Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Cole Matthews

Photo: Delaware Technical Community College

The Delaware Technical Community College student-athletes interviews are back!

The student-athlete we are featuring this week comes from Delaware Tech’s men’s basketball team, which is Cole Matthews.

Matthews talks about everything from the highlights of his athletic career and why he chose to play at Delaware Tech.

Check it out below!

Related:

Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Reese Lohman

How did you start playing sports?

“My family is a huge sports/basketball fan, so I’ve been playing since I was seven. It’s in my blood to play basketball.”

What adjustments did you have to make from the jump from high school to college, regarding the sport you play?

“The difference between high school and college basketball is the speed and the physicality of the game. After my senior year, I was in the gym a lot, preparing myself by getting faster and stronger. I’m glad I put the work in because I knew I was 100% ready to make a difference on the court.”

How do you keep yourself in game shape in the off-season for your sport?

“In the offseason, I lift weights with my brothers and cousins, and work out on my hoop outside. Sometimes, I’ll go to open runs with some of my high school and/or college teammates.”

What is the best part of playing your particular position?

“I play a few positions but mainly shooting guard. The best part is you do a little bit of everything. I mostly defend the other team’s best player. Also, I can handle the ball, shoot, and attack the basket.”

What has a former or current coach taught you, that you still use today on or off the playing field?

“At Smyrna High School, Coach Mears, Coach Sudler, and Coach Darrean always had us be in help defense and taught us how to take charges. I think some are better than others at taking charges, but I definitely have a knack for taking them. And now at Delaware Tech, Coach Rago, Coach Tim, and Coach Murf all enforce being in help defense and love when I take charges.”

How do you keep yourself in game shape in the off-season for your sport?

“During the season, I have school in the morning and afternoon. Then get to practice a little early to touch and shoot. After practice, I go home, and hang out with my family and watch some NBA or college basketball games. If I have any more homework, I’ll do that.”

What do you feel is your greatest strength?

“I feel like being a leader is one of my strengths. I always want to help my teammates be the best version of themselves on and off the court. But on the court, I feel like my strength is shooting and reading passing lanes to get steals.”

What do you feel you are weakest at and what do you work on to improve it?

“One of my weaknesses is being one of the smaller guys out on the court, but the way I work hard and give 110% effort, I make up for it. Also, getting in the gym in the offseason helps a lot.”

Describe some of the highlights of your athletic career.

“My favorite is for sure, winning the NJCAA Region Championship last year. I had some big moments in that game too, which makes it that much more special. Being named captain this year for Delaware Tech is another and going 19-1 my senior year at Smyrna was great too (our only loss being the State Championship game).”

What is the best part of playing on a team?

“The relationships and friendships you build on a team are for a lifetime. I still talk to some of my high school teammates to this day, and I’ll do the same thing with my teammates I had last year and this year at Delaware Tech.”

How do you stay motivated during the highs and lows of a season?

“By putting your faith in God, he will get you through a lot if you trust in his timing and his plan for your life.”

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?

One of my biggest challenges was during my high school career because I always felt that I was overlooked and underappreciated for the hard work, commitment, and dedication I brought to the team. I overcame it by persevering and not giving up.

In what ways, does playing a sport, help you with your studies?

“After a long day of homework and tests, it helps just to get your mind off it for a little. It also teaches you to have better time management, so you can get your work done on time while going to practice and playing games.”

How would you like to be remembered by your teammates and coaches?

“The guy who always worked hard, put his body on the line, and you could trust out on the court in clutch situations.”

Why did you choose to play at Delaware Tech?

“It was one of my only opportunities to continue to play the sport I love out of high school. It’s also close to home, so all my family and friends can come to my games, and I’ve gotten so much better as a player at Delaware Tech.”