SQ WARRIORS, KINGS OPEN SEASON WITH SHOW OF DETERMINATION
The Golden State warriors and Sacramento Kings started the NBA post-season with a dramatic series won by the Warriors in the seventh game. As that series played out, the San Quentin Warriors were also beating the SQ Kings in a pre-season scrimmage, 100- 62.
The scrimmage game revealed promise for the upcoming season for both teams. It also provided an opportunity for the basketball community to come together after a short break.
“This program is about respect, integrity, and having fun,” said Brian Asey, general manager of the basketball program, in an opening speech before the game. “This is about building something bigger, something better.”
Warriors Head coach Jeramiah Brown said, “The program is a rare privilege that other prisons do not have. The goal is to build camaraderie, work as a team, solve problems, work through adversity and most of all — have fun.”
Both teams started out shaky, needing time to find their footing. The Warriors handled the opening possession, but the Kings were first to score, taking advantage of an early foul. Then the Warriors quickly took the lead at 6-1 following a three-pointer.
Despite an impressive show of energy, the kings struggled to score and the Warriors lead grew to 12-3 with just three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
While the young Warriors utilized their youthful speed and quick passing, the 40-and-up Kings team relied on efficient passing and steals to make a comeback. In the last few minutes of the opening quarter, they forced enough turnovers to pull within three; the Warriors led 16-13.
The second quarter began with some minor fouls, but the Kings surged to take the lead at 18-16 with a three-pointer that prompted an eruption of clapping and yelling from the sideline. The intensity picked up dramatically as the teams struggled desperately to establish dominance.
The Warriors regained control, forcing turnover after turnover, but the Kings hung close.
While the Kings slowed the pace during their possessions, the Warriors kept up their fast-paced offense to lead at the half, 37-30.
The solid defensive skills of both teams were on display in the first half and there were many turnovers. Age seemed to have had no impact as the two sides clashed with impressive displays of speed and wise gameplay.
In the second half, a different story began to emerge. The Warriors came out relentless, sinking an early three-pointer from the outside to extend their lead to double digits.
A defensive assault that generated many steals, along with many calls for reaching, complimented the Warriors’ hammering offensive. And regardless of those foul calls, the Warriors dominated. The King’s defense faltered and they fell behind in the third quarter, Warriors 72, Kings 43.
The fourth Quarter was rife with fouls as the Kings struggled to claw their way out of a 30-point deficit.
Three minutes into play, Jamaal Harrison of the Kings suffered a hamstring injury. He made known that the injury was the result of fatigue and dehydration and not a foul. His teammates carefully carried him to the bench. The final score was Warriors 100, Kings 62.
