âWe couldnât have scripted it any better,â said Red Devils coach Merle Kidwell.
With four minutes left in a game against Menifee County on Senior Night, Kidwell called on Zambos to check in for the first time ever. Four minutes later, he was carried off the court by players and fans in jubilation.
Dr. Phil Zambos watched anxiously as he witnessed the culmination of his sonâs career.
âHe had been calling me every day for the last two weeks, saying, âDad, Iâm going to dress and hopefully play in the game (on Senior Night),â said Dr. Zambos. âHe knew he was going to get a chance.â
Nick, the oldest of four siblings, has been a constant inspiration with his ability to rise above his label as a 19-year-old with Down syndrome, a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome, according to the National Down Syndrome Society website.
âI really believe that God puts people in your life that can teach you things,â Kidwell said, fighting tears. âNick has taught our team about unselfishness and humility. Everybody on our team considers Nick a part of the team.â
Nick, who shoots left handed, drove to the basket for a lay-in, missed a couple looks at a 3-pointer, and then attempted his most difficult shot â a contested runner along the baseline as he faded out of bounds.
âHe shot it from the corner from almost behind the basket!â exclaimed Nickâs father, who soaked in the moment from the second row.
Nick drained the shot, and while it may have surprised some, it just reaffirmed his teammatesâ faith in Nickâs basketball ability.
âIt was really no surprise to us,â said Grant McKenzie, one of four seniors including Nick. âHeâs always playing games with us in practice, always challenging (6-foot-4) Justin Davidson to one-on-one.â
When asked if he usually beats Davidson, the 5-foot-6 Nick didnât hesitate to answer.
âYes,â said Nick, with his contagious grin and playful personality displayed. âHeâs no problem.â
When Kidwell took over as head coach, replacing Steve Dodd, before the 2008-09 season, Nick had already served as team manager for one season. As team manager, Nick stays busy wheeling in and out the basketball rack, working the clock during practice and making sure players have towels and water.
Nick took it to heart when Russell lost, as he still does. Heâll even critique the team if he deems it necessary.
âHe gets more upset with a loss than we are and he lets us know what we couldâve done better,â McKenzie said. âHeâs really aware of his surroundings and our team.â
âNick epitomizes what, as a coach, you want in every player,â Kidwell said. âAll he cares about is what Russell does.â
Kidwell knew all Nick really wanted was an opportunity to play.
âWe promised Nick when I first took the job that weâd get him in a game his senior year,â Kidwell said. âA lot of people said JV, but I just thought weâd get him in a varsity game.â
Nick of all trades
Zambos will be forever listed in that box score as Russell beat Menifee County, 70-47, on Saturday, Feb. 12. But it wasnât the only time Zambos scored in a high school sporting event. The first one happened on another Senior Night.
Nick played alongside his younger brother, Andreas, a junior, on the soccer team this past fall. When given a free kick on Senior Night, Nick capitalized.
Nickâs favorite sport is basketball. When the post-game craziness dispelled on Saturday, Andreas sent out a mass message on Facebook expressing his emotional high after watching Nick score four points.
âHe was so proud of his brother,â said Dr. Zambos, who presented another gift to Nick that night, capping an outstanding day.
Dr. Zambos was able to get a Senior Bowl football signed by West Virginia running back Noel Devine. He gave it to Nick, who is an avid Mountaineers fan.
Nick takes after his father in his golf game. He is a âreally good putter,â according to his father. Thatâs quite a compliment from his dad, who was named one of Americaâs Top 100 golfer-doctors in Golf Digest in 2006.
Nick always also had a passion for playing football, but instability in his C1 and C2 vertebrae prevented him from participating in the physical sport.
Overcoming
health issues
Considering his celiac disease, which is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food, and everyday Down syndrome hurdles, such as his limited cognitive skills and speech difficulty, Nick is exceptionally healthy.
Dr. Zambos recalls an incident when Nick was 4 or 5 as the scariest. Nick suffered from a duodenal web, which causes obstruction of the small intestine. While at a movie with some friends, he consumed some popcorn and began vomiting uncontrollably.
âWe had to take him to the childrenâs hospital in Columbus and he had emergency surgery,â said Dr. Zambos. âHe got through that fantastic.â
Heâs got personality
Nickâs perseverance is about the only quality that can match his enduring personality.
âNickâs one of the most carefree people I know,â McKenzie said. âNever sad, always happy.â
âWhenever Iâm having a bad day, I just know I need to go and talk to Nick,â said Dr. Zambos. âHeâs just a kind, loving person and he always has a good thing to say about everybody.â
Nick works at Kroger through a cooperative education program and has also been a four-year ROTC member.
