As the San Quentin Warriors embarked on their season, the team’s quest to perform better than last year may be within reach.                                                                                                                                    

No matter the record, the most celebrated incarcerated sports team in America leaves fans and players on all teams with vivid memories.

“I’m overjoyed with the support we get from our sponsors,” said San Quentin Warriors head coach Jeremiah Brown. “We’ve got a full schedule and its gonna be an awesome experience.”

The schedule so far has had their eternal opponents – First Baptist Church’s ‘Kingdom’ team, The Prison Sports Ministry ‘Green Team’, the Bittermen, Town Boogie and the Outsiders Team – take competitive and spiritual swipes against SQRC’s roundball juggernaut.

Warriors Head Coach Jeremiah Brown said the team has young guys but will remain highly competitive with their speed and defense. “Stan Tillman will help provide stability and leadership as he returns to the program after a two-year hiatus,” added Brown.

“When comparing the new players with last year’s team it could be just as good, if not better,” said Donell Pimpton Jr., a hold over from last years Warriors team.

The SQ Warriors’ played at the end of May against The Prison Sports Ministry ‘Green Team’ again. The Green Team made their second visit to SQRC during the Memorial Day weekend. 

“Its hard to get commitments on a holiday weekend so we have some new blood today,” said PSM’s lead volunteer, Bill Eppling.

The ‘new look’ SQ Warriors took an early lead and never looked back. A 12-point lead after one quarter was stretched to 17 at half-time. During the third quarter they extended their lead to 18 before winning 98-74.

“I’m so proud of the guys. We shortened the roster and rotations and they responded with great sportsmanship,” said Brown. “Shout out to Keyshawn Strickland who was constantly double-teamed.”

“For me, it’s normal. Pass to open teammates and trust they make their shots and they did,” said Strickland.

Adding to the team’s memory chest, both teams and coaches took a lap around the Lower Yard to bond with other residents of SQRC.

“Everyone was having more fun than I expected, I didn’t know how many activities there were,” said Naji Sanaha, 29, of his first visit to San Quentin. “Everyone knows and supports each other.”

The SQ Warriors basketball team’s sixth game of the year was played under the bright blue skies of the Lower Yard’s outdoor basketball court on the last Saturday of June. 

“We fought hard and persevered, ” said Warriors coach Jerry Brown. Brown co-designed 94 Feet, a conflict-resolution group that is sponsored by PSM. “I’m so proud of how they used teamwork to overcome adversity, it made coaching fun today.”

The Green Team got out to an early lead with the first quarter ending at 16-15. The SQ Warriors grabbed the lead at halftime, 42-36, and they would not trail again. After completing three quarters of play their lead was 66-60 and they pulled away to finish the game with a final score of 96-88.

During the pregame, assistant coach Demond Lewis spoke about the work the team does in here, “Practicing not what we want, but what we can give and who we want to become,” said Lewis. Lewis said he believes their new beliefs can be carried to the outside to build family and community.

“My father, uncle and cousin all did time so I have empathy for the incarcerated,” said first time visitor Isaiah Martin. “I’m one hundred percent here for Jesus, we shouldn’t fix our minds on worldly things, so I don’t judge.”

During the final weekend of July, Bill Eppling’s PSM Green Team had a significant height advantage, led by 6’ 10” Henry Welsh, and the 6’3” Sam Beskind.

The Green Team led by 3 at the end of the 1st quarter, the game was tied at the half and PSM led by 2 at the end of the 3rd. The Warriors, smaller in stature, tried to utilize their speed, as the game remained hotly contested. However during the final five minutes of the 4th quarter, the Green Team pulled away to finish with a final score of 84-75.

“The difference in the game was composure,” said Warriors coach Jerry Brown, “late in the game we lost ours.”

“Everyone is kind but competitive,” said first time visitor Beskind, “it’s a privilege to be on the court with them.

Martin Keith DeWitt contributed to this story