James Williams | Sports Editor
Former UCLA assistant basketball coach Philip Mathews is the new Riverside City College men’s basketball coach following the departure of John Smith.
Mathews returns to the junior college coaching scene for the first time since 2006 when he coached at San Bernardino Valley College.
Not only is Mathews a new face to the program, but also many of the players on the roster are new to the program.
Most of the roster consists of freshman and college transfers.
There are three returning players from last season’s team on the current roster.
Anthony Rounds and Kendall Schmidt were key contributors for the Tigers last season. Keenan Braden was a redshirt last year.
Other players who could have returned to the program decided to play at other college players like Nate Robinson, who is attending Mount San Antonio College.
Mathews coached the Tigers on the court for the teams first live game action of the season during the San Jose City College Tip-Off Tournament.
The Tigers returned back from the tournament with a 1-2 record.
The team managed to win their season debut against Foothill, 80-62, on Nov. 7.
Following the win, the Tigers took to the court on the next day but fell short to Merritt, 81-63.
The Tigers second loss followed after a game against Lassen, 82-65, on Nov. 9.
RCC will play Antelope Valley on Nov. 15 in the first of the team’s three games as part of the San Bernardino Classic. Game time is at 6 p.m. The
Tigers other two opponents include Victory Valley College and host San Bernardino on Nov. 16 and 17.
