Advantage Disadvantage by Yale Jaffe

Author:Yale Jaffe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: basketball, chicago, corruption, high school, referee, sports gambling, sportswriter, thriller, whodunit
Publisher: Yale Jaffe

Chapter Eighteen. A Mother’s Concerns

Coach Scott Venturi suffered through the downsides of big city basketball for three long years. He discovered new aspects of coaching that he never dealt with in Tolono: academically ineligible star players, intruding parents, meddling athletic directors, and cutthroat competition. On the plus side, Scott found serious basketball commitments, full gyms during conference games, recruiting attention, and a core of well-intentioned peer coaches. Still driven by his perception of the status and wealth of a major D1 college coaching job, Venturi was hell-bent on moving up out of the high school ranks.

The recruiter from Eastern Pennsylvania State paid a “youth basketball contribution” of $5,000 cash to Bobby G for access to Jamal. It was money well spent for the university. Jamal had grown from an average prep player to late bloomer when he grew four inches during his sophomore year. He was not yet elite D1 program material, but an undiscovered high potential find. A school like EPSU was a perfect match for him.

Coach Venturi had a dual purpose in developing a dialog with Eastern Pennsylvania State. He wanted to help Jamal receive the first D1 scholarship of any player he had coached. In addition, he was interested in the yet unfilled EPSU head-coaching job. The recruiter from the college’s athletic department was impressed with Scott’s overall record (Tolono and East End). In the beginning, they were open to a “package deal” if it meant locking up the commitment from Jamal Imari.

Over the objections of the estranged Marcus, Elizabeth Handelair Imari called Coach Venturi to schedule a meeting to discuss Jamal’s consternation about the summer plans. The coach was sufficiently concerned and asked Elizabeth to come in the following day to discuss all of her issues. They agreed that she should come to East End around 5:00 P.M., well after Jamal and Marcus would have left camp, but before going to the Olgesby league games at night.

“Mrs. Handelair, come into my office. It’s not much space, but it works. How are you?”

“Alright, I guess,” she said.

By the way, are you joining the other concession volunteer parents at tomorrow’s booster club meeting?”

She did not intend to come back the next day, especially after bringing up the uncomfortable stuff she had to say. “I’m not sure if I can make it,” she said.

Elizabeth noticed right away a poster on the wall and a college hat with EPSU’s colors.

“Coach Venturi, I’m here to prevent future problems. I’m afraid that Jamal and Marcus are way ahead of themselves with basketball. It threatens to consume their lives, and Jamal is feeling the pressure.”

“Mrs. Handel …”

“Please Coach, call me Elizabeth.”

“OK, Elizabeth. I sometimes am so immersed in basketball that I lose sight of it. Heck, when I was downstate at Tolono, B-ball cost me my marriage.” he chuckled.

“Well, I wish basketball was the problem in my crumbling marriage – I’m concerned about how Jamal is handling our separation.”

“Oh. I did not know. Marcus has been such a great help at camp, and I think Jamal likes him being around.

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