Tryouts for the SQ Warriors and the Kings got underway in June and through July with a mixture of talent that coaches have to choose from.
Young and older residents scrimmaged against each other and the game revealed those who may make it and those who may not.
“We’re looking for desire, passion, and some new guys to step up and show me that they really want it,” said Coach Jeremiah “JB” Brown.
Veteran players were up against some new fresh legs and the competition for positions was a tough battle. Running up and down the court wasn’t easy after COVID but guys gave it their all to push through it. On day one of the tryouts coach Anthony “Tone” Evans, along with the other four assistant coaches, had to make some tough choices in cutting the 30 guys who tried out down to 20. Over a series of games, coaches had to reevaluate their choices and make some adjustments because they quickly found out that there was more talent to choose from than they originally thought.
“Out of all this talent, I just need guys to be on time, here early and ready to play,” said Evans, while he addressed the guys on being committed and being accountable. A lot of the guys were also players on the intramural league teams, so they had head starts on the others.
In another SQ Warriors and Kings scrimmage game, where tension was flaring and guys were balling passionately, coaches were observing the attitudes of the guys and determining if they would make the cut. All the coaches stressed continually that making the team depends on not just talent, but also attitude. In the game, the 40-and-older Kings team struggled against the more youthful squad of the Warriors. Greg “G-dog” Eskridge ran circles around Kings players with his offensive board grabs and defense blocked shots.
“The trip part is that I was the guy they didn’t pick for the team, but I showed up and done the most,” said Eskridge.
Although the referees missed some crucial calls, that would not have made a difference nor would it have helped the Kings’ low-scoring quarters. Five points in the first, only one in the second and six in the third. Kings lost 48-22.
