Description

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 “People often forget the road to greatness is rarely a smooth ride. The Other Side of Glory reminds us of the enormous power of persistence and what can be achieved when a group of young athletes takes the journey and finds that a ‘team-first attitude’ can navigate the rocky road that leads to the ultimate prize.” —Tim Miles, head men's basketball coach, San Jose State University.

A compelling story of teamwork and commitment in the competitive world of girls' high school basketball

When the Waconia Wildcats embarked on the 2019 season, their motto was simple: FINISH. It was a mandate to follow through on every play at the basket and a promise to address unfinished business from the previous season, when a one-point loss was all that kept them from reaching the state tournament for the first time in school history.

The Other Side of Glory is a sensitive and riveting portrait of youth basketball in small-town Minnesota, a world familiar to many but brimming with its own characters, quirks, and challenges.

Readers will get to know the players—girls with nicknames like Sauce, Salsa, Raptor, and Snake—as they navigate high school life, struggle to accept their roles on the team, wrestle with self-doubt, and ultimately band together with the goal of vanquishing a 45-year legacy of coming up short.

Inspirational and relatable, this is a must-read for athletes, coaches, and parents everywhere.

About the Author

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Carl J. Pierson enjoyed 17 seasons as a head high school girls basketball coach and currently serves as the executive director of the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association. His first foray into writing, The Politics of Coaching: A Survival Guide to Keep Coaches from Getting Burned, has earned acclaim as a "must-read" for high school coaches. A high school government teacher, Carl lives in Minnesota with his wife, Jean, and their sons, Boston and Colton. 

Lindsay Whalen is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time WNBA champion, and current University of Minnesota women’s basketball coach.

Praise For…

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“People often forget the road to greatness is rarely a smooth ride. The Other Side of Glory reminds us of the enormous power of persistence and what can be achieved when a group of young athletes takes the journey and finds that a ‘team-first attitude’ can navigate the rocky road that leads to the ultimate prize.” —Tim Miles, head men's basketball coach, San Jose State University

"An inspiring story of struggle and sacrifice that every high school athlete and coach can relate to, The Other Side of Glory will be a favorite for generations to come." —Rocky Ford, basketball chair, Texas Girls Coaches Association

"I've been coaching high school basketball for over 20 years and this is exactly the type of book I look for. Carl Pierson captures the roller coaster ride that we all endure while coaching high school hoops. I sincerely enjoyed reading this inspiring true story!" —Dori Oldaker, coach of USA Basketball’s 2016 U17 World Championship Team and five-time Pennsylvania state champion Mt. Lebanon High School