What do you think?
Rate this book
Counting Coup: A True Story of Basketball and Honor on the Little Big Horn
In this extraordinary work of journalism, bestselling and award-winning author Larry Colton journeys into the world of Montana's Crow Indians and follows the struggles of a talented, moody, charismatic young woman named Sharon LaForge, a gifted basketball player and a descendant of one of George Armstrong Custer's Indian scouts.
In Native American tradition, a warrior gained honor and glory by "counting coup" -- touching his enemy in battle and living to tell the tale. Counting Coup tells the story of a modern hero from within this tradition, but it is far more than just a sports story or a portrait of youth. It is a sobering exposé of a part of our society long since cut out of the American dream.
Along the banks of the Little Big Horn, Indians and whites live in age-old conflict and young Indians grow up without role models or dreams. Here Sharon carries the hopes and frustrations of her people on her shoulders as she battles her opponents on and off the court. Colton delves into Sharon's life and shows us the realities of the reservation, the shattered families, the bitter tribal politics, and a people's struggle against a belief that all their children -- even the most intelligent and talented -- are destined for heartbreak. Against this backdrop stands Sharon, a fiery, undaunted competitor with the skill to dominate a high school game and earn a college scholarship. Yet getting to college seems beyond Sharon's vision, obscured by the daily challenge of getting through the season -- physically and psychologically.
In Native American tradition, a warrior gained honor and glory by "counting coup" -- touching his enemy in battle and living to tell the tale. Counting Coup tells the story of a modern hero from within this tradition, but it is far more than just a sports story or a portrait of youth. It is a sobering exposé of a part of our society long since cut out of the American dream.
Along the banks of the Little Big Horn, Indians and whites live in age-old conflict and young Indians grow up without role models or dreams. Here Sharon carries the hopes and frustrations of her people on her shoulders as she battles her opponents on and off the court. Colton delves into Sharon's life and shows us the realities of the reservation, the shattered families, the bitter tribal politics, and a people's struggle against a belief that all their children -- even the most intelligent and talented -- are destined for heartbreak. Against this backdrop stands Sharon, a fiery, undaunted competitor with the skill to dominate a high school game and earn a college scholarship. Yet getting to college seems beyond Sharon's vision, obscured by the daily challenge of getting through the season -- physically and psychologically.
434 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2000
50 people are currently reading
1072 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
August 30, 2020
Occasionally you read a book that really sticks with you long after you've finished it. This book is one of those. I bought this book at the gift shop at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. Wow. What a depressingly good book. I am reading this in the age of George Floyd and BLM. So it's plain to see that racism is alive and well for many non whites. That being said I figured this book to be set in about 1995 and when I googled Sharon LaForge Not Afraid after I finished the book I found that it was actually set in the 1992/93 school year. I would guarantee not much has changed on the Crow reservation.
What was sad to me is that there was no real guidance to Sharon and her Native American teammates from teachers, family and community members. But after googling her she followed what the "expectations" were of Indians. Abuse, drugs and alcohol. The book is told from the authors point of view from his time on the Rez. There is no BS, no sugar coating of anything. Apparently the people from the town of Hardin were not happy with his portray of the town, but I still say probably not much has changed.
After you're done reading the book google Sharon LaForge Not Afraid.
What was sad to me is that there was no real guidance to Sharon and her Native American teammates from teachers, family and community members. But after googling her she followed what the "expectations" were of Indians. Abuse, drugs and alcohol. The book is told from the authors point of view from his time on the Rez. There is no BS, no sugar coating of anything. Apparently the people from the town of Hardin were not happy with his portray of the town, but I still say probably not much has changed.
After you're done reading the book google Sharon LaForge Not Afraid.
April 6, 2019
When seeing references ranging from Little Big Horn to 'modern reservation life,' Counting Coup frequently comes to mind ... strong, memorable stuff ... realities of life on the Crow ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crow_In...
***
A copied and pasted KIRKUS REVIEW
"The social dilemmas faced by present-day Native Americans are revealed in this journalistic look at a high school girls' basketball team in Crow, Montana.
