steffany murray-block
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping account of a championship season
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022
Take a roller-coaster ride with the young men who led their team to a state basketball title during the rough and tumble early 1970s. The author was an integral part of the team and spares no detail in sharing with the reader the highs, lows, and day-to-day sacrifice required to mount such an achievement. You feel as if you become part of his neighborhood and community as they marshall the will to help propel the team forward. The struggles of existence as a teenager during that era are brought to vivid life as you can't wait to see what the next page brings and how the games play out. From tip-off to the final buzzer and page you will be so glad you are along for the ride.
william s kane
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
Steve Reddy has given us a gem. The book is situated at the intersection of sports' youthful ambitions and dreams, and the later-realized lessons that made the journey so applicable to other aspects of life. Like a relatable diary, Steve shares the details of a championship season as they unfold for a player and a team, in a town where hoops was the traditional undercard. With each page, you will find yourself rooting for the unheralded '72 Blue Devils to snatch another victory. This book appeals not only to those who ever laced up Converse, but for those who ever found themselves as an underdog. Basketball fans will love this. And if you have ever been part of a team (beyond sports), you will love this. I certainly did.
Dave Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Storytelling!
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
This is a terrific book about a great basketball team on the Golden Anniversary of their magical season, but it's about so much more than that, with plenty of great stories about playground ball before the advent of AAU, playing against prison inmates, going on to play for Jim Valvano in college, the importance of teamwork, long-lasting friendships, winning a hoop title in a town known for football, and all the lessons learned along the way. It's a wonderful story of human emotion and triumph for any athlete that ever dreamed of winning a title, but as we are often reminded, victory doesn’t always come without heartache. Sit back and enjoy the thoroughly entertaining story-filled ride that Steve Reddy so deftly weaves.
geoge pakenham
4.0 out of 5 stars The importance of basketball in character building
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2021
This story is about a family of champions.
The oldest boy, Tom Reddy was captain of a Union County championship Westfield HS basketball team.
Mark, the middle son, was captain of the Conference champion team two years later
Steve, the hero/author of his amazing story, was the lynchpin on the state championship basketball team four years later.
This remarkable tale is all true. Indeed, an exciting read for any basketball junkie. It’s a New Jersey sports legend. Best yet, an insight into the soul of an athlete.
Steve Reddy has written a page-turner
Carolyn Swingle
5.0 out of 5 stars So much more than a book about basketball
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2022
A book about so much more than basketball. Growing up in suburban NJ in the 1960's & 1970's, dedication and commitment to honing skills and development, forming bonds with teammates that last a lifetime all while wrapped in a classic Cinderella story. Stories covering years of work and dedication to hone his basketball skills to getting caught skinny dipping in a local private pool complex kept me turning the pages. A classic underdog story that kept me entertained and rooting for the home team until the final buzzer!
Joe Swingle
WHS Class of 1972
Larry Katz
5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership and Teamwork and having a dream matter!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2021
Steve Reddy has captured not only in “John Feinstein style” the inside story of a High School championship basketball season, but also the character of a community before cell phones, social media and sports specialization were the norm. Reddy’s attention to basketball details will satisfy the die-hard fan, but his insights into the personalities of the players, coaches, parents and student body add depth and color to the tale. On a team with no real superstars in a town where football was king, Reddy helps the reader understand how this real-life fairy tale came true.
Larry Katz, WHS ‘72
Jim K
5.0 out of 5 stars So well done, getting to know the players, coach and the highs and lows of a magical season
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2021
Great book could not put it down. Anyone who ever played a completive sport should be able to relate to the life lessons that are learned by working hard at the sport you love. Fighting through the self-doubt that creeps in when things are not going well. The joy of a team coming together in a quest to achieve a dream from the playgrounds of our youth. Stephen does a great job of weaving in the different stages of his life while reliving the details of the 71/72 Westfield High basketball season.
Pete
5.0 out of 5 stars Steve Reddy Nails It !!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
This inspirational blow by blow narrative has it all. He recaptures the electrifying run of the 1972 Westfield Blue Devils to the state championship. It’s not just a story about hoops - Steve chronicles the bond of lifelong friends and his tight knit family - the triumphs and the everyday battles that life reveals. I always knew that Steve was an outstanding scholar athlete - but, never knew he was such a talented story teller. An exceptional read!!!!! Pete Kraft
John Willard
5.0 out of 5 stars Reddy Sees the Whole Floor
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2022
I started reading this book expecting it to focus exclusively on the championship season and was delighted to see that it does much more than that. Reddy captures the full arc of a basketball lifer's tale, with insight, sympathy, humor, and honesty. Plus, he conveys the excitement and tension of the games during that season in punchy, exciting prose. He sees it all. A great read.
