The visiting Green Team’s oldest player, Don Smith, helped his squad rally from a 17-point deficient to defeat the San Quentin Kings, 93-81.
“It was a nice Father’s Day present for me,” said Smith, who is about 60 years old and 5-foot-8.
The Green Team went on a 19-point run to retake the lead in the third quarter of the June 20 game. This included a pass from Pat Lacey to Smith in the corner for a three-pointer. This put the Green Team ahead 51-44 with 8:06 left in the quarter, setting the stage for Smith’s contribution.
Just before the Kings’ game, the Christian Sports Ministry (Green Team) sponsor –Smith – watched his basketball team play the first half of a double-header against the S.Q. Warriors. (The Warriors lost 73-70)
After the Warriors game, several players couldn’t stay, leaving only four to face the Kings. This forced Smith and Coach Bill Epling to take an active role on the court. They also recruited S.Q. Warrior Montrell Vines.
“To play with great players is a treat,” said Smith.
The Green Team started off on the wrong foot, as center Lacey turned the ball over on the first two possessions. The Kings took advantage, gaining the 17-point lead.
The Green Team started its push late in the second quarter, but still was down, 44-36, at the half. Then two things changed the momentum. Lacey gave his team a pep talk during a huddle and Smith came off the bench.
“Play hard and everybody rebound,” said Lacey.
Smith set the tone by stealing the ball from a Kings player and his team rallied around Lacey’s speech and Smith’s hustle.
“Lacey has a Gregg Popovich beard going, so we’re all scared of him,” joked Bobby Williams. “He’s a great motivator.”
Smith finished with 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 2 steals. He nailed another shot from three-point range after pump-faking a defender, but the ref called “traveling.”
King guard Oris “Pep” Williams played with determination in the fourth quarter, nailing five shots in a row. His 32 points and 15 rebounds combined with J. “Mailman” Ratchford’s 14 points and 16 rebounds to bring the Kings within four at 71-67 with seven minutes on the game clock.
The Kings’ rally fell short against teamwork. Four Green Team players had double-doubles.
Chris Blees led his team with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Lacey added 20 points, 14 boards, 7 assists and 3 blocks. Bobby Williams contributed 13 points and 17 rebounds. Brandon Curtis squeezed in 11 points and 10 boards with a last second rebound.
“Painful,” said Curtis about how it felt to get a double-double against the Kings.
“We were dedicated to play hard,” said B. Williams.
“It’s what we had to do and everybody bought into it,” said Lacey.
Vines dropped 16 points.
“It’s hard to recruit anybody good enough to play the Warriors and very few against the Kings. The Kings are tough,” said Epling after the game.
