The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

When it comes time for basketball tryouts, Sam meets with Coach Moran, who is speaking on the phone with a recruiter interested in Ernie. Coach wants to put Sam on the team, but he is not talented enough to play. However, the school newspaper is looking for an editor, and Coach feels this would be a better opportunity for the teenager. Sam eventually realizes the wisdom of Coach’s advice, though he is initially disappointed (“I wanted to play basketball and still be a jock, even if it was in name only” [200]).

Sam takes the editor job, knowing he can write about Ernie’s athletic prowess and make him more visible to recruiters. Quitting basketball also gives Sam more time to help his father at work. Ernie is disappointed with Sam’s decision but supports his friend. Sam calls the local newspaper and offers to write articles about high school sports for their publication. He wins a journalism contest (writing about Ernie) and several other writing contests, earning him $2500 in scholarship money.

Sam also does part-time delivery for his father’s pharmacy. The pharmacy hires a public school senior named Donna to help at the register, and Sam is attracted to her immediately. Leo Tomaro, a former local high school football star, comes to the pharmacy and flirts with Donna.