Original subtitles

Excuse me, Miss, could you direct me to Cletus Summers' office?

- It's up the stairs. - Thank you.

You're not the new coach?

Were you expecting somebody different?

- Younger, I guess. - I’m sorry to disappoint you.

Yeah, no, I must've misunderstood Cletus.

You see, he said he was hiring someone

who'd never coached high school before,

- so, I naturally assumed... - I coached in college.

And I hear you're our new history and civics teacher as well.

That's part of the job as I understand it.

You have any experience teaching?

Tell me something. Am I being interviewed here?

I thought I already had the job.

Straight up.

You know, if everyone is as nice as you,

country hospitality is going to get an awful name.

What a pleasant thing to say.

Cletus?

What are you doing down there?

Floating.

Norman Dale?

- I hardly recognize you. - It's been 20 years.

Buffalo State Teachers' College, spring of '31.

You know, I’ve had a hell of a time tracking you down.

I didn't know you were still in the service.

I'm here now.

You really made good time.

Wasn't it just yesterday or the day before that we settled this thing?

You said practice started last week,

I figured I'd get here as soon as I could.

It's been a while for you.

Yeah, I really appreciate what you're doing. I...

Let's not be repeating ourselves.

Your slate's clean here. We got a job to do.

So come on, Coach, let me show you around.

Okay.

This is where it all happens.

It's not exactly what you're used to, but we're proud of it.

And during the season, we'll put over 800 people in here every Friday night.

- When does practice start? - Well, we'll practice at noon this week

'cause some of the boys gotta get ready for thrashing on Saturday.

Jimmy, I want you to meet someone.

- This is Norman Dale, our new coach. - Hi.

- Real friendly town you've got here. - Can be.

Let's go on back out to the farm.

I've got a place fixed up out there for you. Get you squared away.

That's it. Thank you.

- Say hello to Chester. - Hello, Chester.

Say goodbye to Chester.

You say this kid Jimmy,

he wouldn't play basketball after the coach died?

Well, the coach was kind of like an old man to him, you know.

The kid never had any family of his own to speak of.

At least, he comes on down to the school and shoots them buckets.

Aside from that, he's just about backed away from everything.

I don't know why you're going on so about this kid being irreplaceable.

It's my experience that nobody's irreplaceable.

Well, I think there's something you don't understand.

Oh?

In over 40 years of looking at the best this state's ever had,

I have never seen a better ballplayer than Jimmy Chitwood.

Never!

I'm glad you're here, Norman. I think it's gonna work out.

Well, it's gotta work out this time or that's it for good.

The last time you coached was 12 years ago?

- Yeah, that's right. - Where?

That was in Ithaca, New York.

What you been doing since?

I've been in the Navy for the last 10 years. I was a chief petty officer.

Well,

looks like you're going to need a little help.

Since I’ve been running practices the last couple of weeks,

I'll help you out till you get your feet wet.

This town doesn't like change much,

so we thought we'd get together here tonight

and show you how we do things here.

We trust that you're a fine, upstanding, God-fearing man

with Christian morals and principles

who'll set an example and a standard of leadership for our boys.

Tell me, do you believe in man-to-man or a zone defense?

Zone defense is all

- we've played in the past... - Yeah, that's right.

And it's the only thing that'll work this year.

That's right, George.

For out there, our boys are too small,

but remember, we were 15 and 10 last year

and we got all our boys back but one.

Listen. I ain't interested in talking defense here,

and I don't have a hair of a notion why we hired someone

who's been in the water for the last 10 years.

Now the main point here is,

we don't get Jimmy Chitwood back playing ball, we don't have a prayer.

- That's right. - That's right.

He switches over to Terhune, we're in big trouble.

Rooster's right, Coach. Jimmy's the Jack to their...

Gentlemen, it's been real nice talking to you.

Good night.

Miss Fleener?

Good morning.

I heard the boys weren't real generous with you last night.

I keep forgetting there are only about 50 people in this town.

This hick town, you mean?

- I didn't say that. - That's what you're thinking, isn't it?

I thought we were gonna be friends.

I guess you're gonna wanna talk about Jimmy.

Why would I?

Certainly you've been told you can't win without him.

Too many times in the last 24 hours.

What's it have to do with you?

I look after him. His mother's sick and his father passed away

and we're neighbors.

And he and I decided that it's best for him not to play this...

- I see. That's fine. - You hear me? He's not gonna play.

Yes, that's fine.

I'm sure you're gonna be convinced to go after him.

If I am, you will be the first to know.

Good morning. Good morning.

Come on. Give me two outside.

Quit throwing the ball around and shoot it!

Move it!

That's the shot. Outside. Buddy! Get on the boards!

Nice shot. Rip those nets.

Give me two. Give me two outside.

Get it up there. You can't score if you don't shoot!

Shoot from outside! Quit throwing it around. Get it in the hole!

There you are.

I thought we'd go 20 minutes on, 10 off, and 20 on.

I had a different schedule in mind.

Look, Mister, these boys got a routine they're used to.

You throw a new coach with newfangled ideas at them,

might get them all confused.

Maybe we'll ease into it real slow.

Hell, their first game's less than two weeks away.

First of all, let's be real friendly here, okay?

My name is Norm.

Secondly, your coaching days are over.

