Hardcourt Comeback

Brett Carter, the Wildcats' star forward, plays to win. Whether on the basketball court or in the classroom, Brett likes being the best at whatever he does.

But when his best friend Will organizes a trip to a local rock climbing wall, Brett's competitive drive disappears as he watches his friend climb higher and higher off the ground. When it is his turn to climb, Brett panics and can't complete the climb.

His confidence is shaken further when he misses what should be a routine layup during an important game and his team loses. Now every time he is on the court, his heart starts pounding and he starts to feel something he has never experienced before: fear.

When his coach tells Brett about well-known players from the past who made successful comebacks after disappointing performances, Brett realizes he can overcome his nervousness. But is it too late to save the Wildcats' season?

Fred Bowen's fast-paced, play-by-play description of the action on the court will surely satisfy young basketball fans. A Real Story afterword offers more information and insights on well-known past players and their hard-fought comebacks.