The Spartans aren't planning on going home early, however, and their hot-shot freshman Malcolm "One and Done" McBride is there to impress NBA scouts for the upcoming draft. He's made no secret of his disdain for the NCAA experience, but it's all about the game right now. Can he pull his team to victory?
Michael "MJ" Jordan, as his name suggests, grew up in the shadow of a living legend. Never quite able to live up to his namesake, he still made it to MSU on scholarship, and he's here at the tournament to make his mark. His true hero? Barack Obama: a man who overcame all the odds, and keeps going anyway. Can he come off the bench and make a difference tonight?
Croatian-native Roco "Red Bull" Bacic leads the Trojans, and they aren't backing down. With a group firmly rooted in teamwork, they have an answer for the Spartans nearly every time down the court. He's playing for his uncle who first turned him onto basketball, and taught him the importance of working hard. The score stays close throughout the game, and as the clock ticks down, it's all tied up with two minutes to go.
Crispin, the Trojans' big man, is playing for more than just a win. Earlier in the tournament, he proposed to his girlfriend, varsity cheerleader Hope, now dubbed 'Hope of Troy,' the modern-day equivalent of Helen. The two are the good luck charm for the team, and they haven't lost a game since the announcement, but are they as solid as they seem?
As the last seconds count down, it looks like they're going into overtime. Neither team is ready to quit yet!
What a fun ride. Volponi weaves a great basketball story with the backgrounds of four of the essential players, two very different coaching styles, and a thought provoking discussion on amateurism, without ever losing site of the adrenaline ride of the game. Highly recommended for sports fans.
*Library Link*
"'I wish the NCAA could make allowances for low-income families. After all, let's be honest, this is a business,' said a parent who wished to remain anonymous. 'Maybe years ago when the dollar figures were much less, a free college education was an equal trade-off. But nowadays, with the money the schools and the NCAA are making on the talents of our kids, it's a rip-off. They shine that light o being an amateur on you; meanwhile the professionals who run the behind-the-scenes of college basketball are in the dark somewhere counting their money,' (Volponi pg. 94, 2012).If you liked this, check out:
Rucker Park Setup by Paul Volponi
True Legend by Mike Lupica
Night Hoops by Carl Deuker
Volponi, Paul. (2012). The Final Four. New York: Viking.
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