Look, Mister, there's

two kinds of dumb,

a guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow

and barks at the moon,

and

a guy who does the same thing in my living room.

The first one don't matter.

The second one you're kinda forced to deal with.

Translate.

That some sort of threat?

I don't know why Cletus drug your tired old bones in here.

He must've owed you something fierce.

Fact is, Mister, you start screwing up this team,

I’ll personally hide-strap your ass to a pine rail

and send you up the Monon line.

Leave the ball, will you, George?

Thank you.

Huddle up.

Let's see what kind of hand I’ve been dealt here.

Seven players. That it?

Six. 'Cause I really don't count.

Why is that?

I'm too short and I’m not no good.

I suit up for practice to be a body. Equipment management is my trade.

I thought everybody in Indiana played basketball.

Sir, most do, but not all go out for the team.

We only got 64 boys in the whole school.

It's gonna be a lonely bench.

Those of you who don't know, my name is Norman Dale.

I coached college ball for 10 years,

but it's been 12 years since I’ve blown this,

so I’m gonna be learning from you, just like you learn from me.

I'm gonna be setting up practice

a little bit differently than you're used to,

but as you'll find out, everything has its reasons.

Basketball is a voluntary activity.

It's not a requirement.

If any of you feel you don't want to be on the team,

feel free to leave right now. Did you hear what I said?

- Me? - Yes, you.

Sure. I'm just curious to know when we start.

We start when I say so.

Would you kinda let me know? 'Cause I’m kinda getting tired of...

All right, out. Out of here. Right now.

- You're kicking me out? - Yes.

Don't come back until you learn to keep your mouth shut and listen.

Break my heart.

Come on, Whit, let's fly this chicken coop.

Didn't you say you'd rather be down at Terhune anyway?

It's your funeral.

Let's move, gizzard.

I ain't no gizzard.

Have fun, Coach, trying to win with five...

Make that four and a half players.

Okay, let's get those folding chairs, line them up right here.

About three feet apart.

Go!

Come on, little man!

- Let's move. Come on, let's move. - But when do we scrimmage?

We don't scrimmage.

No shooting either.

That ain't no fun!

My practices aren't designed for your enjoyment.

Let's go! Let's move!

Come on! I’ve seen you guys can shoot,

but there's more to the game than shooting!

There's fundamentals and defense.

Come on, palms up. Palms up.

Come on, pop. Pop! Get rid of it! Pop!

Get rid of it. Hot potato, hot potato. Hold it.

Hold it!

Let's be real clear about what we're after here.

Wipe that smile off your face. This is not funny.

The five players on the floor function as one, single unit.

Team, team, team, right?

No one more important than the other.

Pop the ball, pop. Get rid of it.

Come on, let's go.

Come on, big guy! Let's go! Switch!

Pass the ball. Get rid of it! Get rid of it!

Fire!

Come on, let's go.

Come on, come on, come on, come on!

No team of mine will ever run out of steam before its opponent.

With only five players, we can't afford to.

Come on, that's it. Let's go! Get the lead out!

Let's move! Let's go!

- Can I help you gentlemen? - Just checking the boys out.

We heard you got some crazy ways of coaching.

- Let's go! - No shooting, practicing without a ball.

- Come on! - What's up with that?

We got some concern about the way matters are being handled here.

We're gonna be doing this every day at practice,

you're gonna be in the best physical shape of your lives.

Feels like we're in the army.

You are in the army, you're in my army. Every day between 3:00 and 5:00.

Listen, guys, practice is closed to outsiders.

- I don't want any distractions at all. - Outsiders?

- Coach Tidd never closed practices. - I’m not sure...

That was Coach Tidd. This is something else now.

Yeah?

Hi. I’m Rollin Butcher.

My son's got something to say to you.

Sorry, Coach, about walking out.

I'd be obliged if I got myself another chance.

It won't happen again. You're the boss.

Okay.

There's still an hour of practice. Get dressed.

I...

Boys get a little mixed up from time to time.

You get any trouble from Rade or Whit, you let me know.

Coach here says he's closing practice to outsiders.

What you boys doing here?

- Listen, I’ll handle this. - No, I got this.

Okay.

Boys, this man's got a job to do.

He wants you out of here. I best believe you'd better be on your way.

Make two lines facing me.

Let's go, come on.

Spread your legs, bend your knees, put your butt down,

left hand up, right hand down.

To your right. Let's go! To your left. Let's go! Come on, move!

Don't worry about George.

He'll be right with you when you start winning.

Cletus! My friend, my good friend,

a friend of years, friend of tears.

You're looking fit and fiddle.

Wilbert "Shooter" Flatch,

this is Norman Dale, our new coach.

- How are you? - Coach.

Clete, you tell him?

Sectionals in '33. One point down.

Five, four, three, two, one, let her fly.

In and out. Yeah. I was fouled.

Now, Cletus, if you had some small change,

the missus and I have had a parting of the ways of a sort.

- Get you something to eat. - My friend, my dear friend.

Give it up.

- It's only two bits. - Give it up.

- Sorry, Everett. - It ain't your fault.

This is my friend. I mean, he's my friend of years.

I don't wanna hear it, Dad.

Jimmy, I didn't see you in class today.

Any reason you want to tell me about?

You know, in the 10 years that I coached,

I never met anybody who wanted to win as badly as I did.

