New Hope (2012) | Full Movie | Samuel Davis | Perry Frost | Ben Davies

(gentle music)

(moves to gentle exalted music)

(gentle bright music)

- Okay, some juice.

There you go.

- [Mike] I'm Michael, but everyone calls me Mike.

That's my little sister, Faith.

- Mom, Mike has my pen.

- [Mike] She's a pain.

- Honey, stop harassing him.

And, you know what, I'm gonna make this to go,

so you can eat it in the car, okay?

- [Mike] That's my dad.

- Hey, Mike, you and Faith better that hurry up,

you're gonna be late.

- [Mike] He's a pastor, which means, well,

it means all kinds of things,

but right now it means that we're new to town.

It's not being in a new town that bothers me,

I mean, it seems like New Hope is a nice place and all,

but it's senior year in high school,

and who wants to start over during their senior year?

That's my mom.

- Hey, boo-boo, what are you thinking about?

- She's really a great mom,

but I hate it when she calls me that.

Mom, please, don't call me that.

And I was thinking, it's stupid to start school on a Friday.

I mean, why don't we just wait till Monday?

- At least it makes for a short school week.

- You know, actually, I don't wanna do this at all,

I want to go back to Lakewood.

- Honey, I know, but-

- Mom, this is my senior year.

- Mike, let's go.

Hey, doll, buh-bye.

Hey. He's gonna be all right.

- I think it's time that you give him

that fatherly advice you've been talking about.

- Nah, I'm all over it.

- Okay. - See you tonight.

(Olivia sighs)

- Daddy, what does, this sucks, mean?

- Put your seatbelt on, we'll discuss it later.

- But Mike- - Put your seatbelt on,

we'll discuss it later.

- Meaner.

- Look, I know this isn't how you envisioned

your senior year, but this is where God has us right now.

- Well, he has my permission

to change it whenever he's ready.

- Oh, and remember, Coach Miller agreed

to add you to the basketball team.

We're meeting him at three o'clock today.

- Great.

- Daddy, we're gonna be late.

- All right, all right, we're going, we're going.

♪ Row, row, row your boat ♪

♪ Gently down the stream ♪

♪ Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily ♪

♪ Life is but a dream ♪

♪Row, row, row your boat ♪

♪ Gently down the stream ♪

♪ Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily ♪

♪ Life is but a dream ♪

♪ Merrily merrily, merrily ♪

♪ Life is but a dream ♪

(gentle bright rock music)

- Okay, we'll see you at three o'clock.

Uh, Mike!

Three o'clock, right?

- Yeah, three o'clock, right.

- Come on, dad. We're gonna be late.

- All right, all right, we're going.

- See you, Faith.

(gentle music)

(students chattering)

- Okay, class, let's get started.

I would like to first introduce you to Michael Evans,

our new student.

- [Students] Hi, Michael.

- Hi.

- I would also like to remind you that, next Friday,

we will have grief counselors on campus.

And if you would like to speak with one,

you will need to go by the school office and sign up.

(solemn music)

- [Mike] The counselors were there because

of the tragic death of a student.

It was coming up on the one year anniversary

of Chase taking his own life.

No one saw it coming, and it left a deep scar

in the entire community.

Especially the students.

- [Secretary] Your 10 o'clock appointments here.

- You can send them in.

- Hi. Come on in.

That's him over there. Coach Miller.

- I know dad.

- He's a great guy, you'll see

He was on the committee that brought me here to New Hope.

- Dad, you told me like 100 times.

- And that's Lucas there, the big kid.

When Chase was on the team, they called him The Twin Towers.

Hey, I wanna introduce you to coach.

Hey coach! Coach Miller!

- Hey, Brother Alex.

So this must be Michael?

Your dad's told me a lot about you.

Sounds like you're gonna be a great addition to our team.

- Oh, he's a great player, you'll see.

- Well, looks like you have everything in there.

Head on to the locker room and get dressed.

(solemn music)

- Tom, I really appreciate what you're doing,

this move's been pretty tough on Mike.

- Actually, you're doing us a favor as well.

The loss of Chase, last year,

left a hole in our lineup that we haven't been able to fill.

We really need another post player.

Especially with the playoffs coming.

- So, how's the team been handling it?

- Eh, about what you would expect.

Lucas is the one I'm most concerned about.

I've been working with kids for years.

But this is the first time I've ever had

to deal with something like this.

- I wonder if there's something we could do to help?

I mean, the church and all.

- Yeah.

Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.

Hey, I better get back to it.

(whistle blows)

Hey, everybody in! Everybody in!

Guys, this is Michael Evans.

He's new here in town.

And now, a part of this team.

All right, let's get down to business.

Playoffs start next week.

And I'm not with the amount of turnovers

we've been having in the last few games.

If we wanna win this thing, that has to stop.

- Coach, you always say that.

- Green, mark my words,

play like that in the playoffs, and it'll be a short trip.

All right, let's get in our four-on-four

half court offense drills.

Gimme Green, Hampton, Wallace, Spence.

Against Richardson, Benson, Harris and Evans.

Evans, play the post against Green.

Okay, here we go.

Tyler.

- Hey, man, I'm Micheal. - I need you to

really pressure Spence. - Good.

Now do us all a favor, and quit the team.

- [Miller] Force him to pass the ball.

- Trust me, I don't wanna be here any more than you do.

- Now let's get it going. - Like I said,

quit the team now.

- Hey, you two lovebirds ready?

- Yeah, I got it.

- Okay, here we go.

(whistle blows) (solemn music)

(whistle blows)

Green, what was that?

- What's your deal, man?

- Oh, what are you gonna do about it, huh?

What are you gonna do? - You're too crazy.

- Say it again.

I said, say it again!

- Right, knock it off!

That's it, Green, head to the showers!

- Hey, this aint over.

(fist thuds)

- Hey! Everybody take five.

You okay?

- This was a bad idea.

- Hey, Lucas has had a tough time lately.

I don't know if you know, but-

- Yeah, yeah. I know.

- Yeah.

Well it's been tough on all of us, especially Luke.

- No offense, coach, but I just,

I really don't think this is gonna work out.

- Whoa, hold on a sec.

This team needs you.

- Needs me?

I think my dad has misled you about my basketball skills.

- Mike, don't take this the wrong way.

When your dad came to me about you joining the team,

it wasn't your basketball skills that interested me.

These guys need a positive role model.

Someone their own age.

- [Mike] And that's the biggest problem

with being a preacher's kid.

- Hey, I'm gonna go check on Luke.

- [Mike] It holds us to a different standard.

Like we have all the answers.

The truth is, I have my struggles just like all the rest.

Besides, I don't even know these guys.

They're not gonna listen to me even if I could help.

- I guess I shouldn't ask how your first day

of school went today, huh?

Honey, I know this isn't easy.

- Mom, please, don't gimme the God's plan speech, please.

- Bless the Lord with all your heart-

- Honey, would you go and get ready for supper, please?

- But I'm not through my homework yet.

- I know, but a short break will be okay.

Go.

- Typical.

Conversation gets good, and you send me to my room.

- Hey, remember when we moved last time,

and how much you hated Lakewood at first?

And then after a while,

you said it was the greatest place on earth.

Give this place a chance.

- Mom, there's a big difference between

the mountains of Lakewood and the swamps of New Hope.

- (sighs) I know this place is different,

but you might be surprised by it.

- Mom, it's not the scenery, and it's not even the people.

Mom, it's my senior year.

Instead of being able to enjoy it,

I'm having to learn to fit in.

- Wow! What a day.

You know, I'm really starting to love it here.

What's up with him?

(knocking on door)

Hey.

I don't know how you ever talked me into that.

I can honestly say I have never been more scared.

Rock climbing was never on my bucket list.

- You didn't act scared.

