Nevaeh Lucious having impressive first season with Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Bulldogs start a trio of freshmen in Brie and Kate Rubel and Nevaeh Lucious, and Lucious has provided a major impact on both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs this season.

Lucious brings length and a shot-blocking ability on defense and is able to score 1 on 1 in the post.

“She’s a shot disrupter and she can score,” Notre Dame coach Kirk Boeller said. “Having that true, athletic, talented post has made us look a little different as a team.”

Boeller likes that Lucious can protect the rim, but also stay out of foul trouble while doing it.

“She doesn’t get in a lot of foul trouble,” Boeller said. “That’s awesome to have a big that doesn’t get in foul trouble, can alter shots and creates havoc on the defensive end. It’s invaluable.”

For Lucious, she has gotten more comfortable as the season has gone on.

“Our two seniors Anna (Garner) and Tori (Rubel) have helped me out a lot,” Lucious said. “I’ve played with Kate and Brie for a long time so I’m comfortable.”

The one area Boeller has seen Lucious improve the most is with the confidence she has in herself.

“She came in super talented,” Boeller said. “Her confidence every game has grown. When she catches it she knows she’s going to give a good effort to score.”

Lucious credits her coaches for giving her confidence on the offensive end.

“They really just want me to take it to them and go up strong,” Lucious said. “I know if I do that it helps (the team).”

While Lucious primarily works in the post, she can step out and shoot from behind the arc.

“She’s one of our best shooters from outside,” Boeller said. “We haven’t had to have her out there much but she can step out from three and shoot as good as anybody on our team.”

In the Bulldogs’ 85-25 win over NMCC on Thursday, Lucious posted 8 points, 3 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Lucious and Notre Dame (14-3) will resume play at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30 when the Bulldogs host the Cape Central Tigers at Notre Dame Regional High School.