Outside Shot: Big Dreams, Hard Times, and One County's Quest for Basketball Greatness

by Keith O'Brien

"A reporting tour de force and an utterly gripping account… Outside Shot unmistakably triumphs, with the reader rooting hard for the Cardinals―and delighted that O'Brien has brought his considerable skills to telling their story." ―Wayne Coffey, New York Times Book Review The Cardinals of Scott County High School were beloved once---and with good reason. For years, the boys and their legendary coach gave fans in central Kentucky, deep in the heart of basketball country, just what they state titles, national rankings, and countless trips to Kentucky's one-of-a-kind state tournament, where winning and losing can change a young man's life. But in 2009, with the economy sputtering, anger rising, and Scott County mired in a two-year drought, fans had begun to lose faith in the boys. They weren't the heroes of Scott County anymore; they were "mini-athlete gods," haunted by dreams, burdened by expectations, and desperate to escape through the only means they basketball. In Outside Shot , Keith O'Brien takes us on an epic journey, from the bluegrass hills and broken homes of rural America, to inner-city Lexington, to Kentucky's most hallowed Rupp Arena, where high school tournament games are known to draw twenty-thousand people, and where, for the players and their fans, it feels like anything is possible. The narrative follows four of the team's top seniors and their coach as they struggle to redeem themselves in the face of impossible once-loyal fans now turned against them, parents who demand athletic greatness, and scouts who weigh their every move. It delves deep inside the lives of the boys, their families, and their community---divided along lines of race, politics, religion, and sports. And it chronicles not only the high-stakes world of Kentucky basketball, but the battle for the soul of small-town America. A story of inspiration and poignancy, filled with moments of drama on and off the court, Outside Shot shows that if it's hard to win basketball games, it can be even harder to win at life itself.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2013

About the author

Keith O'Brien has written for The New York Times, Politico, and The Boston Globe. A longtime contributor to National Public Radio, he has appeared on All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and This American Life, among other programs. He lives in New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story, written in a riveting, present style.

This isn't just a sports book. It reads almost like a novel. O'Brien has done a masterful job telling not just the story of a tense high school basketball season, but also giving an intimate portrait of the lives of these kids who pin every last hope on the sport. Some for fame, some for honor, some for redemption.

O'Brien embedded himself in the classroom, the locker room and even the breakfast table with these players and their families. Because of this, he's able to reveal some jaw dropping conversations that surround the sport and the players that pursue it.

Think you know where you stand on this country's elevation of high school sports? Reading this book may make you think again.

[Seli Fuimaono]

I really enjoyed this book, which examined the circumstances, sportsmanship, and personal lives of a Kentucky high school basketball team. It reminded me of a similar book that I read when I was in high school called "In These Girls, Hope Is a Muscle." The drama of the games and of the lives and decisions of the teams main characters comes through in O' Brien's writing in this occasionally tense, but always thoughtful, work on non-fiction.

[Jim Willse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched, especially the backdrop of Scott County. Game chapters feel too long. Love to see an addendum in a couple years on how the kids turn out.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I've read by this author and must say it was an awesome read. Equal parts journalistic with all of the background on the times, the area, the kids and their families and writer telling a compelling story of the season experienced by the Scott County basketball team. Even if you're not a sports fan think everyone could enjoy this story.

[Kyle Mathiesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Kentucky version of Friday Night Lights, except the town is crazy about high school basketball instead of football. Really cool insight about not only the team, but also that area of the country and how it’s often forgotten about in the larger US media outlets.

[Chuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some chapters, particularly those dealing with historical background, were fairly interesting, but for the most part this story could have been written about almost any high school team in the country. Other teams wouldn't, obviously, have as much basketball talent, but all high school teams have players who go through as much or more than the Scott County players in this book. Also, even though Coach Hicks has a lot of high school wins, I just don't see him as having the qualities of a coach who realizes there is more to being a coach/teacher than wins and losses. Never once did he talk to his kids about their lives outside of basketball. He didn't show a concern for developing character or for teaching any life-long lessons through his sport.

