In 1944, John McLendon, coach of the North Carolina College of Negroes’ Eagles, organized a secret basketball game with Duke University Medical School, an all white team.  Because of segregation, these two top teams were prohibited from playing each other.  John McLendon studied under James Naismith, the inventor of the game and coached his players with an innovative style.  Both teams were hesitant as the game began, each using their coach’s techniques.  As the game progressed, the Duke squad were stunned with the Eagles’ fast-break style of attacking the basket.  The final score was Duke 44, Eagles 88. Then surprisingly, they played another game. The teams mixed and played shirts against skins.  The trepidation with which they started dissolved as they played.  Skin color no longer made a difference.  Both teams vowed to keep it secret as serious complications could occur if word got out.  This was 20 years before Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.  The artwork also adds to the historical perspective.  Illustrations begin with the shades of gray in black and white photographs.  As the teams play the game they love, more color is introduced.  John Coy brings this remarkable story out of the sports history books to be enjoyed today.