I'd do anything I had to do to increase my advantage.

Anybody who tried to block the pursuit of that advantage,

I'd just push them out of the way.

Didn't matter who they were or what they were doing there.

But that was then.

Now, you have a special talent. A gift.

Not the school's, not the townspeople's, not the team's.

Not Myra Fleener's. Not mine.

It's yours.

To do with what you choose.

Because that's what I believe, I can tell you this.

I don't care if you play on the team or not.

Mr. Dale, I wanna talk to you.

Leave him alone, all right?

He's a real special kid and I have high hopes for him and...

I think if he works really hard,

he can get an academic scholarship to Wabash College,

and can get out of this place.

Why? Do you have something against this place?

For him, yes, I do. He could do better.

You know, if Jimmy's as good as everybody says he is,

I would've thought that a basketball scholarship would've made a lot of sense.

Who'd ever see him play?

The only thing that ever comes into Hickory from the outside is the train,

and it's here for about five minutes.

Basketball scholarship.

You know, a basketball hero around here is treated like a god.

How can he ever find out what he can really do?

I don't want this to be the high point of his life.

I've seen them. The real sad ones.

They sit around the rest of their lives talking about the glory days

when they were 17 years old.

You know, most people would kill

to be treated like a god, just for a few moments.

Gods come pretty cheap nowadays, don't they?

I mean, you become one by putting a leather ball in an iron hoop.

And I hate to tell you this, Mr. Dale, but it's only a game.

Why so unfriendly, Miss Fleener?

I know men like you.

You don't know anything about me.

I know you're here.

I know this place doesn't even appear on most state maps.

A man your age comes to a place like this, he's either...

He's running away from something or he has nowhere else to go.

What I’m doing here has nothing to do with you.

Just stay away from Jimmy.

I don't want him coaching in Hickory when he's 50.

Now, folks, let's make him feel welcome.

Our new coach, Norman Dale.

First of all, I'd like to thank those of you

who have made me feel so welcome here.

Thank you.

The boys and I are getting to know each other,

see who we are

and what we can be.

So far, I like what I've seen.

I'm very excited to be part of Indiana basketball.

This is your team.

We want Jimmy! We want Jimmy!

We want Jimmy! We want Jimmy!

I would hope you would support who we are, not who we are not.

These six individuals

have made a choice to work,

a choice to sacrifice,

to put themselves on the line 23 nights in the next four months,

to represent you, this high school.

That kind of commitment and effort deserves and demands your respect.

This is your team.

Coach, you all right?

Yeah, I’m fine.

All right, remember to discipline your game.

Absolutely no shots until you've passed off four times.

Set your offensive patterns before you go to score.

All right?

- Is that clear? - Yes.

How many times are we gonna pass off?

- How many? - Four!

Let us pray.

"Be strong and of good courage

"for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Lord, bless these boys and the season before them.

- Amen. - Amen.

Okay. Let's go.

Let's beat these guys, we can beat them.

- Hold it up, guys. - Strap, come on.

Strap?

How long is he gonna go on like this?

I don't know. He'll come when he's ready, not before.

I hope that'll be some time before tip-off.

Okay, let's go.

How do you feel?

Like it's my first game.

In a way, it is. I’ll be right there with you.

Welcome to Indiana basketball.

- Hi. How are you? - Good luck.

Fight, fight, fight!

Ollie, you get ready.

You're gonna play until Strap gets here, if he ever does.

- I'll go get him. - No, you... Come on, get back.

Okay, guys, a minimum of four passes before you take a shot, all right?

Get yourselves set before you let go.

Five pistons firing together. All right?

Come on. Here we go.

Come on. Team. Come on.

- Thank God. - Team!

We got spirit, yes, we do. We got spirit. How about you?

- Four passes! - Go, go!

Don't just stand there, move!

Shoot the ball, Rade!

Set some picks!

What's wrong with you?

- Work the good shot. - Come on!

- Put the ball up! - Just shoot, shoot it!

Pass it! Pass it!

Pass it! Pass it!

Set up your defense!

Call out. Switch it.

Is that what you call coaching?

Four passes! Pass the ball in!

Work it in for the good shot.

Work the good shot.

Strap, come on, move!

Come on, defense! Block it out! Block it out!

No.

Come on, set up the offense.

Pass it off! Pass it off!

Four passes!

Work for the good shot!

- Shoot the ball! - Put the ball up!

- Come on! - Look what you've done!

I want you to close down those passing lanes!

Your defense is awful!

What about our offense? We can't win unless we score.

You keep your mouth shut until I tell you to open it.

What kind of wingnut stunt are you trying to pull out there?

Get out.

For Christ's sake, let's let them run and shoot!

Get out of here.

- Sam, Sam... - It's embarrassing!

Stay out.

I don't want anybody in this locker room at half-time.

- Now keep them out of here. - Norm,

I'm trying hard to believe that you know what you're doing.

I know what I’m doing!

You've got three fouls.

You guys remember what we worked on in practice, all right?

I wanna see it on the court!

How many times are we going to pass before we shoot?

Four.

- How many? - Four!

Four!

Set it up. Set it up!

Rade! Rade! Pass the ball!

Ollie, go in for Rade.

Now! Move! Come on.

Good job, Rade.

- Foul on number 12. - Come on!

