SILER CITY — Jordan-Matthews High School inducted four new members to its athletics Hall of Fame Friday.
In a ceremony held between its varsity girls and boys basketball games against Northwood, Jordan-Matthews inducted former boys’ soccer star Octavio Hernandez (class of 2006), former multi-sport standout Aquilla Mateen James (class of 2012), former basketball star Mylia Garner (class of 2013) and 2017 MLB draftee Casey Golden (class of 2013).
Hernandez, the first Hispanic athlete to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame, was one of the founding members of the school’s boys’ soccer program, also known as Los Jets, in 2002. As a captain midfielder, he led the Jets to their first state title appearance in 2004 and scored the game-clinching goal from 35 yards out to beat Lejeune 2-0. Hernandez was named the game’s most valuable player.
“I feel very, very proud and very honored to be the first Hispanic to represent the Hispanic community here in Siler City and be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Hernandez said.
While Jordan-Matthews boys’ soccer coach Paul Cuadros and his team of mostly Hispanic players were trying to get the program up and running, tensions were high in Siler City due to community pushback against the wave of Hispanic immigrants moving into the town.
Hernandez said winning the state title helped change the perception of the Hispanic population in Siler City.
“Bringing a state championship to our local high school, it meant a lot to everybody,” Hernandez said. “And now, the soccer program was being seen in a different way. We were seen as champions now.”
James and Garner were both key members of the 31-0 Jordan-Matthews girls’ basketball team that won the state championship over Wilkes Central in 2012. Garner was named the Kay Yow Most Valuable Player of the game, and she later finished her career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,219 career points in 120 games. James, named the most outstanding player for the East, also played softball, volleyball and ran track and cross country alongside playing basketball. She was a regional champion in the 100-meter dash and triple jump and also a state runner up in long jump and triple jump.
“We put in a lot of work in our four years here, so just to see it come and be recognized, it’s awesome,” James said.
Said Garner, “When I look back over everything we had to do to get to that point, it’s blood, sweat, tears and everything else in between. So, I think at the end of the day, I’m grateful that everything that I’ve been through to get to where we are today and to this point, this right here let’s you know it was worth every minute.”
The two outstanding athletes now join their late coach Jeff Stutts in the school’s Hall of Fame. Stutts died in July after a battle with cancer. He taught at Jordan-Matthews from 1984-2013, serving as the head coach for girls’ basketball and track and the athletic director for a brief stint from 1989-91.
“Coach Stutts was an amazing coach,” James said. “He gave his all to every girl on that team, and he was there for us off the court, too. He taught us a lot about life. One possession at a time and taking advantage of every opportunity. That’s one thing that I talk to my players about. Taking advantage of every opportunity that they get.”
After finishing her high school basketball career with 1,327 points, James went to UNC and became a four-year starter for the softball team, finishing her career with the fifth-most stolen bases in program history. She’s now an assistant coach for the Tar Heels.
Garner continued her basketball career at Charlotte and finished at Elon where her 39.1% clip from beyond the arc in the 2016-17 season still stands as the sixth-best single-season three-point shooting percentage in program history.
Golden was best known for what he did on the baseball field at Jordan-Matthews while also playing football and basketball. He was a four-time All-County and All-Conference honoree and earned All-State honors his senior year after recording a .584 batting average and 27 extra base hits.
“It’s a great honor,” Golden said. “It’s not something you think about as a high school athlete, but it’s something you think about afterwards.”
Said Golden, “I don’t do things to get the acknowledgement, but this is one thing I’m definitely proud of.”
After doing great things for the Jets, Golden went to UNCW and became a great player for the Seahawks. As a freshman, Golden was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and earned Colonial Athletic Association (now Coastal Athletic Association) All-Rookie honors. As a senior, Golden was named the 2017 CAA Player of the Year.
Golden was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 20th round of the 2017 MLB draft. He made his rookie debut in the Pioneer League and was named a Pioneer League All-Star. As a member of the Asheville Tourists in 2018, Golden won South Atlantic League MVP honors.