"Owning the Night Without Forcing a Thing"

Matthew Poston

@Matthewposton15

IG: @Matthewposton1

6’3, 195lbs, Class of 2026

Riverside Christian Academy, NC

Matthew is a powerful, all-around force who controls games with toughness, effort, and feel. He thrives around the basket, finishes through contact, breaks pressure with confidence, and can stretch the floor when defenders sag. His presence on the boards is constant, his defensive edge is real, and his motor is nonstop. Every possession matters to him, whether it is carving out space for a rebound, running the floor hard, or making the right play to keep his team flowing. He plays winning basketball, doing whatever is needed in the moment to tilt momentum.

That mindset showed up loud in his Player of the Week performance against Freedom Christian Academy. Matthew had 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists by staying true to his preparation and discipline. He came into the game focused on energy from the opening tip, locked in on the small details that swing games. Film study gave him a clear picture of where his opportunities would be, but his approach was never about chasing points. Running the floor, rebounding with force, playing physical, and staying composed possession after possession set the tone, and the numbers followed naturally.

As the game unfolded, his feel for the flow became even more evident. Early reads helped him get comfortable looks, but it was his dominance on the boards and commitment to protecting the paint that allowed him to fully control the game. Once he recognized how much impact he could make by rebounding, anchoring defensively, and making smart reads, he leaned into that role completely. The offense came within the rhythm of the game, not forced, but earned.

This season, Matthew has been a walking double-double threat, averaging 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He has stacked multiple 16+ point games and is riding a stretch of 9 or more rebounds in 9 straight games. The biggest improvement from last year has been his leadership, taking ownership of getting teammates involved and raising the collective level of play. His goals are clear and ambitious, climbing from #2 to #1 in double-doubles in North Carolina and making a deep state playoff run.

What fuels him varies, whether it is competitive chatter, music, the atmosphere, or feeding off teammates’ energy. When facing adversity, Matthew stays grounded by talking himself through it, resetting his mindset, and locking into the next possession. That mental toughness shows in how he responds, never drifting, always attacking the next play with purpose.

With two offers already in hand and openness to what other programs bring to the table, this performance sent a clear message. Matthew affects the game in every phase. He scores, rebounds, passes, defends, and plays with full effort from start to finish.

Anyone lining up across from him knows they are in for a physical, high-motor battle against a player who plays to win, every single possession.

I assess that Matthew brings strength, versatility, and consistency that translate directly to winning at the next level. His rebounding instincts, physical approach, and ability to impact the game without needing the ball every possession make him a valuable piece for any college program looking for toughness and reliability.

Moving forward, expect continued growth as a leader and steady producer. Matthew’s commitment to preparation, discipline, and team-first basketball positions him as a player who will keep elevating his impact, stacking performances, and forcing coaches to take notice as his recruitment continues to gain momentum. Stay tuned.