That's five.

- 25. - Where you going?

In the game.

Sit down.

What do you mean? We gotta have five out there.

Sit down!

Sit!

Coach, you need one more.

My team's on the floor.

Okay.

What are you trying to do?

He's only got four guys.

Those of you on the floor at the end, I’m proud of you.

You played your guts out.

I'm only gonna say this one time.

All of you have the weekend.

Think about whether or not you want to be on this team or not.

Under the following condition.

What I say

when it comes to this basketball team is the law.

Absolutely and without discussion!

Come on, guys. Let's listen to what he says.

Shut up.

No, you shut up, Rade.

Coach, how about a haircut?

- Who cuts your hair? - Yours truly.

No.

Coach, you gonna play with three next time?

Those aren't bad odds, five against three.

- Let me help you there. - Appreciate it.

- Opal Fleener. - How are you?

- Been hearing plenty on you. - Mother likes basketball.

Yeah, that's the truth and then some.

- Here. - No, no, it's all right. I can do it.

Thank you. Mother, it's getting late. We better get going. Come on.

The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass every day,

but, Mister, you ain't seen a ray of light since you got here.

I believe it's time we had a talk.

Sunday.

Supper.

I accept.

Coach, tell me about the boys.

You think you can bring them around?

There's a lot of talent there, it's just raw and undisciplined.

So, what are you gonna do about that?

I'm gonna break them down and then I’m gonna build them back up.

- This fire needs more wood. - I’ll get it.

No, you won't.

Basketball.

Every game my brother ever played

was the most important thing ever happened to this family.

Mother wouldn't be able to sleep the night before.

And if they lost, Daddy'd walk the floor until morning.

I just could never figure out why it meant so much, not to that extreme.

I don't get it.

What are you doing here, living in Hickory?

I haven't always been here.

I went to college three years, graduate school a year.

- Graduate school? - Surprised?

You sound like my father.

He thought it strange I ever wanted to leave town. Kept telling me I'd be back.

Of course he was right.

Why'd you come back?

Didn't work out.

Daddy died. Mother got sick. I had to come back.

You never plan on leaving?

Did you ever consider getting married?

Come on, you must've had a lot of opportunities.

You know, during all those years away,

there were a few things I missed not being here.

I missed knowing that nothing ever changes. People never change.

It makes you feel real solid.

I also missed knowing that people's private affairs stay pretty much their own.

Okay. I’m sorry.

Coach.

Isn’t it a little late to be calling on folks?

I wouldn't trust old Rooster neither.

It's a nice place you got here.

It's a nice night for a fire.

- That's a hell of a team you had there. - You knew that team?

I know everything there is to know about the greatest game ever invented!

- Did you know about... - No, that don't matter.

A man's got to do what he's got to do.

You're playing Cedar Knob tomorrow.

Ain't nobody knows them better than me.

I been watching, how you been breaking the colts.

But, my friend, you cannot play them all the way man-on-man.

They got no head toppers. Cedar Knob, a bunch of mites.

Run you off the boards.

You got to squeeze them back in the paint. Make them chuck it from the cheap seats.

Watch that purgatory they call a gym.

No drive, 1 2 foot in.

That'll do.

How'd your father get this job?

It's our bus.

It doesn't look like a preacher's bus.

After sectional's over, we paint it white for the summer tent shows.

But every fall, back to red. After his revelation.

God told him.

To paint the bus and drive the team?

- These guys are like animals. - Coach!

How can anybody play in this cracker box?

Coach, their boy Nelson, he can't go to his left.

I know that.

Time out!

Time out.

Come on! Leave me alone!

Okay, guys, listen up.

I think we can run on these guys. The two guards are never getting back.

- Sorry. I can't help my mouth. - You be sorry on the bench.

Strap, go in for Rade.

Buddy, get the ball between their guards.

Watch for Everett or Merle cutting to the basket. All right?

Okay, let's go.

Team!

That's a flagrant foul!

That player should be taken out of the game!

- He didn't do nothing wrong. - Come on, that's hillbilly justice!

You ain't been around these parts too long, have you?

I've been around long enough to recognize a hometown referee.

Technical foul.

Look, it's bad enough we got to play in this cage you call a gym.

Your players are playing like a bunch of gorillas!

Who are you calling a gorilla?

You, for one!

Bust off.

Move back. You wanna stay in this game, son,

you just go back to the bench. Come on. Move back!

I said, move back!

Come on, break it up!

I don't wanna see you again.

Not this game. You're out.

You're gone. Both of you. Out!

- Come on, boys. Let's go. - Sit down!

All right, now, calm down.

- You all right? - Yeah, I’m all right.

You better get outta here.

I’ll do the best I can.

Good riddance, you jackass!

- Got him a good one, didn't I, Coach? - Yeah, you did.

- How's... - Just a little while, okay?

How you feeling?

Just tired.

Someone said my pump's going bad on me.

Why didn't you tell me?

It's a little late for that.

I guess the doctor says you got to take it easy.

No more basketball games for a while, huh?

Yeah.

Looks like you're on your own.

That's fine.

You kind of like being on your own.

I'd kind of like to see you up on your feet.

You can count on it.

Anybody home?

Identify!

It's Norm.

- Coach? - Yeah.

What you doing out here?

What happened to my scout?

