The San Quentin Warriors started the season in April with two wins and four losses while the SQ Kings split four games to stand at .500.
No matter the records, the elite program is being compared to the traditional giants of the sport.
“It’s a lot like Duke and North Carolina; you hear about it or see it on TV but until you experience it first-hand you just don’t know,” said Jon Remedios, 33, a first-time Green Team member.
The power of SQ basketball also highlighted a day of renewal during the first week of May for two of the team’s players; Demond “Oola” Lewis and Eric Allen.
“I’m thankful to be surrounded by people who care about me and my family,” said coach Lewis. He experienced a family emergency that prevented him from attending the previous weekend’s opening day game for the Kings.
Allen, who suffered an Achilles tear in 2024, was marking his comeback from the surgical procedure to re-attach his achilles tendon. “The mental reward is to get on the court again,” said Allen. “My biggest fear is getting hurt, I gotta learn to trust my mind and body again.”
Visitors Town Boogie led 51-45 at halftime and beat the Warriors 100-85.
The Kings played the Prison Sports Ministry’s Green Team, keeping a 26-25 halftime edge before running away with a 64-47 final score.
Charles Lowery, who has been volunteering at SQ for 14 years, said everyone in blue is an example of progress. “Whether it’s lifting up a teammate… or becoming a better version of yourself, it all counts,” said Lowery.
Mother’s Day weekend saw Kingdom Ministry visiting with only four players.
“Today is my birthday. I love basketball and wanted to come play with y’all,” said Kingdom player Akeem “Keem” Mobley.
The SQ Warriors smashed the visitors 120-71 in large part because the visiting team enlisted players from the Warriors and Kings to allow the games to take place.
Swarndeep “Sunny” Basra, the Warriors’ standout offensive player, scored 35 points and slammed two dunks. “I am thankful that I can still jump despite a partially torn Patellar Tendon,” said Basra.
The Kings grabbed a halftime lead of 47-25 before winning the game 89-59.
Kingdom player Will Baker, 37, who plays in pick-up games in Oakland, Vallejo, and San Francisco, said he appreciates the quality of the play and the respect given by the members of SQ’s basketball program. “It’s like seeing old friends when I come here to play,” said Baker of his trips to the institution.
The Warriors’ woes worsened after team leader Keyshawn “Steez” Strickland was lost to a foot injury. Town Boogie mounted a late comeback to win 84-78.
Town Boogie General Manager Sam Permutt spoke at center court during halftime. He said he was dealing with the death of a high school teammate. “This place is where I feel gratitude for being able to come play,” said Permutt.
Kenan Holiday, 20, made his debut as a member of Town Boogie. Holiday works as an employee of SQ hospital facilities and maintains family ties to the SQRC administration. He also has some family basketball pedigree; two of his cousins play in the NBA, most notably Jrue Holiday of the Portland Trailblazers.
“Warriors’ players asked me to come and I reached out to Sam [Permutt],” said Holiday.
Memorial Day saw the Outsiders squeaking by the SQ Kings 83-78.
Kings player Larun Logwood said that the Outsiders came to play before he thanked SQ Warrior Navion “Smoove” Starks, who played for the undermanned Outsiders.
May came to a close and the Warriors and Kings hosted PSM’s Green Team, who brought in seven first-time players. Town Boogie also squared off against the Kings.
The SQ Warriors, short-handed as the Green Team by injuries, took the loss, 100-87.
Team Boogie also beat the SQ Kings, finishing the game with a 88-76 victory.
Keenan McMiller, 46, a teacher and basketball coach from Oakland, was surprised by what he found inside the wall. “There’s passion, pride, fellowship and community,” said McMiller. “All those things are lacking outside the wall.”