The San Quentin Warriors basketball team has a very colorful history. I’ve been here for eight years, played for the first four, and was sidelined by injuries in the middle of the fifth. After being out for two seasons, and in the middle of my comeback, I was recruited by the team to assume the role of “Head coach.” With only 7 wins and 11 losses, we were in trouble, and in danger of having our first losing season only to finish 18 and 14.
This year began with a real training camp, which included a rigorous strength and conditioning focus; we also had actual tryouts. However, we’ve evolved as a program and are much more oriented spiritually that in time past; I couldn’t cut people. Instead, it an attempt to honor our program as a “Sports Ministry,” we decided to establish a practice squad. We want men! It’s obvious that we all need growth and development, therefore giving up on people is not an option. It does hurt when I see men who could be great give up on themselves!
Players come and go over the course of the season, which began May 29th, 2008. We are presently 10 and 5, with 18 games left on our schedule. We have had only one cancellation due to the Hitland Yard Ministry (which we fully supported). Our coaching staff includes me (George Lamb), and there are a number of men who are on the inside in addition to a few folks from the outside who support our program; to them all we say is: “Thanks!” They will receive mention by name over the course of the season, as these “Warrior Reports” continue. On behalf of the San Quentin
Warriors, my name is Shuan Payton, and I joined the team in 2007. In the beginning it was just about basketball for me, but I came to realize that it wasn’t only about playing ball, but it was also about communication, discipline, respect and trust. But most of all, it was about “God.” All of these things mean a lot to me. I’ve never been on a team that prayed before the game and shared testimonies and had devotionals at halftime.
Since I’ve been on the team, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and wrong decisions that could have been prevented. Those mistakes and poor decisions have taken me to the “hole” a couple of times, but, when I returned, I was still a part of the team. I’ve had time to reflect while on the side lines observing what I was missing as I served my suspensions. Men in prison go through things, but having teammates who will make the journey with you and sometimes carry you through to the other side, makes victory on all levels of life sweeter!
It’s a new season, and our team is younger and more talented than we were last year. We’re capable of winning every game. Our losses have been very close, and always a result of having key players missing; not excuses, just facts. We’ve lost a few players to parole and are expecting to lose a few more before the end of the season. So, eyes are always open for new talent. We have a core group who are expected to remain through the end of the season; we’re good and our goal is still the same…WIN!
All of the teams we play are from the outside. College teams, men’s leagues, and church league teams; so interacting with them is great – they show us love, respect and a considerable amount of support (including donation of equipment!). They grow and are blessed as we grow and are blessed. Thanks to my teammates, and our coaching staff, as well as all those in support; especially to our officials; especially “Huggie,” and to the administration for allowing the program to realize the successes we all enjoy. To the fans who love us, “Good-looking,” and to those who don’t, “Stop-hating!” Just kidding – pray for us!