In 1992, the Morningside Monarchs became Inglewood's first and only state champs. Yet that's what Buffalo Bills fans experienced as their team lost four consecutive Super Bowls. 26:24. Even outside of the NBA, the quest to maintain a professional basketball career has its own baroque impediments. : Made In America" marks a watershed moment for "30 for 30," the ESPN documentary series that has proven to be one of the best conceptsthe network has ever come up with. I watched it because one of my favorite players, Donminic Ellison, was one of the Morningside 5. To have that happen four straight years is almost unimaginable. Straight Outta L.A. Jordan Rides the Bus A look into Jordan's life when he decided to give up the game of basketball and pursue a career in baseball. 33:17. Through some connections, Tollin and Robbins got Wesley Snipes to narrate. The truth of the matter is that most prospects never quite meet expectations. "Four Days In October" The 2004 American League Championship Series was the kind of sports moment "30 for 30" was made for. ESPN Films will feature two high school basketball stories in new documentaries premiering back-to-back Tuesday, August 8, on ESPN. Tollin has produced and/or directed sports-themed feature hits such as Varsity Blues, Radio, Coach Carter and more recently Chuck. The 1994-95 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the 1994-95 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. I had an idea to try and find an inner city high school in which the profile was largely related to athletic achievement in the face of academic underachievement. I said I am only going to do this if I can get all five of them, and they kind of banded together. Boseman, the Monarchs best player, is portrayed as an indolent student by teachers and teammates. His growing up in Coney island and attending Lincoln High school, and the struggles he went through to eventually make it to the NBA. This documentary explores his rise to fame at the University of Maryland and the enormous impact that his death had on all basketball levels including interviews from all of the people close to him. After being drafted 2nd overall in the 1986 NBA draft by the reigning champion Boston Celtics, Len Bias was found dead due to a cocaine overdose. With five players returning from their state championship team, Morningside was prepared to go for back-to-back titles. Morningside High School is 1 of 4 high schools in the Inglewood Unified School District. Interestingly, few basketball scenes are shown; the films focus is on the lives of the players away from the gym. Hardwood Dreams, a 47-minute documentary, is the story of the starting five of Morningside Highs basketball team during the 1992-93 season. We had to convince the school board, Robbins said. Stais Boseman, Dwight Curry, Dominic Ellison, Sean Harris and Corey Saffold were the stars of the 1992 state high school championship basketballteam from Morningside High School in Inglewood, California. He acknowledges how difficult it is not to have any parents to support him. Coming off the networks first Oscar win for OJ: Made in America, ESPNs latest 30 for 30 film delves into Los Angeles sports history once again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiXvNhXWHOc. We captured life.. The NFL. "The Price of Gold" The Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal was one of the most disgraceful in women's sports. If you have a family member, neighbor, kids in the neighborhood who aspire to be professional athletes, please have them watch this movie. They didnt have to memorize lines or hire an agent or worry about becoming their character. Amid their title defense in 1993, Dwight Curry gave voice to the lofty collective dream of promising young athletes everywhere: I feel like weve all got the talent to do it. Tollin says he approached the film through his own lens as a parent: Tollin worked with producer Brian Robbins on the film, and he acknowledges their privilege as white filmmakers following the lives of African-American men. 30 For 30, Basketball, Documentary, High School Basketball, inglewood, Mike Tollin, Morningside 5, Morningside High School, Palo Alto, Northwestern Basketball: Fathers And Sons At NCAA Tournament, Before Boycotting Nike For Kaepernick Ad, Consider Who Partners With Competitors, What It's Like To Get Slimed In Nickelodeon Dunk Tank, Emmitt Smith: Wrong To Compare His 1993 Status With Elliott, Gordon Holdouts, Copyright 2023 Sports Media Ventures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Also Read: Barbershop: The Next Cut Review: Ice Cube Comedy Layers Workplace Sitcom with Social Advocacy. "It was a small distribution company -- forget no money, we accepted that -- but then they went out of business, so you can find bootlegs online, but you can't actually order it from Amazon," Tollin says. LAist 89.3 is KPCC-FM in Los Angeles, part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. Now nearly 25 years later, I got to see