The San Quentin Kings were able to overcome a push by the Outsiders in a 65-60 victory.
At the beginning of the 4th quarter, the Kings were ahead 57-44, however the outside team didn’t give up. Led by the scoring of Steve Watkins, and a couple of big threes pointers by John Brewster, they brought the score to within five, at 63-58 with 1:22 seconds left.
“We are gonna win on defense. We don’t have to score any more,” said Kings forward Tim Thompson during a time out. “We got to play smart,” added Kings Coach Orlando Harris.
With the time running out, Brewster told his team, “We gotta foul. They’ll have to make free throws,” he said.
After two missed free throws, the Outsiders got the rebound and Watkins scored inside, closing the deficit to three. With only 30 seconds left in the game, Kings guard Shakur Pierce was fouled and hit both free throws. In the final seconds, the Outsiders were kept scoreless and the Kings got the Aug. 24 win.
Ty Jones led the Kings with 22 points, followed by Oris Williams’ 11 and P. “Strange” Walker’s 10.
The Outsiders were led by Steve Watkins’ 24 points, Gareeth Hancock’s 12 and Tyler’s 11.
Things didn’t go so well for the Kings during a previous July 27 game against the Outsiders.
The seven man outside team was losing 62-57. Then Kings Coach Harris gave them some Gatorade. Afterwards, the Outsiders played with renewed energy, taking the lead 63-62 and going on to win 71-64!
“We got better in the second half. We stepped it up. Gatorade made the difference,” said Hancock.
“Our last lost by one point taught us to be more patient to walkout with a win,” added Nichols.
Joe Nichols, who turned 50 the week before, found his shot in that game, hitting four three-pointers and a free throw for a total of 13 points. Joel “Big Country” Simmons had a double-double, with 23 points and 12 rebounds and Gareeth Hancock had another double-double, with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Kings that game, Oris Williams had 14 points and six rebounds, Thad Fleeton had 12 points and 5 rebounds, Brain Asey had 10 points and Shakur Pierce had 10 in the July 27 loss.