- Yeah, well I'm pretty good at hiding it, when I want to.

Like now.

Mike, you know life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

We have a choice.

We either face life's issues,

or return from 'em.

- I just don't fit in here.

(gentle music)

- I didn't fit in on that rock.

I remember hanging on the side of that cliff thinking,

what in the world am I doing up here?

But, after we were finished, and I survived,

it's one of the greatest memories I have.

- This is different, dad.

- Really?

Yeah, maybe.

But, I think after all is said and done,

you might find that this might

be the best experience of your life.

All right.

I'm gonna go check on supper.

Whatever your mom's cooking sure smells good.

Hey, Mike, I have faith in you.

- Morning.

- You're up early.

- Yeah, I'm going exploring.

- Exploring? Where?

- Mom, I'm 18 now, I can handle it.

But I saw some woods down the road,

it looks like a pretty good place to explore.

Maybe take a few good pictures.

And you're the one that say give this place a chance.

- Okay.

You have your cell phone with you?

(hand slaps)

And do the words, no trespassing, mean anything to you?

- I love you.

- A kiss, please.

Be home by five.

(gentle music)

(camera snapping)

- I've always loved the outdoors.

I could spend my entire life hiking and exploring.

If only I could find a way to make a living doing it.

(girl sobbing)

Are you okay?

- Who are you?

What are you doing here?

This is private property.

- I, I was just, um...

I'll leave.

- Good idea.

Hey, wait.

Aren't you the new kid?

- Yeah.

I'm Michael.

- You're that preacher's kid.

- Oh man.

Okay, I'm leaving.

- Don't tell anyone about this, okay?

- Tell 'em what?

- That you saw me like this.

- Your secret's safe with me, so.

- I'm Jasmine.

- Michael.

- You said that already.

- Oh. Oh yeah.

So I'm guessing you own this land?

- Yeah. Well, my parents do.

I just come out here to think sometimes.

- I can see why.

You're lucky.

Boyfriend?

(longing music)

- Former.

- Oh no, what happened?

- He died.

- Chase was your boyfriend.

Oh, hey, um, I'm real sorry.

- No, it's okay.

- I should go.

- Yeah.

See you at school.

(girls chattering)

- Jasmine.

Hey, Jas.

- Hey.

I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?

- Okay, bye, Jasmine, see you later.

- Bye.

Hey.

- Hey.

- So what's up?

- Oh, yeah, right, um.

I wanted to show you these photos.

I took these back at your place and,

I don't know, I thought you might want to have 'em.

- Wait, you took these?

- Yeah, but I mean, you can keep them.

I mean, they're yours anyways, right?

- Thanks.

Hey.

Do you think that you could keep to me

to take pictures like these?

- Yeah, sure, of course, yeah.

- All right, well, meet me out there later.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Oh, hey, it'd have to be after basketball practice today.

- Okay.

Bye.

- Stupid basketball.

- No.

We didn't know it was coming.

I don't know what we coulda done differently.

And I'm his mother.

I should have seen something.

I should have noticed.

I should have been watching.

I should have recognized.

I should have talked him. - This is a normal

day for her.

Crying, guilt, despair, blaming herself.

Heck, blaming me.

How long does this have to go on?

- There's really no timetable for grieving.

The process is different for all of us.

- It seems your grieving time is over.

- You think this is easy on me?

- You sure seem to be handling it okay.

- I'm handling it, in my way.

- If I might?

This might seem strange,

but what you're experiencing is normal.

- I don't care about normal.

I care about my son and I want him back.

- Don't forget, we have another son,

and he needs his parents.

Sally, life goes on.

It's been a year.

- So what? We just forget about Chase?

Is that what you're saying?

- I never said that.

We just can't grieve forever.

- I can.

- Well, I can't.

(solemn music)

Not and keep my sanity.

- Both of you have every right to feel the way you do.

I think it'll be helpful if you incorporated

some constructive things in your lives.

- Like what?

- Well, continuing this open dialogue.

Sharing your feelings.

Especially, with each other.

I also think it would be helpful

if you were around other people who've gone

through a similar experience.

You need to be a part of a support group.

You're both hurting.

It may look different,

but it's hurting just the same.

- How long before our old lives return.

- Honestly, John, never,

But there is the peace to be found.

- The party, and like, I'm ready to leave.

People are leaving, the things we're winding down.

So I'm trying to find an exit,

but I go upstairs and this girl's following me.

I actually go in the bedroom,

she's knocking on the door,

but I'm not letting her in.

There's not an exit.

(tense music)

I thought you quit, man.

- I never said that.

- Well, you should've.

- Look, man, all right.

I, I, I don't want any trouble.

- Well you're fixing to get it.

Look, hey, if you think you're gonna come in here

and replace Chase, you have lost your freaking mind.

- I'm not trying to replace anyone, okay, I'm just-

You're just, you're just what, huh?

Huh?

You gonna save us all.

- Green. Evans.

What's going on?

- Nothing, coach, we're just talking basketball.

You know it's a fiscal game, right?

- Okay, listen to me.

All of you, listen to me.

We don't have time for all of this.

We play Highland tomorrow night,

and if we don't get focus,

the playoffs are gonna be over quick.

- Coach, we can beat Highland.

Even if the angel here is playing.

- Enough!

We have work to do.

Everybody, take the court.

Hey, kid.

Hang tough.

(basketballs thudding)

Okay, everybody in! Everybody in!

Let me have your attention.

Being a part of this team is more than just basketball,

practice and workouts, it's about having character.

And getting your grades.

I just got word.

Wallace, you're academically ineligible against Highland.

Head to the locker room.

Hey!

Get your grades up.

We may be able to get you back in this thing.

All right, guys, we're one man down.

I got faith in you guys.

We can pull together.

We're a team.

All right.

Our scouting report says that Highland is soft on the post.

So that'll be our focus.

That's where our points are gonna come from.

Okay.

(whistle blows)

All right, you know the drill.

(upbeat music)

Hey!

Keep it clean, boys.

Play hard.

No fouls.

All right.

(whistle blows)

- Come on. The ball.

Ball. Ball.

- Nice, nice, very nice.

(Lucas whispering)

Okay, turn around.

Offense goes to defense.

That's the way, Green.

Good job, Mike. Good job.

Turn is around.

- Ball. Ball.

Come on. The ball.

Ball. Ball.

(Lucas grunts)

- I'm not scared of you.

- The you're soft and stupid.

- So, it's Mike, huh? - Hey, hey, hey.

- And you better stay away from Jasmine.

- What? - You heard me,

I said stay away from her.

- You can't tell me who to hang out with.

- What'd you say? Come on, say it again!

What are you gonna do, what you gonna do, Mike!

- Enough!

- If you two have so much energy, let's run a few gasses.

Everybody on the line.

Green and Wade. Evens, that way.

(tense music)

On my whistle.

(whistle blows)

- I was beginning to wonder.

- Yeah, practice ran a little longer than expected.

- So did you bring your camera?

- Oh.

I had a feeling I was forgetting something,

I can bring it another day, um.

- It's just as well.

I'm not in the mood.

(gentle music)

- Hey, can I ask you a question?

How'd you get your name?

- What, Jasmine?

- Yeah. - My dad.

It's his favorite flower.

Before long, this whole place is gonna

be in bloom with them.

It just grows wild.

Kinda like me, I guess.

- I'd like to see that.

The, the flowers, I mean, not you. (chuckles)

Is it okay if I ask about him?

How long had you been dating?

- We were an item since grade school.

I really can't remember a time when we weren't together.

He was my hero.

- What happened?

- I've asked myself that a million times.

He just started shutting me out.

I should have done something.

- Blaming yourself won't change what happened.

There was a kid back in my junior high,

and he committed suicide.

You know, I kept, you know, asking myself

what I could have done differently.