Morningside's players as more than merely characters filling roles in a storyline, thanks to the terrific 30 for 30 documentary that premieres Tuesday August 8 at 9:30 p.m. Franklin, who wore a microphone during games, said the film crew, usually three or four people, never became a distraction. The first film got into Sundance, won some awards, was bought by Fox, we got Wesley Snipes to narrate it kind of became our calling card and it was the one that convinced Brian and me to become partners. This isnt really a story of triumph or tragedy it is a film about real lives, filmmaker Mike Tollin tells TheWrap. Ive compiled a playlist of all the listed documentaries that can be found on YouTube at the time of creating this post. Teachers, administrators and coaches are interviewed about the five players. It's as much about the players as it is about how they are shaped by their hopes and dreams, even if they don't always pan out. Hoop dreams shares the stories of two athletes, William Gates and Arthur Agee, from middle school to college, and the challenges and obstacles they must overcome in order to make a career out of basketball. Harris, the point guard, was a candidate for class valedictorian. "Baltimore Boys," co-directed by Marquis Daisy and Sheldon Candis, will air at 8 p.m. At the time, I was very aware of a British film called 7 Up thatMichael Apted made in 1964, which started out following a group of children and then continued to check in with them every seven years. Take a documentary look at the career of Michael Jordan. In its game report, the Los Angeles Times noted that Harris "sat out for disciplinary reasons." Watch highlights of Morningside High School Girls' Varsity Basketball from Inglewood, CA, United States and check out their schedule and roster on Hudl. All but one of them has moved away from basketball and theyre alljust finding their way in the world, Tollin told TheWrap. "Bad Boys" The '89-90 Detroit Pistons are one of the forgotten great teams in NBA history, which is weird because in their time they were hated. Morningside High School 10500 S. Yukon Ave. Inglewood, CA 90303 ( School attendance zone shown in map) Rating : 1/ 10 Bottom 50% Tel: (310) 680-5230 SAVE SCHOOL Morningside High School serves 583 students in grades 9-12. Debbie Emery. "It was a simpler time. Those five starters were Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, and Jimmy King. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGv5D-ZW4p0. Brandon Jennings5. Im sure youve seen more than a couple of the documentaries listed above. When it got to the 10 years later mark, we found them and filmed all over again. A shop assistant said. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. It was just so much to like about these guys, and as I got to know them over the course of just kind of aggrandizing this incredible 25-year arch, they just have such amazing hearts, and theyre so forthcoming. Also Read: Why OJ Simpson Will Be Granted Parole This Week. Also Read: Veteran Kirstie Ennis Makes Historic Summit Climb for Heroes Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gY3B-uHtx0. Like Victor Chi on Facebook. They pitched the idea to the Fox Network and were given the go-ahead. The only disappointing thing about this documentary is Chris Webber deciding not to participate in it. A 2009 documentary exposing the truth behind the Seattle SuperSonics' tragic exodus after 41 years in the Emerald City. Wayne Gretzky, national hero, was being traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. Maybe its just a little tougher to get there.. The drab Inglewood campus seemed perfect and they knew that the Monarchs were the defending State Division III champions. Thisis a success story. Director Mike Tollin. Easy enough. A documentary unlike any other. Tollin says that they were observers hoping to tell an accurate story: To hear John Horn's full interview with Mike Tollins, click on the player above. "Bad Boys" looks at Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and the rest of the players that made up one of the grittiest, most physical teams in basketball history. Get our L.A. Sadly there was a lot of lost potential, especially with Ellison and Stais Boseman. "Straight Outta L.A." shows how L.A. and the Raiders were a perfect fit for each other, and how they inspired the imagery and philosophy of N.W.A. I had gotten over my whole dream of making it to the NBA. Sean Harris: San Diego State, not playing basketball. Then they had to find a school willing to allow them access to classes, practices, games, players, coaches and administrators. The film looks closely at the relationships that Coach Kenny Jones has with his players on and off the court. Morningside won the state title in 1992, and with its five starters -- three who had secured Division I scholarships -- returning as seniors in 1993, the Monarchs were expected to roll to a repeat. Whether you love them or hate them, its a fascinating story. Similar to the Up series, chapters