In a previous book, Goat Brothers (1993), Colton examined the lives of fraternity brothers from the 1960s to the 1990s. Here, he spends a season living and observing the Hardin High School girls' basketball team, a team comprised of white girls and Crow Indians. Although Colton manages to give a face to the different players, he is particularly fascinated by 17-year-old Sharon Laforge, an extremely talented American Indian who hopes to earn a college basketball scholarship, but whose future is threatened by several factors, including an absentee father, an alcoholic mother, a possessive and abusive boyfriend, an undisciplined lifestyle, and pressure from peers and community. The racial oppression that Native Americans still face, especially in small rural towns, is another factor. Hardin's population of 2,990 is 49 percent Crow Indian, and mistrust and misunderstanding exists between cultures: the Crows see the whites as having inherited privilege, and the working-class whites see the Crows as having access to government funds, services, and scholarships that they themselves cannot get. In addition, the emerging status of women, especially star athletes such as Sharon, threatens the downtrodden and jealous Crow men who traditionally are used to being in charge. "Counting coup," an Indian battle term that referred to warriors gaining honor, respect, and dignity, is now also a Hardin High School basketball term that refers to dominating one's opponent. In this Hoop Dreams for American Indians, Colton shows how a handful of girls try to count coup against opponents who appear on more than just the basketball court.
Colton's account of the environment he witnesses, while not particularly enlightening, does provide good dramatic background for his story of the team's attempt to make, and win, the state championship."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crow_In...
***
A copied and pasted KIRKUS REVIEW
"The social dilemmas faced by present-day Native Americans are revealed in this journalistic look at a high school girls' basketball team in Crow, Montana.
In a previous book, Goat Brothers (1993), Colton examined the lives of fraternity brothers from the 1960s to the 1990s. Here, he spends a season living and observing the Hardin High School girls' basketball team, a team comprised of white girls and Crow Indians. Although Colton manages to give a face to the different players, he is particularly fascinated by 17-year-old Sharon Laforge, an extremely talented American Indian who hopes to earn a college basketball scholarship, but whose future is threatened by several factors, including an absentee father, an alcoholic mother, a possessive and abusive boyfriend, an undisciplined lifestyle, and pressure from peers and community. The racial oppression that Native Americans still face, especially in small rural towns, is another factor. Hardin's population of 2,990 is 49 percent Crow Indian, and mistrust and misunderstanding exists between cultures: the Crows see the whites as having inherited privilege, and the working-class whites see the Crows as having access to government funds, services, and scholarships that they themselves cannot get. In addition, the emerging status of women, especially star athletes such as Sharon, threatens the downtrodden and jealous Crow men who traditionally are used to being in charge. "Counting coup," an Indian battle term that referred to warriors gaining honor, respect, and dignity, is now also a Hardin High School basketball term that refers to dominating one's opponent. In this Hoop Dreams for American Indians, Colton shows how a handful of girls try to count coup against opponents who appear on more than just the basketball court.
Colton's account of the environment he witnesses, while not particularly enlightening, does provide good dramatic background for his story of the team's attempt to make, and win, the state championship."
September 17, 2020
A sad but true story and uplifting in some ways. If, like me, you are white and raised in the suburbs, this book will offer some insight into what it is like to grow up native in a white dominant culture. The pain and distress of struggling to survive and live a meaningful life on the rez are, on the one hand, tragic and on the other hand inspiring when you realize that the struggle is ongoing and growing stronger. The whole story is told around the construct of a season of girl's high school basketball on a mixed race team from the edge of Crow Country but the meaning is much deeper than any sporting event.
November 9, 2013
Counting Coup might not have ever appeared on my "to read" list, described on its cover as," A true story of basketball and honour on the Little Big Horn," primarily because I have little knowledge of either competitive basketball or life on an Indian Reservation, but appear it did, and upon reading I am left feeling grateful that this story was written and that it found its way into my hands and my heart.
It was Colton's ability to spin a yarn that drew me into the book and kept me there. His willingness to write the often less than perfect truths about himself gained my trust as a reader, so that the story he paints of Indian culture, and North American society and more importantly the perfectly rendered portrait of teenage girls whose paths can fork towards either success or failure--is not only believable but make Counting Coup a story bigger than basketball or reservations. An underdog myself, I'm left weighing what really defines success or failure.
The central character in Counting Coup, Sharon LaForge, is a fragile heroine, one I could not help but root for and admire, despite her willingness to self sabotage. Hers is a plight anyone born into a broken home, or relegated to the dregs will identify with. Her story is about the audacity to dream, and to claim our own worthiness when even our genetic makeup tells us to take the low road, to settle for less than who we could become.
