Indians’ senior sharpshooter chats about picking Messiah College

Wow, where to begin with Nicky Hess?

Starting center fielder, as a freshman, on Donegal’s Triple-A state softball championship team and a major three-year contributor to that team. When you play center field and bat third in the Indians’ everyday lineup, you’re doing a lot of things the right way.

Also a major three-year contributor in basketball, where she’ll join the 1,000-career-point club as early as Friday, when the Indians visit Annville-Cleona in the L-L League opener.

Super athlete and a really cool kid.

Finally got a chance to watch her live and in person in a real varsity basketball game on Tuesday night, when Donegal knocked off Solanco 56-39 to improve to 3-0 overall.

Hess popped in 19 points, raising her career total to 980 – so she’ll need about her ‘basic’ game on Friday against the Little Dutchmen to eclipse the century mark. She’s averaging 22.7 points per game through Donegal’s first three games. She also has nine 3-pointers, tops in the league.

Hess also recently made a big decision … college.

She could have gone for softball or for basketball.

She went with her first love – hoops.

And she picked Messiah College, which went to the NCAA Division 3 national championship game last season.

I chatted with Hess on Tuesday after the win over Solanco. She put a capper on the victory, chatted about Donegal’s hot start and where the Indians hope to go from here, and about her decision to pick Messiah, and her expectations for that level.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.