A last-second free throw boosted the visiting Christian Sports Ministry’s Green Team to a 79-78 fast-paced overtime victory over the San Quentin Kings in the season finale.
“It was a good game, but the turnovers at the wrong time killed us,” said Charles Sylvester.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings were up 68-65. Green Team power forward Bobby Williams in bounded the ball to shooting guard Ross Pusey. He ran to the corner three-point line and shot over a King defender, knocking down the three, tying the score with three seconds left in regulation.
The Kings’ attempt to make a play in the remaining seconds was stopped when Green Team center Tyree McCary swatted down the inbound pass. Williams picked up the loose ball and fired off a half-court shot that bounced off the rim, nearly going in.
“This is unlike any pick-up game anywhere. This atmosphere is great,” said Green Team guard Mike Picone.
In overtime, the Green Team controlled the opening tip, until Kings’ guard Tare “Cancun” Beltranchuc stole the ball from Pusey, ran down court and hit a pull-up jumper, starting a 6-1 Kings run.
Beltranchuc’s basket was followed by Sylvester stealing the ball from Picone as he crossed half-court, setting off a fast break. Sylvester found Thad Fleeton on his wing and dished him the ball. Fleeton hit a turn-around short-range jumper over Williams.
Williams was fouled on the next play and hit one of two free throws. With the ball back in his hands, Beltranchuc found Demond Lewis wide open. Lewis nailed the shot, making the score 75-69.
With their backs against the wall, the Green Team came out of a timeout and made a run. Pusey made a sweet pass in traffic to Williams, who scored the layup between two defenders, making it 75-73 Kings.
The Kings’ Fleeton responded with an and-one layup, completing the three-point play with a free throw, giving the Kings a commanding 78-73 lead.
The Green Team was not deterred. With a minute left, Pusey received the inbound pass from guard Picone and went coast-to-coast, weaving between Kings defenders for the layup off the backboard and closing the deficit to 78-75.
With 45 seconds left, the Kings tried to run the clock out, which forced the Green Team to foul King guard Brian Asey to stop the clock. Asey missed both critical free throws and rebounded his own miss, but lost the ball out of bounds.
Pusey quickly dribble-drove the ball down court toward the basket, which drew in the Kings defenders. He then passed the rock to wide open McCary, who swished the three-pointer, tying the score 78-78.
The Kings rushed the inbound pass. It bounced off Fateen Jackson’s hands. Williams picked the ball from the ground and headed for the basket, but was fouled. He made one of the two free throws, giving the Green Team a 79-78 point lead with five seconds left in overtime.
Time expired with the Kings down one after having led by six, leaving them in shock in the season finale.
“This is the best thing to do on a Saturday; the competition is good. I appreciate my situation much more,” Williams said.
Leading scorers for the Kings were J. “Mailman” Ratchford with 18, Fleeton 15, P. “Strange” Walker 11 and Sylvester 9.
Pusey led the Green Team with 27 points. Williams had 24, McCary 10 and Picone 6.
The Kings finished the season with an 11-10 record, but were 1-8 against the Green Team, whose only loss came when McCary wasn’t available.
“I came in here and never lost and next year will be the same,” said McCary.