Of all the adjectives I could use to describe Counting Coup, I was most surprised by the humour in the story and the tension that had me burning through the pages. I had to know how the Hardin Lady Bulldog's season ended, and the final score of each game, despite having never attended a basketball game, surely a testimony to the competence of the author. I will recommend this book to anyone.
It was Colton's ability to spin a yarn that drew me into the book and kept me there. His willingness to write the often less than perfect truths about himself gained my trust as a reader, so that the story he paints of Indian culture, and North American society and more importantly the perfectly rendered portrait of teenage girls whose paths can fork towards either success or failure--is not only believable but make Counting Coup a story bigger than basketball or reservations. An underdog myself, I'm left weighing what really defines success or failure.
The central character in Counting Coup, Sharon LaForge, is a fragile heroine, one I could not help but root for and admire, despite her willingness to self sabotage. Hers is a plight anyone born into a broken home, or relegated to the dregs will identify with. Her story is about the audacity to dream, and to claim our own worthiness when even our genetic makeup tells us to take the low road, to settle for less than who we could become.
Of all the adjectives I could use to describe Counting Coup, I was most surprised by the humour in the story and the tension that had me burning through the pages. I had to know how the Hardin Lady Bulldog's season ended, and the final score of each game, despite having never attended a basketball game, surely a testimony to the competence of the author. I will recommend this book to anyone.
September 8, 2010
This was a very revealing story about basketball on the Crow Indian Reservation. When I was young I lived on a cattle ranch on the Crow Reservation so this book was especially meaningful to me. When my parent divorced I moved off the ranch and to a small town outside of Billings, MT. Basketball was my sport in high school and I played against Hardin, the Lodge Grass Indians, Shepard (with the cattle feed lot right outside the gymnasium doors), Roundup, etc. So this book brought back many memories for me and really hit home. This book is a very revealing account of many Indian women on the reservation. The author is also a resident of Portland, and I have had the privilege of hearing him speak about the time he spent writing the book and his time on the reservation. Anyone interested in Montana would enjoy this book and I would highly recommend it!
August 25, 2018
I loved this book. Picture Friday Night Lights with a few substitutions: Montana, basketball, and indigenous Americans (instead of Texas, football, Southerners). In fact, in the Q&A at the end of the book Colton says he was influenced by FNLs (the book) style. Even beyond that Larry Colton writes a compelling story from the first person that instantly draws you in. You can't help but feel for these kids who are dealing with broken homes, drugs, abuse, illness and yet are leading on the basketball court. Most of all, you'll find yourself rooting for Sharon the protagonist of this book. I can't recommend this book enough. It's full of heartbreak, drama, basketball, and hope! Read it!
September 8, 2017
I grew up 20 miles away from the Apache reservation but it may as well have been on a different continent. I didn't know anything about them--other then the fact that they were phenomenal at basketball and that the reservation was seen by Anglos as "sketchy". This book broke my heart and made me want to go back in time and befriend those classmates of mine from the reservation. This book shed light on the true struggles these people face by following the story of one girl in particular. It's a must read to better understand our Native American neighbors.
October 16, 2019
I found the story to be engaging and heartbreaking. I did not like when the author put himself in the book, such as mentioning his baseball career, but especially when he described the high school girls appearances. This might have been okay when he wrote the book, but now it makes him seem like a creepy old guy, especially given that he was an educated older white guy mostly writing about poor Native American young women.
February 10, 2020
A very good reflection of everyday life on the Reservations in Montana. A true story of the struggles dealt with from day to day. I encourage everyone to read these types of books, as not a lot of people realize some of our population's reality.
August 1, 2017
This "author" is sexualizing these young girls. Wtf? Who gave this book any medal?
October 24, 2022
Finishing this book was like saying goodbye to friends.
November 28, 2020
The main takeaway is this: this book is not by a Native author, it is not from an Indigenous perspective. It is a story set on the Rez, about racial tensions, family, social injustice, and basketball, told by an outsider. While in some ways the book is a very interesting case study in the perspective of a white man who knows nothing about Crow culture living in the community for 15 months, it has to be seen in exactly that way: a man who knows nothing about Crow culture living in the community for 15 months, bringing with him all his prejudices, and trying his best to learn about what life is like there through basketball.