two and three revisit their lives 10 and 25 years later, respectively. [2] [3] It didnt go exactly according to the textbook plan for their senior year. Kevin Love6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHkMycj-YSQ. The documentary follows the story of Westtown High School, a small quaker school in Pennsylvania that's better-known for its academics than its athletics, that also happens to be home to. The new ESPN documentary, "Morningside 5," follows the players over the course of almost 25 years after the first film. Also Read: Magic Johnson Pledges Support to Charlie Sheen in HIV Battle: I Hope He Joins Me in Educating the World. Ratings and box office records come and go, but being able to make a change is what makes it worth while. Morningside High School is a public high school in Inglewood, California. What I love about this film is it isnt really a story of triumph or tragedy in any great measure it is a film about real lives.. Len Bias. He revisited the former star players 10 years later and now 25 years on, he tells the latest chapter in their life stories for 30 for 30, following the success and failures theyve faced since first hitting hoops on that Inglewood court. Inside 30 for 30: Breakaway. I was away from my family, year in, year out, and I would only be able to see them over the summer, didnt have any long-term relationship. The camera later filmed police at the school and bullet holes in a building. It updates the original documentary on the Morningside HS basketball team of '92 to 25 years later. Set to be shown on ESPN on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the 90-minute presentation from the ESPN Films group is narrated and directed by Mike Tollin, who put together the original documentary in 1993. People have to ask themselves questions if you are not Zion [Williamson] or LaMelo [Ball], Producer Mason Gordon tells SLAM. Donte Greene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nILTtwCgII8. The story of one of the hardest times in Magic Johnsons life, when he announced to the world that he is HIV positive. One of the biggest What ifs? the NBA has ever known. ET on ABC. This documentary goes in-depth into Magic Johnsons life the days leading up to the announcement, and the years after it. During a classroom scene, gunshots were heard outside the building. 13. In the film, revisits the 1992 footage of college basketball coach Digger Phelps telling the players about the harsh realities of playing in the NBA. And we do mean anything. Morningside High School 10500 S Yukon Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90303 Phone: 310-680-5230 Fax: 310-680-5257. Inglewood vs. Morningside - High School Basketball [LIVE] Shae Ulloa Subscribe 0 1 waiting Premieres Feb 2, 2023 Live Match : Inglewood vs. Morningside - High School Basketball. It was convenient. But for Stais Boseman and Donminic Ellison, who both played in various European basketball leagues, it was something else entirely. With their baggy shorts and black socks, this team changed basketball in a major way. (Pros and Cons), The BEEF Shooting Method in Basketball (For Youth Players), The 35 Best Basketball Documentaries Ever (Watch For Free), watching documentaries as a team bonding activity, Best Basketball Documentaries: Basketball For Coaches, How to Create a Youth Basketball Practice Plan, Parents: Please Stop Ruining Youth Sports, Zone Defense is Terrible for Youth Basketball, 21 Life Lessons Kids Learn Through Youth Sports, How to Win Every Youth Basketball Game (8 Terrible Tactics), 1-3-1 Zone Defense Complete Coaching Guide. In Morengo, Illinois, Moregno High School hosts basketball games. Powered by Edlio. [protected-iframe id=036a86a4f9b73cb5aed0ec37b9075dc8-60970621-76566046 info=http://www.espn.com/core/video/iframe?id=20113786&endcard=false width=640 height=360 frameborder=0 allowfullscreen=]. More: . But the kicker, is the players are accompanied by donkeys on the court! 8. ", The loss to Palo Alto still plays a pivotal part in the arc. Narrator Wesley Snipes introduces the five players: Stais Boseman, Sean Harris, Corey Saffold, Donminic Ellison and Dwight Curry. . 1 . 2. What unfolded that year en route to LeMond becoming the first American to win the Tour showed how cycling is a constant struggle between rivalry and friendship; individual and team. 17. More than a game documents the story of LeBron James and his high school teammates (Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Romeo Travis) in Akron, Ohio, and their journey to dominating high school basketball. This is the story of the first five-man starting line up to make it to the NCAA Championship game. A documentary on the 1992 Lithuanian Basketball Team who became the symbol of Lithuanias independence movement from the USSR. Getting their name from their coach, Kenny Jones. I didnt want a sensationalist-type event at the expense of our students.. They only had to be themselves. Two decades later, a chubby 19-year-old from Sonora, Mexico, named