SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman Marlee Nicolos has made an impression at every step in her initial season with the St. Francis basketball program, earning a call-up to the varsity for the push for the playoffs.

“It is really cool,” said Nicolos, who is from Elk Grove. “I am really honored that it could happen. I am going to miss my teammates on JV but I am still going to see them every day. I am going to be cheering them on.”

Nicolos made the junior varsity unit in her first season at the school. She scored 17 points in her high school debut against Placer, helping the team to 15-6 record. Nicolos scored a season-high 25 in her final game with the JV on Monday against Davis.

“I thought I tried and played my best with all the help of my teammates,” said Nicolos. “We tried to pull out the win but it did not fall our way tonight.”

Nicolos has scored in double figures in 14 games on the season, including three 20 point efforts, while averaging 11.9 points.

“She has a lot of athleticism,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “She is aggressive both with the ball and getting to the rim. She also can distribute the ball and she wills the ball into the basket. She has a way to find the basket.”

Nicolos, who also plays soccer, has limited experience in the sport.

“I played in grade school,” said Nicolos. “It is nothing like this. Playing basketball at St. Francis is a cool and neat experience.”

Nicolos played her first varsity game on Wednesday against Elk Grove and will take the court tonight with her new teammates on the road for the first time for a 7 p.m. tipoff at Sheldon.

 “I am going to bring freshness because I am a freshman,” joked Nicolos.

St. Francis is in a tight race for one of four playoffs spots out of the Delta League. With five games remaining, the Troubadours are tied for third with Monterey Trail and Sheldon.