In a quest to repeat the success of the last two winning seasons, the San Quentin Kings began the 2014 basketball season with 69-53 victory over The Bittermen.
“Hey, what can I say? This is how you want to run a successful program,” said Kings head coach Orlando Harris. “You want to start a season with a win. It allows you to continue to build from last season.”
The Kings were led on the court by starting point guard Brian “The Landlord” Asey, who put a double-double in the books (16 points, 10 assists) to start this season. “You know how I play the game: just the fundamentals,” said Asey after the game. He scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter surge killed off The Bittermen’s comeback. They had gotten as close as within four points in the third.
Starting center P. “Strange” Walker also came to play with his hard hat on, getting a double-double as well, scoring 10 points, and grabbing a game-leading 15 rebounds, six of them offensive.
Power forward Thaddeus “Beast” Fleeton dropped 11 points, using low-post moves, including drop steps, a 16-foot fade-away shot, and a series of quick spin moves to get inside to the rim.
Oris “Sniper” Williams, normally the sixth man, started at the shooting guard position and knocked down 13 points, shooting three for five from behind the three-point line.
The Bittermen had trouble at the gate when two of their players weren’t allowed on the grounds. If that wasn’t bad enough, the usually short-handed visitors have one favorite player that they pick to play with against the Kings: Jason “Boo” Robinson, Intramural League rebounding leader.
“We looked for Boo, but he didn’t show up until after the game. Nobody told him we were coming in,” said Todd Simms, Bittermen center. “Boo allows me to play at power forward. That guy is a beast on the boards.”
Maurice “Optimus Prime” Hanks led The Bittermen with 17 points, three rebounds, and one block. Hanks’ is a member of the San Quentin Warriors.
Bittermen Steve S. scored 14, followed by Tim Hall with 13 points in the March 15 game.