âHeâs a real asset to the community and heâs got aspirations,â Dr. Zambos said.
One of those aspirations is someday finding his soulmate and getting married.
âHeâs looking forward to meeting someone special,â Dr. Zambos said. âHeâs very popular. He always seems to go to dances with the prettiest ladies. He is a good dancer.â
Lasting effect
He left girls, boys, women and men amazed on Saturday. His teammates knew he wouldnât disappoint when he got on the court. Maybe thatâs why they were so eager to jump out to a substantial lead on Menifee County, prompting Kidwell to make the substitution.
âI think that was the hardest anybodyâs played all year to get him in in the fourth quarter,â said fellow senior Brandon Boyd.
âThe whole game our team was like, weâve got to get a lead to get Nick in the game,â said Kidwell. âIt worked out well and Menifee County showed great sportsmanship.â
Menifee Countyâs coach Tim Swartz was reminded of a similar story that reached the national news, in 2006, of an autistic basketball player Jason McElwain. The senior hit six 3-pointers for Greece Athena, in New York, en route to 20 points. He was also carried off the court.
âThatâs the first thing that came to my mind,â Swartz said.
When Nick scored his first two points, the place erupted with joy.
âIt sounded like a million people were here,â said senior Zach Bailey. âIt was the best scenery Iâve seen all year.â
Kidwell had never heard Russellâs home gym louder when Nick scored, and never heard it more silent when Nick stepped up to the foul line for two technical free throws. Each went in and out.
When the game ended, the team signed a game ball and handed it to Nick.
Skaggs will forever remember the night he notched his 1,000th point, not only for that achievement but because he shares the milestone with Nickâs moment.
âIt was really special,â Skaggs said. âIt just made it even better when Nick got out there and scored.â
The whole experience for Nick?
âIt was awesome, actually,â said Nick, sporting his never-failing smile.
A bubbly student section chanted a fan favoriteâs name.
And the P.A. announcer in Marvin Meredith Gymnasium prepared to make it clear that the much-anticipated moment had finally arrived.
But all of that was just the backdrop as the scene unveiled a local celebrity. The stage was, solely and simply, his.
âIt seemed like there wasnât anybody else out there,â said Russell sophomore basketball player Kyle Skaggs. âIt was just Nick.â
Nick Zambos, who never backs down from a chance to compete, chalked up another shining moment in his remarkable journey on Saturday night as the team manager-turned-player turned into a star.
âWe couldnât have scripted it any better,â said Red Devils coach Merle Kidwell.
With four minutes left in a game against Menifee County on Senior Night, Kidwell called on Zambos to check in for the first time ever. Four minutes later, he was carried off the court by players and fans in jubilation.
Dr. Phil Zambos watched anxiously as he witnessed the culmination of his sonâs career.
âHe had been calling me every day for the last two weeks, saying, âDad, Iâm going to dress and hopefully play in the game (on Senior Night),â said Dr. Zambos. âHe knew he was going to get a chance.â
Nick, the oldest of four siblings, has been a constant inspiration with his ability to rise above his label as a 19-year-old with Down syndrome, a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome, according to the National Down Syndrome Society website.
âI really believe that God puts people in your life that can teach you things,â Kidwell said, fighting tears. âNick has taught our team about unselfishness and humility. Everybody on our team considers Nick a part of the team.â
Nick, who shoots left handed, drove to the basket for a lay-in, missed a couple looks at a 3-pointer, and then attempted his most difficult shot â a contested runner along the baseline as he faded out of bounds.
âHe shot it from the corner from almost behind the basket!â exclaimed Nickâs father, who soaked in the moment from the second row.
Nick drained the shot, and while it may have surprised some, it just reaffirmed his teammatesâ faith in Nickâs basketball ability.
âIt was really no surprise to us,â said Grant McKenzie, one of four seniors including Nick. âHeâs always playing games with us in practice, always challenging (6-foot-4) Justin Davidson to one-on-one.â
When asked if he usually beats Davidson, the 5-foot-6 Nick didnât hesitate to answer.
âYes,â said Nick, with his contagious grin and playful personality displayed. âHeâs no problem.â
When Kidwell took over as head coach, replacing Steve Dodd, before the 2008-09 season, Nick had already served as team manager for one season. As team manager, Nick stays busy wheeling in and out the basketball rack, working the clock during practice and making sure players have towels and water.
