Respect

“Horn, lineups, anthem and final words, it was game-time. As the starters jumped up from our bench and ran to center court for the toss, Coach lifted his fist towards me and I bumped it with a grin. Feeling the same pulse of energy that he was, I looked around to the growing crowd. Young, old, black, white, and every age and shade in between, they came to support their school, students, friends, and sons; they came because it was Friday night, and the week, with all its ups and downs, was behind them; they came to see feats of skill and moments of beauty, as well as heartache and pain; they came for the pure thrill of unadulterated competition. They would not be disappointed.” And neither will the reader as he follows senior point guard, Nate Parker, and the boys of the Central High basketball team in their struggle for respect on and off the court. After a slow start, the team comes together to make a push for the title, but first Nate must learn to accept his new role. It doesn't come easy, but nothing worth having ever does. For the game, his Coach, his teammates, even his opponents, but mostly, for himself; to get respect, he first, must give it!