Shot Clock

 by Caron Butler and Justin A. Reynolds

Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Sports


Tony can't wait make the AAU Basketball team with his best friend Dante.  They have both been practicing forever to make this team.  But days before tryouts, Dante is shot and killed by a police officer.  Tony, and the rest of his friends, and Dante's family are devastated and at a loss for how to move forward.  When Tony doesn't make the team, he wonders what else he will lose next.  To make matters worse, the police officer has not been charged in the shooting which has left Tony's community angry and unsettled.  Coach James gives Tony the chance to be the team's statistician, but Tony isn't sure if he wants to part of the team if he can't be on the court.  His dad encourages him to use what he knows about basketball to support the team in another way.  Tony will need strength and courage to help himself and his community heal from their loss.



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