After the visiting Bittermen basketball team lost by one-point the week before, several players returned to San Quentin as Trailblazers and topped the Kings, 64-52.
“They played the better game. It was their day,” said Kings shooting guard Marvin Cosby.
The Trailblazers may have been motivated by teammate Antwan Capla’s passionate opening.
Pre-game he talked at center court about losing a brother to Sickle Cell Anemia and fighting to bring awareness and resources to stop the disease that primarily affects Black men.
“I don’t want to see any more family trees affected,” said Capla.
King three-point sharp shooter Aubra-Lamont “Coocoo” McNeely spoke about being found unsuitable by the parole board due to historical factors. They gave him a three-year denial.
Maintaining a positive demeanor, he thanked everyone for their prayers.
“And we still have to guard the corner three,” joked Bittermen/Trailblazer Ted Saltveit.
The Trailblazers started out in the hole. They were down 23-13 early in the second quarter. However, by the second half, they were ahead 28-24, aided by the two three-pointers dropped by Aidan Coffino.
The Kings settled for jump shots that clanked off the rim, and they fell behind, 40-33.
“We need to be aggressive on offense. That doesn’t mean throwing up everything. We have to attack the basket,” advised Kings Coach Orlando Harris.
The Kings respond, starting with Thad Fleeton making his patented post-up move, followed by Oris “Pep” Williams’s pointblank jumper, closing the gap to 40-39.
“Pep” Williams led the Kings with 15 points. Fleeton added seven.
In the fourth, former San Francisco Rumble Will Wheatley and teammate Ryan Williams turned it up. They finished for a combined total of 30 points (16 and 14, respectively), putting the Trailblazers on top, 57-52, with 1:19 left in regulation.
“We have a solid team,” said Wheatley about the key to victory.
The Kings tried to come back by fouling to stop the clock and making quick baskets. They got the fouling part right but couldn’t purchase a basket.
Capla hit two of four free throws, and Aidan Coffino nailed three of four to seal the Trailblazers’ victory.
Coffino said he was a 91 percent free-throw shooter at The Urban School in San Francisco.
“I would have made all four but Aubra whispered in my ear,” joked Coffino.
Capla finished with 10 points, Coffino 9 in the Oct. 17 game.
Teammate Steven Lamb had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and a block.
“That’s my game. I play an old Draymon game,” said Lamb.
