Lacey Bearden
Sports Writer
lbearden@valdosta.edu

“Poochie” Matthews helps VSU prove its point.

The VSU Lady Blazer basketball team relies heavily on Leschelle “Poochie” Matthews, a 5’7”, junior, point guard from Columbus, Ga.

Matthews came to VSU as a freshman from Kendrick High School. Ever since she was a little girl she has been referred to as “Poochie,” a nickname given to her by her older brother when she was born.

In high school Matthews lead her team to four consecutive region championships. She broke many records at Kendrick High School. She topped the school history charts when she accumulated 581 steals in her career. She also broke the school’s record for most steals in one season, finishing with a whopping 171.

She enjoys playing basketball because “it is a competitive sport and I love to compete,” Matthews said.

Matthews has been playing basketball since she was six-years-old, and point guard seems to be the only position for her.

Her most memorable basketball moment was in middle school when her and her brother were awarded MVP at the same tournament. She was awarded the MVP for middle school while her older brother was named MVP for the high school team.

Matthews says that her favorite basketball player is her brother, Travis Matthews because, “I love watching him play and he has taught me a lot,” Mathews said.

“I love playing at VSU,” Matthews said. “We have very supportive fans, an awesome coaching staff as well as players.”

“Poochie is the total team player,” John Lesaine, VSU graduate assistant coach said. “She’s not always outspoken but she always finds a way to lead her teammates and she lets her actions do the talking for her. She brings a certain swagger to our locker room,” he said.

Lesaine said Matthews’ locker room swagger creates a calming and laid back atmosphere.

“She keeps a cool head at all times and that in turn calms her teammates down,” Lesaine said.
Matthews’ ability to stand out on the court is recognized and appreciated by her coaches.

“She can make game-changing plays, sometimes she’ll get a pivotal steal and take it all the way for a lay-up,” Lesaine said. “Other times, she’s directing her teammates where to go on the court.”

Carley Peterson, a former all conference VSU basketball player and teammate of Matthews, is now a graduate assistant coach for the Lady Blazers. Peterson has been able to see many sides of Matthews, first as a younger teammate and now from a coach’s perspective.

“She is an incredible player both offensively and defensively,” Peterson said. “As one of her teammates, I just loved being on the floor with her.”

Peterson recalls a time when Matthews took up an unfamiliar leadership role.

“When were playing in the regional semifinals game last season, it was a really intense and very close game. Everyone was getting all worked up in the huddle. I think I was trying to pump us up too much or something because little “Poochie” grabbed me (and she is not usually outspoken) and said ‘we’re fine. Carley we are going to be fine,’and she was right and we won the game. That game her leadership skills really came out, and now as a coach I see it even more,” Peterson said.

Peterson can remember the thing about Matthews that stuck out the most and that she will never forget from her days of playing along side Matthews. Every time a free-throw is shot, Matthews will stand right behind her teammate, and whether they score or not, she will pat their head or smack their ponytail.

After graduation, Matthews plans to continue playing basketball, hopefully at the professional level or pursue a career in the Criminal Justice field.

When Matthews has free time she chooses to spend it catching up on some much needed rest. Matthews jokes with her teammates about her sleeping habits.

“I love to sleep, I’m known as the laziest basketball player,” Matthews said. “Some of my teammates call me an old, lazy grandma, but I tell them, ‘hey you gotta get your rest you know.’”