Dragon Hoops: Prologue–Chapter 3

by Gene Luen Yang
In this nonfiction narrative, told in graphic form, Gene Luen Yang follows the Bishop O'Dowd High School basketball team during one eventful season and reflects on his own work as a storyteller.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Prologue–Chapter 3, Chapters 4–8, Chapter 9–Epilogue
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. inevitably
    in such a manner as could not be otherwise
    Games usually started off well enough. But inevitably — JAM!
  2. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    I'm intrigued — but they're talking about sports.
  3. journalism
    the profession of reporting or editing news stories
    A week later, I find the yearbook from Lou's freshman year in the journalism classroom.
  4. gaudy
    marked by conspicuous display
    This year, his team boasts a gaudy 32-2 record!
  5. dominate
    be in control
    Boy, the Dragons just dominated that first half!
  6. composed
    serenely self-possessed and free from agitation
    After the break, the Dragons came back confident and composed.
  7. delusional
    suffering from or characterized by erroneous beliefs
    You know how kids can be a bit delusional.
  8. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
    Neither Coach Phelps's cussing nor the announcers' ambivalence made a difference.
  9. trajectory
    the path followed by an object moving through space
    If you look at the replay, you can't tell — it doesn't look like the trajectory of the ball changes at all.
  10. incorrigible
    impervious to correction by punishment
    That class has a reputation of being the most incorrigible in the institution!
  11. calisthenics
    light exercises designed to promote general fitness
    In the 1800s, indoor exercise usually meant calisthenics.
  12. lob
    propel in a high arc
    Then the ball wouldn't be launched; it would be lobbed.
  13. specialized
    developed or designed for a particular activity or function
    In 1894, a bicycle company manufactured the first specialized basketball.
  14. elite
    selected as the best
    Many in Oakland see them as the latest in the city's long legacy of elite players.
  15. demographic
    of or relating to the characteristics of human populations
    Demographically, Ivan and Paris check off a lot of the same boxes.
  16. prodigy
    an unusually gifted or intelligent person
    Basketball Prodigy
  17. accolade
    a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
    I don't let the accolades get to my head.
  18. exhibition
    the act of displaying or demonstrating
    It's just an exhibition. It won't count toward our season record.
  19. explicit
    precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable
    Lou decides against doing anything explicit.
  20. torrid
    emotionally charged and vigorously energetic
    The Spartans continue their torrid streak through the second half.
Created on Thu Aug 13 16:08:12 EDT 2020 (updated Thu Aug 13 16:17:00 EDT 2020)

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