You know, maybe just talk to him more,

just be his friend, I don't know.

You know, I had lots of guilt.

Yeah, but then I finally realized that,

hey, you know, it's not my fault.

- What changed?

- For me, it was God.

- God?

Now you sound like the preacher at his funeral.

Besides, I've tried all that God's stuff.

Until I found out how flawed it was.

- It's not Christianity that's flawed,

it's the Christians.

I mean, we all have struggles.

But God hasn't given up on you.

- Where do you get all this stuff?

- Well, I'm a preacher's kid, what do you expect?

- Well, I doubt God would want anything

to do with some troubled high school kid.

- I don't know.

You might be surprised.

It's funny what we believe about ourselves in God.

Regardless of how many times we hear about God loving us,

it just doesn't really sink in.

- [Cheerleaders] With a G, with a O.

Yeah, Go, Go!

With a G, with a O.

Yeah, Go, Go!

(crowd cheering) (tense music)

- Okay guys, all your hard work has led up

to this moment, this game.

This is your moment, this is your gym, this is your game!

Now let's show them how we do it in our house.

Tigers on three.

One, two, three!

- [Players] Tigers!

(crowd cheering)

- [Cheerleaders] Let's go, Tigers!

Let's go, Tigers!

Let's go, Tigers!

Let's go, Tigers!

(crowd cheering) (tense music continues)

Let's go, Tigers!

- [Miller] Great job, Lucas. (hands clapping)

Good!

Hands up! hands up!

- Move! Great job, great job!.

Get back! Get Back!

(crowd cheering)

Swing the ball! Swing the ball!

(crowd cheering) (tense music continues)

(crowd cheering)

Great job! Great job!

- Shoot the three! Shoot the three!

- Let's go now! Come on!

(crowd cheering)

- There we go! Yes, yes, yes, yes!

Go, go, go!

Come. (hands clapping)

(crowd cheering)

Good! Good!

- Now of the rebound, be prepared.

(whistle blows)

- [Mike] Love him or hate him, you have to admit

that Lucas could play basketball.

I guess it's really all he has in life.

It's where he is fulfilled, where he can let it all out.

But on this night, too much of his emotion is pouring out.

Maybe it was the death of Chase,

maybe it was just Lucas being Lucas.

(whistle blows)

- Foul!

- Come on, you saw that, he's flopping!

- 10! Five, wait!

- Argh!

Green , what are you doing,

you're gonna get kicked outta this game.

- I didn't touch the guy, the rev's an idiot.

- Yeah, you have four fouls, you're on the bench.

Vincent, remember, you have four fouls too.

No more fouls.

Evans, you're in. - Are you serious?

Coach, he'll cost us the game!

- Did you hear me? You're in.

- Uh, I'm going in for five.

- Okay, guys, keep your composure, we gotta get this win.

We're in total control of this game.

Mike.

Gimme a few good minutes.

Until Lucas can regain his composure.

Okay, here we go.

Tiger on three.

One, two, three!

- [Players] Tigers!

(hands clapping)

(crowd cheering)

- [Cheerleaders] Defend, Tigers, defend!

Defend, Tigers, defend!

Defend, Tigers, defend!

- Oh, we gotta do better than that.

- Rebound, come on.

- [Miller] Down, Spence.

(crowd cheering) (hands clapping)

(tense music continues)

- I told you.

- Inside. Down low, down low, down low!

Good shot, Tony. Good shot, Tony.

Great job. Great job.

- Pressure! There we go!

- Line! Line! Line!

(whistle blows)

- No fouls.

Come on, make smart passes, make smart passes!

Smart passes!

(whistle blows)

- Why? - Push!

- You gotta be kidding me.

All right, Evans, you're back in.

(cheerleaders cheering)

Ref, time-out.

(whistle blows)

All right, guys.

They're gonna try to trap to cause a turnover.

We practiced this 1000 times.

Make smart passes.

We can control the clock.

They'll be forced to foul.

- Put someone else in the game.

- What? - I said,

put someone else in the game!

- Green, I'll coach, you play.

Now make smart plays, and watch your passes.

All right, Tigers on three.

One two three. - Tigers!

(cheerleaders cheering)

- Cone on! Lucas!

- [Miller] Pass the ball, pass the ball!

- Time-out! Time-out!

What was that?

Argh!

- Come, fellas. - They're losing

their composure, now, we gotta keep ours, guys.

Stay in the game.

- Now we're outta time-outs.

Lucas, pass the ball!

Mike was wide-open.

- Mike, you get the ball-

- I'm not passing the ball!

- You do as I say or I put your butt on the bench, got it?

We worked too hard to let this slip away.

Let's go out there and get this win.

Tiger on three.

One, two, three. - Tigers!

Come on!

- Now all we gotta do is put 'em in the same situation.

Let's go!

(cheerleaders cheering)

(whistle blows)

- [Referee] One!

Two! - Lucas!

- [Referee] Three!

Four!

(whistle blows)

- (indistinct) three, four, three, push.

(tense music)

- Go, go, go!

- Push the ball, push it!

Get it up to him.

- Whoa, that's the way to finish.

That's what I'm talking about, Tony.

Ball's out, ball's out, yes, free ball, let's go!

Let's go, let's go.

Eagle, eagle, eagle, eagle, eagle!

(buzzer buzzing)

(crowd cheering) (elated music)

- That's what I'm talking about!

(crowd cheering)

- [Crowd] Tigers, Tigers, Tigers, Tigers!

- [Mike] Yeah, love him or hate him,

you have to admit that he can play basketball.

And everybody loves a winner.

(gentle music)

- Sweetheart, why don't you go ahead and get ready for bed,

and I'll be in there in just a minute.

- One day you'll realize the contributions

I can make to the parenting discussions.

- Hey, I, I think we need to talk.

I'm having a really hard time watching our son

being embarrassed on the basketball court

in front of everyone.

And please, don't give me

that building character sermon again.

- Well, quitting the team is not building character either.

Liv, this is not as bad as you think.

- Try telling that to an 18-year-old who's trying to fit in.

- I hear what you're saying.

But I just know this is gonna get better.

Trust me.

- This isn't a matter of trust.

This is about the damage that's being done

to our son's confidence.

- [Faith] Mom!

- Honey, I'll be right there, okay?

I think you need to think this through.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Hey, Mike.

Great game tonight.

- Seriously?

Great game?

I almost cost us the playoffs.

- I don't know if I'd say that, you scored four points.

You had some big minutes.

- Be real, dad.

It was horrible.

I was horrible.

How am I supposed to face those guys?

- I know it's hard to believe,

but you're gonna look back on this so differently.

- You keep saying that, dad.

- I remember when I was your age,

trying to figure out why this thing happened

or that thing happened.

It's frustrating.

But I also remember somebody shared with me

something about how God works in our life.

He said it's a lot like driving a car at night.

You know, you only get enough light

for the road right it in front of you.

But it's enough light to keep you safe.

And hopefully keep you out of a ditch.

- And what do headlights have to do with basketball?

- I don't know what the Lord's trying

to teach you right now.

But I do know that he is.

And I also know, that if you will trust him,

he is gonna guide you through this.

Even if it seems like you're lost in the dark.

- Well, we can both agree that I'm in the dark.

- Mike, you've got to remember

that it's Satan whispering those lies in your head.

You lose all perspective.

For instance, what if you had fouled

that guy at the end of the game?

He goes on and makes two free throws.

You guys lose.

(gentle music)

On the other hand, the way you played it,

you allowed Lucas to make a play.

It's a team game, Mike.

So I say we celebrate with one

of your dad's award-winning malts.

Why don't you get the blender outta the cabinet for me?

- I think it was then that I

really appreciated my dad for who he was.

Thanks, dad.

