Rucker Park Setup -- reviewed by Arinze Mgbemena

          This book is an interesting read for those who enjoy basketball and emotional readings. The book talks about these two boys named J.R and Mackey. J.R has known Mackey ever since they were in preschool. They have been through so much together especially when J.R.'s mother died,Mackey was there with him crying with his father by there sides holding them. The boys have dreams of winning a Rucker park tournament, this has been their dream ever since they were little and watching some of the great street ball players play their game on the Rucker Park Court, and they have worked their way into finally getting on a team and into a tournament. But while getting ready and prepared for the tournament, 2 horrible deaths occur first the death of J.R.'s father and then the murder of J.R., Mackey knows J.R's murderer and the murderer knows that Mackey is well aware of what he did to his friend J.R. With those deaths happening Mackey is forced to go through life and the tournament without of the two most important people in his life, and to also keep clear of J.R.'s killer who is watching Mackey's every move while he is playing in the tournament. 
          I really enjoyed this book because it talked about two friends that were following their dreams until one of them left which made things difficult for one, but also inspired him to work hard and win it for his loved ones. It also talks about loneliness and having no one with you when you're following and leaving your dream while at the same time it talks about fear of someone watching you and making sure you keep quiet or they will hurt you. This book is a very great book to read if you're searching for a book to read about achievements in memory of those who have passed away.

Night Hoops--A Review By Bryce Foster

Night Hoops

By: Carl Deuker

*** Stars

Night Hoops, is about two teenage boys. They are both sophomores in high school. They have nothing in common with each other, except basketball. The two are majorly competitive towards each other. Although, the boys are not so different. Nick has to deal with his parents divorce. This is also on top of trying to be a star basketball player on his high school team. Throughout the novel, Nick gets better as the point guard of his team and learns how to be more mature both on and off the court.

Trent, the other boy, is facing a lot at home. He is always angry and aggressive not only on the court but everywhere. He also wants to be a star basketball player on their high school basketball team. Surprisingly, Nick becomes friends with Trent and they start playing basketball in the driveway of Nick house. They continually do this every night. They become very good pals. In my opinion, I believe the book wanted you to grasp the idea of two competitors becoming friends.

I Gave this novel 3 stars because I think highly of this author and the sport books he writes. I think this was an excellent book for someone who enjoys basketball and for anyone who feels like an outsider. This would be a great book for someone who has problems at home or just someone in high school who is looking for an awesome read. I highly recommend this novel because it never gets boring.

On the Devil's Court --- a review by Blake Hudon

On The Devil’s Court

by Carl Deuker

****

In a new town for his last year of high school, seventeen-year-old Joe Faust made a promise not to spend it as his anxious father would have him in a private school. Instead, he hopes to make this year his best on the basketball court, playing on the city's strongest public school team. But, as it happens, Joe's senior year turns out be entirely different from what he had expected. He attends a school he despises and watches his skill on the basketball court deteriorate until he can't even make a decent pass or easy lay-up. In desperation, he entangles himself in a situation so fantastic he can't tell if it's real or imagined a dilemma set in motion. After reading one of his father’s books, Doctor Faustus, Joe decides to make a deal with the devil to turn him into a superstar basketball player for his school. But in the end was it all worth it for him?

After reading On the Devil’s Court I was utterly amazed on how good this book was. The story was really good, and the characters seemed so real. This is one of those rare sports books that include a lot of sport action. I’m not really into books but this book really got me, I loved the story. It followed some of the everyday problems with teenagers like me that I could relate to that also helped me understand and follow the book better. Kept me on the edge and not for a second I got tired of it, if you need a new book to read in your life this is definitely a book you should pick up and read.

On the Devil's Court -- a review by Bryce Foster

On The Devil’s Court

by Carl Deuker

***** Stars

“My heart was racing. I heard a clap of thunder and raindrops pounded on the metal roof. The gym grew darker and a strange mist seemed to fill it. An eerie thought came to me: the mist somehow held the devil.

I didn't want to fall under its spell so I dribbled once and took a jump shot. It was so perfect that the spin on the ball carried it right back into my hands. I shot again and back the ball came. A third, then a fourth.. I knew it couldn't be just me shooting … With each shot the mist thickened.. A seventh, and eighth… It was an incredible feeling, to be able to do it all so effortlessly. I think that's why I made the vow.”

This is a tale of a seventeen-year senior, Joe Faust. He is a good student with the occasional C, but his father is scientist and expects Joe to get all A’s to get into prestige University. Joe and his father are described very differently from each other. Joe mentions his Father is a genus who didn’t have to try hard to get A’s while Joe struggles to get a B. Joe’s mother on the other hand is an artist. She is most famous from her portraits of the male figure. The first thing Joe mentions of his interest is basketball. He tells us that he always loves the game and that he is a shooting guard. He goes to the courts near his house and when he gets there he arrives early. He sees there are guys his own age shortly after he gets there. After waiting for someone to get hurt so he could get in. He shows his talents and meets one of the best players at Loyal High. This is where Joe wants to attend his last year of high school, instead of a private school. So after playing a few games, the best player at loyal asks where Joe was going to school. When he heard Joe was going to the same school Ross (the best player) took him under his wing. They played on the same team almost every day. He hung out with Ross so much his parents wanted to meet him. Joe was afraid that they would judge him, so he tried to avoid conversations of Ross and him. Throughout the book, Joe talks about basketball and this book his father gave him. The book his father gave to him was rather strange… Although Joe was excited about going to Loyal High, it turns out he doesn’t think it was all what it was suppose to be. He even losses his talent shooting. This is when he gets desperate and follows the strange book. One Stormy Afternoon he makes a decision to sell his soul for a perfect season. After, He shoots around and can’t miss a shot, he is stunned and questions if this is reality.

During the season, he realizes the magnitude of his decision and at the end wants to know if he really sold his soul. The question is, did he really sell his soul or was it in his mind?

I really enjoyed reading this novel. If you are into sports, especially basketball, I would read this book or the many other sport books by Carl Deuker. I felt that the author had an excellent understanding of the terminology of basketball. In my opinion, I could really put my feet into his shoes because I know how much basketball means to me.

Although, what I didn’t like was the thought of giving my soul for an outstanding year of basketball.

Important quote: “Give me a full season of power, and my soul is yours.”

Bryce Foster