This is, first and foremost, a sports story written by a sports writer. Though I have mixed feelings about some of the language the author uses and the way he sometimes portrays Indigenous people, communities, and traditions, I also have to say that Colton’s writing has an undeniable compassion to it. His positionality often makes his writing feel uncomfortable, whether it is his visual descriptions of young women or systemic issues facing the Crow community. Colton writes as an outsider, but he is actually somewhat self-conscious of that fact and rather than trying to cover it up, he simply writes what he sees, from his perspective. That perspective often contains prejudices and oversights, even though it is clear that he means no harm to the Crow community, a group he has clearly grown fond of during his time living on the Rez.
This is, first and foremost, a sports story written by a sports writer. Though I have mixed feelings about some of the language the author uses and the way he sometimes portrays Indigenous people, communities, and traditions, I also have to say that Colton’s writing has an undeniable compassion to it. His positionality often makes his writing feel uncomfortable, whether it is his visual descriptions of young women or systemic issues facing the Crow community. Colton writes as an outsider, but he is actually somewhat self-conscious of that fact and rather than trying to cover it up, he simply writes what he sees, from his perspective. That perspective often contains prejudices and oversights, even though it is clear that he means no harm to the Crow community, a group he has clearly grown fond of during his time living on the Rez.
February 9, 2024
I work in Hardin a few days a week and a co-worker, who has lived in Hardin for his entire life, mentioned this book in an off handed manner and referred to it as “controversial.” He admitted that he has never read it because he personally knows some of the people featured.
But do I want to reach a non-fiction book described as “controversial?” Um… yes, of course.
I enjoyed this book overall (hence the rating) and I can also understand why some locals have been bothered by it. Despite not giving a shit about basketball, I think it tells a great story of a team- and one young woman in particular, growing up with mountains of challenges all around.
My one criticism is the author making unnecessary use of creepy adjectives….such as referring to movements while shooting hoops as “sexy.” Ugh, gross. These are high school girls.
But do I want to reach a non-fiction book described as “controversial?” Um… yes, of course.
I enjoyed this book overall (hence the rating) and I can also understand why some locals have been bothered by it. Despite not giving a shit about basketball, I think it tells a great story of a team- and one young woman in particular, growing up with mountains of challenges all around.
My one criticism is the author making unnecessary use of creepy adjectives….such as referring to movements while shooting hoops as “sexy.” Ugh, gross. These are high school girls.
December 12, 2024
Recommended by a sports writer who visits the library. And the books he likes, I like. This was no exception. Kept me turning the pages and I could care less about girls basketball!
January 25, 2021
A little problematic but incredibly interesting.
January 24, 2022
I was thinking 2.5 stars, but it is very readable so I have to admit I enjoyed it. I have also shelved this as nonfiction and historical fiction as I have my doubts that this is all as lived. It seems more a "based on real events" or a "novelized history". A nonfiction book should probably have some footnotes or a bibliography. If there are no sources, can I trust some of the events happened? I did look a couple characters up to see if their bios matched the story. So that was one tell on the "novelized history." The other is that the author included conversations with quotes that took place when he was not present. He has no explanation for doing so.
I cannot believe educators ever saw that this was a book to extoll.
Now for the, perhaps dated, stuff that should never get past a publisher. First, middle-aged man referring to HS girls as sexy? My 24 year old son won't even do that. He does defend himself in a Lolita reference. Sorry, not buying. Second, he outs minors for having birth-control implants-something he only refers to as implants, for smoking pot, for smoking tobacco, for having sex, for drinking alcohol. How does this happen without permission? I teach in a HS and cannot name names for any of these things to anyone in the community. Good thing he didn't get it published for years so that all of the girls were over 18 by then. The language, the racial epithets--oh, it was always someone else who said it. Also, the only people who get drunk in Hardin are Indians.
Just went back and gave 2 stars cuz no 2.5 available.
I would not recommend this book to anyone without expressing everything above. Not sure why everyone, I mean everyone, I have mentioned this book to loved it. OK, I'll step down now.
I cannot believe educators ever saw that this was a book to extoll.