We're playing Verdi tonight.

Verdi, huh?

We'll talk.

This is my domicile here.

Sit yourself down over there by the fire and warm up.

- This is it, huh? - Yeah.

It gets pretty rough here in the winter, but I manage.

I’ll bet.

- Want a little snort? - No. Thanks. No.

Don't mind if I do.

I got a proposition for you.

Cletus is going to be laid up for a while.

And I want you to give me a hand.

I can tell you anything that you need to know.

No, you don't understand. I want you to be my assistant.

I want you to come to practices

and sit on the bench with me during the games.

Me? You want me?

Yeah. What do you say? Under the following conditions.

That you

clean yourself up.

And,

you shave, and

you show up at the games on time and the practices,

- and you wear a shirt and tie. - I got myself a suit right there.

I got a wing-dinger. I was married in that suit, there.

And that you're sober.

No.

My wife sent you.

- No. - My son.

What does my

drinking got to do with my knowledge about basketball?

You can't drink in front of these boys.

If I

smell even a trace of liquor on your breath, you'll be finished.

I don't have to hear that from you.

You're embarrassing your son.

I don't need to hear that.

I'd like you to leave.

I'd like you to leave now.

Time out, Ref.

Nice shot, Rade.

Guys, you're playing real well. Real well.

Put more pressure on the ball.

Be real patient on your offense. What...

What's he doing here?

Shooter here is gonna be one of our assistants.

You got it?

You got anything you want to...

Coach, you thinking about playing ball or not?

- Yeah, we'll be there. - Let's go.

- Okay, come on. - Let's go.

Team!

Come on, play ball. Play ball!

- I ain't feeling real good. - You'll be fine.

The kids are starting to get it. I mean, it's really fun!

Progress.

Progress is electricity,

school consolidation, church remodeling,

second farm tractors, second farm cars,

hay balers,

corn pickers, grain combines,

field choppers and indoor plumbing.

All right, you're dismissed.

What's on your mind?

Well, Coach, what you're doing with my dad.

I'm not seeing it.

Why not?

'Cause he's a drunk. He'll do something stupid.

When's the last time somebody gave him a chance?

He don't deserve a chance.

Go on.

How are you?

I've been asked as acting principal

to inform you that a petition's been issued

requesting a referendum on your removal as basketball coach.

The vote'll be made at a town meeting on Saturday.

I guess that gives me until Friday night's game to prove myself, huh?

I think it goes a lot deeper than one game, don't you?

I call time out. Time out!

Technical foul.

On the playing floor while the game is in progress.

What're you talking about? The ball was dead. I’m trying to call a time out.

- That's it. You're gone. - What do you mean?

Out of the game. I’m putting you on file with the state commission.

What? Are you crazy?

What are you talking about? I'm not leaving here!

You're gone!

That ain't fair.

It ain't fair what the people in this town are trying to do to you neither.

You stay in the game. I need your help.

Stay in the game.

Come on, boys.

Shooter's gonna take you home. You pay attention.

Hi. Sorry.

It's me. Cletus told me where I could find you.

I used to play in these fields.

I used to wonder what it would feel like to start walking

and just keep going.

That's tempting.

Aren't you the kind who'd rather look for a fight than run away from one?

What?

"Norman Dale, coach of the National Champion's Ithaca Warriors

"was given a lifetime suspension, to be honored by all NCAA signatories

"for physically assaulting his own player in Ithaca's last season's game.

"This was the latest in a series of controversial incidents

"involving the successful though highly volatile coach.

"The New York High School Athletic Association

"has stated they will honor the suspension as well."

- Where'd you find that article? - The library in Deerlick.

I was curious.

I want to tell you that I think

your efforts in regards to Shooter have been noble.

They have. They've been fine.

And I appreciate you staying away from Jimmy the way you have.

I don't think you'd better be there tonight.

It won't be pleasant.

I’ve made some mistakes,

but they're mistakes I take full responsibility for.

I was hired to teach the boys the game of basketball

and I did that to the best of my ability.

I apologize for nothing.

You may not be pleased with the results, but I am.

I'm very proud of these boys.

I...

I think in order to be fair...

I think it'd be a big mistake to let Coach Dale go.

Give him a chance.

Look...

Sam and Rollin here will pass out the ballots.

A yes vote means he stays. A no vote, he goes.

Let's do this as quickly as we can.

Jimmy, what are you doing here?

Jimmy.

- What can I do for you, Jimmy? - I got something to say.

Then, son, you better say what you gotta say.

I don't know if it'll make any change,

but I figure it's time for me to start playing ball.

I told you once we got rid of him...

One other thing.

I play, Coach stays. He goes, I go.

Now, look, wait. He...

Coach is dismissed by a vote of 68 to 45.

I think we should vote again.

- Yeah! - Yeah!

Call for a revote.

All those in favor of the coach staying, say "Aye."

Aye!

Those opposed?

Nay!

Coach stays.

Get in there.

You listen to me. I stuck my neck out for you.

You live up to your end of the bargain,

or get yourself in a hospital and dry out!

- I don't think I can cut it. - You can cut it.

I didn't think I could cut it the other night either,

but after what Jimmy did,

it would take the Indiana National Guard to get me outta here.

My old nerves are shot.

We're coming together as a team.

