The visiting Trailblazers torched the San Quentin Kings 82-67 in the final basketball game of the season.
“We decided in the parking lot that we were going to bring it. We knew this was the last game, and we didn’t want to wait until next March to get a win,” said Blazer Damien Aden.
The one-two punch of Blazers Will Wheatly and Ryan Williams kept the Kings frustrated. Wheatly grabbed a rebound and pushed up court for a fast break, then hit Williams with a no-look pass. Williams shook a defender and made a reverse lay-up. The Dynamic duo had three break-way steals for lay-ups, Williams had two and Wheatly one to extend their third quarter lead 54-41.
Williams finished with 23 points, Wheatly had 20, and point guard Antwan Capla added 12.
The Kings sharpshooters, Marvin Cosby and Oris “Pep” Williams, fought to keep the game close. Pep was fouled as he drained a three-pointer for the four-point play. Cosby hit a beautiful turn-around jumper over a defender and made a lay-up with seven seconds left to end the third. But the rest of the team look tired and had no offensive chemistry. They gave up steals and didn’t move the ball around.
Pep scored the team high 22 points, and Cosby put up 11.
“I thought since it was the last game of the season, we would have played a lot better. But we ran out of energy. We still had a winning season, and the outside teams’ level of competition was stronger this year,” said Kings Coach Orlando Harris.
The Blazers ended the third up 64-48 and stayed on fire to open the fourth. Wheatly pushed the ball up court and found Williams in the corner for the hands-down, man-down three-pointer. Williams repaid the favor and hit Wheatly with a bounce pass at the top of the key for the open three and a 70-50 lead.
“It didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but it was a humbling experience to play with these older cats,” said Cosby.
Blazer Coach Ted Saltveit added, “What can I say? We got five wins in the Big House. With every season, our friendship grows closer and the competition gets more intense.”
The Blazers hot shooting continued when Aidan Coffino knocked down two three-pointers back-to-back. He fouled out before putting the game away at 79-63.
“This is a good and unique experience. Coming here has given me a lot to feel positive about and to let go of the negative. I will miss this,” said Coffino.
King J. “Mailman” Ratchford concluded, “The season was good. We came together as a family. I enjoyed everything and I hope to be back next year.”
–Edward Moss contributed to this story
