By Willie Ellison

A lot of high school basketball enthusiasts who really follow the sport noticed something a little different at John W. North High School in Riverside.

Long-time head coach Mike Bartee is no longer pacing the sideline during game time calling out plays and defensive sets, and the once dominant Huskies program that was known for dominating league and advancing deep into post-season is currently in the process of rebuilding themselves back into that once dominant power.

Don’t take the term “rebuilding” too lightly. Although they are no longer the dominant team they used to be, if you think a game against North is a give me win, you need to think again. A very successful coach once said he doesn’t believe in rebuilding; he believes in reloading. That description better fits this year’s North team. And the coach credited with that statement has a son on the team who plays a key role in North’s success

New head coach Anthony Jones and his team of young guns have been able to make some noise in league, and even the top teams they face know this group of youngsters is no push over. What makes opposing coaches quiver is the fact that this very competitive, very scrappy and very young North team is loaded with freshmen and sophomores. With only two seniors on the team, it gives Jones three to four years to groom a core group of returning players

Jones is in his second year at the helm of the program, but he is far from your average two-year head coach that is still a little green. Jones learned from one of the best in the business. Not only did he play for former North head coach Bartee, he also coached with Bartee, so he has seen first hand what it take to build and maintain a successful basketball program. In addition to coaching with Bartee, he also coached with Eisenhower head coach Steve Johnson, who has a CIF Southern Section and CIF state titles on his resume as well. So having learned from and being around some of the best in the business, Jones will have North comfortably at the top sooner than later.

It won’t happen overnight, but Jones and many North fans feel very confident that Jones will win a title or seriously contend for a title with this group of youngsters within the next year or two.

“Those are predictions I won’t make, but I accept the challenge. The future looks good for our program, but we are focused on the playoffs and advancing in the post-season with the team we have right now,” said Jones.

After splitting the last two games of the season, North qualified for the CIF playoffs. They closed out the regular season with a record 14-12 overall and 7-7 in league. North opened the playoffs on the road against Redondo Beach High; results of the game were not available by press time.

Jones has had much more success in his second year than he did in his first year. He closed out his first year with a record of 7-20, so the 14-12 record along with a playoff appearance is a great improvement. Not to keep looking too far in the future, but it’s only going to get better.

In addition to being taught by some of the best coaches at the high school level, Jones has a young player on the team who has been very well coached and taught the game of basketball by one of the most successful coaches to ever come out of the Inland Empire.

Freshman phenom Jordan Mathews plays a key role in the quick turnaround of the North program. The 6’1” shooting guard may not be as strong as many of his varsity counterparts, but he has a court savvy and a high basketball IQ. that is unmatched.

Young Mathews has been around the game since birth. His father, Philip Mathews, is currently the lead assistant basketball coach at the University of Nebraska. Long before that the elder Mathews led a number of programs to “Basketball Promise Land”...state championships.

As a coach, the elder Mathews is in the Hall of Fame at Ventura College for leading them to 10 consecutive conference titles and two state championships. He then led the University of San Francisco to the NCAA tournament, and in one season he led San Bernardino Valley to their first ever Junior College State Championship appearance.

Most times the elder Mathews was in the gym coaching, the younger Mathews would be nearby soaking up all the knowledge like a sponge. All the time spent with dad in the gym is really starting to pay off.

“Jordan started every game for us as a freshman. He has a very high basketball IQ.with great decision-making skills. Those are the benefits of having a father who is a DI coach, and being around someone with so much knowledge of the game for so long. His confidence is great and he is a very seasoned player,” said Jones.

As a freshman, young Mathews really has not taken on any leadership roles just yet but he is very well respected among his peers, including the seniors. According to Jones, young Mathews speaks up and adds input, but he is taking his time on taking on any leadership responsibilities. “He will be a great leader in due time. He is a very coachable player with a huge upside,” added Jones.

Although his father is overjoyed with his success, the way most fathers are, his mother takes a much more laid-back approach to her son’s immediate success at the prep level.

“I’m a little surprised at the early success, but I am very pleased for him and with his progress both on the field and in the classroom,” said his mother, Margie Mathews.

Mom Mathews has been around basketball longer than her son has, so she knows what to look for on the court. However, she doesn’t do any critiquing of his game; she leaves that to his father.

“I want to enjoy the game as a mother and a fan. I want him to go out and play the game and not worry about what I’m thinking. I want him to be happy and have fun,” said his mother.

The 15-year-old freshman phenom surprised himself a bit with the instant success during his freshman year. He knew he was going to be competitive and he set goals of making the varsity team, but he didn’t think much about starting. However, he does recognize the fact that mentally he may have an advantage, because he’s always been around some of the best coaching at the top level.

“I was surprised, especially to be starting as a freshman. This year has been great, the experience has been great and we are excited about being in the playoffs. We know what’s at stake, it’s one and done if you don’t win so we’re just focused on the task at hand,” said the younger Mathews.

Mathews knows what the future holds for him and the underclassmen in the program, but hasn’t given that much thought either. “We can’t worry about next year, we have to focus on the now for our team and for our seniors. We’re in the playoffs and we are going to work hard to advance and go deeper into the playoffs,” said Mathews.

In one year Jones has seen vast improvements with the program, and it’s only going to get better with time.

“Bartee left with expectations that I would continue his tradition and build a strong program and I think we have the kids to do that. We will continue to improve and embrace each challenge that comes our way. I won’t make any predictions about the future, but we’ll work hard to win championships. As the kids gain experience and get better I want them to continue to work hard and stay humble,” concluded Jones.