Where the Game Matters Most: A Last Championship Season in Indiana High School Basketball Tag: In..

From the moment this book tips off to the ring of the final buzzer this is a great read. Gildea takes us on the court, in the locker room, and most importantly into the lives of young men who live for basketball in a state where basketball is sacred. Indiana is the perfect setting for this tale of one season and there is the dramatic aspect that this will be the last season where a "true" statewide high school basketball champion will be crowned because of the demise of the historical tournament format. Not just for sports junkies! The author skillfully weaves these elements together into a compelling story that will make for a quick read for any fan of this type of book.

I am a Hoosier from Anderson Indiana and I really enjoyed the book,it captured the flavor of Indiana non-class basketball. The glow of what might be was forever taken from the game when class basketball was brought into play. I attended a small school and I remember the hope of this might be the year when tourney time rolled around. I was working in the food service at Anderson High School during the 96-97 season and Mr. Gildea captured the spirit of the coach and players of that year. This book is a good read for those outsiders who cannot understand the importance of basketball in Indiana.

I LOVED this book! I thought it was one of the best basketball books ever written. It's especially different for me to read because I am from Florida and like my mom says, "bball just isn't the same down here as it is up there". It sounds much more exciting and the fans actually get into it. I'm a diehard Hoosier fan and this book helped alot! I really LOVED the pictures of Luke Recker!

Having watched Mr Gildea's interview on Booknotes with Brian Lamb (CSPAN), I was immediately interested in the subject matter. Being a hoosier heightened my interest. Mr Gildea takes the reader on a magical journey through what was Hoosier Hysteria at tournament time. He captured the true spirit of Indiana High School basketball with his vivid descriptions of the gymnasiums and people, past and present, that are Indiana ledgond. A thoroughly delightfull read. My only dissappointment, and it is minor at best, is that he didn't focus on any of my town's schools and their brushes with the coveted championship. I say this tongue in cheek of course. I wouldn't be a true hoosier otherwise. Thank you Mr Gildea!!!

As a young boy growing up in the heartland of Indiana the homage for Milan High School and the infamous jumpshop by Bobby Plump over Muncie Central in 1954 created a mystique that may never be duplicated in the annals of Hoosier high school basketball. Mr. Gildea portrays the inner sanctum of what "The Game" truly represents with complete respect and esteem. Every youngster who learned the game of basketball in the state of Indiana continually remembers the never-ending and repetitive drlls of lay-ups and dribbling with either hand plus the proper procedure of the "give and go" with the eventual expectations of playing in Hinkle Fieldhouse for the state championship. Mr. Gildea examines the heart and soul of Hoosier Hysteria and the demise of the single-champion tournament as if he lived in Indiana his entire life and not as an outsider from the Washington Post. He captures the spirit of Hoosier basketball through a spectrum of nostalgia and emotion and gives life and meaning to what is moral, virtuous and innocent. Coach Witty of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis states that "life is not a level playing field." Basketball is a means to teach the game of life and to exceed your expectations because everyone will not be a champion on the hardwood. As a native now of Ohio where they crown multi-state champions in basketball, it is absolutely impossible to support and develop any folklore, legends or myths concerning your favorite team within the state. The game is meaningless, and the spirit and essence is forever shortchanged. The spirit of Indiana basketball will continue, and Mr. Gildea's conclusion that more and bigger is progress articulates the thesis of his excellent book. I recommend Mr. Gildea's book to anyone who believes that motivation, effort and the opportunity to beat anyone no matter the odds in the pursuit of your personal dreams. If you live in Batesville, DeKalb, Merriville or Anderson, this is the mystique of Hoosier Hysteria. Hopefully, the two year trial of multi-class champions will be the ultimate "Gone with the Wind.