The Valley Boys, nine basketball players from Marin, came into San Quentin and beat the Warriors 81-75 in a thrilling game that came down to a blocked shot and last-minute turnovers. “It was awesome, a good opportunity for everyone to have fun,” said Valley Boy Skylar Chavez, who led all scorers with 23 points, mostly off pull-up jumpers. “On top of that, we got the win.” It was the first time the Valley Boys played basketball inside a prison. The team included three former players from the Drake High School team that went to the State … [Read more...] about Valley Boys teach Warriors to guide loss into power
Sports
SQ soccer team looks good losing
Dressed in brand-new San Quentin soccer jerseys, the A-Team came back from a two-goal deficit against the visiting Outsiders, but lost in penalty kicks, 7-4. “This is another part of the program developing,” sponsor Andrew Crawford said about the new garb. “Now the San Quentin team looks like a real soccer team.” During the July 21 game, the Outsiders jumped ahead with a goal scored by Sugandan Barthy and two by San Quentin resident Don Spence, who played against the home team. “Spence scored two screamers,” Crawford noted. The A-Team … [Read more...] about SQ soccer team looks good losing
SQ soccer extends winning streak
With new talent added to its roster, San Quentin’s revamped soccer team extended its winning streak to two games by beating a tough Outsider squad, 3-2, June 21. “Our plan was to attack on offense and pressure the ball on defense,” SQ team captain Tare “Cancún” Beltranchuc said. For most of the Outsider players, losing on San Quentin turf was foreign. The Outsiders have dominated the SQ club since changing their team name from the All Blacks to the Outsiders about year ago. “It was my first loss,” said Kevin Lin, who made his third … [Read more...] about SQ soccer extends winning streak
Kings basketball team survives Outsider rally, 71-70
At halftime, the visiting Outsider basketball team was losing 40-25 against the San Quentin Kings, but they came back to within two points in the fourth quarter and missed three chances to win the game. “We turned it up!” Outsider guard Brandon Hargrave said. ”It was a great game, unfortunately not in our favor.” Hargrave led the Outsiders in the comeback that fell a point short. The Outsiders tried to start their comeback run in the third quarter where Steve Watkins nailed two threes. However, Demond “Oola” Lewis answered with threes … [Read more...] about Kings basketball team survives Outsider rally, 71-70
Father-and-son team sweeps A’s 10-8, 13-3
Victory, a baseball team made up of fathers and sons from Southern California, ventured into San Quentin State Prison for a doubleheader against the A’s and lived up to their name. They won the morning game, 10-8, and the evening game, 13-3, on a day more about family than baseball. “It’s great to be here – a lot of fun,” said Bob Pone, who brought his son Turner. “Cherish every moment you can spend time with your family.” A’s Coach Mike Kremer, who brought his sister Caroline in to watch the game, added, “It’s not about winning or losing … [Read more...] about Father-and-son team sweeps A’s 10-8, 13-3
Eddie Hart shares his gold medal experiences
Eddie Hart, a 1972 Olympic gold medalist, likes to go where he feels the love. He returned to San Quentin State Prison July 20 for the 11th annual Eddie Hart-Ralph Ligons Track Meet to share his time, story and running tips. “When I first came here, I was a bit concerned for my safety,” the 69-year-old Hart said. “Now I look forward to seeing the guys. Where I am getting love from is where I want to be.” For the fifth time since 2013, Hart stood before members of the 1000 Mile Club, a group of incarcerated runners. Club sponsor Frank … [Read more...] about Eddie Hart shares his gold medal experiences
A’s shipwreck Sacramento Pirates seniors, 8-4
Strong pitching by the San Quentin A’s easily knocked off the visiting Sacramento Pirates 8-4 in a late July contest. The game marks the first visit for the Pirates, who are part of the Sacramento Senior Men’s League for those 35 and over. “I’ve never been to or visited a prison before,” said Dan Martinez, Pirates head coach. “But it was a great opportunity to come to San Quentin to play ball. It was surreal. I didn’t know everybody was going to be so open.” The A’s ace pitcher J. “Duey” Dumont dismantled the Pirates’ batting core with … [Read more...] about A’s shipwreck Sacramento Pirates seniors, 8-4
SQ Warriors lose a squeaker to ex-pros, 70-66
The San Quentin Warriors hung with a Green Team stacked with former pro basketball players but their valiant effort fell short in the final minute of a 70-66 loss. “They’re good,” Evan Fjeld, who played for the NBA D-League and led the Green Team with 16 points, said. “They’ve gotten better since last year—more patient and more organized. We are lucky to get out of here with the win.” "SNY [Sensitive Needs Yard] ...comprises roughly half the California prison system," according to Lody Lewn in the Prison University Project Spring 2018 … [Read more...] about SQ Warriors lose a squeaker to ex-pros, 70-66
SQ Kings give Stanford team the business, 54-50
Several graduate students from the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) tried their hand at basketball against the San Quentin Kings 40-and-over team. The Kings outmaneuvered them to a 54-50 victory. “When they heard about the games here, they wanted to come,” said Ben Draa, the Stanford graduate student who arranged for his class to play basketball against the Kings. “I also wanted to recruit more guys to the regular team.” "SNY [Sensitive Needs Yard] ...comprises roughly half the California prison system," according to Lody Lewn in … [Read more...] about SQ Kings give Stanford team the business, 54-50
Quentin soccer loses to Outsiders…but still smiling
The San Quentin Soccer B-team was shut out 4-0 by the visiting Outsiders, but the players were still smiling because the soccer program has grown enough to have two teams. New volunteers have lined up to play and even coach. “Thanks for a great game,” Tare “Cancun” Beltranchuc, an A-team soccer player, told the Outsiders after the game. “We are all winners because it’s about building community.” While soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, it wasn’t organized at San Quentin until sponsor Andrew Crawford came along in 2016. … [Read more...] about Quentin soccer loses to Outsiders…but still smiling