Water Polo Whiz
by
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The third quarter wasn't pretty. The Y youngsters were trying something new on offense, while the Wyoming kids found their offense being thwarted. Gradually, the Western North Carolinians pulled away. Warner scored on another lob. Junior then drew an exclusion. Princess threatened to shoot from the outside, waving the ball back and forth in the air. Then she passed to Lexie, who caught the ball on the left side and in one quick motion powered a rocket into the opposite corner of the cage. As the period ended, Sandy's squad had extended their lead to 5-to-2. "Same thing in the final five minutes," Sandy said, "except that you're back in the game, Delia. On offense, pass the ball around the perimeter, but don't be too eager to shoot. Be patient. Defense is the name of the game now. Cover closely. Press. Be aggressive. Hands up. These kids" -- he pointed to the Wyoming team gathered around their coach across the pool -- "are swimmers, not water poloists. Show 'em what REAL water polo feels like ... both above and below the surface. You know what I mean."
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About the Book
The leading character, Sandy Scott, a strong swimmer, leaves his home in the mountains of Western North Carolina and enters college in California to learn the sport of water polo. Six years later, he returns home and revives a defunct water polo program at his local YMCA, working with young eleven- and twelve-year-olds. The book follows his trials and tribulations as he takes his team of boys and girls to tournaments in Pennsylvania and Colorado. There is a family element in the story as well as a secondary love interest. Although fictional, the novel is based on some of the author's actual experiences.
About the Author
For 55 years, author Chuck Hines has been a leader in the Olympic sport of water polo, resulting in his receiving the coveted Paragon Prize from the International Swimming Hall of Fame. A three-time All-America player in his younger days, he coached teams from three YMCAs that won national titles, with his girls' team copping the gold medal and three silver medals at the Junior Olympics and representing the U.S. at the World Women's Club Championships. He has served as chairman of national committees for the Amateur Athletic Union, American Swimming Coaches Association, and YMCA of the USA. In addition, he was secretary of the U.S. men's Olympic team that brought home the bronze medal from the Munich Olympics, and he was a Torchbearer for the Atlanta Olympics, from which he earned a gold medallion for his volunteerism. In retirement, he is serving as Historian for American Water Polo and Water Polo Planet. His previous book, Water Polo The Y's Way, was published by AuthorHouse. A member of the Western North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the U.S. Pioneer Coaches of Women's Water Polo Hall of Honor, Mr. Hines and his family members reside in Asheville, North Carolina.