Muslims and Christians came together for a full court basketball game to promote unity before a crowd of hundreds gathered on San Quentin’s Lower Yard.
Before the game started, Derrick Holloway, the Graced Out Ministries team captain, and Thomas “Hakeem” Holmes of team Deen-u-Haqq (Way of Truth) agreed to mix up the teams in the spirit of unity. The blending of the players gave birth to teams, Stay Ready and Teamwork.
The winner would be the first to score 100 points with each quarter ending at 25-point intervals. Stay Ready withstood a late game push and won 100-98.
“As with faith and all we do, we should keep it 100,” said Juan Meza of Graced-Out, who played for Teamwork.
Both teams gave 100 percent. Joshua Burton of Stay Ready ended the game with a free-throw that stopped Teamwork’s comeback short.
Teamwork overcame a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Then Teamwork started to pressure Stay Ready’s inbound passes, which resulted in five turnovers.
Harry “ATL” Smith stole the ball and finished with a monster dunk. Teammates Marvin Cosby and Aubra-Lamont “Coocoo” McNeely both aided with buckets off the turnovers.
Cosby hit two short jumpers, and McNeely added two three-pointers to close the gap to 95-92.
Stay Ready put in fresh guards Burton and Talib Batten. Both attacked Teamwork’s defense, making their way to the free-throw line to end their scoring drought.
In the first quarter, Teamwork started off with an 8-0 lead.
Stay Ready regrouped using team height and dominated the boards with center Lawrence Pela. Stay Ready took the first quarter, 25-16.
Stay Ready stayed on a roll with the dual guard play of Batten and Alias Jones. They pushed Stay Ready to a 32-16 lead.
Teamwork responded with a smaller lineup. This change forced Stay Ready to go smaller, but their smalls were still too big for Teamwork.
Stay Ready finished the second quarter with a 50-32 lead for the half.
Harun Taylor took over the coaching for Teamwork from Andre Yancy. He stayed with a smaller lineup, allowing his big men to rest. This strategy helped Teamwork cut the lead to 69-59.
Coach Holmes countered by putting back in his big men, Donte Smith, David Bennett and Pela. They turned the tide back to Stay Ready by controlling all the loose rebounds.
Stay Ready ended the third quarter 76-62. Teamwork finished with a push by their own big men: H. Smith, Greg Eskridge and F. Hicks. They brought Teamwork within one point to Stay Ready’s 99-98, but foul trouble put Stay Ready on the line to seal the deal.
After the game, the Christians, Muslims and non-denominational players formed a circle of brotherhood and ended in prayers.
“It’s good to come together as brothers; it’s a lot going on with (Islamic State) killing both Christians and Muslims. It’s good to show unity and tolerance,” said H. Smith.
“To see Christians, Muslims and non-denominational brothers showing unity can be healing,” added J. “Mailman” Ratchford.
Deacon Yancy said, “This is the example the OGs should show the youngsters, that no one is alone here.”
Coach Taylor finished with, “To see a group of believers come together means the whole yard won.”