Now for the, perhaps dated, stuff that should never get past a publisher. First, middle-aged man referring to HS girls as sexy? My 24 year old son won't even do that. He does defend himself in a Lolita reference. Sorry, not buying. Second, he outs minors for having birth-control implants-something he only refers to as implants, for smoking pot, for smoking tobacco, for having sex, for drinking alcohol. How does this happen without permission? I teach in a HS and cannot name names for any of these things to anyone in the community. Good thing he didn't get it published for years so that all of the girls were over 18 by then. The language, the racial epithets--oh, it was always someone else who said it. Also, the only people who get drunk in Hardin are Indians.
Just went back and gave 2 stars cuz no 2.5 available.
I would not recommend this book to anyone without expressing everything above. Not sure why everyone, I mean everyone, I have mentioned this book to loved it. OK, I'll step down now.
February 7, 2015
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, informative and sometimes suspenseful. The book describes one man's experience living on the Little Big Horn as he gets to know the people of Crow Agency, Montana. He develops relationships with Indians and Whites alike and immerses himself in the culture of the town and the reservation (i.e. going to sweats, powwows, tribal meetings). In particular, he follows the Hardin High girls basketball team as they seek to win a championship title. The star player, Sharon LaForge, is an Indian who shows great promise on the court but faces many of the challenges which have historically been obstacles to individuals living on the reservation. Among these challenges are domestic violence, drug and alcohol use and lack of education goals.
I gained a greater understanding of life on the reservation and the challenges faced by Indians through the reading of this book. The author does a good job describing his own feelings as he watches the girls on the basketball team make, what he believes to be, poor choices. He also points out that white man's definition of success is different from what may be termed success according to those who live on the reservation.
I gained a greater understanding of life on the reservation and the challenges faced by Indians through the reading of this book. The author does a good job describing his own feelings as he watches the girls on the basketball team make, what he believes to be, poor choices. He also points out that white man's definition of success is different from what may be termed success according to those who live on the reservation.
November 23, 2020
I saw a comment that already pointed this out, but the author literally sexualized A TEENAGE GIRL within the first few pages of this book. I actually read the whole book which had other problematic elements but how could anyone approve of this book after skimming past the sexualization of a teenage girl...wtf
March 11, 2021
Great story, but a lot of cringe descriptions of female basketball players. Loved the exploration fo the story which was both unique but also tells a tale that could take place almost anywhere in many ways. Well worth the read.
April 10, 2017
One of my 5 star book I loved this book it's a wonderful story in fact it's been a number of years I think I'll read it again just to remind myself why I loved it so much.
April 17, 2018
Terrific story of the author's year on the Crow Reservation in Montana following the high school girls' basketball team
May 6, 2021
This is a fascinating documentary of life and high school girls basketball on a Montana Crow Indian reservation. The Crow men are almost unanimously jealous, violent, drunk, unemployable. The women match the men drink for drink, in part to dull the pain of abuse and poverty. The whites are generally portrayed as racists, with a small, mean measure of credence for their bitter divisiveness.
Colton records a year’s worth of events and interviews, with dozens of astounding profiles. High school senior Sharon LaForge is the central character, one of the best high school athletes in the state. Colton is in awe of her talent and determination, but he doesn’t hide her faults. In many ways she’s a stereotypical Crow rez girl, with a 24-year-old drunken lout of a boyfriend, a hard-partying reputation, and a long list of failures in class. I hate how her Big Lodge clan dotes on her, and builds her up as a sports superhero.
Colton has done even better to fuel my passion against Coach Linda McClanahan. I’ve coached high school basketball for six years, and I can’t think of anyone I have met in the sport that I like less. I hate how she lets Sharon take advantage of her star status. Coach Mac berates her weakest players, and refuses to go to her bench except in the last minute of blowouts.
Colton has made me a believer in almost everything he has written, even though he has surrendered any sense of pure objectivity. He arranged college visits for Sharon, loaned money to the family, and was officially adopted as a member of the Crow tribe. Colton doesn’t try to hide his bias, but his personal prominence in the narrative can be distracting and discomforting. Colton redeems these lapses with an excellent reflective conclusion. There may be a legion of people who wish this book was never published, but I’m not one of them.
Colton records a year’s worth of events and interviews, with dozens of astounding profiles. High school senior Sharon LaForge is the central character, one of the best high school athletes in the state. Colton is in awe of her talent and determination, but he doesn’t hide her faults. In many ways she’s a stereotypical Crow rez girl, with a 24-year-old drunken lout of a boyfriend, a hard-partying reputation, and a long list of failures in class. I hate how her Big Lodge clan dotes on her, and builds her up as a sports superhero.
