Maysville Star Nichols Officially Signs With Ohio Dominican University

SOUTH ZANESVILLE – As the old saying goes, all good things come to an end. The greatest team in Maysville High School boys basketball history wrapped up a remarkable run over the last several years, led by star guard Gator Nichols.

The program and school’s all-time leading scorer now wraps up one Panthers career to begin another. Among all the offers that the star senior received during his recruitment process, Division II level Ohio Dominican University was among the first to come knocking, as early as late in 2025.

Nichols received countless offers from both Division II and Division III programs, but settled on Columbus for a number of reasons. The culture is one, the coach is another, and maybe it is because Nichols wanted to remain a Panther at the next level. Now that he is taking the next step, Gator cannot help but look back on what his time at Maysville meant to him and his basketball career.

“It’s meant everything. The people that I’ve met throughout, it’s been unbelievable. Coach Brown, Coach Cox, they built a great program, and I was just happy I could be a part of it” says Nichols.

Nichols was a two-time player of the year in Division IV, the East District, and the Muskingum Valley League to add to a loaded resume with Mr. Ohio basketball finalist and 2025 state champion in Southtown. He is now ready to suit up for the Panthers of Ohio Dominican under head coach Casey Kaufman.

“I think they got a great culture up there, and Coach Kaufman’s a great guy. When I talked to him, it felt like that was the best I was going to get as close to home. Coach (Dave) Brown is a really good guy, and that is what I saw out of Coach Kaufman, so that is one of the reasons” says Nichols.

Once a Panther, always a Panther, as Gator Nichols soon departs west for Columbus to set a new standard for those of Ohio Dominican University.