ASHLAND, Ky. — Boyd County resident David L. Sullender shares the true story of how he coached a youth basketball team through its first season and helped transform the players into basketball warriors in his new book, “The Great Eight: The Greatest Team to Ever Step onto the Hardwood in the Basketball-Rich State of Kentucky”.

Growing up in Kentucky, Sullender loved playing basketball. Years later, he entered a small gym in Kentucky to watch his fiancé’s nephew, Rocky, play, and a new chapter of his life began. Sullender was asked to coach Rocky’s youth basketball team, and he began the process of helping eight special boys from very different backgrounds find success on the court.

“Coaching boys is both a privilege and an honor,” Sullender said. “Volunteers are desperately needed. I hope this book will help with that.”

Published by Archway Publishing, “The Great Eight” follows Sullender’s team through its first season and chronicles how the players learned to play, laugh and respect one another. He shares how they became a team and influenced him in more ways than he ever imagined.

The 126-page book is available in hard and softcovers at Barnes & Noble and online from Amazon and as an e-book.

Sullender manages a sales team for a West Virginia steel company and continues to coach youth basketball. After residing in Nashville, Tenn., for more than 25 years, he now resides in northeast Kentucky with his fiancé, where he continues to coach basketball.