It was the last game schedule for the visiting Imago Dei team to play the San Quentin Warriors this season. They had lost the last five meetings, but this time was different. Former San Francisco Rumble Teohn Conner’s 35-point performance combined with teammate Mike Kehrig’s 21 earned them a 75-63 victory.
“It has been a year wait. I forgot what it feels like to win,” joked Kehrig. “Our coach was great. He played me a lot.”
Conner added, “On the way here, I said we have to win because we won’t see them again until next season.”
Imago took off in the first quarter, gaining a nine-point lead at 17-9, with one-minute left, but the Warriors rallied back.
Jason Jones nailed a three-pointer, followed by Anthony Ammons rebound put back and then a layup while keeping Imago scoreless. The Warriors took the lead, 18-17.
“Great quarter; terrible last minute,” commented Imago’s three-point specialist, Steve Diekman.
By half time, the Warriors were up 38-33.
Imago’s Nate Mihem gave a talk about the power of prayer. He was part of Oakland Community Organization, which is a network of clergy, who went to the capital in an effort to convince Gov. Jerry Brown to sign AB 953. The bill would help stop racial profiling by requiring police to keep records of everyone they stop and to document why. Mihem left after hearing Brown was not going to sign the bill. However, they prayed in front of his office before leaving, and Brown signed the bill after all.
“With God all things are possible,” said Mihem.
Last time Imago won, team member Sean Donahue took the plunge in San Francisco Bay because he was so happy.
“Shaun was the original coach of the San Quentin Warriors. It makes me happy that they can get that much joy from coming in here with us,” said San Quentin Warriors’ Coach Daniel Wright.
In the second half, Conner was guarded by Ammons. Both athletic men gave each other trouble, but Conner came out on top.
“I think he (Conner) scored 20 in the fourth quarter. He turned it up in the end,” said Diekman.
Ammons led the Warriors with 19 points. Allan McIntosh added 14. Harry “ATL” Smith was given the day off.
The Oct. 24 game was the day after playing the Golden State organization.
“I think we were still winded from yesterday. They wanted it more than we did today,” said Warriors Head Coach Daniel Wright.