Colton has done even better to fuel my passion against Coach Linda McClanahan. I’ve coached high school basketball for six years, and I can’t think of anyone I have met in the sport that I like less. I hate how she lets Sharon take advantage of her star status. Coach Mac berates her weakest players, and refuses to go to her bench except in the last minute of blowouts.
Colton has made me a believer in almost everything he has written, even though he has surrendered any sense of pure objectivity. He arranged college visits for Sharon, loaned money to the family, and was officially adopted as a member of the Crow tribe. Colton doesn’t try to hide his bias, but his personal prominence in the narrative can be distracting and discomforting. Colton redeems these lapses with an excellent reflective conclusion. There may be a legion of people who wish this book was never published, but I’m not one of them.
April 10, 2023
This book stays with you for many reasons; sadness, anger, and pity. It is sad because the story surrounding Sharon LaForge has been told many times - talented young female athlete with incredible future just barely makes it out of high school and gets pregnant from abusive boyfriend at 19. She is a Crow Indian at a predominately white high school but has no support anywhere - her coach plays her regardless of her health and doesn't hold her accountable for anything, her mother is a drunk, her father shows up after 18 years, her grandmother is obsessed with her basketball but does nothing to keep her in school, lets her party all night and doesn't say anything about her abusive boyfriend when she shows up with a black eye (it's the way women are always treated). Her grandmother whom she is the closet to blames everything on anyone but Sharon. She clearly loves Sharon but doesn't know how to be a responsible adult because she herself is not responsible. She is the Tribal Council Credit Committee chairman yet continues to borrow and scam money from anyone who she can hustle for bingo. She is basically the loan officer for the tribe in charge of millions of dollars with no training whatsoever really?? The Indians vs White theme throughout the book is tiring. The Crow tribe have all the resources to make themselves successful but they refuse to take responsibility and they refuse to get any outside help that might make them succeed; it's always the white man's fault. The one extremely successful Indian women who created and runs Little Big Horn Community College out of a couple of trailers and who has been recognized and rewarded nationally is looked down upon primarily because she is a women and she makes the Crow men look bad. It's makes me so angry. I understand why the book was so hated by the Crow Indians when it was published but sometimes the truth hurts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2025
I was captivated by this book. It brought me back to my senior year of high school when I was on one of the opposing teams that played against Sharon and the Hardin team in the Class A Eastern MT conference! Since we were in the same grade, I had played against her from middle school through high school. I clearly remember Sharon, Anita, and Tiffany and how strong they were as players. I was definitely impressed (& intimidated) by their skills on the court. They were a force to be reckoned with!
I didn't, however, know their stories, challenges, and dynamics off the court. This book also brought a glimpse of life on the Crow reservation and the very familiar (to me) life of small town in Eastern MT. I can understand how some people may have been hurt or felt betrayed by this book. This book doesn't hide the racism, prejudice, or real-life struggles with substance abuse or domestic abuse present there. I don't think the author intended to offend or hurt anyone. It's very clear he cared for these girls and this community (despite some cringe descriptions of the players).
I'm so glad I read this book. I was definitely able to really get into it and relate to it on a very unique level. And yep, I went to my senior yearbook to double-check the scores from their games with us, and they were correct! We really did lose by that much! :-)
I didn't, however, know their stories, challenges, and dynamics off the court. This book also brought a glimpse of life on the Crow reservation and the very familiar (to me) life of small town in Eastern MT. I can understand how some people may have been hurt or felt betrayed by this book. This book doesn't hide the racism, prejudice, or real-life struggles with substance abuse or domestic abuse present there. I don't think the author intended to offend or hurt anyone. It's very clear he cared for these girls and this community (despite some cringe descriptions of the players).
I'm so glad I read this book. I was definitely able to really get into it and relate to it on a very unique level. And yep, I went to my senior yearbook to double-check the scores from their games with us, and they were correct! We really did lose by that much! :-)
March 14, 2022
Montana High School basketball State tournament just happened this past weekend and I read another Montana High School book about basketball. This was a hard book to read in many ways - Having lived not far from Hardin Montana for many years I have some idea about how rough life is in that area still. Reading a followup article about the author's reunion with some of the players in the story in 2019, many on the rez there are still very mad about his story he published in this book but others say that it was the truth & should be told. ( https://406mtsports.com/basketball/co... )
Overall, it did show the modern day battles of Native Americans in the area & gave some hope that some have the bravery, skill & strength to get through the battles stronger.
