This Is Panther Country: A Memoir of Youth, Underdog Spirit, and Basketball Glory

A Basketball Season for the Ages In the spirit of Hoosiers, Friday Night Lights, and The Boys in the Boat comes the classic underdog story of a high school basketball team's quest for glory and a young man's journey of growth, family, and determination. Set against the vibrant backdrop of mid-1970s Long Island, New York, this heartwarming memoir captures the excitement, challenges, and camaraderie of a small-town varsity basketball team and its dreams of triumph.

Thirteen-year-old Tom McKeown, growing up in a close-knit Irish American family, struggles to balance school, friends, and the newly discovered world of teenage society. It’s an era when race and class divisions were very real, but bridged by athletics and community purpose. From his vantage in the eighth grade, Tom and the Village of Babylon follow their varsity basketball team, the Panthers, as they fight their way forward in hopes of claiming the first ever Long Island Championship.

Led by visionary coach Roy Koelbel and star player Glenn Vickers, the Panthers confront adversity on and off the court. Each obstacle overcome brings them closer to that elusive title. At the heart of their journey is a knockdown trilogy of games with a familiar and formidable Amityville team, who have dreams of their own.

With a keen eye for strategy, detail, execution, and a deep love for the game of basketball, McKeown chronicles a season of finding purpose in unexpected places, the power of teamwork, and the thrill of cheering for a team that embodies the heart and spirit of a community. Even when faced with potential heartbreak, you’ll find yourself shouting, “This is Panther Country!”

© 2025 Brown Books Publishing Group (Ebook): 9781612547312

Release date

Ebook: 22 May 2025