David Espinoza Libros

This is a must-read book. Learn about the history of a Latino tournament that reunited the community through the game of basketball every year. The richness of the Latino flavor doesn't get any better.In 1986, Victor Alvarado founded the Oregon Latino Basketball Tournament in Woodburn, Oregon. After the fifth year, the tournament paused for five years. Anthony Veliz revived this mega event and continued what Victor had started. The tournament continued for ten more years under Anthony's leadership, then Rolando Ramirez stepped up as the director for the next thirteen years. The challenges and successes are incredible. This annual event must continue for the younger generations.The tournament started with ten teams, then grew to thirty-six teams! Latinos and Latinas were motivated to play their best to showcase their talents. Many went on to play college basketball, and some even professionally. Inspiring Latino stories and more are inside. The resiliency is extraordinary.The festivities, authentic Mexican food, and exciting games were so inspiring that this became like a family reunion every year in March. Relationships were built and memories were developed to where they had become life-long lasting.

The Salceda family is from the Rio Grande Valley. The Salinas family is from Southwest Texas. They are migrant workers. The low-income families travel up to the Texas Panhandle searching for work in the hot farm fields. Dave Salceda meets Vee Salinas while chopping weeds in a field just outside of Dimmitt, Texas. These two boys have a passion for basketball and after the summer are excited to get back to their teams in the South. Legendary Coach Kenneth Clyde has lost all of his talented seniors after a Bobcat-state-championship run. He will need to rebuild. His assistant coach has quit on him and he can't hire anyone to join him - he's lost for options. Alicia Collins is struggling with her dysfunctional family and is in danger. When she meets Dave Salceda it doesn't start out well, however, Dave decides he wants to help her. Life throws unexpected situations to the two families from the South. Not by choice, the two freshman boys end up remaining in Dimmitt - they enroll at Dimmitt High School. Will the kids from the South help the Dimmitt Bobcats? Entering a new school, there are all sorts of fears facing a different culture mixed with some kids that have a problem with the new transfers.