Long Shots Chapter III: Short Sight, Tall Plans
At 5-foot-7, Nedrie Simmons is the Vanier Mavericks’ smallest player, and perhaps the most reckless. But he’s head and shoulders above when it comes to confidence in his talent, writes Morgan Campbell. 2 June 2003 – Toronto Star Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 Nedrie Simmons launches jump shots alone in the gym at Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter IV: Chance of a Lifetime
Andrew Lomond gets his opportunity to impress at an audition for a U.S. college recruiter. The question is, can he become the post player the coaches want, reports Morgan Campbell. 3 June 2003 – Toronto Star Jan. 27, 2003 On a frigid winter night, about 20 young men gather at the Stanley Park Community Centre for some … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter V: The Angry Young Prince
National Newspaper Award Long Shots — Part 5 of 8 Mavericks star Oliver’s toughest opponent is the one he meets at every game: his own rage. A thorny medical history buys him some slack from his coach but, as Morgan Campbell writes, toleration can only go so far. 4 June 2003 – Toronto Star Sunday, Feb. … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter VI: The Power of Persuasion
5 June 2003 – Toronto Star Over the course of this tumultuous season, Don Marchione has come to know his players well – perhaps a little too well. The head coach of the Jean Vanier Mavericks understands Drew Lomond’s shaky confidence comes from childhood struggles with obesity. He accepts Nedrie Simmons’ stubborn, at times even combative … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter VII: Time for a Hail Mary
Rifts and resentments within the team threaten the Mavericks’ performance; divided, they’ll fall. As a crucial game approaches, the coaches can only plead and pray, writes Morgan Campbell. 6 June 2003 – Toronto Star March 4-6, 2003 A bright yellow school bus carrying an elite basketball squad rolls north along Hwy 69 in a six-hour stretch … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter VIII: The Final Hoops
For some of the Vanier Mavericks, the end of the basketball season sounds the buzzer on school. But for a driven, lucky few, it may be just the start of new slam-dunk dreams, writes Morgan Campbell. 7 June 2003 – Toronto Star Drew Lomond rides shotgun in a friend’s car as he and three buddies cruise … Continue reading
Morgan Campbell: A Writer on Sports and More 