With Jimmy, all the pistons are firing. We got 10 games to play.

Right? We're gonna be a tough team to beat.

Now, you come along for the ride. Okay?

Oh, but... You got to give me your word

that you will not be kicked out of no games.

- Scout's honor. - Scout's honor!

That's a foul on number 21 of the red team...

I just wanna discuss this with him, all right? Just take it easy.

You got pigeon shit in your eyes?

Now, relax. I didn't have the best angle...

You're pathetic, you know that! You're a disgrace to your profession!

- Relax. - Kick me out of the game.

- You're putting me on. - No, kick me out of the game

or I’ll start screaming like a mad fool.

I guess you've got your reasons.

- You're out of here! - What?

Come on!

Come on! That's... That's ridiculous!

I've done it again.

It's up to you now.

I told him not to...

Time out!

Time out.

Go! Come on!

Let's go! Come on!

You reckon number four will put up their last shot, Dad?

Yeah, probably.

They've been picking low all night.

Yeah.

Rade,

let yourself get taken out.

Buddy, you drop down and take his place.

Close that lane.

All right.

- Okay. Team! - Team!

Come on.

Time! Time!

Time out, ref.

Time out, red team.

Come on in, come on in.

All right, now listen to me.

This is the last shot that we got. All right?

We're gonna run the picket fence at them.

Merle, you're the swing man.

Jimmy, you're solo right.

All right, Merle should be open, swinging around the end of that fence.

Now, boys, don't get caught watching the paint dry.

- All right. - Team!

Yeah!

We did it!

Boys, we did it. We did it!

You did good, Pop.

You did real good.

- You did it, Shooter! - Coach, good job.

Where's your father?

Said he wanted to be alone, sir. Too much pressure.

You keep in the game. All right?

- Yes, sir. - Mentally.

- Yes, sir. - All right.

We want a basket now! We want a basket, right now!

We want a basket now! We want a basket, right now!

Ref! Call it both ways!

Come on!

We want a basket now!

We want a basket, right now!

He's got his hands all over him!

I've got 12, red. One-two, red.

Come on! What're you talking about?

Ref! Ref!

Ref! That was no foul!

No, you were out of position to make the call.

- That was charging all the way. - Get him outta here.

His feet were planted.

Yes! Charging all the way! Norm, his feet were planted.

We know that. We know that. Come on.

Get my... Get that bozo there

- Glasses! - Come on.

Hey, Shooter, ain't you a little old to be playing?

It's okay. He's an assistant coach. It's fine.

That's a technical foul...

What are you talking about? Wait a minute!

He just wandered out on the floor.

Don't tell me that! Jesus!

You keep in the game, Everett. You understand?

Come on, play hard!

Guys, stop it!

Break it up!

Get out of the way. Get out of the way.

- Look at that. - Mercy. Let's get him on his feet.

- Come on. Is he all right? - Come on, boy.

Come on, now. Forfeit that team.

My boy can't even play. He's all racked up.

If you lose, then we'll protest, all right?

- I'll file a protest. - Everybody back!

That's a gutless way to win.

I'm gonna file a protest. Get outta my face!

Get back. Let's play ball!

Get the ball! Get the ball!

Get the ball!

Three, two, one!

Dad!

Shooter!

Shooter!

Dad!

Dad.

Hi, Coach.

A couple months in here and you'll be dry as the Sahara desert.

It's goblin-visiting time, man.

Come on. We're gonna be here for you.

Yeah, you and the little green monkeys.

God. How's my son doing?

He's fine. He had eight stitches, but,

boy, he played his heart out. He was just...

Doc says he's gonna be okay for the regionals in about a week.

- He's a good boy. - Yeah.

I'm so proud of you, Coach.

I am.

Sectional champs.

I know what that means to these folks around here.

A lot. I...

I remember what it meant to me.

You're a big part of it.

No.

Coach, I'm freezing.

Yeah, okay, I’ll get...

Could we have a blanket, please?

Damn. You know I didn't mean...

I didn't make a lick of difference. You know that.

You got yourself a shiftless, no-account drunk.

God.

I'm so sorry.

Basketball meant so much to me, Coach.

I'm so proud of you.

- I'm so sorry I let you down. - Come on, Shooter.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nurse, I’m so thirsty.

I'm so sorry, Coach.

Now you're gonna protect us.

There's not enough apologizing for this.

Just get the team in the gym, will you?

Never seen nothing like this.

I wish they'd wait till after the game.

Come on, let's go. Come on, let's go. Come on, guys.

Does the team feel they can make it to the State Championship finals?

Yeah, they do.

Come on, let's go, guys. Let's go.

Let us through.

There's a tradition in tournament play

to not talk about the next step

until you've climbed the one in front of you.

I'm sure going to the state finals is beyond your wildest dreams,

so let's just keep it right there.

Forget about the crowds,

the size of the school,

their fancy uniforms.

And remember what got you here.

Focus on the fundamentals

that we've gone over time and time again.

And most important,

don't get caught up thinking about winning or losing this game.

If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential,

to be the best that you can be,

I don't care what the scoreboard says, at the end of the game,

in my book we're gonna be winners.

Okay?

All right! Let's go!

Let's go! Let me hear it!

- Go! Go! Go! Go! - Go! Go!

Ref, he's moving his pivot foot.

He's moving his pivot foot!

