|
Where the Game Matters Most: A Last Championship Season in Indiana High School Basketball | 
 enlarge | Author: William Gildea
Creator: John Wooden
Publisher: Benchmark Press
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $2.33
You Save: $12.62 (84%)
New (6) Used (17) from $0.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 1022785
Media: Paperback
Edition: Updated
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 239
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.7
ISBN: 189204921X
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.3236309772
EAN: 9781892049216
ASIN: 189204921X
Publication Date: February 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: New Item!; Ships Right Away!
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Whenever David beats Goliath it's news; everything is suddenly possible. In Indiana, where basketball is an obsession, and high school basketball a religious pilgrimage to the state championship, the potential for Davids--remember Hoosiers?--is both magnificent and ever possible. But in 1996, Indiana changed that. Despite outrage and protest, the state opted to revamp the format that allowed all its high schools to compete against one another for the state title, and instead to institute a divisional system that would segregate schools by size, allowing for four champion teams. As unpopular as the decision was, it made the 1996-97 season--the last to be played under the old rules--emotionally charged and sociologically above the rim in richness. William Gildea's examination of that final season is ripe with the voices of coaches and players, and vivid in its replay of big games. But the book's real strength is off the court in Gildea's observations and reportage on the ethos of small towns, small-town virtues, and the place of sports in the community. Where the Game Matters Most is a championship volume in any league.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Hard to Put Down March 1, 2005
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
From the moment this book tips off to the ring of the final buzzer this is a great read.
Gildea takes us on the court, in the locker room, and most importantly into the lives of young men who live for basketball in a state where basketball is sacred. Indiana is the perfect setting for this tale of one season and there is the dramatic aspect that this will be the last season where a "true" statewide high school basketball champion will be crowned because of the demise of the historical tournament format.
Not just for sports junkies! The author skillfully weaves these elements together into a compelling story that will make for a quick read for any fan of this type of book.
Exceptional February 21, 2002
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Great for anyone who loves basketball or interested in Indiana history. Easy for anyone to read, yet remains engaging.
 Nice Solid Read January 29, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an enjoyable read that focuses on the positive attributes of high school basketball. It is not an expose like Friday Night Lights or even Fall River Dreams, but that is fine. It is a book that makes me long for the good old days of the single class tourney of Hoosiers fame.
Where The Game Matters Most January 28, 2002
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am a Hoosier from Anderson Indiana and I really enjoyed the book,it captured the flavor of Indiana non-class basketball. The glow of what might be was forever taken from the game when class basketball was brought into play. I attended a small school and I remember the hope of this might be the year when tourney time rolled around. I was working in the food service at Anderson High School during the 96-97 season and Mr. Gildea captured the spirit of the coach and players of that year. This book is a good read for those outsiders who cannot understand the importance of basketball in Indiana.
Interesting look at Hoosier Hoops January 12, 2000
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A year in the life of a number of teams from all over the state of Indiana. This book profiles the last year of one class basketball--"as it should be."Who will win Mr. Basketball--The best player in the state or the one with the best publicity machine? Does race matter? While the writing style is easy to read, it's almost like reading newspaper accounts and this is the only thing keeping this book from 5 stars. This book reminds me of listening to 1190 AM WOWO and the crazy call in shows where scores are reported from all over the state with brief summaries. You hit all the big games for the top stars for the year. And of course there still lives the dream of the small school David conquering the Goliath of New Castle Chrysler etc... Truly a three point basket!
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
