The Heart of the Game facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Heart of the Game |
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Poster
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| Directed by | Ward Serrill |
| Produced by | Ward Serrill |
| Written by | Ward Serrill |
| Starring | Bill Resler Darnellia Russell Joyce Walker Ludacris |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
| Release date(s) | June 11, 2005 (Seattle International Film Festival) June 9, 2006 (United States) |
| Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $11,300 |
The Heart of the Game is a 2005 sports documentary film. It tells the exciting story of the Roosevelt Roughriders girls basketball team. The movie was directed by Ward Serrill. It focuses on their star player, Darnellia Russell, and their new coach, Bill Resler. The famous musician Ludacris narrates the film.
Contents
The Story of the Roughriders
The film starts a few years before Darnellia Russell joins Roosevelt High School. Bill Resler, a law professor, becomes the new girls' basketball coach. Coach Resler uses fun animal and nature ideas to inspire his team. He believes they can win the Washington State championship. However, they lose their first game in the state tournament.
A couple of years later, Darnellia Russell starts at Roosevelt High School. She joins the junior-varsity team. Coach Resler sees her amazing talent. He asks her to join the main varsity team. In the next few years, the talented Roosevelt team tries hard to win the state championship. They come very close but do not win. Darnellia starts getting letters from big universities who want her to play for them.
Darnellia's Challenge
After her junior year, Darnellia becomes pregnant. She decides to leave school for a while. After her daughter is born, Darnellia returns to Roosevelt for her fifth year. But the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) says she cannot play basketball. They have a rule that students can only play for four years. They only make exceptions if there is a special hardship.
Darnellia believes having an unplanned child is a hardship. She appeals the WIAA's decision. A lawyer named Ken Luce helps her in court. A judge rules that Darnellia can play. The WIAA takes the case to court again. For a second time, the judge says Darnellia has the right to play. But the WIAA then files a lawsuit against Darnellia and Roosevelt High School. Even with the lawsuit, the Roughriders keep playing with Darnellia on the team.
Winning the Championship
Darnellia and her team return to the Washington State high school basketball championship tournament. They play their rivals, the Garfield Bulldogs, in the finals. Darnellia leads the team to win the school's first state championship! Two days later, the WIAA drops their lawsuit. Darnellia graduates from high school with good grades. She is also named the Northwest Player of the Year.
Even though Darnellia did not get any college scholarships right away, she went to North Seattle Community College.
What Happened After the Movie
On November 10, 2007, Roosevelt High School let go of Coach Resler. They said they wanted to try a "different direction" for the team.
On July 8, 2008, Darnellia Russell decided to go to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. She planned to play basketball there for the 2008-09 season. Lakehead is part of the OUA (Ontario Universities Athletic) Conference.
However, soon after Darnellia started at Lakehead, she decided to return home to Seattle. She did not play for the Thunderwolves team. Darnellia said it was very hard to be away from her two daughters. She missed them too much.
Coach Jon Kreiner from Lakehead University was sad but understood Darnellia's choice. He said he was proud that she chose to play for them, even for a short time. Lakehead Athletics Director Tom Warden also understood her decision. He wished her the best for the future.
In 2012, Darnellia Russell became an assistant coach for Shoreline Community College. She became the head coach there in early 2014. She coached until the 2016-17 season.
Bill Resler passed away in Seattle on February 4, 2017. He was 71 years old.
How the Film Was Made
Director Ward Serrill followed the Roosevelt Roughriders girls' basketball team for six seasons. He filmed their story as it happened. Later, with help from Flying Spot, Inc. and others, The Heart of the Game was created. Many people praised the film.
Awards the Film Won
- 2007 Billie Award in Entertainment