Fernando Valenzuela became the biggest star not just on the Dodgers, but all of baseball. In the meantime, what is next forMandalay Sports Media? Its a familiar story, and the young men who make up the Morningside 5 are practically a ready-made cast of archetypal figures, at once tragic, redemptive, and captivating. "The Announcement" restores weight to his famous confession and explores what Magic faced shortly after his sudden retirement. We would just pick up the five guys based on certain events, like Stais was about to have a baby, so we went to Minnesota, Corey decided he wanted to try out to make a comeback in Toronto, so we went to Toronto. Documenting the relationship between Drazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MwjE_3I46E. It kind of just made me thankful., I was living my dream in terms of going overseas, Ellison said. A 2008 documentary that follows the lives of 8 of the best high school basketball prospects at the time leading up the 1st annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 Hoops Classic at Rucker Park. They had gone on such different paths, but basketball continued to play some part in all of their lives. One of them is a loud mouth that keeps getting in his own way. Unfortunately, he found himself in prison after a few questionable life choices (He was arrested and imprisoned for holding up a Blockbuster Video with a water gun). Now more than ever, high school prospects are thrust into the limelight at such a young age while under a microscope. Ten years later, Snipes narrated the 2004 TV sequel, Hardwood Dreams: Ten Years Later. "Of Miracles And Men" What's it like to be on the losing end of a miracle? "We promised to treat the kids fairly and with respect, and off we went, and we had full access," Tollin says. With highlights from AAU and HS games becoming ubiquitous thanks to social media and YouTube, instant-fame and chances of prospects losing track of their priorities as a result are bigger than ever. I believe were all gonna make it., It is at this point in the film that legendary Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps meets with the team and does his best to strip them of this illusion. The story of Kevin Laue and his dream to be the first one-armed basketball player ever to receive a scholarship and play on an elite NCAA Division 1 basketball team. They have the same hopes and dreams. Heres a list I put together of the top 35 basketball documentaries of all time. ESPN '30 for 30': 'Morningside 5' Revisits LA High School Basketball Stars 25 Years Later. Unfortunately, Hank Gathers died on the court in 1990 and this documentary shares what happened. But the best team I covered didn't produce any household names. After chronicling their senior year in 1993sHardwood Dreams,Tollin whos also the co-founder of Mandalay Sports Media went on to direct and produce feature films such as Varsity Blues and Radio, plus TV hits including Smallville,One Tree HillandArli$$, but fate would always draw him back to Morningside. This was when the 20threunion at Morningside was coming up in 2013. But life and sports often dont turn out the way we plan . What kind of impact did Hardwood Dreams have when it was released in 1993? Rory Karpf talks with Laettner in a film that explores how an athlete can inspire such passionate hatred for reasons both valid and ludicrous. The Monarchs had an unapologetic streetball flair to their game, and in many ways acted as avatars for the civic rebelliousness permeating Los Angeles at the time. This documentary follows the incredible story of the American University of Iraq womens basketball team for a full year as we see what its like for them to become athletes, develop friendships, and get through adversity together. It was the manner in which they did it. Mike Tollin is the writer, director and narrator of "Morningside 5." ESPN is airing a documentary titled Morningside 5. After the game they have an awkward meeting before parting with an uncomfortable, yet touching hug. "Muhammad and Larry" In 1980, Muhammad Ali wanted one more title match against Larry Holmes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxlLCSktpfc. Morningside High School (Inglewood, CA) Varsity Basketball Morningside Monarchs Varsity Boys Basketball Inglewood, CA 22-23 V. Basketball Home Schedule Roster Standings Rankings Photos News More / Morningside High School Basketball Morningside Basketball OVERALL 4-18 0.18 Win % LEAGUE 2-6 4th Ocean HOME1-5 AWAY2-8 NEUTRAL1-5 PF1021 PA1383 STREAK6L But I thought it was important for the community to see another side of Morningside High. When he recently stopped by The Frame, Tollin talked about how he approached working on this third film about the Inglewood high school basketball champions. