CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"Jarrett Van Meter doesn’t just write about the tradition and frenzy of Kentucky high school basketball, he descends into the world itself, like a paratrooper into the field, embedding himself with three teams from vastly different physical, economic and social settings. Yet all are bound by their undying love for this greatest of American games. The characters are portrayed in such a caring, detailed fashion and the highs for them are so high and the lows so low that How Sweet It Is seems more like a page-turner novel than non-fiction. Yet it’s true. This is a work of passion and art and empathy. This is a beautiful book.”
Rick Telander, Senior Sports Columnist, Chicago Sun-Times
Author: Heaven Is a Playground
“By focusing on three teams for a season, Jarrett Van Meter provides new depth and insight into Kentucky high school basketball as it is today. He also explains why the sport has endured and thrived in the Commonwealth for 100 years.”
Billy Reed, U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame
Eight-Time Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year
“Illustrating the perspectives of three different teams was genius. Van Meter captures the diverse individual personalities and locker room environments of each program.”
J.R. VanHoose, 1996 Sweet Sixteen Champion and MVP
1998 Kentucky Mr. Basketball
“Every boy in Kentucky who picks up a basketball dreams of playing in the Sweet Sixteen. How Sweet It Is brings back a lot of wonderful memories from my days as both a player and a coach.”
Coach Allen Feldhaus, Jr., Madison Central High School
2013 Kentucky State Champions