Although baseball ⚾️ is called America's sport, basketball 🏀 sure has its share of fans. If you doubt me come to Maine during March madness when high school battle for dominance. Byron Graves combines a riveting sports narrative with insights into the challenging realities of being a Native high school athlete.
Tre lives in the shadow of his recently deceased older brother, Jaxon, a stellar basketball player for whom his family, school, and reservation had sky high hopes. His home feels like a shrine to Jaxon. His parents seem to swing between reliving his triumphs and torturing themselves about what they should have done to not lose him.
The summer before his sophomore year of high school Tre follows a rigorous training schedule. When he makes junior varsity instead of varsity basketball 🏀 he's embarrassed and disappointed.
"And especially since my dad and Jaxon became starters on varsity in eighth grade. The only two guys to ever get called up to play on the varsity team before they were even in high school."
Then Tre gets his chance to prove himself when two varsity players get caught drinking. The pressure feels intense. They're playing against much better resourced white teams who bring their biases to the game. So his team is carrying the hopes not only of his family and school, but of his reservation that they'll be the one to finally make it to States.
And there's also the peer pressure factor. Tre knows attending parties is risky but wants to be accepted by his teammates.
Graves, like his protagonist, was a Red Lakes Warrior in high school. He faced the same challenges. Many of his peers, like Tre, had to deal with the loss of a loved one on top of school and sports pressures.
"So, again, Rez Ball was my attempt at showing the divide and the unique challenges kids from my rez face while trying to keep up with nearby white student athletes."
On a purrrsonal note, Eugene and I just celebrated 🥳 🎉 🎊 🍾 ❤️ our 35th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful. We were so grateful to still be together.
A great big shout out goes out to the love of my life, Eugene.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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