Friends, family, and fellowship were just some of the elements of the gathering on the “Lower Yard” basketball court on the first Saturday of September.
The San Quentin basketball program celebrated the power of the game and those things that the program stands for during its rendition of Family Day.
“I do it for my brothers,” said Montrell “MD” Vines of his coming back in for the event, “I feel y’all in here,” as he clutched his heart.
Family Day gathers up icons of the nationally renowned basketball program including formerly incarcerated program participants, outside sponsor opponents and current team members of the SQ Kings and SQ Warriors to rejoice in each others’ company and revel in the ongoing accomplishments that are achieved annually by the combined efforts of all who participated in the seventh annual gathering.
The main event of the jamboree was a four-team single elimination basketball tournament made up of teams that had a mixture of outside opponents, program members, and returning players.
Before the tournament started Bill Eppling of Prison Sports Ministries Green Team spoke to the assembled crowd to acknowledge the origins of the program. He paid homage to PSM founder Don Smith who first visited San Quentin in 1996, as well as current PSM Executive Director Bryce Warwick who oversees the basketball and softball fellowship programs in five CDCR facilities.
The tournament included spirited contests, including:
Game One, which featured team one against team three. Team one held a 49-33 lead at half-time, and prevailed by the score of 89-58.
The second game showcased teams two and four. Team four led 30-19 at the half and held on to win 77-69.
In the championship game of the event, team four led at half time 44-38, before team one mounted a comeback to win 76-61.
The champion, team one’s roster included Valtese “Teez” Mathis, Marcel Johnson, Keyshawn “Steez” Strickland, Ryan Matlock, Most Valuable Player Mike Sapp, outside volunteers Dan Wohl, Ted Hahs and Jean-Paul Bergez.
The all-star gathering provided emotional support and illustrated the commonalities of how this program positively impacts all who participate.
The day featured the formerly incarcerated who have left to become successful pillars in the community, and who have applied the lessons they learned while participating in the sports program.
The alumni returned to inspire current players and shared their experiences of the great life waiting for them on the outside.
The dedicated volunteers who come in every week to provide insight and stability while teaching real life lessons were honored as well.
Warden C. Andes spoke of the excitement associated with the transformation that is taking place at the institution.
He said the new era that is unfolding as the new buildings come on line must include the basketball and baseball programs as part of the transition. He reflected that people outside don’t understand that residents and staff are all invested in this together. “We are similar in that we are here putting in our time and want this to succeed,” said Andes.
Alumni of the program shared success stories, including:
2021 parolee Anthony Ammons told how he went from being caught in crossfire and sustaining a gunshot wound while on parole in Oakland in 2022 to being an elevator operator for the Golden State Warriors to working for Assembly Member Mia Bonta who also mentored him and is currently working for the Attorney General of California as a Special Project Coordinator in the C.A.R.E. Unit helping community based organizations with access to the Attorney General.
Thad Fleeton who served thirty-two years in CDCR detailed how he had no hope of getting out until he was encouraged by others to go to groups.
“I was an admitted “hot head,” but decided to give it a try,” said Fleeton. “After going through GRIP (guiding rage into power), CGA (criminal gangs anonymous) I learned to deal with anger and violence issues, and then people began to approach me for advise on change.”
Fleeton was gratified by the positive attention so much he dedicated his life to recovery and now operates group homes through North Bay Healthcare as tries to become a motivational speaker.
Fleeton believes that returning to San Quentin, Folsom and Vacaville helps keep him grounded while he is on the other side of the wall.
“The pedigree of the men coming out of the program has stood the test of time and the basketball program is still doing great things to make better men,” said Emmy Award winning documentarian Gonsoulin who paroled early in 2024.
Family Day celebrated the betterment of all inside and outside.