The Stephen Powell story

Thank you for Scott Ostler for providing the backstory on the late Stephen Powell -- it was necessary to get beyond message board postings:

Slain Bayview athlete soared high, fell hard
Scott Ostler, Chronicle Staff Writer
July 4, 2010

San Francisco, like every big city, has a mythical basketball team of lost souls who are remembered with sadness and with stories of their feats and their wasted potential.

Stephen Powell Jr. is now on that team. His dream of becoming a real basketball star died a week ago Saturday night when the 19-year-old was shot and killed at the corner of Market and Castro.

Three years ago, Powell, a pint-size high school sophomore from the Bayview, scored 50 points in a game. He had dazzling skills and a personality to match.

"I had the misfortune of coaching against him (in high school), and the pleasure of coaching him (in Amateur Athletic Union ball)," said Randy Bessolo, coach at University High. "He was just a joy to be around. He had a great sense of humor. Everyone around him enjoyed his company, and none of his fun or humor ever detracted from his productivity."

What did detract, and prove fatal, was Powell's inability to pull himself away from old friends on the streets of the Bayview. Police say Powell's killing was gang-related...

Go here for the remainder.