THIS IS PANTHER COUNTRY
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 Is Panther Country: A Memoir of Youth, Underdog Spirit, and Basketball Glory is a heartwarming memoir that 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!”
ADVANCE PRAISE
DAVID NAGLE / FORMER DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR ESPN / "While the thread of the narrative is the ebb and flow of the Babylon High School basketball season-the wins and losses, the injuries and sweat, the passion and rivalries with neighboring towns-self-reflective McKeown's deeper message is the importance and depth of relationships."
MATT DOHERTY / FORMER HEAD COACH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS / “A great trip back to my youth and the shared experiences of driving to games with my dad, watching Dr. J. play at the Nassau Coliseum, high school parties, riding my bike on cold winter nights ... I was a fan of Glenn Vickers, and enjoyed reliving a great childhood on Long Island through This Is Panther Country.”
CAROLYN JAMES / EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE BABYLON BEACON NEWSPAPER / "This nostalgic memoir paints a picture of a tight-knit village where victory on the court was more than just a win-it became a symbol of collective pride and the enduring spirit of sportsmanship."
IRENE STERN FRIELICH / AUTHOR OF SHATTERED STARS, HEALING HEARTS: UNRAVELING MY FATHER’S HOLOCAUST SURVIVAL STORY / “How fun to revisit youth! Tom’s detailed account of a memorable high school basketball year is a tribute to the team and coach, and to the Vickers family. Even amid injuries (and some relationship drama), the team works hard to achieve the impossible.”