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Scream 6 publicity stunts hit closer to home, prompting 911 calls in Sonoma, Review: Andrea Riseborough and campy Please Baby Please deconstruct gender and the 1950s, Bruce Willis steps out with friends after announcement of dementia diagnosis, Gayle King surprises Angela Bassett with her Whats Love Got to Do With It dress, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits. Regarded as the best basketball prospect at the time, he was shot dead during an altercation at school. (The answers were yes and yes.) The HBO documentary explores how they first developed their rivalry during their NCAA years that continued on to the end of their hall of fame careers in the NBA and the influence they had on bringing increased attention to the NBA. After earning fame by filming guys doing stupid things, Jeff Tremaine directed this documentary about the life of Mat Hoffman, the greatest BMX rider of all time. 28. The stars of this movie never had to audition. He tells the players to get focused and have a backup plan. Hooked is the story of one of the greatest players to never make the NBA, Demetrius Hook Mitchell. Focuses on the big decision he had on whether to attend college or to jump immediately to the NBA in order to improve the financial situation for his family. The final chapter narrates the men in their current state, 25 years outside of Morningside High and well into adulthood. pro basketball player, actress, Wilhelmina model; 1996 Olympic gold medal . ESPN+ Inside 30 for 30. Morningside 5is a unique story that chronicles the lives of five men through a 25-year window. We made an impassioned pitch and they had faith.. In 1951, the first two classes of students came to the Morningside Park area of Inglewood to attend the new Morningside High School. (Morningside lost to Palo Alto in the final by 20 points.). One of thems an [academic star] at the school. The filmtakes a look at the scandals that surrounded Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and fallen star Maurice Clarrett, the latter of whom ended up in prison. Ellison, a guard, is shown leaving the school after being suspended for drinking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNz4_cxyvBw. They are now the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 38-year-old Corey Saffold, meanwhile, was still clinging to his dream of making an NBA Summer League roster and/or getting drafted into the Canadian Basketball League at the time of the most recent filming, despite having not played organized ball in several years. In the 13 seasons they played there, the Silver and Black captivated their temporary home, as well as this documentary's director, Ice Cube. For many young fringe players (or at the opposite end of the spectrum, stars who are past their primes), playing basketball overseas is either a brief detour on the NBA journey or a final destination before being put out to pasture. Please excuse all this obnoxious name-dropping, but it will offer some helpful perspective about time and place. The team and its coach, Carl Franklin, were enthusiastic about the potential exposure and agreed wholeheartedly to having their lives documented. "Trojan War" Pete Carroll turned the USC Trojans into the first college football powerhouse of the 21st century before leaving for the Seattle Seahawks amidst NCAA sanctions. "Kings Ransom" August 9, 1988, was a red letter day for hockey and a day that has lived in infamy for Canada. In a disturbing scene, forward Curry watches his teammates hug their parents after a game. One of the things I highly recommend coaches do is use watching documentaries as a team bonding activity. "But with this, it's neither. So why did he take money as part of a points-shaving scheme? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilJQsBLAIE0. And it wasnt just about taking home the title. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? For the latest news, visit our news site, LAist.com. I called Tom Brady to ask if it was true that Michigan was interested him and vice versa. In 1992 in Inglewood, California, the Morningside Monarchs basketball team were the kings of the prep hoops scene. Sometimes, it can all too literally become a matter of life and death. ET on ESPN. Despite their immense talent, they are the rule rather than the exception. They met with Principal Liza Daniels, who cautiously endorsed granting the access. This is because the government provides funding every year. It focuses on the playoff duels between the Pacers and Knicks in the mid-90s, a series that made Reggie Miller one of the top NBA players not named Michael Jordan, especially when tauntingKnicks fanatic, Spike Lee. It was also insanely profitable for figure skating. It not only depicts the passion they had for the game but also documents how they coped with being. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph2Y-epihlk, You said we could watch 18 of these online for free Where are they!?. The film then picks up ten years after the men graduated high school and finds them in the real world. During this time, many of the guys find themselves still chasing basketball dreams overseas while others are trying to fit into society.