A bunch of young college kids looked a bit apprehensive when they braved a visit inside San Quentin for a basketball game. But they found an easy rapport with the S.Q. Warriors.
Many of the youngsters looked nervous as they took the outdoor blue-green court in the prison’s Lower Yard.
“People said it was going to be dangerous, but it’s cool here.” Pacific Union College’s Jordan Greenwell at halftime said, “I’m comfortable playing — it doesn’t matter against who.”
He dunked in the game three times, including one on Anthony Ammons. Greenwell went up with the ball in his left hand, but Ammons skied up and was blocking it when Greenwell reestablished control with his right hand and finished the slam.
“It was a shock. I thought he was going to go with one hand, but I loved it,” Ammons said.
Greenwell led Pacific with 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks.
The Pacific team visited on Oct. 19 to experience the prison atmosphere. They learned about more than zone defense in the 100-92 loss to the Warriors.
“I brought my guys in as a learning experience,” said Pacific head coach Greg Rahn. “I want to teach them about life choices and toughen them up.”
Rahn played semi-pro in the ABA for the Orange County Nobel Saints.
The visitors also included assistant coaches Jason Silsdorf and Anthony Gonzalez, and 17 players. Both Silsdorf and Rahn played in the game, but Silsdorf took an accidental elbow to the forehead and had to sit out the second half.
Silsdorf played pro in the Philippians and for Texas Southern while in college.
In the game, the Warriors took a 16-point lead at halftime.
Before the second half, everyone met at center court for inspirational messages.
Ammons started talking about the resilience of his mother. She beat drug addiction right after his arrest and has written him every week since.
Next Harry “ATL” Smith told the youngsters, “I was in ya’ll shoes. I was playing for San Jose State but one bad move ended me up here. You really don’t know what you have until you come up in here. Do the right thing.”
“We are all sinners. We all make mistakes,” Gonzalez added. “Do your best and then some.” His son, Gonzalez Jr., played in the game.
For visitor Jarron Crump, the day was a reminder that he made the right choice.
“My dad played in the NBA until he tore his knee. He didn’t have a plan B and ended up in prison. I was following his path, until I realized I didn’t want to be where he was,” Crump said to inmates and teammates gathered around. “There is more to life than basketball — have a backup plan.”
In the second half, the Warriors continued going to the rack and getting lots of calls, while Pacific went through its roster trying to find an answer.
The Warriors big three — Smith, Allan McIntosh and Ammons — were almost unstoppable. Smith led all scorers with 29 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist. Ammons had 23 points and a whopping 23 rebounds plus three blocks. McIntosh added 23 more points and eight boards, with three steals.
“The Warriors made us play more physical and not worry about calls,” said Andrew “Drew” Rice of Pacific. He ended up with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Pacific’s Robert Hicks came off the bench late in the fourth and turned up the pressure defense, causing several turnovers. Pacific cut a 20-point deficit to eight before time ran out.
“They didn’t turn the pressure up ‘til late in the game. Had they pressed earlier, it might have been rougher for us,” said Daniel Wright, the Warriors’ head coach.
Other highlights included:
Alias Jones threw Ammons a lob for a dunk at the end of the fourth. Shortly after, Maurice Hanks threw Smith an alley oop that he slammed down with authority.
After the game, Hicks led the crowd in prayer. Then the guys from both teams held an impromptu slam-dunk exhibition.
“They made a better choice than I did. They are the future — I want them to continue to be better than me. I’m living out my dream through them,” Ammons said.
