This Is Panther Country: A Memoir of Youth, Underdog Spirit, and Basketball Glory

by Tom McKeown

Overview

A Basketball Season for the Ages
In the spirit of Hoosiers, Friday Night Lights, and The Boys in the Boat comes the classic underdog story of a high school basketball team's quest for glory and a young man's journey of growth, family, and determination. Set against the vibrant backdrop of mid-1970s Long Island, New York, this heartwarming memoir captures the excitement, challenges, and camaraderie of a small-town varsity basketball team and its dreams of triumph.

Thirteen-year-old Tom McKeown, growing up in a close-knit Irish American family, struggles to balance school, friends, and the newly discovered world of teenage society. It’s an era when race and class divisions were very real, but bridged by athletics and community purpose. From his vantage in the eighth grade, Tom and the Village of Babylon follow their varsity basketball team, the Panthers, as they fight their way forward in hopes of claiming the first ever Long Island Championship.

Led by visionary coach Roy Koelbel and star player Glenn Vickers, the Panthers confront adversity on and off the court. Each obstacle overcome brings them closer to that elusive title. At the heart of their journey is a knockdown trilogy of games with a familiar and formidable Amityville team, who have dreams of their own.

With a keen eye for strategy, detail, execution, and a deep love for the game of basketball, McKeown chronicles a season of finding purpose in unexpected places, the power of teamwork, and the thrill of cheering for a team that embodies the heart and spirit of a community. Even when faced with potential heartbreak, you’ll find yourself shouting, “This is Panther Country!”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612547305
Publisher:	Brown Books Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/18/2025
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Tom McKeown was born in Queens, New York, but currently resides in Plano, Texas, where he met his wife Ann and they raised their two children Kelly Ann and Brian. He is a successful technology entrepreneur who cofounded and ran software provider TrenData before selling the company in 2021. He has also written numerous articles that have been published in various trade magazines. Tom grew up on Long Island where he attended Babylon High School and was an avid fan and participant in the school's basketball program. He later graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where among other activities he broadcast the school basketball games both in person and on the local radio station. Tom has remained close with family and friends from his hometown and visits several times a year. He Tom remembers fondly the mid-1970s when his high school basketball team was a regional power and the envy of many surrounding schools.

Editorial Reviews

"While the thread of the narrative is the ebb and flow of the Babylon High School basketball season-the wins and losses, the injuries and sweat, the passion and rivalries with neighboring towns-self-reflective McKeown's deeper message is the importance and depth of relationships." —David Nagle, Former Director of Communications for ESPN

“A great trip back to my youth and the shared experiences of driving to games with my dad, watching Dr. J. play at the Nassau Coliseum, high school parties, riding my bike on cold winter nights ... I was a fan of Glenn Vickers, and enjoyed reliving a great childhood on Long Island through This Is Panther Country.” —Matt Doherty, Former Head Coach of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels

"This nostalgic memoir paints a picture of a tight-knit village where victory on the court was more than just a win-it became a symbol of collective pride and the enduring spirit of sportsmanship." —Carolyn James, Editor and Publisher, Babylon Beacon Newspaper

“How fun to revisit youth! Tom’s detailed account of a memorable high school basketball year is a tribute to the team and coach, and to the Vickers family. Even amid injuries (and some relationship drama), the team works hard to achieve the impossible.” —Irene Stern Frielich, Author of Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story

"The action he describes is as good as any professional game . . . more than basketball, what makes this book a joy to read is just seeing the world through the eyes of an 8th grader." —Lance Smith, Writer for The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books Blog

From the Publisher