Inspired by a true story, Hoops tells how, in 1975, Judi and her friends joined the first ever girls basketball team, the Lady Bears, at their school as seniors. The passage of Title IX obligated school districts to offer similar sports for boys and girls, so for the first time basketball was opened to all. Judi, who unlike her friend Stacy had always wanted to join the basketball team instead of being a cheerleader, participated in the first tryouts. Without a coach at first, 8 girls practiced despite obvious disparities, such as the lack of training time in their own gym, no uniforms, no busses, and no laundry service.
As the team started to win, more and more fans started showing up to watch their home games. A sponsorship ensured the games would be broadcasted on the radio, and the enthusiasm built as the team headed into the finals tournament with an undefeated record. Despite being behind, the Lady Bears win the local and regional tournaments and head to Indianapolis for the state championship, which ends with Judi scoring the winning basket to deliver victory and a state title to the school's first ever girls basketball team.
During the season, the girls fought against inequity, requesting similar accommodations tot he boys. Eventually, the girls received a bus for transportation, which was used by their fans as they continued using their RV. The athletic director acknowledged he was wrong when he did not provide laundry services. And all of the team members of the Lady Bears became hometown heroes, blazing a path for girls to participate in organized sports.
Warmly illustrated with beautiful colors, this fast-spaced sports story demonstrates that dedication and persistence can in fact change hearts and an entire culture for the better.
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