For The Tribune
Scotty Nieves played football, basketball and baseball growing up in Seymour.
He spent a lot of time with his brothers playing sports, so when he entered high school he didn’t give a second thought about going out for teams.
While Nieves is now a key part of the football team, he admits when he entered Bulleit Stadium for practice, “my freshman year, I remember coming into the locker room scared. I was so small and the varsity was so big.
That initial fear didn’t keep Nieves away from the game.
“My mom and dad raised me to always finish what you started,” Nieves said. “Sports have always been a big deal in my family. It is something that is very important to us.
“They’re not pushing me to do it, but they want me to finish — and be successful and basketball, football and baseball are one of those things that I’ve always loved. I’m so happy I am playing all three.
He played freshman and JV his freshman year.
His sophomore year he played special teams on the varsity, and in JV games.
Last fall he played offense and caught six passes for 100 yards and one touchdown.
This summer, he played both offense and defense, and he played offense in the scrimmage at Silver Creek, then he switched to defense for the opener against Evansville Harrison.
“We were short on the defensive side,” Nieves said. “We only had one defensive back returning: Alex Holt. They asked me to try out on defense and I love it there. Alex is the safety and I’m the corner and we’re both on the same side. We have a real good connection and we’re getting along just fine.
“When they first asked me to go to defense I had no idea what I was doing. Holt talked to me because he’s played corner. He told me ‘just play your game.’ If it wasn’t for Holt I don’t know where I’d be.”
In-game, Nieves adjusts to the opposing offense.
“If we’re in cover four and there are two receivers I cover No. 1 but I also read 2,” Nieves said. “So Holt and I have to communicate. On crossing routes we switch. We trust each other. In cover 3, I’m five yards off the ball and I’m one-on-one.
“There’s a lot of things to think about. When we first learned this defense the coaches told us it’s about communication and trust, and if you have that the team will do just fine.”
He enjoys the home games, and looks forward to playing the Owls’ big rival each season.
“One of those quotes I remember as a kid ‘you look good, you play good,”’ Nieves said. “I think the turf looks pretty nice. The best team to play against is at Brownstown. I know when my brothers played it was intense. I wanted to see how it feels — and it’s intense. The Jackson Bowl is a big deal.”
Nieves considers himself a team player and tries to help his teams any way he can.
He played mostly on the junior varsity level in basketball and baseball last year.
In basketball Nieves works as a guard.
While the roster will be guard-heavy, Nieves looks forward to contributing any way he can.
“We’ll have a lot of good guards this year, a lot of seniors too in basketball,” Nieves said. “I’m not that guy that worries so much about starting. I just worry about helping the team.
“If it’s me playing one minute and making a good pass I don’t care as long as I help the team in any way I’ll be fine.”
Nieves always looks to pass first, but isn’t afraid to put up shots when needed.
“If I have a shot I’ll take it,” Nieves said. “One of the guys that helped me last year was Jordan Miller. He was an offensive guy, but he wasn’t a shooter. He was more running the offense. Me and him always worked together. We’ve been playing with each other since Brown (Elementary) School. That’s kind of the way I play, too.”
He said he likes to disrupt the other team on defense.
On the baseball diamond, Nieves said he enjoys playing either right field or left field.
“There’s a lot to think about, especially reading the ball,” Nieves said. “If you don’t read that ball right its either going to go under your glove or over your head.
“One of the things Coach (Tim) Perry taught us was ‘think, but react,’” Nieves said. “That was one of the things I always thought about, to think and react. Always go full speed.”
Nieves is a contact hitter.
“I’m more of a singles kind of guy, and coach likes to give me the steal sign,” Nieves said. “On JV, coach always gave me the steal sign. My speed is a pretty good advantage for me.
Nieves said he has enjoyed his time at Seymour.
“I love high school,” Nieves said. “High school is one of those things you’re never going to forget. I have great teachers I work with them just fine, and they like me as a student. This whole high school is nice.”
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Name: Scotty Nieves
High School: Seymour High School
Parents: Kim and Henry Nieves
Siblings: Quique, Carlos, Alazae
Sports; football 4 years, basketball 4 years, baseball 4 years
Athletic highlights: JV player of year
Organizations: band, youth group
Plans after high school: attend Indiana State University for law
Favorite food: boneless wings
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Favorite musicians: rap music
Favorite movie: Longest Yard
Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts
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What: Columbus East (1-1) at Seymour (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bulleit Stadium
Radio: 92.7 Nash Icon
Last outing: Jeffersonville def. Seymour 48-37, Columbus North def. Columbus East 34-17.
Most recent meeting: Columbus East won 56-30 on Sept. 2, 2016.
Series past 30 years: Columbus East 20-14.
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