Block him out! Block him out!

Block 41 off the baseline!

Okay!

Come on!

Everett, you've gotta stop that pass to the low post, all right?

Rade, you come off your man and give us some help inside.

Buddy, 41 is killing us. He's just killing us, all right?

Stick with him. I mean, if you think of chewing gum.

By the end of the game, I wanna know what flavor he is. All right?

Nice shot! Nice shot!

Block him off! Block him off the baseline!

Foul on number 25, Butcher.

That's Butcher's fifth personal foul.

He was there first!

Come on!

The stitches are pulled.

Patch him up. Come on, patch him up.

I can't do it.

Patch him up! What, are you out of your mind?

- You keep blocking out, all right? - Yes, sir.

- We're gonna win this game. - Yes, sir.

All right.

Call time out. Time out.

Time out, white!

- Everett, you're on the bench. - No, I wanna play.

Come on, you're on the bench.

Strap, you're gonna play for Everett.

Don't shoot the ball unless you're under the basket

all by yourself, understand? Okay.

We've got two minutes and 15 seconds, all right?

Be patient. Work for the good shot. You got it?

Come on, let's go. Let's beat this team.

Team!

Let's go, guys. Come on.

Let's go, Strap. Let's go.

Strap, God wants you on the floor.

Yeah, that was a nice shot!

Time out, white.

Time out, Hickory.

- What's gotten into you? - The Lord. I can feel his strength.

Keep your strength in the dribble, all right?

On me?

No! My...

- Foul on number 14, white. - Are you joking?

Come on, give us a break!

Good game.

Ollie, we need you.

Ollie, we need you now.

Go!

He was Dentyne.

Number 13...

Let's go!

Foul him! Foul him!

Orange, one-zero, with a push. One shot.

You can do it.

Come on! Let's go!

Let's go. You can do it.

Come on, let's go, Big Ollie.

I got number 10, orange. Two shots.

Time out, ref. Time out.

That's time out, orange.

Let's go, guys.

All right, listen.

After Ollie makes his second shot,

and you will make your second shot,

get back on defense right away.

There may just be enough time for them to throw in a desperation toss, okay?

All right, let's go.

Put them in, Ollie.

Team!

Make it a good one, Strap.

Didn't know they grew them so small down on the farm.

Don't worry about that, okay?

You just concentrate on what you're doing and put them in the hole.

All right? You can do it. Let's go.

Two shots.

One more, Ollie. One more and we're going all the way, all right?

Concentrate.

Ollie!

Just one more! Just one more!

Get them now! Get them now!

Two, one!

Yeah!

You always garden in the mud?

The almanac says it's time to start planting.

Is the almanac always right?

Always.

The farmer's daughter.

- Miller's. - Miller's daughter.

Your mother cut my hair.

Yeah. I saw your car.

Like to take a walk?

That's pretty.

Yeah.

In late spring, those fields,

they're so green it looks like Ireland.

Or how I always imagined Ireland would look.

I've seen it in pictures and postcards.

Would you like to go to Deerlick some evening, take in a movie?

Norman Dale, coach of the Ithaca Warriors

- was suspended for... - I can't really explain that.

It's been a number of years,

and it still kind of goes around in my head. I...

I slow it down, sometimes I really think that I can

stop my fist from hitting that boy's jaw.

In one second, everything I'd worked for was just all finished.

Funny thing, too, he was the best kid that ever played for me.

Tough, stubborn, willful. He...

Sounds like someone I know.

I imagined kissing you ever since I first saw you.

I was just tired of imagining it.

It's been a long time.

For me, too.

All right, let's go. Let's go.

Coach, how did you do it?

It wasn't me, it was the boys.

- Miss that final shot? - No, I knew I had it all the way.

Really?

- Coach, up here! - I’ll tell you about it later.

Team you're matched against in the finals,

South Bend Central, is one of the power teams in the state.

Their front line is 6'4", 6'5" and 6'5".

- How can your little guys compete? - I don't know.

Do you have a scouting report?

More important to me than a scouting report,

my boys only know basketball, farming and school. Probably in that order.

Most of them have never seen a building taller than two stories,

except in a photograph, so taking them to Indianapolis

to play in front of 1 5,000 people is kind of like

you and me going to the moon.

So what team we play is the least of my concerns.

Will you be back at Hickory next year?

It's a good question!

One more question, Coach.

One more question...

No school this small has ever been in the State Championship.

I know.

I was coach for a while. I won a big game for them.

I was coaching the last two minutes. I took them right down to the wire.

I run the picket fence on them, and we won!

And my son. My son, he's on...

How you doing, Dad?

The conquering hero. I...

I heard the game right there on that little Philco.

And I heard old Ollie dribble on his foot,

and then make that charity shot.

And I started bawling,

and they bring the white coats in here and they put a jacket on me.

I was feeling so good I didn't even mind too much.

You doing good?

I...

I feel real empty inside,

and

I have some bad visions.

Son,

the other night...

No, it don't matter, Dad.

You're gonna get better.

Couple of months when you get out of here, we're gonna get a house.

Both of us.

I love you, Dad.

I gotta get back.

Son?

I wish I could be there.

I’ll be thinking of you.

Son, kick their butt.

Anyway, I’ll tell you one thing.

No school this small has ever been in the State Championship!

