The San Quentin Warriors’ depth and teamwork secured a 91-64 victory and overcame visiting Imago Dei’s Teohn Conner’s 39-point performance.
“He’s a beast,” said Warrior Allan McIntosh about Conner. “If they had one or two more of him on the team, we’d be in trouble.”
Conner, 35, is a former semi-pro. He said he played for the S.F. Rumbles and East Bay Pit Bulls. He also played for St. Mary’s, a division one college. He now coaches basketball.
“There are good people in here. On the outside, you hear different. I met a lot of good people, and it’s all through basketball,” said Conner.
Imago Dei came in with only six players because four were injured, including Steve Diekmann, a three-point specialist. Diekmann played for Grinnell College in Iowa when the Division 3 team led the NCAA in national scoring average. He broke his foot playing basketball on July 4. He also had to have surgery on his retina, said teammate Tony Thomas.
“They came in here undermanned,” said Warriors coach Daniel Wright.
McIntosh set the pace early, leading the Warriors to a 10-2 start. He made three of his first four shots and dished out two assists.
“The stop and pull-up jumper is mean,” said Conner about McIntosh.
At the half, the Warriors were up 45-33.
Thomas delivered a half-time message about changing God’s mind with the power of prayer. He told a story of his daughter being born deaf and doctors saying she would never be able to hear. His daughter was anointed, and he prayed for her to be granted hearing. Four months later, she was.
“Don’t underestimate the power of prayer,” said Thomas.
Imago Dei closed to 38-47 in the third quarter with 9:45 left on the clock.
“We kept it to within nine until we got tired, and then they ran away with it,” said Iamgo’s John Appel, their 6-foot-9 center.
Within nine was the closest they got as every single Warrior who suited up played in the game and scored. The Warriors finished with 24 assists and four players in double digits.
McIntosh dropped 14 with 10 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. Montrell Vines contributed 13 including nailing 3 treys. Rafael Cuevas scored 10 points with 6 assists, going 4-4 from the field and Miguel Sifuentes came off the bench and added 13 with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
“I’m happy to show what I could do,” said Sifuentes.
Imago had many open looks and made strong moves to the paint, but, except for Conner, they didn’t complete the plays.
Appel scored six points with 13 boards. L.J. Wilkerson scored seven points on 3-17 shooting.
On one play, Wilkerson was on a fast break, but Warrior Jason Jones pinned his lay attempt to the backboard.
Will Willow missed every shot he took but grabbed 10 rebounds and 4 steals.
“It’s frustrating doing all the right things but shots not falling,” said Willow. “Good thing is that you always have another game.”