Nick took it to heart when Russell lost, as he still does. Heâll even critique the team if he deems it necessary.
âHe gets more upset with a loss than we are and he lets us know what we couldâve done better,â McKenzie said. âHeâs really aware of his surroundings and our team.â
âNick epitomizes what, as a coach, you want in every player,â Kidwell said. âAll he cares about is what Russell does.â
Kidwell knew all Nick really wanted was an opportunity to play.
âWe promised Nick when I first took the job that weâd get him in a game his senior year,â Kidwell said. âA lot of people said JV, but I just thought weâd get him in a varsity game.â
Nick of all trades
Zambos will be forever listed in that box score as Russell beat Menifee County, 70-47, on Saturday, Feb. 12. But it wasnât the only time Zambos scored in a high school sporting event. The first one happened on another Senior Night.
Nick played alongside his younger brother, Andreas, a junior, on the soccer team this past fall. When given a free kick on Senior Night, Nick capitalized.
Nickâs favorite sport is basketball. When the post-game craziness dispelled on Saturday, Andreas sent out a mass message on Facebook expressing his emotional high after watching Nick score four points.
âHe was so proud of his brother,â said Dr. Zambos, who presented another gift to Nick that night, capping an outstanding day.
Dr. Zambos was able to get a Senior Bowl football signed by West Virginia running back Noel Devine. He gave it to Nick, who is an avid Mountaineers fan.
Nick takes after his father in his golf game. He is a âreally good putter,â according to his father. Thatâs quite a compliment from his dad, who was named one of Americaâs Top 100 golfer-doctors in Golf Digest in 2006.
Nick always also had a passion for playing football, but instability in his C1 and C2 vertebrae prevented him from participating in the physical sport.
Overcoming
health issues
Considering his celiac disease, which is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food, and everyday Down syndrome hurdles, such as his limited cognitive skills and speech difficulty, Nick is exceptionally healthy.
Dr. Zambos recalls an incident when Nick was 4 or 5 as the scariest. Nick suffered from a duodenal web, which causes obstruction of the small intestine. While at a movie with some friends, he consumed some popcorn and began vomiting uncontrollably.
âWe had to take him to the childrenâs hospital in Columbus and he had emergency surgery,â said Dr. Zambos. âHe got through that fantastic.â
Heâs got personality
Nickâs perseverance is about the only quality that can match his enduring personality.
âNickâs one of the most carefree people I know,â McKenzie said. âNever sad, always happy.â
âWhenever Iâm having a bad day, I just know I need to go and talk to Nick,â said Dr. Zambos. âHeâs just a kind, loving person and he always has a good thing to say about everybody.â
Nick works at Kroger through a cooperative education program and has also been a four-year ROTC member.
âHeâs a real asset to the community and heâs got aspirations,â Dr. Zambos said.
One of those aspirations is someday finding his soulmate and getting married.
âHeâs looking forward to meeting someone special,â Dr. Zambos said. âHeâs very popular. He always seems to go to dances with the prettiest ladies. He is a good dancer.â
Lasting effect
He left girls, boys, women and men amazed on Saturday. His teammates knew he wouldnât disappoint when he got on the court. Maybe thatâs why they were so eager to jump out to a substantial lead on Menifee County, prompting Kidwell to make the substitution.
âI think that was the hardest anybodyâs played all year to get him in in the fourth quarter,â said fellow senior Brandon Boyd.
âThe whole game our team was like, weâve got to get a lead to get Nick in the game,â said Kidwell. âIt worked out well and Menifee County showed great sportsmanship.â
Menifee Countyâs coach Tim Swartz was reminded of a similar story that reached the national news, in 2006, of an autistic basketball player Jason McElwain. The senior hit six 3-pointers for Greece Athena, in New York, en route to 20 points. He was also carried off the court.
âThatâs the first thing that came to my mind,â Swartz said.
When Nick scored his first two points, the place erupted with joy.
âIt sounded like a million people were here,â said senior Zach Bailey. âIt was the best scenery Iâve seen all year.â
Kidwell had never heard Russellâs home gym louder when Nick scored, and never heard it more silent when Nick stepped up to the foul line for two technical free throws. Each went in and out.
When the game ended, the team signed a game ball and handed it to Nick.
Skaggs will forever remember the night he notched his 1,000th point, not only for that achievement but because he shares the milestone with Nickâs moment.
âIt was really special,â Skaggs said. âIt just made it even better when Nick got out there and scored.â
The whole experience for Nick?
âIt was awesome, actually,â said Nick, sporting his never-failing smile.
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