Darnellia Russell and filmmaker Ward Serrill in The Heart of the Game. (Photo: 2005 Woody Creek Productions, Inc.)

Saturday, May 6—If you're a basketball fan, you've got to see The Heart of the Game. Narrated by the rapper Ludacris, this inspiring documentary follows the Roosevelt High Rough Riders, a girls high school team, over seven hoops seasons.

At first, no one believes the Rough Riders, a team made up of mostly white girls, can win. But the skill of Darnella Russell and the determination of coach Bill Resler change all that. There are nail-biting moments as you follow the team's struggle to beat their rivals, the Garfield High Bulldogs, in hopes of winning the state championship. It was interesting to me, because the girls really worked together as a team, unlike many boys' basketball teams.

Coach Resler and Darnella are the real stars of this movie. The coach motivates the team with stories and themes, such as pretending to be a pack of wolves. The girls respect him and like him, except for Darnella, who is black and often feels like she doesn't fit in. They eventually work it out, so that by the end, they earn each other's respect.

I had the chance to speak to the director, Ward Serrill, who grew up in Alabama. He says he was "funny as a kid," and that "it was a great experience" to have his New York premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. He was a big fan of The Wizard of Oz while growing up, and his favorite director, John Sayles, was a big inspiration. He wanted to make this movie because he thought it was an inspiring story.

"I am a storyteller," said Serrill. He enjoys telling stories through movies "because they involve all of the senses—seeing, hearing, and moving."

I thought the movie was pretty good. I really liked some parts, especially the surprises, and watching the girls battle it out on the court. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes basketball or personal stories.