Courtside

The reader will be introduced to a small-town community student, an all-county basketball star born in Southwest Philadelphia. In Courtside he takes you on a journey through his school days after a family move from Philly to Darby Township. He recalls the historical legal battle intertwined with racist policies geared to protect the rights and privileges of the Southeast Delco School District and Northern section of Darby Township, which eventually devastated the Darby Township Black Community. He digs deep recalling how his athleticism couldn't save him from repeating the third grade, and how assuming the role of class comedian helped him avoid a lot of the discomfort around him which included several untimely deaths. This is a coming-of-age story about a small-town boy who traveled throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, Pittsburgh, New York, Baltimore and Washington DC, chasing competitive basketball. Living in the moment he connected with several unique personalities whose experiences and views were deeply impactful such as doting grandparents who helped him piece himself back together physically and emotionally during fishing trips. We come to know a young man who would eagerly hit the road with few resources recognizing that new places, people and things would only broaden his horizons; but even this insight could not make him immune to immaturity and selfishness. You the reader will thoroughly enjoy accompanying Derick on his memorable journey.