Newton’s Mattes chooses Bethel University basketball

Adam Mattes was a four-year starter for Newton’s boys basketball team, led the team in scoring all four seasons and the Cardinals improved their win total each winter, too.

For all those reasons, and a few others, Mattes created an opportunity to play basketball at the next level and he will start his collegiate journey at Bethel University.

“They give me a chance to play basketball at a high level. It was also a school I felt like I would enjoy going to if basketball doesn’t work out,” Mattes said.

Basketball may not work out. But Mattes joins the Royals as one of the top scorers in Newton boys basketball history. He finished with 1,119 career points, scoring more than 300 points in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

As a freshman, Mattes led an 0-20 squad in scoring at 10.5 points per game and also averaged 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

The Cardinals improved their win total by seven games in Mattes’ sophomore season and it was his best season as a scorer. He averaged 15 points, three rebounds, 2.4 assists and one steal per game.

The wins continued to climb as a junior when the Cards finished 9-13. That season, Mattes averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and two assists per game.

By the time Mattes became a senior, he had more help on the offensive end and opposing coaches made sure to focus their defensive game plan on the 6-foot-3 forward.

Mattes, whose free-throw percentage improved with each season, reached the 1,000-point milestone as a senior and averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and two assists per game. The team also won 13 games and reached the substate championship game.

“He’s going to do whatever (Bethel) asks him to do,” Newton boys basketball coach Jason Carter said. “He’s extremely hard working and extremely intelligent. He puts the team first and is a great all around human being.”

Mattes had options when it came to where he could play basketball at in college. Ultimately he picked Bethel over Dordt University but also had interest from Central College, Simpson College, Wartburg College, Buena Vista University and Quincy University.

One of the biggest factors in Mattes choosing Bethel over Dordt was because the former was located near the Twin Cities.

“It played a role and when it came down to two schools who were neck and neck, it did help a lot,” Mattes said.

Mattes played multiple positions for Newton but mostly settled in at the 3 or 4. At Bethel, he expects to play the 2 or at a wing position.

“They are looking for a wing player about my size. There will be some good competition on the team, too,” Mattes said. “That will make the team better though.

“They play at a faster pace than we played at in high school, but they still like to control the pace of the game.”

The roster had a small number of seniors last season. So many of the same faces who were around last winter will be back competing for playing time against Mattes this season.

“I don’t know the style of play that Bethel plays. He might be a great utility guy where he can play multiple spots,” Carter said. “He plays more shooting guard for his AAU team so maybe that’s where they see him fitting in at.

“I can see him playing a few different positions. It will be fun to see what they mold into. I know he will work hard at it. He will be the first kid in the gym and the last one to leave and that’s what it takes.”

Mattes was a multi-sport athlete at Newton. Just being able to focus on basketball at the next level should ultimately be a positive.

“It will allow me time year round to get into the gym and weight lifting will be huge,” Mattes said. “I can focus on basketball specific lifts and exercises.”

Mattes plans to major in something in the medical field. He wants to either study chiropractic or optometry.