A friend of mine wondered why I did not place more entries about books on my blog and I did not know the answer. Therefore in honor of my first book entry blog and a timely title for March Madness, I would like to comment on the Miracle of St. Anthony.
This book title was recommended by my brother. Even though I m a librarian, one of my job duties is not ordering titles in the top twenty genre; so, I gather my book titles from friends and family members.
By the sound of the title, Miracle of St. Anthony's one would think it is a religious story. Far from it. This is a basketball journey about a group of young men destined to go nowhere. However; this all changes as these adolescents try to become part of Bob Hurley's basketball dynasty as St. Anthony's high school in New Jersey.
Now one would wonder why I a white middle class woman would want to read a story like this. Well I was not a fan of Bobby Hurley Jr. when he played for Duke, and since he played for his dad, Bobby Sr. at St. Anthony's when he a was a teenager, I wanted a reason to like him or dislike him even more.
The story, focused on the present about these man children with all the problems of living in the gritty city, they try to overcome their problems and play basketball which they know best. Nobody expected them to win a game let alone become undefeated. Even though the story focuses on the present, we are brought glimpses in of the past when Bobby Jr. played for his dad and it was no picnic.
This winning streak is no accident. They needed the guidance, skill and tough love from their coach, Bob Hurley Sr. Bob did not treat them with kid gloves but gave them the desire to win and fight on the court as well as to make their lives better on the outside.
This story gave me respect for all the hard work it goes into in making championship teams and coaching vulnerable youth. It also gave me a new respect for the Hurley family as well.
So if you are watching March Madness this year, take the time to think where these young men have come from.
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