I kept expecting some theme to develop in this story, but it never came. The story mostly chronicles what happened during one season of high school basketball. None of the characters show any growth or development. The chapters on parents trying to redshirt their middle school kids and on athletes transferring schools provided great opportunities to expand the scope of the book. But all we got instead was repeating meaningless comments or conversations some of the characters had. This book is much overrated.

[Michael Griswold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keith O'Brien in Outside Shot has written a book about a basketball team and an entire town that is typical of many cities in America right now where jobs are hard to come by and oppertunities few and far between. Still this basketball team of scrappy kids from a struggling town have managed to over-achieve to the point of where appearences in the season ending tournament at fabled Rupp Arena are expected.

O'Brien follows the team through the 2010-11 year and chronicles their successes and their failures. Even when the team wins or an individual player has success though, there seems to be this black cloud of either impending failure or the sense that "oh he just caught lightning in a bottle." Nothing is ever quite good enough for either the players themselves or the town itself, in some cases.

What I really liked about this book is that O'Brien doesn't cloak himself in basketball or become obsessive about the team, but rather goes intimatly into the community to illustrate why basketball is so important to the masses.

[Marty Greenwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I am 59, this book brought back the feeling of high school basketball and it's all encompassing hold on small towns in Kentucky. Our teams did not make it to "State" or the "Sweet Sixteen" but we felt proud of our very good program. I really liked this book. Everyone can get something out of it. If you have something to look up to and forward to, in this case high school basketball, it means much less that you aren't living in the most "cultured" place or that your town might look at little ragged. What Keith O'Brien shows us in Outside Shot is that you depend on your traditions to get you through and you don't mess with them. You might have great players coming from other parts but that can ruin what you have. He called Scott County's team "County", just like we did at Union County, on the other side of Kentucky 40+ years ago. Interesting, one of the star players, Ge'Lawn Guyn, is now a junior guard for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and is doing quite well. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand "fervor" in an area they don't know about.

[Branden · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Outside Shot” by Keith O’Brien is an intriguing and entertaining story of a basketball team in Kentucky and their journey to prove themselves on the court. O’Brien go’s in depth with each player in that locker room to give you an understanding on what basketball means to these kids and the struggles they face physically and mentally. The author captures the image of each players background and personality very well, and also describes the community and their opinions on this team in a town that is struggling economically in this non-fiction story. In this book basketball is shown as a great part of these kids life as well as a ticket to greater things looking into the future. Basketball does play a role in my life and this book shows me how much heart and hard work is needed to be on a successful and very talented team. I would recommend this book for anyone looking to learn what it takes mentally and physically to play a game that could change your life forever whether basketball is indirectly or directly affecting your life.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reporter that wrote this book took in to affect everything surrounding the basketball team and gave it a thorough sweep of the things that not only allow our kids to be players but be the best they can in hard times. I dont generally like sports themed books but even i must say not a bad choice here. If you have ever wondered what goes into the team sport or school athletics this story will bring it to life for you. the Author allow you into the everyday life of kids that play these sports and their struggles on and off court. Won on goodreads.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book thoroughly but I'm not sure how much my enjoyment was colored by the fact that it is written about the high school in the community I have called home for thirty-five years. I know coach Hicks and many of the people mentioned in the book. It was interesting to me to see how O'Brien, an impartial observer, sees our community, our way of life, and our values. On some observations I take issue, but it is, after all, his book and he has every right to call it as he sees it. Well written, thoroughly researched - recommended!

[Tommy Druen · Rating 4 out of 5]

O'Brien does an excellent job of not only chronicling a high school basketball team's season, but looking much deeper into the community. He looks into what life events have shaped the coach and players, as well as what events have shaped Scott County. And, in the end, he presents a great snapshot of one team, one school, one community that is representative of 200+ others across the state and gives the reader a bit more understanding of Kentucky's obsession with high school basketball.

