High School: Four-year letter-winner and two-way standout for coach Rob Williams at Lee County High School....Led Lee County to region championships in 2005 and 2007, a pair of state semifinal finishes, as well as a state championship appearance....Named the MVP of the Lee County team in 2006 and 2007....Tabbed the All-Area Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in 2007....Two-year member of Team Georgia....Named to the Georgia Dugout Club's top-80 and top-20 teams....Hit .463 with six home runs as a senior at Lee County....Also went 12-2 with nine complete games in 2007....Three-year letterwinner for basketball coach Greg Freeman and also lettered one year in football....summer teammate of Jeff Ussery, Brandon Cumpton and Jeffrey Rowland with the Savannah Chain.

• "Thomas Nichols: Lee County's Ace in the hole". See story.
• "Thomas Nichols: Trojan Horse". See story.

Personal: Thomas Richard Nichols....Born Feb. 9, 1989....Son of Tim Nichols and Michele Lloyd....Intends to major in business management at Georgia Tech.