A true story, inspired by the life of Ken Carter, a high school basketball coach who made a difference in the lives of the poor African American kids on his team.

The movie is a sports drama, based on the 1999 incidents in the life of Ken Carter (Samuel L.Jackson), a middle aged, stubborn basketball coach at a high school in Richmond, California. Ken Carter began his career as a sports star, then he had success in military and as a small businessman. Carter was asked to take over as basketball coach, an unpaid volunteer position, of the unruly kids of Richmond High. He took up the job because he was sure he could bring in changes in the system.

Carter walks to the gymnasium ruled by arrogant, uncouth kids and demanded their attention. He made rules and asked his players to sign contracts committing them to civility, neatness and maintaining a 2.3 GPA. He established a rigorous training program and dealt with the bad attitudes of the team. He also handled the personnel problems of the players.

Carter even questioned the teachers and the principal about their failure in discipline and academic excellence of the school. But he was told that he is there to coach and not to teach. When he came to know that most of the team members are failing in class, he was bold enough to padlock the gym and halt all game even though the team was on it's way to the first championship game. That decision causes an uproar among the teachers and the parents and created a media circus.

Director Thomas Carter masterfully narrates a well intended tale. He emphasis on the theme, how lives should be saved rather than the games. His interpretation of the character Ken Carter as a strict, rigid and principled man who believed that the athletes should also make their grades in the classroom not just scores in the basketball court, is excellent. But as a modern day sports drama, the movie lacks reality.

Samuel Jackson as Ken Carter presents an excellent performance. He plays his role with grace and charisma. As a champion he leads a group of underachievers to winners in the classroom as well as the basketball court. The young cast is very good.

We rate this movie ABOVE AVERAGE.