- Hey, I'm a preacher, this God stuff's all I know.

- Now where's your mom keep those scoops.

- Right over there.

- Yeah.

(bright music)

- Hey, mom, I'm going back out to those woods,

I'll be back soon.

- That's fine, just be home by six,

we're having company for dinner.

- [Mike] (sighs) Can I just skip this one?

- No, sweetheart, it's some people from the church

that your dad's been counseling,

and I really want you to meet them.

- All right.

Hey, can I invite a friend?

- Maybe not this time.

- Come on, mom, I don't wanna be there

with all these old people and be bored.

- That's fine, just don't be late.

- Okay.

- Love you.

- Love you.

♪ All I want is to see you ♪

♪ And all I want is to be with you again ♪

- Figures.

(gentle bright music)

- Hey, where you going?

- What are you doing?

- What does it look like I'm doing?

- Uh, whose boat?

- Mine.

No, just my dad's.

- You need some help with that,

looks like you're having a little bit of trouble?

- No, I think I got it.

- Hey, I remembered my camera this time.

- Oh cool.

(camera snapping)

I always knew I was a star.

- Oh yeah, for sure.

Look at that.

Give me more fierce, if you can.

Okay. Okay.

Give me sassy, can you?

I bet you can't.

Like gimme one of, one of these.

(camera snapping)

I like it.

- Okay, come on, come on.

- Really?

- Get in the boat.

- Okay.

- [Jasmine] That is, if you think you can handle it.

- I can handle it.

- All right, be careful, Colorado.

- Oh! - Paddle?

- Yeah, of course.

- Try it out.

- Right, I'll see.

- And if you get in a bind, I can help out.

- Where to, miss?

- To the great beyond.

Hey, you're doing pretty good.

♪ Who are you ♪

♪ Where did you come from ♪

♪ I never knew ♪

♪ Life could be this fun ♪

♪ I found you ♪

♪ Not looking for anyone ♪

♪ I found you ♪

♪ Not looking at all ♪

♪ Do you believe in me ♪

♪ 'Cause I believe in you ♪

♪ This just might be what we both need ♪

♪ Someone to believe in us too ♪

♪ Believe in us too ♪

- If you could be any animal in the world,

what would you be?

- Huh?

- You know, and animal.

Like, would you be a horse, or a lion?

- Um.

Maybe a cheetah.

(chuckles) I don't know.

What about you?

- Easy. An Eagle.

A majestic bald eagle

That way I could just soar over everything.

No one could touch me, unless I wanted them to.

- Do eagles like cheetahs?

- I sure hope so.

- Oh no, what time is it?

- 4:30.

- Oh! - Why?

- I have to hurry home and get ready.

Oh, by the way, I told my mom your coming over for dinner.

- Your mom? Shouldn't you have told me first?

- Yeah.

Yeah, that probably would've been a good idea.

But, all right, um, I'll pick you up at six.

So you have to hurry up and get ready.

- Aren't you forgetting something else?

My parents.

- Right, that might be a good idea.

Um.

Okay, I'll be at your house at six

to pick you up and meet your parents.

- Sure you have time?

- Hey, I'm a cheetah.

(bright music)

Um.

Hello, Mr. And Mrs. Stone.

Um, I'm Michael Evans.

Even though you've probably never heard my name,

uh, I'm here to take your daughter,

you know, just to go eat with my family over at my house.

Hm?

Oh, (chuckles) oh, yes,

you can trust me, my, um, well, my dad's a preacher.

That's good, Mike, real impressive.

- Who do you think you are?

- Sir? - Are you that young kid

speeding up and down the street?

- Um, no, sir, no.

- And throwing beer cans everywhere?

- No, sir.

- Well I will want you to know, I got my eye on you.

You just keep that in mind, young man.

You people, I declare, something else.

♪ I'm crazy for you, baby ♪

♪ I'm crazy for you ♪

- Hey!

- Hey.

- Come on in.

- Thank you.

- So, this is it.

- Wow!

(both chuckle)

- Come on.

Come on, don't be scared.

Mom, Dad.

This is Michael.

- Hi, Michael.

Jas said you were new in town.

- Yes, ma'am, we just moved here.

- Where from?

- Well, we've kinda lived all over,

but we just moved in from Colorado.

- Colorado, wow!

I bet that was a bit of a culture shock?

- Well the altitude is different, yes, ma'am. (chuckles)

- Well, welcome to New Hope.

Or as I like to call it, Nope.

Come on, let's get going, we're gonna be late.

- Yeah, okay.

Well, nice to meet you, Michael.

Jas, be in by 12.

- We're gonna be late.

- Okay, okay.

12 o'clock, no later.

- Okay, I got it.

- (sighs) That went a lot better than I was expecting.

- (chuckles) Yeah, I mean, my parents are pretty cool.

They usually just let me do what I want.

- Oh, speaking of parents, mine are expecting us,

so we should probably head on over.

(gentle romantic music)

- Hey.

I have an idea.

I mean, we have this whole house to ourselves,

let's just stay here.

- That's, it's not a good idea.

My mom would not be a happy camper.

- Don't be such a square.

I mean, besides, don't your parents trust you?

- Jasmine.

That's exactly it, they do.

Doing something like this will make me lose their trust.

- Square.

- Come on, I met your parents, you get to meet mine.

- Ugh, fine. Okay.

- Faith, honey, try not to ask too many questions,

let the adults do most of the talking.

- Mom, don't take this the wrong way,

but have you heard how boring you and dad are?

- (chuckles) Well, we'll do the best we can.

Michael is bringing a friend,

so be nice to her as well.

- Mike has a girlfriend?

- I said, a friend.

- But then you said, "her."

- But before that, I said, be nice, remember?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Now finish help setting the table.

- Michael's got a girlfriend.

Michael's got a girlfriend.

- This girlfriend have a name?

- Not yet, but she must be angelic, by the way he's acting.

- Obviously it's Olivia.

- (chuckles) Flattery will get you everywhere.

- Hey, I wonder how much time we have before-

(door bell rings)

- [Faith] They're here.

- Let your daddy get it.

And remember what we said.

- John and Sally, come on in.

- Hey. - Good to see you.

- You too.

- Pastor. - Good to see you.

This is my wife, Olivia.

- Hi. - So nice to meet you.

- [Alex] And our daughter, faith.

- Hey, nice to meet you.

This is our son, Lucas.

- [Alex] Hello, Lucas.

Your dad has told me a lot about you.

(timer beeping)

- Uh, that's my roast, I'm gonna go get it.

Excuse me.

- Well, is there anything I can help you do?

- [Faith] I'm coming too.

- So Lucas, that was quite a game you played

the other night.

Hey, and your dad says you've been getting

some offers to play college ball.

It's pretty exciting.

- Yeah, but I haven't decided what I'm gonna do yet.

- Well, I'd love to hear more about it.

Uh, let's go in the living room.

- Whoa, whoa, what is this?

Is this some kinda sick joke?

- What are you talking about?

- Just take me home.

- What's the matter, I thought you were all excited?

- That looks like Chase's parents' car.

- Look, I didn't know anything about this,

mom just said we were having company.

Okay, I know this is hard for you,

but I don't wanna go in there alone.

- Okay, then let's just both go.

- I can't, you know that.

Please?

- Fine.

- Oh, yeah. Just put that there.

Thank you.

Just let it cool off a little.

- Hey mom, this is Jasmine.

- Jasmine, nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Evans.

- It's nice to see you, Jas.

- You two know each other?

- Yeah, we've known each other for years.

She was...

(Sally sighs)

She was Chase's girlfriend.

- Oh! I had no idea.

This is my first time meeting Jasmine.

- It's okay, Olivia.

It's really good to see you, Jas.

- It's good to see you too.

- Michael, have you introduced her to your father yet?

- No, not yet.

