During the city council meeting May 11, Mayor R. Rex Parris presented local basketball star Keiona Matthews with the Mayor’s Athlete of the Month award.
Matthews, a sophomore at Antelope Valley High School, has attracted interest from various colleges, including Loyola Marymount University and University of California at San Diego.
“For her outstanding accomplishments in athletics, academics, and in the community, I would like to present Keiona Matthews with the Mayor’s Athlete of the Month award,” said Parris.
Matthews’ basketball averages have hoisted her to a top spot in the league; she has averaged 17 points, four assists, eight rebounds, and three steals per game this season. The student-athlete also led her team to its first Golden League championship since 2002, as well as to the quarterfinals of the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs. Matthews has also been named the Golden League player of the year and has been voted team most valuable player by her peers. 
In addition to scoring in sports, Matthews maintains a 3.0 grade point average and is active in volunteer activities, including Team RIENG (Respect is Earned, Not Given), a basketball club that focuses on life skills. She also participates in the Team Builders Club with a focus on drug-free activities.
“Keiona is a strong student who has made a commitment to giving back to her community. Her remarkable athletic talent has already attracted the attention of major universities despite her young age,” said Parris. “She serves as an excellent role model for the youth of Lancaster, and I am proud to recognize her with this award.”