South Aiken Basketball

Kelly Nichols enters his second season and the head coach of the Thoroughbreds. After posting a 11-15 record in year number one,  South Aiken has high expectations for year two.

A native of Macomb, IL, Nichols returned to his hometown and Western Illinois coaching staff prior to the 2006-07 season. While at Western Nichols' responsiblities included primarily coaching guards and was responsible for scouting, recruiting and managing the basketball office for the Leathernecks. Additionally, Nichols coordinated and operated the Derek Thomas Summer Camps.

During a two-year hiatus away from the Leathernecks, Nichols was an assistant coach at Quincy High School, where his teams had back-to-back 20-win seasons and earned two sectional final appearances.

Prior to coaching the Blue Devils, Nichols worked as a student manager for four seasons under head coach Derek Thomas, and Thomas predecessor Jim Kerwin. As a student manager, his responsibilities included filming games and managing game tapes, working with guards and coordinating travel.

Nichols currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Sport Management, both from Western Illinois University. He teaches Physical Education and Health at South Aiken High School.

Donte Davis has been a part of the South Aiken High School Boys Basketball program since 2006.

Davis is a native of Winnsboro, SC where he attended Fairfield Central High School. During his tenure at Fairfield Central, he was a member of the 1998 Boys Basketball State Championship Team.

Davis was also recognized as the Mr. Basketball Finalist for South Carolina in 2000 while earning All Region and All State honors.

Davis attended South Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.  Davis is currently employed as an Engineer for the National Nuclear Security Administration at the Savannah River Site.