- Well, for goodness sakes, Jasmine,

come meet Michael's father.

- In state, maybe out of state school, I mean, wherever.

The best I can do.

- [Olivia] Alex, this is Jasmine, Michael's friend.

- Hi, Jasmine. Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you too.

- Hey, Jas.

What are you doing here?

- Michael invited me to supper.

- I think the food is ready,

why don't we go into the dining room

and get ready for dinner?

- [Alex] Uh, Faith, honey,

wouldn't you be more comfortable over here?

- No, I think this is a good spot.

- Sweetheart, why don't you come sit by me.

- Well, uh, this sure smells good.

Lucas, you're really gonna enjoy Olivia's roast.

(tense music)

- He'll eat just about anything.

Isn't that right, honey?

- Luke, did you hear your mother?

- What's wrong with you people?

Did you think I was just gonna walk in here,

hold hands and have a prayer with your pastor,

was that the plan?

- Lucas, sit down.

- Or what, dad?

You gonna send me my room?

- You're upsetting your mother,

and everyone here at the table.

- I don't freaking care.

These people invite me in,

sitting me across the table from that joke.

And you. Look at me.

What are you thinking?

Really, Jas?

What are any of you thinking?

These bunch of, holier than now thou,

Jesus freaks think they have all the answers.

- Lucas Green, that's enough.

- No, dad!

It's not enough.

Chase was enough.

- Lucas.

- No, I'll walk home.

- Lucas, come back here!

- Sally, let him go.

(door slams)

Uh, I, I'm sorry.

- He's a meaner.

(gentle rock music on radio)

- Look, I'm sorry.

- Hey, I mean, it's just Lucas blowing off steam.

You get used to it.

- That might take a while.

- You know, the funny thing is,

Chase was nothing like that.

I think that's one reason Lucas' life

is so outta balance, you know?

Chase was always the cool one.

Kinda like you.

- Us cheetahs are cool like that.

- Hey, before you take me home...

I know a great place to go.

- Cool. Where.

- You'll just have to trust me.

Turn here.

- And here I thought you were gonna take me out

to get a malt or something.

- Remember when you asked me to trust you?

Now it's your turn.

- Okay. All right.

Funny thing about trust, it's hard to earn and easy to lose.

(solemn music)

- Just park right here.

- What's this?

- It's a party, silly.

- I can see that, but.

- It's just some kids from school.

They do this every weekend.

- This isn't a good idea.

My dad, he-

- Your dad what?

He wouldn't mind you hanging out with all these sinners?

- That's not what I'm saying.

- Hey, I found I'm a lot more comfortable

with these people than most of those hypocrites at church.

Besides, don't be square.

(kids chattering)

- Just trust me.

Great.

(kids chattering)

No thanks.

- Ugh, lighten up, everybody's doing it.

- Jasmine, I don't feel too-

- Hey!

What do you think you're doing here?

- Luke, stop.

- Actually, I was just leaving.

- Now that's a good idea.

- Micheal, wait.

- Jas, would you let him go!

- Let go of me.

- The guy's a joke! Do you get that?

- Get off her!

- Hey!

- Hey. - Get off me!

(Lucas grunting)

Get off, let go of me!

You're a joke!

You're a joke, man!

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

Let's just go.

- Okay.

I'm sorry.

(Alex humming hymn)

- Wow, I never seen you up and dressed

this early on a Sunday morning.

- Yeah, I told Jasmine I'd pick her up on my way.

- Hey, you got a sec?

- Sure.

- How do you feel about last night?

- What do you mean?

- Well, your mom and I didn't mean

to create such an uncomfortable situation.

- Yeah, probably not good planning on our part.

- Yeah, that wasn't our intent.

Just that I've been spending a lotta time counseling

with the Greens, and, as you probably know,

they've been having a lot of problems with Lucas.

- Yeah.

Them and me both.

- Oh wow, where did you get that?

- Lucas.

Bumped into him last night.

- It looks like more than a bump.

- Yeah.

So you can forget about me and him being friends.

- Actually, I think you can be

a really positive influence in his life.

- He won't even talk to me, at least in a civilized tone.

- I think you need to reach out to him,

he's worth the effort.

- Dad, he hates me.

Don't you see that?

And to be honest, the feeling's mutual.

- Well, have you done anything to make him hate you?

- Uh, breathe.

- Well all the better reason.

Mike, he lost his brother.

There's a lot of pain there.

- See, but that's another thing, dad.

He doesn't want me seeing Jasmine

because she was Chase's girlfriend.

He doesn't wanna move on,

and he wants no one else to move on.

(solemn music)

- Well I wouldn't wanna move on.

- [Mike] And now you're defending him.

- No, I'm not defending him,

just trying to understand him

For him, moving on means leaving Chase behind.

He needs somebody to guide him through this transition.

Mike, Jesus was pretty clear about loving people.

Loving the ones that love us, that's easy.

Anybody can do that.

It's loving the ones that hate us.

Well, that's the real challenge.

- Just great.

- I take that to mean you're up for the challenge.

I don't wanna be late, I'll see you guys after service.

- That took long, I thought

- Yeah.

- One more day, right?

- Yep. See ya.

- See ya.

Perfect.

(Lucas sighs)

So, did he put you up to this?

- Up to what?

- What do you want?

- I wanted to apologize for the other night.

They didn't know.

- They didn't know what?

Huh?

That inviting me over to dinner, with a guy that I hate,

and then throwing my brother's girlfriend

in the mix was a bad idea?

It sounds like a setup to me.

- Honest, Lucas, it wasn't.

I mean, that was the first time

he introduced me to his parents.

- Oh, save it for someone who cares.

- Look, can we just talk?

- What do you want from me, Jas?

- Do you ever think about him?

- Everyday.

- Where did we go wrong?

- Wrong?

We weren't there for him.

- [Jasmine] Do you think we could have changed it?

- What are you asking?

- I don't know, I just, I know something was wrong.

I could have done something.

- We all could have done something!

You know, that's the hard part, right?

- I don't know, I don't know anything anymore.

- Well, let me get it straight for you, okay?

As far as I'm concerned, what happened was an accident.

It was a tragic accident,

and don't wanna hear you say anything different.

Do you understand?

(solemn music)

- Yeah, I understand.

- I gotta go.

- Lucas.

We have to move on.

- Move on?

Move on to what?

What do you want me to do?

- I have to move on.

I don't know if you realize this, but it's killing me.

All the what ifs.

Please, Lucas, just don't let this destroy you.

I mean, we've been through enough already.

- I'll live my life the way I choose.

- He's not coming back...

Ever.

And there's something else.

You've got to stop blaming this on Michael.

- I wondered how long that would take.

- He's a really nice guy, if you just get to know him.

- I don't want to get to know him!

Do you get that?

And you, what are you doing?

No, really, I bet Chase would be so proud.

(Jasmine sobbing)

- I've got to move on.

Got to move on.

- I have to move on too...

Outta here.

(car engine roars)

(tires screeching)

- Hey Luke, I'll be right with you, man.

Awesome playoff run, man.

One more, you got this thing.

- Yeah.

- We just received our shipment

of baseball equipment in last week.

We still have some cool stuff coming in too.

You moving to wood, this year?

You know, we have a sweet little hybrid coming in,

in our next shipment.

With your upper body strength.

- I'll take this one.

Actually, we need to take all those.

(gentle music)

- Okay.

♪ Every day ♪

♪ I can still see your face ♪

♪ In the pictures of the light you gave ♪

♪ You reflected the light ♪

♪ You shine so bright ♪

♪ Every day ♪

♪ I can still see our faces in the pictures ♪

♪ That we made ♪

♪ We reflected the light ♪

♪ We shine so bright ♪

♪ That day you left me ♪

♪ I should have noticed ♪

♪ I should have listened to all you had to say ♪

♪ I can remember ♪

♪ Your sound is fading ♪

♪ I can still see your face ♪

♪ But I can't hear your voice anymore. ♪

♪ I can't hear your song ♪

♪ I can't hear your voice ♪

♪ I can't hear you shout for joy anymore ♪

♪ I wanna hear your love ♪

♪ I wanna hear you cry ♪

♪ I wanna hear you sing out loud once more ♪

♪ Why did you leave me here ♪

♪ Why did you leave me here ♪

♪ I could still see your face ♪

♪ I can still see your face ♪

♪ But I can't hear your voice anymore ♪

- Honestly, it was definitely a shock to see her.

(sighs) But it was good, it was nice to see her again.

- Well, please know, we had no idea.

- Pastor, one thing you'll learn about this small town

is everybody knows everybody.

- And that actually might be something

that's gonna help you too the most.

- How so?

- Well, one of the things we're learning about this town

is how much you care for each other.

I guess is what you call "Southern hospitality."

- We have felt loved.

Even though it's been a very difficult year.

- Well, over time, that's really gonna help.

- Why did God take our son from us?

- Is that really what you're thinking?

- Honestly, yeah.

- I've tried to tell her that's just not true.

- Sally, I could give you a lot of scripture.

Even cliches.

The honest truth is God loves us.

- Well, excuse me, if I'm not feeling the love.

- It's understandable.

Ultimately, God's purpose in all of our lives

is that we're learning to trust him more.

I understand your feelings towards God.

But better than that, he understands them.

And I believe it's okay for you

to tell him exactly how you feel.

- Even if it's hurt?

Even if it's hate?

Anger?

- Don't you think he already knows?

I often wonder how someone with no relationship

with God at all could get through such a difficult thing.

Sally, trust him, he will guide you through this.

- There's another issue that is weighing on us heavily.

It's Lucas.

- He's just...

He's so full of anger.

- How has he changed since Chase's death?

- Denial, mainly.

Rejecting our authority in his life.

Becoming distant, argumentative.

Pastor, you saw him the other night at dinner.

- About the only thing that he

has any interest in is basketball.

- That actually might be the best thing for him right now.

And, you know, it also gives you two a powerful tool

to encourage him.

- In what way?

- Well, God's word tells us

that we're fearfully and wonderfully made.

And even when we're our most unlovable, that's still true.

Well, when you and I see each other from that perspective,

it changes the way we treat each other.

And don't underestimate the power of the spoken word.

Encourage him, build him up,

compliment him any chance you get.

You know that old nursery rhyme,

"Sticks and stones will break my bones,

but words will never harm me."

Well that couldn't be further from the truth.

It's the enemy that tells us we have no value,

and that we're flawed.

Lucas needs to know he has value.

True value, in your eyes and God's.

- He already has a big ego.

- I'm sure there's a balance there,

but I think you'd be shocked at how he really sees himself.

- I think he knows that we love him.

- He probably does.

But sometimes, this might sound strange,

sometimes that's not enough.

Make sure you put your love into action.

(solemn music)

Can I ask you a hard question?

Would you die for Lucas?

- Of course.

- Then let me ask you to do something even more difficult.

Live for him.

Lay your life down for him daily.

Let him see your love for him, in action, every day.

- It's actually the more difficult choice, isn't it?

- Yes it is.

And it's okay for him to see you struggle.

Even fail.

Our kids do not expect us to be perfect.

They've just gotta be secure in the knowledge

that we are battling with them.

And for them.

- That's it.

Come on, box 'em out.

Swing it.

Better, better!

Hey, everybody in!

Hah.

I like what I saw today.

Good hustle and good teamwork.

We got Brandon back.

We won three tough games without him.

But Rockmore is a much bigger and more physical team.

Look, guys, this is it, the championship game.

What we work for all year long.

It's gonna be a challenge, but it's one we're up to.

Right? - Right!

- Okay, let's get it in.

Tigers on three.

1, 2, 3. - Tigers!

- All right.

Good job today, guys.

Like what I saw, Tyler.

Good job, Wallace.

- Hey, Lucas.

Hey, can I talk to you a minute?

Hey, you know, we got off on the wrong foot,

and I wanted to apologize if I,

if I did anything to offend you.

(solemn music)

- You wanna apologize?

I tell you what you can do.

You can quit the team,

stop hanging around Jasmine,

and move back where you came from.

- Look, I know you've been through a lot.

No, I'll tell you what you know, you don't know anything.

This is who I am, me, Lucas.

I'm comfortable with it.

- Lucas, listen to me, okay?

- No, no, you listen.

You come in here, trying to take what's not yours,

be a part of something you didn't help build,

and you have the nerve to tell me you know

what I'm going through?

And you're just like every

other Bible-thumper I've ever met.

You think you got all the answers, huh?

Well, you can take 'em back where you came from.

Got it?

(solemn music)

- So then Lucas grabs this guy and he yells,

"Don't you ever mess with my brother again!"

(both chuckle)

- So he was a good big brother, huh?

- Yeah.

Yeah, he was the best.

I think that's what's been hardest on him, you know?

He carries a lotta guilt.

- So on taking his brother's place on the basketball team,

and his brother's girlfriend.

I've definitely given him plenty of reason to hate me.

- He'll come around, just give it some time.

You might not believe it, but Lucas is not a bad person.

- I'd hate to see your definition of a bad person.

(both chuckle)

- So, you excited about the big game tomorrow?

- Oh, yeah, I'll have the best seat in the house.

- What's that supposed to mean?

- It means, that just like the last two games,

I'm probably not gonna play.

But, I'll have a great courtside seat.

And I'll get in for free, so it will all work out.

- Do you wanna play?

- Nah, I'm good.

- Well, I think you're a really good player.

And you don't give yourself enough credit.

- Really?

- Really.

And, it wouldn't surprise me if you were

in the game tomorrow.

- Let's hope not.

- Like I said, you don't give yourself enough credit.

- You see, I just call it being realistic.

That's it.

- Hey, I have an idea.

I need to show you something.

- Okay. What?

- Just come on.

- Just come on.

(gentle bright music)

- [Mike] Okay, where are you taking me?

- [Jasmine] Just park in front of the gym.

- You're gonna get us arrested.

- Don't worry, my dad's on the school board.

- Okay, so, what do you wanna show me?

- Just come on.

Come with me.

- How did you know that'd be open?

- I have my ways.

- What?

- We gonna play basketball or something?

- Oh no, no.

I don't wanna embarrass you, so

Remember, do you trust me?

- Yes. Okay.

- Okay. Come on.

- I have a little something special for you.

- Okay.

- Come on.

You'll like it. I promise.

- Where are we going?

- Just follow me.

- This is crazy.

- We're about to miss it.

- All right.

- Come on, we're gonna miss it.

(fireworks banging)

- Oh my gosh, the fireworks!

- This is my favorite place to watch them.

- Well, yeah, it's a perfect spot.

- Hey.

Got something for you.

- What's this?

- What does it look like, silly?

- Well, I know what it is, but.

- I want you to wear this when you play basketball.

You know, to give you strength and courage.

- Shouldn't I be the one giving you a cross?

- Maybe.

And you know, you're a much better player

than you give yourself credit for.

- I don't know.

- Well I do.

And this will remind you that I believe in you.

- Thank you.

Wow!

Whoa!

- Come on, lie down.

Come on, I don't bite.

Now look.

- Wow!

- Have you ever seen anything this beautiful?

- You talking about the stars,

the fireworks, or about you?

- Good answer.

But in this case, I'm talking about the stars.

Tell me, what's the first thing

that comes into your mind when you look at all this?

- Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens.

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one

and calls forth each of them by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

- Wow.

I'm guessing that's for the Bible?

- No, I wrote that.

(both chuckle)

Yeah.

When we lived in Colorado, my dad and I,

we'd always go camping and he'd teach me the names

of the stars and he taught me that verse.

- Can you teach them to me?

- Sure.

- Okay, you see that really bright one over there?

- Yeah.

Wait, let me guess, Betelgeuse?

- That's a nice guess, but, (chuckles) but no.

Actually, that's not even a star at all,

that's Mars, actually.

- Hey, sit up with me, okay?

Close your eyes.

No peeking.

- Okay. Okay.

- Now hold out your hand.

- Is this another one of those trust things?

- Kinda. Just hold out your hand.

- It's my turn!

- Uh-uh, you picked all last week.

- It is my turn! - Ugh!

- Hey, you two, let's get going, you're gonna be late.

- Mom, tell Mike that it's my turn

to pick the radio station.

- You picked last time.

- Meaner!

- Mike, why don't you let her pick the radio station?

- Mom, she listens to classical.

- And, and Mike is gonna get to pick

the radio station all next week.

- That's not fair!

- Okay, off you too. Off.

Go, go, go.

Mike, drive carefully, okay?

- Honey, don't forget, I'm gonna be late tonight,

we have a deacons meeting.

Ah, wait, before you go,

I have something important to show you.

(solemn music)

I found this in Mike's pants pocket.

- I could stand here and give you guys

a speech about focus, about hustle, or teamwork.

About how the practice, hard work, and dedication.

It comes down to one last game.

One chance to do something spectacular.

Something that you will cherish for a lifetime.

And all that's important.

But I want you to focus on the moment.

Enjoy it.

Relish every play.

In life, man, games like this, they rarely occur.

This is your day.

Your moment.

Savor it, for yourself

For each other.

All right.

Bring it in.

- [All] Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive

those who trespass against us;

lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

(crowd cheering) (cheerleaders cheering)

(solemn music)

- What do you think would happen

if one of us fell off the roof?

Now do you think they would stop the game,

would it just go on?

When Chase died, it was like no one noticed.

The world just went on.

And they couldn't feel the pain,

'cause then it was just another day.

- Lucas, they all came to see you play.

Players come, and go, and die.

The game just goes on, doesn't it?

- Hey!

You have a game to win.

(crowd cheering) (hand clapping)

(upbeat music)

- [Cheerleaders] We are New Hope.

We are New Hope.

We are New Hope.

- All right, this is it.

What we played hard for all year.

Keep your focus, and play smart ball.

Tigers on three.

- 1, 2, 3! - Tigers!

♪ Recognize there's no I in team ♪

♪ In order to win you need some, here we go ♪

♪ If you wanna get that ring do something ♪

♪ That you've never done before ♪

♪ Bring your A game to the gym ♪

♪ Check your pride at the door ♪

(whistle blows)

♪ You gotta get it in if you wanna be the best and wanna win ♪

- Fronts are, fronts are in the post!

♪ This is the game of the year ♪

♪ It might require blood, sweat and tears ♪

♪ Leave it on the floor ♪

♪ We got some fans in the stands ♪

♪ Like you're in the 2-3 zone ♪

- Keep him off, keep him off!

♪ Everybody, here we go, here we go ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ I see your body's playing dumb and you're battle tested ♪

♪ This game is not for you ♪

♪ That's a silent confession ♪

♪ You've been playin' through loss ♪

♪ Heartache is like depression ♪

♪ And your passion's been fueled by ♪

♪ Show them the pressure ♪

♪ But you're a champion ♪

♪ And you know what it takes to win ♪

♪ Don't you lose because of pride ♪

♪ Simply swallow it again ♪

♪ From the sideline lead your team ♪

♪ And help them even-up the score ♪

♪ Be the gentleman of the war ♪

♪ Tell your team to leave it all on the floor ♪

- Yeah! Yes, go (indistinct).

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ This is the game of the year ♪

♪ It might require blood, sweat and tears ♪

♪ Leave it all on the floor ♪

♪ We got the fans in the stands ♪

♪ Like you're in the 2-3 zone ♪

♪ Everybody leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ Here we go, here we go ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ You gotta get it in if you wanna be the best and wanna win ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

- Yes! Let's go, you got it!

- Get your hands up.

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

- That's the way.

♪ Like you're in the 2-3 zone ♪

♪ Everybody, hands up ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

♪ Everybody, here we go, here we go ♪

♪ Leave it out on the floor ♪

(Lucas moaning)

(tense music)

- Gimme your trainer here.

- Lucas, you okay?

- Uh-uh, it's my ankle.

- We need to get some ice on this.

- All right, let's get him to the bench.

(crowd cheering) (hands clapping)

- 30 seconds for a sub, coach.

- Michael, you in the game.

- Huh?

- You deaf or something?

You're in the game.

Let's go.

Mike...

You got this.

You hear me? You got this!

Come on, dude!

(whistle blows)

(whistle blows)

- Travel.

Red ball.

No shot.

Red ball.

- Time-out, gimme 30 seconds.

(whistle blows)

(tense music continues)

- Come on.

Now what are you doing, Mike?

Come on, snap out of it!

Look, is there some type of verse

or something you Christians use in situations like this?

- What?

- This Christian stuff, is it real to you or what?

- Well, yeah.

- All right, then gimme something, Mike,

there's gotta be something.

- I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

- That's good, come on, use that, man.

Come on, you're better than this, snap out of it.

- Wallace, the ball's coming to the post,

I need some help on the weak side.

Spence, I need you to pressure the man

at the top of the key.

Block the entry pass.

Evans, get your head in the game.

We're up by one, we need one stop.

Let's come together and get the stop, okay?

Tigers on three.

1, 2, 3! - Tigers!

(tense music)

- Damn!

- Nice, nice, good job, good job.

(crowd cheering)

(crowd cheering)

- (indistinct) you got it!

- All right, good job, Ramon.

- Come on, guys, let's go, let's do this!

(suspenseful music)

(whistle blows)

- [Referee] Foul, red 14.

Right, one shot.

- Time-out, Mr. Ref, let me get a time-out.

(whistle blows)

- Okay, here we go, come on, guys, guys.

Bring it in, bring it in.

All right, guys, listen up, settle down.

- He's not gonna make 'em.

I, I, just don't think he's gonna make 'em,

he can't handle the pressure right now.

- It's one in one.

If he misses the first one, Brandon, Ryan,

I need you to tip in the rebound, okay?

All right? All right?

Okay.

Now, if he makes the first one-

- Coach.

- If he makes the first-

- Coach! He's got it.

You got it.

- All right. All right, okay, here we go, here we go!

Tiger on three.

1, 2, 3! - Tigers!

- Get the shot off as fast as you can

'cause you only got four seconds, okay?

All right, y'all ready?

Here we go. Cats on three.

Come on man. Let's finish this, okay?

- 1, 2, 3! - Cats!

- Here we go, Mike.

Come on, you can do this.

(suspenseful music)

- Two, one.

(moves to elated music) (crowd cheering)

- Yes! Good job, Mike!

- One shot.

- [Cheerleaders] Hey, you, at free throw line,

miss it, miss it.

Hey, you, at free throw line, miss it, miss it.

Hey, you, at free throw line, miss it, miss it.

Hey, you, at free throw line, miss it, miss it.

Hey you, at free throw line, miss it.

(tense music)

(elated music) (crowd cheering)

- Yes! That's what I'm talking about, Mike!

- Get back! Get back!

(buzzer buzzes)

- Yeah!

- Yeah!

(crowd cheering)

- Here's to us.

Hey. (laughs)

- Yeah, champions, baby! Yeah!

- I had no idea you were religious, man.

- I'm not, but I wanna win the championship, come on.

Yeah! Let's go!

- Yeah.

(gentle music)

Hey. - Hey.

- What's on your mind?

- Guess what my mom found?

- Ah, don't tell me.

- Yeah.

I forgot I left the wrapper in my pocket.

- So what'd you tell her?

- The truth.

(man on TV preaching)

Hey, I'm gonna see Jasmine, I'll be home a little later.

- Hey Mike, uh, before you go, you got a minute?

- Sure.

- Uh, Faith, honey, can you let daddy

and I talk to Michael alone?

Besides, it's close to your bedtime.

- I know, you won't be in to tuck me in.

I never get to hear the good stuff.

- Mike, why don't you have a seat.

- What's up?

- Uh, Mike, I, uh, found this in your jeans pocket.

- You have some explaining to do.

- It's not what it looks like.

- Why was I expecting that answer?

(gentle music)

- Jasmine.

Hey.

Look, I love you.

And, and I love you too much.

Not to treat you like,

like how I want my wife to be treated.

Okay?

I'm not proposing or anything, I'm, I'm just saying that I-

- Hey.

Sh.

Teach me more about the stars.

I bet your mom thinks I'm a tramp?

- Yeah.

(both chuckle)

- Jerk.

- Well that's the cool thing about being a preacher son,

you can pull out the grace and forgiveness card like that.

(Jasmine chuckles)

- So were you nervous?

- Oh, I was scared to death.

Oh my gosh, like, talking to your parents

about sex is not easy.

- Actually, I was talking about the basketball game,

and the big free throws.

- Oh yeah, yeah, them too, for sure.

- Did the necklace help?

- Actually, it did.

It reminded me of where my true strength comes from.

- Why do you hang out with me?

- Is that a serious question?

- You're so different.

- Hey, I'm probably not as different as you think.

- Really?

- Seriously.

I mean, what?

You think I made a steel?

Like, I don't have my struggles?

- You sure put on a good show.

- It's not a show.

It's a struggle just the same.

- I mean, wouldn't your parents rather you

be dating Snow White?

- Jas, we all have a past.

And we all have our current struggles.

I try to live my life honoring God.

And as the saying goes, you know,

Christians are not perfect.

We're just forgiven.

- Do you think I'm forgiven?

- It's for you for the asking.

- And my past?

- It can be just that...

The past.

- I want that.

- All you have to do is ask.

- Will you teach me to do that?

- Yeah.

Yeah.

Hey, it's a lot easier than astronomy lessons.

- Thank you.

- For what?

- For being you.

- Hey, Lucas!

Hey, Lucas, wait up!

- Hey, my dad's having a fellowship

for the team, at the church, you know, later on.

Just wanted to invite you.

Oh, yeah, coach is going and everything, so

- Church fellowship?

- Yeah, but I mean, it's laid back,

get together, it's not like-

- You can, you can stop apologizing, it's all right.

Look, I'll go, I just, I don't know,

I don't want you to think I'll be some kind of regular.

- Okay. Deal.

- All right? - Yeah.

- Besides, God doesn't want anything to do with me.

- Do you really believe that?

- Man, you just don't know what all I've done.

You know, I just...

No, God's not for me.

- I'll tell you what.

You and I will go to lunch together,

and if I can't convince you otherwise,

then lunch is on me.

- A betting man, huh?

I like that.

Yeah, you gotta deal.

So, how does it feel.

- What? Going to church?

- No, being state champions.

- Uh.

My whole life, people have told me I was dumb,

I wasn't gonna amount to anything.

Proving them wrong felt great, you know?

But, I dunno, I just kinda felt empty, just...

I really wish Chase could have been there, you know?

- Yeah, well me too.

- Heck, you didn't even know him.

- No, but I know best friends are,

you know, they're hard to come by.

- Yeah. Chase was the best.

- Well, hey, um, I know you and I,

I don't imagine us ever being that close,

but I just wanna let you know, I'm not giving up on you.

(gentle music)

- Hey, Evans, say it again.

- I really meant it when I said it.

Not giving up on you!

As crazy as it may seem,

Lucas and I got past all our differences.

Yeah, it took time, but it was worth it.

He was worth it.

And today, my life is richer because of our friendship.

(upbeat music)

♪ Say I'm a winner ♪

♪ Never stop, never lose ♪

♪ Never quit, never snooze ♪

♪ Winner's attitude ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ Two can chase 10,000 ♪

♪ So grab a potluck ♪

♪ Then let's shout it louder ♪

♪ I know you feel good ♪

♪ I see you smilin' ♪

♪ Won't you pray for that didn't throw the towel in ♪

♪ When temptations in your life had you wowlin' ♪

♪ And the bills were overwhelmin' and compilin' ♪

♪ Now breath and marinate in your freedom ♪

♪ And if they try to hold you to your past ♪

♪ You don't need 'em ♪

♪ There's a method to the madness in your process ♪

♪ But don't you let your haters hold you back ♪

♪ From forward progress ♪

♪ 'Cause you're a winner, homeboy ♪

♪ A champion ♪

♪ I know you mistakes ♪

♪ But you never fell again ♪

♪ Now that's not to say you won't face troubled times ♪

♪ But you won't face 'em alone, because He's by your side ♪

♪ So you can raise your hands ♪

♪ Or beat your chest ♪

♪ You're on the winning team ♪

♪ Ha, we're the best ♪

♪ Say we never lose ♪

♪ We always win ♪

♪ So make some noise ♪

♪ And let declare a dream ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ Never stop, never lose ♪

♪ Never quit, never snooze ♪

♪ Winner's attitude ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ Two can chase 10,000 ♪

♪ So grab a potluck ♪

♪ And then shout it louder ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ That's me ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ That's me ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ That's me ♪

♪ I'm a winner ♪

♪ That's me ♪

♪ Ain't worried about the tariff ♪

♪ 'Cause I know it aint mine ♪

♪ I'm gonna live my life and make my life shine ♪

♪ But, baby, I'm a winner ♪

(gentle upbeat music)

♪ Hmm ♪

♪ Just another day ♪

♪ Tryin' to make a grade ♪

♪ I've got so much to prove ♪

♪ The jocks and the saints ♪

♪ Upheaval that I ain't ♪

♪ Don't understand my groove ♪

♪ Everybody else ♪

♪ Goes down a better way ♪

♪ Although I haven't quite found myself ♪

♪ I'm learning I will be okay ♪

♪ A new day's beginning ♪

♪ A new hope is rising ♪

♪ Up from the dust ♪

♪ Build on strong faith in God's love ♪

♪ The winds are about to change ♪

♪ The old me has gone away ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ Just another day ♪

♪ Making sense of the pain ♪

♪ Trying not to feel alone ♪

♪ Lord, when you walked in ♪

♪ Like a long forgotten friend ♪

♪ Suddenly my heart was home ♪

♪ You showed me something real ♪

♪ That I never thought I need ♪

♪ Now this love fills all my life ♪

♪ And then I saw you inside of me ♪

♪ A new day's beginning ♪

♪ A new hope is rising ♪

♪ Up from the dust ♪

♪ Build on strong faith in God's love ♪

♪ The winds are about to change ♪

♪ The old me has gone away ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ When it's all been said and done ♪

♪ Was I raising any or just do one ♪

♪ Keep on loving, won't turn my back ♪

♪ There's no better way ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ There's no better way ♪

♪ No better way ♪

♪ There's no better way ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ A new day's beginning ♪

♪ A new hope is rising ♪

♪ Up from the dust ♪

♪ Build on strong faith in God's love ♪

♪ The winds are about to change ♪

♪ The old me has gone away ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ A new day beginning ♪

♪ A new hope is rising ♪

♪ Up from the dust ♪

♪ Build on strong faith in God's love ♪

♪ The winds are about to change ♪

♪ The old me has gone away ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ Oh I know new hope is rising ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