Mendias finds his way through games after personal loss

After graduating from Norco High School, Matt Mendias was excited to become a freshman at Santiago Canyon College last fall and to join the Hawks men's basketball team with coach Todd Dixon.

As a shooting guard and point guard, Mendias was a significant contributor to the Hawks' successful recent season, which finished with a 21–9 record and included playing in the Southern California regional finals.

"He's a hardworking, passionate player," said Dixon, who started SCC's men's basketball program in 2017 and was a longtime coach at El Toro High School before that.

Mendias' enthusiasm was evident even before he began playing.

"You could just tell that he was going to be a good teammate and a good leader on our program," said Nicho DellaValle, SCC's assistant director of athletics. "He has a charismatic attitude, always a smile on his face, and just the pure hustle behind this kid is incredible. He's a grinder, and he plays really well within the team, both on and off the court."

Then, three days before Christmas, Mendias' father, Gerald, died suddenly from complications from asthma at age 60, leaving behind his wife and four children.

"My dad had a super rough childhood," Mendias said. "Basketball was like an out and helped him get through it."

His father, a dedicated Lakers fan as well as a Dodgers fan, worked as a truck driver and inspired his sons with the love of sports.

"All throughout my childhood, I was playing baseball, basketball and football, and then when I got to high school I finally just stuck with basketball," said Mendias, who is 6 foot 3 and weighs 190 pounds. "Basketball is just constant action; I really love that. I would definitely say the speed is my favorite part."

The death of Mendias' father shook the whole Hawks team, and they came together for him, Dixon said.

"We have a family atmosphere here, a really good, strong culture. Our guys just love each other."

The players wanted to do something to help their teammate.

"We got an Uber Eats card for him, and we were praying for his family," Dixon said. "It was heartbreaking and hard to get through, but at the same time, it was amazing to see all of our players just support him, and I think that support really helped him get through."

Mendias and his dad sometimes shot baskets together during the week or before games, DellaValle said.

"I'd see Matt shooting and his dad rebounding, and they just had what seemed to be one of those special father-son bonds that every kid I think wishes for, and every father really wishes for, too."

Stepping back onto the court after the loss of his father was overwhelming and emotional for Mendias.

"When the first game came around, it was really hard because basketball was a big part of me and my dad's relationship," he said. "When I play basketball, I think of my dad."

He had to find a way to keep playing.

"I kind of just switched my perspective on it to, 'I want to do this to make him happy,' and I enjoyed it a lot more," he said.

Resilience characterizes many young basketball players at SCC, Dixon said.

"They bounce back and find a way. And when you have a support group, whether it's family or our basketball program, it really helps guys get through different things."

No one likes to lose a game, especially not a competitive athlete like Mendias. But Dixon has observed that this player doesn't dwell in frustration when his team loses.

"Some guys will hang their heads, but with Matt, that might happen for a split second and then he's right back in and responds with, 'I'm going to work harder. I've got to make sure I play even better next time,'" Dixon said.

Mendias is exploring pathways such as kinesiology, construction and business so that he can be financially secure.

"Part of being at a community college is you get a great opportunity to figure out what you really like and what your goals are academically and for a career," Dixon said.

Meanwhile, the Hawks basketball team is starting up daily practices soon to be ready for the next season.

"I'm super competitive," Mendias said, "and just really enjoy being on a team, working together. Even in my job right now at a tire shop, where we work in teams, it's just so fun doing something as a unit to get to the final end goal. I just really enjoy collaborating to get something greater. That's why I love basketball."

Compliments of OC Register & Nicole Gregory