The Final Shot Short Story

The book “Last Shot” shows what a basketball game is really about. It doesn't just show you the game and who wins; It shows you how all the competitors need to prepare immensely to attempt to win. It shows you how the players could throw everything away with their grades or selling team merchandise for a maximum profit. During the read of this book, you are Stevie Thomas, teen writing contest winner. You get to experience the time of your life (at least from his perspective), which is going and reporting at the Men’s Basketball NCAA Tournament Final Four. You discover what the reporters have to go through and maybe what the players are told to do. Basketball is much more than just the game, it’s life.

The first display of perseverance is he has broken his ankle many times. Stephen had to persevere through the pain to be able to play again. He had to have surgery not once, but twice. He also had to go through physical therapy to rebuild his strength in his ankle.

Heros push forward when difficult challenges arise. For example, after fighting in Afghanistan, soldier Tristan Segers returned home with one leg. However he kept his freedom and still does the things he loves even when it seems impossible in other’s eyes. Tristan states “ Of course the loss of a leg changes me. But it doesn’t define me or the rest of my life.” (SB,p. 59) Another example is Walt Disney, founder of the Disney corporation. In his early twenties Walt was fired from

I have overcome lots of obstacles in my life. They weren't the easiest to overcome, but I did it. There is one obstacle I had to go through which made me a strong individual mentally and physically. I lived in New Jersey for my entire life. I grew up there, I had all of my family and friends in Jersey. I was sure my future was going to rely in Jersey. During 7th grade, I got the news that we were going to move to North Carolina. I was thrilled to move to another state. As each day passed, I thought how I would have to start in a new school and make new friends. Every time it struck me knowing that I would have to start a new life. I was nervous not knowing what would happen to my future. I wanted to stay in New Jersey because I was scared of

The room is loud and boisterous; the other team is ahead by a point, and the home team has ten seconds on the clock. The pressure is on the home team on making the basket. As the time outs are depleted the home team happens to have the opportunity to drive takingadvantage, one of the boys drives into the lane making the final shot. A piercing screech makes the crowd go silent there lays the all-star player. Nobody dares make a soundthe thumping sounds come from the footsteps nearing the injured teen. A middle-aged brown hair lady comes to the scene, asking the former basketball star what happened and where the pain is coming from. Scanning the player’s leg and seeing the swollen ankle she comes to the conclusion that it is a sprained ankle,

One topic can be expressed in millions of ways. It can be positively, negatively, full of emotion, or emotionless. In the two poems “Slam, Dunk, & Hook” by Yusef Komunyakaa and “Fast Break” by Edward Hirsch, the authors express the positive outlook of basketball in a way that shows they admire and praise the sport. Their love for the game is shown through imagery, point of view, and its emotional impact, but these ideas are expressed in different ways.

In Slam, Dunk, & Hook, by Yusef Komunyakaa, the speaker explains how he and his teammates play basketball and it does to them. Through his use of juxtaposition, enjambment, and repetition, Komunyakaa reveals the thematic ideas of cooperation and struggle against the many adversities of life.

The hardest part of having a passion is sticking to it even during hardships. Julia Silverman has been gifted at basketball since she was six years old, but it was not always easy. Since she plays on two teams, she is always busy with practice. Hardworking and dedicated, she practices ten hours a week at Pine Crest and three hours a week at Boca Hoops. Michael Jordan, a famous athlete inspired her to play basketball because of his talent. Acquiring very advanced skills for her age, Silverman is put onto higher levels at Boca hoops. She also made the A team at Pine Crest every year in middle school. This girl definitely knows what pressure feels like and can handle herself on the court. Two years ago, Silverman’s team was in the championship

Through his years of playing and coaching, John Wooden has become a wise man and has gained high-priced knowledge. Sharing his success with others, is one of Wooden’s main goals. Some people believe that success is always winning; however, this is not true at all. Defeat helps a team to be able to come back even stronger. Losses are not always terrible; they can help you learn from your mistakes in order to be able to execute better the next time. Wooden says “much as I hated to lose...this defeat was beneficial” (Wooden 155). With success, comes defeat. In order to succeed, you may need a few setbacks. Even though you might be fighting your hardest, you still might come up short, and that is acceptable. In this novel, Wooden tries to help the reader understand the different elements that come along with success. He uses his own personal experiences to inspire and impact the lives of coaches and players with his same

When it comes to playing basketball it's all I want to do. The rush of adrenaline when i'm dribbling down the court, about to take a shot, it's truly one of a kind. I love everything about it. From the uniforms, the competition, my teammates and the cheering of the crowd. In Edward Hirsh’s poem “Fast Break” he explains what it's like when you make a winning shot, how to work as a team and how it is to play both offensive and defense.

People can overcome anything, even someone such as Wilma Rudolph. Facing Scarlet Fever, and Double Pneumonia, and at the age of 4 contracted polio, and eventually became a 3x gold medalist wiinner. She showed you can overcome any challenge. She also proved that anything you put your mind to you can achieve.

The book The Last Shot written by John Feinstein, is set in New Orleans in the late 2000’s. It’s a very nice book it's got detective like idea involved in it. It is also at a championship for basketball called the Final Four. Where all of two teams fight for the title but something happens. The mood in this book is mysterious. The first character in this book is Steven Thomas, he is a 14-year old boy.

Thesis: This paper argues that basketball is the most difficult sport, for a number of reasons that will be pointed out through the literature on the game, the coaches, and the players.

There once was a boy named John. John loved to play basketball but, when his chance came,

The experiences of failing and trying again provide a learning process that can translate to greater achievement in school.  “A controlled longitudinal study found that adolescents who participated in sports showed improved grade point averages, had increased attachment to school, and were more likely to attend college” (Larson, Reed, and Sean Seepersad).  The persistence children learn while playing sports will carry on in other parts of life, such as learning in school, leading to continual success.  While playing basketball, I began to grow more mentally and socially.  I stayed more active in the games and reacted faster; I would be ready to block a sudden dash to our hoop.  In other activities, such as math, I began solving equations quicker and was more focused.  Also, as a child I was a quiet and shy.  When playing the game, I could not just stand back; I had to get into the action by challenging the ball or trying to get a pass.   As my confidence developed, I became more bold and outgoing in other parts of my life.