Sweat drops as a teenager dribbles the ball up the basketball court. He takes the shot from the paint, with his hands visibly tired, and misses.
Rather than putting him down, Coach Tori Mitchell stops him for pointers. She speaks with compassion and motivation. The kid grabs the ball and repeats the shot, this time, he sinks the shot. His biggest fan, Coach Tori, cheers him on and pushes him to do it again.
I stumbled into Mitchell's class during my daily walks with my dog. She is loud, but if you pay attention to what she says, it paints a picture of a supportive coach who loves the game.
Watching her push her students to give it their all is one of the reasons I’ve fallen in love with Riverside. The people, like Mitchell, within the city make it feel just like home.
Basketball is more than just a sport for Mitchell, it is family. Her parents Matthew and Paula, played ball at Cal Poly Pomona. Her younger brother plays overseas.
"That’s pretty much how our communication works," Mitchell said. “We’re just going to go play basketball, or we’re going to watch this game, or we’re going to go learn about it, which is kind of how we got started teaching these kids.”
Mitchell has been coaching for the last seven years. Growing up, she played basketball at Poly High School, Riverside Community College, and California Baptist University. During her time at Cal Baptist, her team went 33-0 during the 2016-2017 season.
Throughout her playing career, she learned something new at every new team, especially playing under Jarrod Olson during her time at CBU.
"If I were to have a team, I would have a baseline teaching from my parents, and then I would take whatever I could from my other coaches, but I would probably surround myself with a coach like Olson," Mitchell said. "Thirty-three and 0 for an entire season was something else."
She pushes her students to leave it all on the court, a lesson Mitchell hopes they take with them and apply it to life and not just basketball.
"I try to tell my kids all the time, just like my father, just like my brother, just like my mother tells each person they've ever coached," Mitchell said. "Leave it on the floor."
Jay Morgutia, 37, has noticed his son's boost of confidence since starting his private lessons with Mitchell.
"She’s really selfless in the way she coaches and she just wants the best for our kids," Morgutia said. "The confidence that she's instilled in my son pushes his game to the next level."
Twice a week, Mitchell helps lead a team. On the other days, she helps ballers individually.
When my wife and I moved to Riverside, there was a hint of sadness anytime we thought about our future kids. The thought of them growing up in a different environment from us is bittersweet.
Their experiences will be different, but with people like Mitchell guiding the next generation, I’m at ease.
I am at peace knowing that if my kid takes a shot and misses, Mitchell will be there to nurture, to teach and to cheer them on when they finally take the shot, leave it all on the court and sink the three pointer.
At the end of her practices, Mitchell approaches each of her students on a one-on-one level. She gives them notes from her observations and something to work on, never talking down to them. Mitchell fosters the talent, cheers for them and gives the future of the city the confidence they need to give Riverside their all.
Anthony was born and raised in Pomona. After a decade in education, he now writes for Southern California News Group, LA Times, and LA Taco. He recently moved to Riverside with his wife Evelyn.
