The month of March is known as a time of “March Madness,” referring to basketball playoffs across the Nation. Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL, will present “Hoosiers,” a film telling the story of a small-town, Indiana basketball team that wins the State Championship, on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Popcorn and pop will be served as you cheer on this underdog team. The movie stars Gene Hackman as Norman Dale, the new coach, and Dennis Hopper as the basketball-loving town drunk, who becomes the assistant coach.
Coach and teacher Norman Dale has been hired by a longtime friend to become the head basketball coach in the small southeast town of Hickory, IN. This town is passionate about its basketball! However, the enrollment is so small that only seven players are on the team. The best player, Jimmy Chitwood, does not want to play for the new coach. Undeterred, Coach Dale begins drilling and conditioning his meager team.
Of course, the townspeople are upset over the coach’s non-traditional style. He further alienates them by playing a slow defensive game that does not produce great results. The Principal, Cletus Summers, suffers a heart attack while serving as the assistant. Coach Dale is persuaded to give former basketball star Shooter Flatch, an alcoholic father, as his new assistant, but only with the solemn promise of sobriety.
By the middle of the season, the parents and community call for a vote for the dismissal of Coach Dale. Just as the votes are being counted, Jimmy Chitwood enters the gym saying he is ready to play basketball again, but only if Coach Dale remains. Will the team become a real team now and win games? Is it too late for Hickory High School to be a contender in the playoffs?
Come and root for this small troubled team. Your cheers may send them to the basketball Finals.
The movie is free, but donations are always welcome.