Wartime Cinderella

A welcome gift to a game Philly loves. Move over, Hoosiers. After documenting a historic 1942-43 wartime Philadelphia scholastic hoops season with its Cinderella post-season champion, Roman Catholic High, this is an informative cruise around Dr. Naismith¿s game. The focus is on scholastic ball, coaches and teams then and now and fervent boosters like Philadelphia¿s Markward Club. If a basketball outsider seems an unlikely candidate to inform us on the sport, Joe Kiernan proves otherwise. His thoughtful observations and keen insights about kids, teams, coaches and values in sports and life deliver an enlightened and entertaining perspective from someone who is ¿just a fan¿. His memory tour of 1943 is a bonus.