On April 2, 24 men gave it their all to become a member of the SQ Warriors B-Ball team, a program that have been going strong for about 15 years. And former Head Coach Anthony Evans is confident that the program will continue to thrive.
“I’m appreciative to have served the guy’s by being their coach for these three years,” said Evans.
Evans is leaving a lasting impression on the guys he coached over the years. One guy particular speaking of is 13 year veteran point guard Marvin Cosby.
“I learned a lot from coach Tone. I learned respect and camaraderie. He leaving us in good shape,” said Cosby.
Evans is transitioning out and have named Jeremiah “Big JB” Brown as the new Head coach of the SQ Warriors. Coach Evans is confident to leave the legacy of the SQ Warriors in the hands of such an experienced Coach Brown and assistant coach Jason Eurich.
“The guys on the team trust these guys. These guys have always been here with me and I trust them too. Plus, they want to expand the program as I did. I’m grateful to be able to hand over the reins to them when I’m gone,” Evans said. “At one of our meetings I made it official. The veterans on the team trust him and will be loyal to him. “JB” earned that. I believe that the program is gonna grow.”
We’re building men, we’re building better people. It’s more than just basketball.
Brian Asey
General Manager
SQ Warriors
Tryouts kicked off with General Manager Brian Asey, who gave an introductory speech that let the men know that this sport is more than just playing the game.
“We’re building men, we’re building better people. It’s more than just basketball,” said Asey. Coach Evans also has been a counselor to the former guys on the team and he agrees with Asey statement of building men in the program.
After the admonishments and details of how the contract each player will have to sign if they make the team, practice began with veteran Dontaye “007” Harris leading the exercises. He stretched them, ran them in sprints and back-peddling drills.
New Head Coach Jeremiah “JB” Brown took over the leadership where he instructed some fundamentals of how to train for Basketball. His decades of experience coaching revealed itself through the type of drills he incorporated in the tryouts. The guy’s looked like they were actually trying out for a professional team the way they were all focused with determined looks on their faces during the drills.
From being a coach of many teams outside and inside of prison, including the SQ Warriors assisting coach, Brown taking over the team as Head coach was good, especially with him being good at spotting talent when he see it.
“I’m surprised at some of the guys skill-set,” said Brown. “I like the intensity. The vets have stepped up and I love the leadership. Out of the 24 we got here I see about 9 or 10 that I have to develop.”
The coach split up the guys into sections and created teams for them to scrimmage against. The scrimmages were 20-minute timed drills and each one was full court. There were zone match-ups and man-to-man defensive drills. The assistant coach Jason, made some choices during a scrimmage that one new SQ resident thought was bad timing. However, after sitting out for a couple of plays, D. Bordaley saw that what the coach did made sense.
“It’s a good thing. I didn’t agree with being took out at first or the strategy of the coach because the chemistry was lost after that. But, now I see. I want to make the team so, I am determined to listen to the coaches. I believe that by making the team for me, it will keep me from the negativity,” said Bordaley.
Determination is one of the key attributes that Coach Brown happens to be looking for. “I look for it to come together. If you show some determination and commitment I’ll get you there,” said Brown.
