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W.C. MackA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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āāYouāre the tallest kid at this school, and youād be perfect at center.ā
Center? Paul played center!
āBut Iām on the honor roll,ā Russell said.
āAnd athletes canāt be good students?ā Coach asked.
āNo.āā
This excerpt comes directly after Coach Baxter tells Russell to try out for the basketball team, and it showcases Russell and Owenās closed mindsets at the beginning of the book. When Coach Baxter tells Russell heād be perfect for the center position, Owen silently objects because his friend Paul has always played center, and Owen doesnāt want to consider any other way the team could be organized. This moment is a catalyst for Owenās mission to keep his world running smoothly and on the trajectory he wants, even if this mission is ultimately doomed. Russellās response to Coach Baxterās request shows the effect of stereotypes. Russell objects to trying out for the basketball team because he believes athletes are terrible students and that if he becomes an athlete, he will also have to become a terrible student. He also believes his good grades preclude him from getting involved in athletics because heās too smart to stoop to playing sports. Both Russell and Owen have small-minded ideas here, showing how much growth both boys will undergo.