The San Quentin Lakers over-38 half-court team showed they know how to use a broom in their undefeated playoff run to become Championship Basketball League champions by beating the Youngsters, 31-25.
“We swept everybody,” said D. “Frog” DeWitt after winning the championship on Dec. 1.
In the CBL, created by Aaron “Harun” Taylor, the players were drafted in rounds, just like the NBA. Allan McIntosh, Joseph “Wig” Kelly, DeWitt, Vincent O’Bannon, Kevin Faquwa and Demitris McGee were picked up by Lakers coach Edward Moss.
“When I drafted my team, there were no doubts in my mind we would be in this position,” said Moss.
The Youngsters made it all the way to the finals to face the Lakers in a Cinderella tale. Only P. “Strange” Walker was picked when their coach, Maurice Gipson, failed to attend draft night. Gary Townes, Will Anderson, Kenny Ray and Andre Yancy were compiled from leftovers. Jeffery “Mailman” Ratchford and Antonio “Boobie” Cavitt came later.
“I’m proud to be part of this team. A lot of people thought we wouldn’t win a game and we started off 7-0,” said Townes. The Youngsters finished the regular season 8-1.
“We did good by our standards,” said Ratchford.
The Lakers beat the Youngsters by an average of 10 points in their first two games of the season, but the third encounter in the finals was closer. With their backs against the wall, the Youngsters came out aggressively. Walker had his best game of the playoffs, scoring 10 baskets on 10/16 shooting, and hit a free throw for 11 points. He completed a double-double with 11 boards. Ratchford added 7 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers started out with a 3-0 run and led midway through until O’Bannon, who was guarding Walker, subbed out for Faquwa due to a prior injury flaring up. The 6-foot-5 Walker took advantage inside and scored five baskets almost in a row to take a 14-13 lead.
Once the stocky O’Bannon came back in the game, Walker’s production slowed down.
“We won on defense when we put (O’Bannon) back on Strange,” said Kelly.
“My shoulder was injured in the first game. I had to help my teammates out,” said O’Bannon. “Strange might be taller than me, but I played bigger than him.”
The lead was short-lived. The Youngsters had no answer for McIntosh and Kelly. McIntosh made a layup on Ratchford, tying the score at 14. Then McIntosh went on to make his team’s next three baskets.
“It was a mismatch ‘cause I can’t stop (McIntosh) and he can’t stop me,” said Ratchford.
McIntosh scored 15 points on 11/17 shooting from the field and hitting three of four free throws. McIntosh was named the finals MVP by Taylor.
“This was too easy. I just go out there and try stuff,” said McIntosh.
Kelly only made two out of 11 three-point attempts (worth only two points each in this league). However, Walker could not stop his first step. Kelly scored seven baskets inside, for a total of 11 points and snatched 12 rebounds.
“It wasn’t easy (getting around Walker), especially with a swollen knee; I had to play through pain,” said Kelly.
“The games were very competitive. I don’t believe they had an edge. I believe we didn’t play up to our potential. They showed up; we didn’t,” said Townes.
“We had a great coaching staff. They executed well, calling timeouts and giving us breathers,” said DeWitt, who added three baskets and a free throw for four points.
“We’re a complete team; no individuals. When you play together as one, you win,” said Lakers GM Donald “Tex” Walker.
For next season, Taylor said he would like to see better officiating, live play-by-play and the games taped and aired on the institutional TV channel.
“This season was better. The guys coming together with a prize and the level of play picking up made the games more interesting,” said Taylor.
“I’m not of age, but this is a good league for the older guys. I hope to play at that level at their age,” said S.Q. Warrior Harry “ATL” Smith.
