- April 21st, 2006, 12:24 pm
#12599
3-sport star, senior collects state rewardshttp://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 10340/1006
By Ken Bosserman
Sports Writer
STUARTS DRAFT — Matthew Pettway has accomplished just about every athletic goal imaginable at Ridgeview Christian School.
A three-sport athlete, he has earned 11 varsity letters, and he's been named to all-state teams numerous times since his freshman year. Still, he has time to maintain a high academic average and class standing.
For his accomplishments, Ridgeview Christian has selected him as its nominee for the City/County Student-Athlete of the Year Award, sponsored by The News Leader and Elliott Chevrolet. One finalist will be chosen among Pettway and nominees from Grace Christian, Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind and Guardian Angel.
Pettway has lettered four years in both soccer and basketball, and three in baseball. He decided to take a job to earn money for college, keeping him from a fourth baseball letter.
"It's basketball I like the best," he said. "My dad pushed me toward baseball when I was little, but my favorite was basketball. I just liked to play with a bunch of kids in the park, and fell in love with it."
At 5-feet-9, he has always handled the point- and shooting-guard positions.
"I probably prefer the shooting over the point," he said. "I always liked to score more. But at point guard, I've always liked to break the press."
Pettway wrapped up his senior year with a 16.5-point average, along with 7.5 assists per game.
And during his four years in basketball, he has accumulated seven all-state tournament honors between the VACA and ODACS, two conferences in which private schools such as Ridgeview participate.
On the Crusader soccer team, Pettway is a forward.
"I play it just to have fun and stay in shape for basketball," he said.
The three years he played baseball, he handled center field.
"I miss it. I kind of wish I was playing, but I need the money for college," he said of his job, which took priority over baseball.
Like in basketball, the Ridgeview senior has earned all-state tournament honors in those sports each year he has played.
Academically, Pettway ranks third among his senior class of 12 with a 3.7 grade point average.
His favorite subject is math, and he takes pre-calculus this year.
"I'm just better with numbers than facts," he said.
Extracurricular activities include serving as a student government class representative and being vice president of his senior class. Outside school, he has been a part of AAU teams in baseball and basketball. And he's been involved in mission work through his youth group at Ridgeview Baptist Church.
Pettway will attend Liberty University, where he plans to major in business management. He is also thinking of trying out for the basketball team as a walk-on.
"I've talked to the coach a couple of times, and I might try to play," he said. "You never know. I'll see how it goes."
Pettway's soccer coach, Jeremy Woody, is impressed with the Ridgeview senior.
"He provides leadership both on and off the field," Woody said. "He's a very trustworthy person, and does what you ask him to do."
Pettway attributes a lot of his success to his parents. His dad, Wayne, is athletic director for Ridgeview Christian.
"My parents pushed me," he said. "And my dad was always working with me in sports. He was always fair, and never pushed me too hard."
Originally published April 21, 2006
Last edited by Sly Fox on June 19th, 2006, 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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