Part V: January 1964 Summary

This section of the narrative opens with Abby's grandson Tommy Lewis playing basketball. Tommy plays against Delaney High School, the largest predominantly black high school in Johnson City.

Tommy plays for the Curry Cougars, who go on to win the All-City Tournament for the first time.

After the game, Coach Smith introduces Tommy Lewis to Leonard Chase, a former college basketball player. Chase is a kind of informal basketball scout.

Leonard Chase asks Tommy if Tommy might like to play ball for Johnson City State College. Tommy says he would love to play for State but that State is a segregated school. Chase then asks Tommy if Tommy might be willing to skip his senior year at Curry and start college early. Integrating State will not be easy, Chase says, but if he can bring in Negroes like Tommy...