Last Shot by John Feinstein

Last Shot : a final four mystery by John Feinstein

Just finished this one this morning and as some of you know I'm not a huge basketball fan but this one worked for me (although it didn't grab me for about the first 50 pages) after that I was in.

For basketball fiend Steven Thomas, it's like a dream come true. He wom a writing contest and now here he is in New Orleans, wearing a press pass around his neck, covering the biggest weekend in college sports.

But the dream takes an ugly twist when Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear a coach telling MSU's star point guard he'd better lose the final game... or else. Blackmail? As fans, they are repulsed. As reporters, they are riveted.

Of course this is a story no one wants them to pursue. The more questions they ask about who might want MSU to lose and why, the fewer real answers they get. Now they have two days - just forty-eight hours - before the tip-off of the final game to uncover the truth. And it's a truth that will cut deeper into the heart of college athletics than they could ever have imagined.

March madness doesn't nearly describe the half of it.

Winter break reading

Toby Wheelr: Eighth-Grade Benchwarmer by Thatcher Heldring

Toby Wheeler love basketball and playing pickup games at the local rec centre with his best friend, JJ, at his side. But lately JJ's been acting like he's too busy for Toby, and Toby knows it will only get worse once basketball season begins at their junior high. That's because JJ's the star of their school team, while Toby is just an ordinary gym rat.

When Coach Applewhite offers Toby a chance to join the team, Toby's eager to prove he can keep up with JJ. But practice doesn't go quite as Toby planned, and when the coach announces the lineup, Toby's hopes of playing ball with JJ are history: he's an eighth-grade benchwarmer! Befriending the coach's daughter only make matters worse. Now the only way Toby will get in the game is if he starts thinking like a team player, on and off the court. (From the back cover)

Well, as many of you know I'm kind of short and I never really cared for basketball, but I continue to try and understand what a pic-and-roll might be. I know Lakie has some fabulous B-Ball players so, if you love sports and need something for that next book report, this was an easy read with plenty of good basketball action. I liked the story of how Toby and JJ's friendship was put under pressure from basketball and how they kind of got over that hump. The side story of Toby's family was lacking and unnecessary.

Rucker Park Setup by Paul Volponi

Rucker Park Setup by Paul Volponi

Harlem's Rucker Park has seen more than a few stars rise through its ranks, and Mackey and J.R. are hopeful that they will be the next - afterall they've been playing and watching ball their entire lives. Finally the moment they've been dreaming of has arrived - they're about to play in the Rucker Park Tournament where there is sure to be college scouts. Their team is sponsored by the Rapper named Greene and Greene has wagered heavily against opposing coach Fat Anthony that they will win. Before the tournament can even start, things go wrong and J.R. is killed. Mackey knows what has gone down and now has to decide how he'll handle things, including his own involvement.

The basketball action was intense and really kept the story captivating. The characters believeable and I found it to be a fast read. I'd recommend this for any of those reluctant readers who might need something for a book project, that and it's about 160 pages.

There is lots of language** in this one, so use some caution.