There is some strong language, some straight forward, occasionally a little cringy, but non-graphic descriptions of the vices going on in the high school & homes of the players & community.
Overall, it did show the modern day battles of Native Americans in the area & gave some hope that some have the bravery, skill & strength to get through the battles stronger.
There is some strong language, some straight forward, occasionally a little cringy, but non-graphic descriptions of the vices going on in the high school & homes of the players & community.
March 25, 2025
As a southeastern Montana native who has Indian friends and whose high school played Hardin in Class A sports, I found this book to be exploitive of Sharon Laforge, her family, and the Crow Nation. Reservation life can be incredibly tragic because of the federal government's policies that enforce settler colonialism. I wonder what kind of consent Colton received from any of the people mentioned in the book. Given the inaccurate descriptions of local topography and landmarks and the history of other local communities, I wonder how much of his story has been embellished to fit the narrative he chose to tell. Colton provides no sources, including interviews, to support any claims made in the book.
If someone wants to read a book that does not exploit Indians and is about their relationship with basketball, Larry Kleins' Lakota Hoops or Wade Davies' Native Hoops are excellent choices. Both are scholarly, with citations and bibliographies, while being accessible to readers.
If someone wants to read a book that does not exploit Indians and is about their relationship with basketball, Larry Kleins' Lakota Hoops or Wade Davies' Native Hoops are excellent choices. Both are scholarly, with citations and bibliographies, while being accessible to readers.
February 5, 2023
I don't normally gravitate towards sports books, but a friend lent this to me and raved about it, so I gave it a chance. So glad I did! This book was well written and it grabs you and makes you feel like you're there watching the games and feeling all the conflict. As someone who is living in east-central Montana at the moment, the setting is familiar to me, so that definitely helped add to the story on a personal level. I also think this book is great for including voices that are different from mine. To read about a sliver of Crow life and culture is important, and while I know this book doesn't represent all Crows, I think just getting a view into a type of life that's unfamiliar to me is important.
5 stars for a passionate account, how well written it was, and for ultimately being hopeful despite the many heartbreaking moments.
5 stars for a passionate account, how well written it was, and for ultimately being hopeful despite the many heartbreaking moments.
July 31, 2023
At a used book store you never know just what you're getting. I turn my curiosity loose in a used store. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. I found this at the Horsetooth library used shop and it's a gem. It's about a season of the Hardin, MT high school girl's basketball team and one player in particular named Sharon LaForge. Hardin, MT is a border town just north of the Crow reservation in southern Montana so of course it's very poverty-stricken. The book is full of Crow cultural information, descriptions of the animosity on both sides (Indian and White), and the story of this team trying to prevail over all this drama. I really bought into this story and the team and the people I met. Truly hated to see the book end. Very highly recommended for sports fans and even more so to just meet these people and read their stories.
June 4, 2017
This book was recommended to me by Dr. Jerry Krause, Basketball Coach, who I worked for back in college at Eastern Washington University. Since moving to work at Inchelium, we met several times to discuss life and basketball. He mentioned this book as he was intrigued by the lack of Native American athletes moving into college athletics after successful high school careers. The story of Sharon LaForge reminded me of a student at Inchelium High School. There were a lot of similarities and your heart goes out to these students. As a school superintendent in a school district with predominately Native American students, it makes me want to work in a way that creates hope for these studnets after high school. These students really are the 'silent' minority.
November 27, 2025
The author, Larry Colton, spends 15 months in Hardin, Montana following the local high school girls' basketball team. Hardin, just north of the Crow Indian Reservation, is a place of hardship but also hope. The hardships include poverty, alcoholism, and abusive relationships. The hope largely rests upon the shoulders of the younger generation.
Sharon LaForge, a post player on the team, emerges as the central character in Colton's story. You'll find yourself cheering for her in the classroom and on the court. And by the end of the book, you'll wonder where is Sharon today and what is she up to?
Sharon LaForge, a post player on the team, emerges as the central character in Colton's story. You'll find yourself cheering for her in the classroom and on the court. And by the end of the book, you'll wonder where is Sharon today and what is she up to?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews