IN JESUS' NAME I PLAYED

GENRE
RELIGIOUS BIOGRAPHICAL YOUNG ADULT
Core Theme
MAINTAINING FAITH, ACHIEVING ONE'S GOAL, MAKING VISIONS AND DREAMS COME TRUE.
TIME PERIOD
1960s & '70s,1980s & '90s
COMPARABLE TITLES
KEEP FAITH; BALL IS LIFE; TRUE CALLING.
CHARACTER LIST
JEFFREY LISATH: 12-26. LEAD. RELIGIOUS BASKETBALL PLAYER.
CRAIG TUBBS: 15-20. BASKETBALL TEAMMATE AT PORTSMOUTH HIGH & ROBIN TO JEFF'S BATMAN.
COACH HOPKINS: 40+. PORTSMOUTH BASKETBALL COACH & JEFF'S MENTOR AND COACH.
RUTH LISATH: 30+. FIRM BELIEVER IN GOD & JEFF'S MOTHER.
SCOTT BURROWS: 15-20. BASKETBALL PLAYER & JEFF'S TEAMMATE.
DAVE CHABOT: 20+. FIRST BASKETBALL COACH IN BANTAM LEAGUE & JEFF'S MENTOR AND FRIEND.
Logline
In "Jesus Name I Played" is an non-fiction inspirational story about a boy who grew up in Southern Ohio. He experienced a spiritual dream about his personal life and the game of basketball. While searching for answers he committed his life to God and demonstrated a unrelenting faith at the age 12
Target Audiences
Age: 18-34,35-54,13-17,55+
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Portsmouth, Ohio
Based on a True Story
Yes
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Publisher: JEFFREY LYNN LISATH
Year Published: 2020
Starting Description
God used the game of basketball to grab my attention and draw me closer to Him. This experience taught me how to pray according to God's will and learn what the word faith truly means. During my journey I had setbacks, heartaches and disappointments. Faced death of my father and a serious injury.
Ending Description
My mother became the driving force that pushed me towards success. While fighting through teen peer pressure and struggling with hints of doubt, a tremendous move a God was demonstrated on and off the basketball court. True story of perseverance, faith, struggle, suspense that leaves wanting more.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
13: 979-8645078348
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest
Main Character Details
Name: JEFF LISATH
Age: 12-26
Gender: Male
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Confident,Faithful,Gracious,Educated,Honorable,Leader,Strong Moral Code,Visionary,Religious,Underdog,Engaging,Selfless,Skillful
Additional Character Details
Name: Craig Tubbs
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aggressive,Confident,Decisive,Educated,Outspoken
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
This story will tap into the best minds in the world. ... it reveals the deep secrets of discovering what faith really means and explains it with clarity. The plot is engaging as the characters expose undeniable truths about Christianity and religious attitudes. The storyline keeps one intrigued in how a young boy turned playing the game of basketball into a platform for ministry. The book is designed to be a fun, yet thought-provoking read, supplying you with the tools to approach life with a spiritual mentality. You will learn how God speaks to us in a variety of different ways and discover the intimate secrets He wants to share with you daily. You will discover how to tap into God's amazing heart and obtain a greater understanding of His grace and mercy. I wrote this book because I have unmerited favor, and unearned love, from God, and because of His grace I have been very fortunate to enjoy many successful basketball seasons as a player, and a coach. I want to share this amazing journey to the world!
Genre
DRAMA, RELIGION
Brief
Jeff grew up in a large, Christian family in Ohio where he dedicated his life to Christ in the seventh grade. He loves sports and has a dream that he wins a state championship in basketball. He plays basketball through high school and college,but does not make it in the NBA. Jeff finds himself as basketball coach for college and then high school where he wins his state championship. God leads and guides Jeff through his journey.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: GOOD
Premise: FAIR
Structure: GOOD
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile does accurately reflect the book.
Draw of Story
The story is an inspirational story of Jeff letting God lead him through life. Jeff is positive and trusts that God's will make a way for him. Jeff stays positive and uplifted throughout the story which is refreshing.
Possible Drawbacks
The book does not have much excitement. It is a story about some adversity, but nothing dramatic happens. The focus is mainly how God worked in Jeff's life and many events worked out well for him. As amazing as that is for Jeff, it does not create a enthralling story.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Jeff has a dream about his goal to win a state championship. Jeff seeks God out to live his best life and ends up fulfilling the dream God showed him in his youth.
Fanbase Potential
This could have a large fanbase in the Christian community. There have been a number of films that have been very successful in this genre especially since they do not have many.
Awards Potential
This does not have awards potential. There is nothing gripping about the story or the characters. It is an inspirational but not in a unique way.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
HEAVEN CAN WAIT, FIREPROOF , I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
Whatâs New About the Story
This story is not original. There are many inspirational films centered around the Christian faith and sports. There is nothing unique about the story with no twist or driving plot.
Lead Characters
The lead character stand out because of his faith at a young age. In terms of personality or actions, he is ordinary and lives and ordinary life.
Uniqueness of Story
This is an average story. While inspirational, it isn't overly so. Jeff lives a normal life with ups and downs, much like anyone else. This could have a plot driven story that focuses on Jeff as a coach. The story could be highlighted with his time as basketball player in college and how much winning a state championship meant to Jeff. The focus could be on Jeff coaching the team that eventually wins that championship and the year of games.
Possible Formats
Film - Indie, Film - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
This story would be a consider if reformatted. There does not need to be as much emphasis on Jeff in high school and college. There could be focus on his time as a coach when he is close to fulfilling his dream. The character could be developed by showing him coach the winning team and how Jeff seeks God out for his decisions and answers.
Brief
A young Jeff discovers God and his passion for basketball, which then leads to his greatest basketball career keeping faith and being one with Jesus.
What We Liked
The story of Jeff Lisath was one of true faith and spirituality. His passion for basketball and devotion to God intertwined with one another tugs the heartstrings of every true devout Christian. Jeff's story is something that will reach many lives and change the perspective of God in people who don't believe.
Faith based stories have always done well on the big screen. The wide audience and demographic it will reach is proof that Jeff's story would be a hit as a film. Although, with the pandemic still prevalent, this could be seen on networks like OWN, Netflix, and many faith based channels who would love to showcase the story of a young boy who found Jesus and lead his high school team to State Championship victory. With a story so powerful and resonating many young individuals with dreams of basketball championships, this film/series would create waves of inspiration.
Key points: Religious beliefs; Low Budget; Sports themed; Happy ending; True Callings
Synopsis
Jeffrey was very young when he found Jesus Christ. Coming from a family of 12 children, he never understood the importance of faith in his life. Jeffâs mother always encouraged her children to keep faith and do whatever they do in life with dignity and perseverance. Later on, Jeffâs father also turned to Christianity to repent for his sins. As a chain smoker and alcoholic, after getting baptized, Jeffâs father was reborn a new and reformed man. Unfortunately, he met his demise a year after his baptism, but Jeff believed that the Lord would be with his father in âparadiseâ since he repented for his sins on earth.
Jeffâs mother was instrumental in teaching him the importance of caring for others. He became a part of an organization that helped serve many teenagers in the community. His early basketball life began in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he played on the Bantam League team playing and winning with his childhood friends. Jeffâs first encounter with his faith, and God himself was after his baptism when he dreamt about winning Basketball State Championship trophy. He believed that God gave him a vision to make that vision a reality; Jeffâs confidence rose from speaking things into existence. His coaches were also big influences in his basketball career as they saw his potential and encouraged his vision, especially Coach Shoemaker who had a gift of using biblical stories as pregame speeches or pep talks.
Jeffâs faith in God was simple, to write it (his vision and dream), wait for it, and believe in it, and thatâs exactly what he did. His high school basketball journey soared as he made into his varsity team by Sophomore year and gained a lot of notoriety for his sportsmanship by various magazines and sports organizations, like Louisville Courier-Journal and Basketball Magazine at the end of his junior year. However, senior year, during a match against Vinton County, Ohio, he tears his ankle ligament which shakes his faith just a tiny bit. But his mother soon reminded him that God was testing him to make sure he stays faithful to his spirituality. After the sermon at his favorite church, Jeffâs faith in God was restored. He also soon realized that faith and attitude were connected in order to believe in anything.
After his surgery and rehab to get himself back in shape, Jeff played rigorously with his mates, Craig Tubbs, Scot Taylor, Scott Burrows, Jack Bendolph, and Tom Boden. Confidently, he also asked Coach Hopkins to put him back into play so he can make his vision and dreams come true. Coach Hopkins, reluctantly puts him back in the game which leads to the greatest series of victories of his basketball career.
1978 Sectional Finals, Craig and Jeff played the game as if they were âBatman and Robinâ. Winning against Wheelsburg with the same score they defeated Portsmouth High, 54-52. District Tournament, The Convocation Center, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, Portsmouth defeats Chesapeake 61-42 with the grace of God. District Finals, Portsmouth wins against Washington Court House 56-54. making history. Regional Semifinals Portsmouth Vs. Columbus Mifflin, in a tough game against Mifflin, win it by scoring 64-49. Regionals Finals vs Bellaire, Bellaire put up a different but still tough fight, but Portsmouth still won 75-73, punching their ticket to the Final Four! State Semifinals Vs. Ottawa Glandorf, Ohio State University, Ottawa Glandorf, a mystery team with no reveal of their game plan was a tough fight, but their win 59-43 was only good enough according to Coach Hopkins.
State Championship Game vs Cleveland Cathedral Latin, as the returning champions try to maintain their title, the game is close. Coach Hopkins insists on playing a slow game but Jeff and Craig know that with every player over six feet, the game must be played skillfully. With a close score of 60-60, Jim Murray gets possession and makes both free-throws, leading them to 62-60. As Scott Burrows was going for a rebound, he was knocked down and a foul was called. Scott makes the first free-throw bringing the score to 63-60, however misses the second shot. Karl Morris, a player on the Cleveland team, gets possession of the ball and goes for an easy lay up, making the score 63-62 with two seconds to go. As the buzzer sounds, and Jeff having the possession of the ball, the court erupts in celebration and praises to God for their victory. Jeffâs vision and dream comes true as they win State championship.
Jeff was then recruited by Miami University with scholarship to play basketball for their college. But, his attention was soon diverted with college parties and temptations and therefore made his connection with God weak. However, his family helped him stay focused and not get distracted by college social life. Then, 1979-1980 Miami Season saw the infamous Batman & Robin return on the court. However, Miami lost to Northern Illinois due to Jeffâs distractions. During his senior year at Miami, he was named the Team Captain; however, after losing majority of the games, Jeff got benched. Although he had dreams to be the next NBA all-star player, he learned one thing throughout his basketball career, to be a good teammate no matter what.
Jeff then found his calling post college, to be the coach of Columbus Technical Institute menâs basketball team. But after a nasty defeat of the team, he quit as their coach and moved back home to Portsmouth, Ohio. And, another vision came along, State championship â88. Determined to make that happen, Jeff became the assistant coach to the Portsmouth High team and led them to victory again to make Portsmouth High the State Champions of '88.