[Leda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which examined the circumstances, sportsmanship, and personal lives of a Kentucky high school basketball team. It reminded me of a similar book that I read when I was in high school called "In These Girls, Hope Is a Muscle." The drama of the games and of the lives and decisions of the teams main characters comes through in O' Brien's writing in this occasionally tense, but always thoughtful, work on non-fiction.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

O'Brien presents a compelling, thought-provoking story of Scott County Kentucky high school basketball team on its journey to state tournament. My, what a mutant hungry monster has grown up around youth athletics...so crazy. The book is well researched and thorough. I'm afraid the author's adult lens shoots over the heads of high school readers. Outside Shot is not getting many bites from teen readers in my library.

[Mark Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well-researched, very thorough, very descriptive. Definitely recommend, particularly for people who are big basketball fans and have always wondered what high-school basketball is like in a hotbed like Kentucky.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a good read about how sports are woven into the fabric of a place. O'Brien brings the gritty realism of high school basketball and the expectations of the coaches, players, and parents in a small economically depressed town in Kentucky. Good basketball action throughout.

[Laura Meanwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love grit and grind and come from behind stories you will enjoy this fast-paced, well-written title. O'Brien spent months with this team, getting to know the players, the coaches and their families intimately. It's not always pretty, but it is full of passion. Highly recommend!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basketball junkies will love the story as the author's journalistic style gives every detail of the season. As a sports fan I enjoyed the story but the length may be a barrier for some.

[Mike Hessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about High School Basketball

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This got a great review in the New York Times. But it's not in the league of Friday Night Lights or Play Their Hearts Out. Still an interesting enough read.

[Everett Egginton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Engaging, captivating, unique, but not memorable.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this in-depth look at Kentucky High School Basketball. Gives good historical look at the sport as the book follows a year at Scott County High School and legendary coach Billy Hicks.

[Doug Most · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Inside a world I know only from the magazines.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the side-eye from three different classmates yesterday when they saw me reading this: 'Doesn't seem like your kind of thing,' two of them said. It is and it isn't. I read it mostly because O'Brien was a guest lecturer for a research course I took last year, he was interesting, and I wanted to see what he'd done with a book-length project. I know very little about basketball. I care very little about basketball. This really didn't do much to change either of those, though frankly I think it would have been a tall order.

In Outside Shot, O'Brien follows a successful high school team in Kentucky through a year in the sport. Theirs is an struggling region without a lot of prospects, and for a lot of these boys basketball represents something bigger, and a possibility of something bigger. O'Brien is a journalist, and he brings great detail and context to the story. It's not just about the coach or the team or the school or the sport; it's also about the area's economic struggles and, sometimes, successes. All that background goes a long way to answer the question 'why care about a high school basketball team?'

Not as successful for me were two things: first, there were just too many times when I wasn't sure who was being talked about. Scott County plays a lot of teams, and they're all referred to by school name and mascot...so Scott County is not just Scott County but 'County' and 'the county' and 'the Cardinals' and 'the Cards', all piled up against other teams with multiple monikers. Add to that a pile of men named 'Billy' and I just...could have used a map sometimes.

And second...I'm still not sure, at the end of the day, what's on the line for these boys. They're lauded as one of the best teams in the state; some teachers dismiss classes early when the senior basketball players publicly commit to colleges. They're treated as a huge deal. But I look at the follow-up at the back of the book, and I wonder, are these four years of high school their glory days? How many of them are banking on basketball to earn scholarships to college? I'm not really sure how good the team is in the grand scheme of things, since they win a lot but also don't ever seem to gel as a team. Their win/loss ratios have nothing to do with the writing (what a gamble for a writer—to commit to a story without knowing how it will play out, and to have to figure out how to tell the story regardless), but I'm not sure if my fogginess on their relative strength has to do more with the book or more with my lack of understanding of the world of basketball.