Hi, Coach Dale, Coach Butcher.

- Welcome to Butler Fieldhouse. - Thank you.

Your practice schedule is from 10:00 to 12:00.

The game will be at 7:00.

If you need anything, why, you just let me know.

And off the record, I think this is the most exciting thing

that's ever happened to Indiana basketball.

So, we're all behind you. Good luck, and tear them up.

- Thank you. - Good luck, guys.

Buddy?

Hold this under the backboard.

- What is it? - Fifteen feet.

Fifteen feet.

Strap, put Ollie on your shoulders.

Measure this from the rim.

Buddy?

How far?

- Ten feet. - Ten feet.

I think you'll find this is the exact same measurements

as our gym back in Hickory.

Okay, let's get dressed for practice.

Hickory!

It is big.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,

to the Championship game

of the Indiana State High School Basketball Tournament.

The most incredible and improbable confrontation

in the illustrious history of the Indiana High School Basketball Tournament

takes place in tonight's Championship game,

where the pint-sized, hardly big enough for three syllables,

Hickory Huskers, enrollment 64,

take on the defending state champions,

the mighty Bears of South Bend Central,

with an enrollment of 2,800.

Already calling this the game of the century,

news people from all over the Midwest are here

to witness Hoosierland's version of the Cinderella story.

And now,

the starting lineup for the Huskers.

We've been all over this before.

Their top player is Boyle, number 15.

He averages about 20 points a game.

Buddy, you gotta stick right with him.

No inside penetration. Shut down those passing lanes.

And you gotta play tough off those boards.

Negate their height advantage.

Hickory, it's time to take the floor.

- I'll get the preacher. - Okay.

We're way past big speech time.

I want to thank you for the last few months.

It's been very special for me.

Anybody have anything they want to say?

Yeah.

Let's win this one for

all the small schools that never had a chance to get here.

Okay.

I want to win for my dad.

Let's win for Coach, who got us here.

Thank you.

"With the God of heaven, it is all one

"to deliver with a great multitude or a small company,

"for the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of a host,

"but strength cometh from heaven."

"And David put his hand in the bag, and took out a stone and slung it,

"and it struck the Philistine on the head,

"and he fell to the ground."

Amen.

Amen.

Let's go, guys.

I love you guys.

Team!

Call time out. Time out!

Time out, Hickory.

God, these guys are good.

This is embarrassing.

I can't stop that guy.

Maybe they were right about us.

Maybe we don't belong up here.

Let's go. Come on!

- Coach, can I say something? - Yeah!

I think Jimmy can take the guy that's guarding him if we set him up.

What about it, Jimmy?

All right, let's go! Come on!

Get them! Come on!

Buddy! Buddy! Calm them down.

Be patient!

Come on.

Two minutes, 10 seconds to go in the final period.

South Bend Central on top, 40 to 34. Hickory in possession.

Buddy Walker with the basketball, passes to Everett Flatch.

He throws to Merle Webb.

And then to Jimmy Chitwood,

face right, jump shot, scores!

Back to Willie Long. Hit it back to Wilbury who's signaling a play.

Are they going to release the basketball?

Wilbury dribbles to his left, passes over to Long,

Long, holding the basketball. Feeds down to Wilbury,

Wilbury takes a shot.

All right! All right!

Come on, boys!

Let's go!

Buddy, full-court press after the shot.

Signals the play, passes to Jimmy Chitwood.

Chitwood along the right sideline. Bounce passes to Flatch,

Flatch finds Walker. Walker's shot not good.

Walker comes around.

He steals the ball and passes to Chitwood.

It's 40 to 38, 33 seconds to go!

Sensational comeback.

Boyle, having trouble with the in-bounce pass.

Intercepted by Jimmy Chitwood...

It is now 40 to 40. Hickory has scored six consecutive points.

An old-fashioned Indiana high school barn burner has proven...

Get the ball! Get the ball! Grab it! Grab it!

Grab it! Grab it!

Come on, come on, come on, come on!

All right, listen up! Listen up.

Here's what we're gonna do.

Jimmy, they're gonna be expecting you to take the last shot.

We're gonna use you as a decoy.

Buddy, you get the ball, give it to Merle on the picket fence.

He's gonna take the last shot.

All right, let's go.

What's the matter with you guys?

What's the matter with you?

I'll make it.

All right. Buddy, get the ball to Jimmy at the top of the key.

Rest of you, spread the floor. Let's go!

Team!

In Indianapolis,

they may be seeing basketball history here tonight.

A sensational comeback by Hickory.

The score is tied at 40.

There are 19 fateful seconds remaining in the game.

It'll be inbounded by Hickory in the backcourt.

Along the sideline, passed in by Rade Butcher,

who was responsible for the interception.

It goes in to Buddy Walker. Walker on the attack, still in the backcourt.

Take your time. Take your time.

Be patient. Be patient.

Come on, let's go!

Yes! Yeah!

Jimmy, I want you to meet someone.

This is Norman Dale, our new coach.

I've seen you guys can shoot,

but there's more to the game than shooting!

There's fundamentals and defense.

The boys and I are getting to know each other,

see who we are

and what we can be.

Let's be real clear about what we're after here, all right?

It's team, team, team.

Five players on the floor functioning as one, single unit.

Okay? No one more important than the other.