Silver Lining

From Mike's alma mater:

NEW ORLEANS -- In March 2006, just seven months after Hurricane Katrina devastated much of New Orleans, the basketball team from John Ehret High School, consisting of players from five different high schools who were displaced after Katrina, won the 5A state championship, a feat that many said they found amazing.On April 14, their story will take the first steps to becoming a movie, titled "Patriots.""It's got all the elements. Unfortunately, for New Orleans, it's got disaster, and it's got a bunch of kids that overcame a lot of obstacles, and it's got the aspect of the underdog," said Mike Fisher, who will be the basketball coordinator for the film. Fisher is no stranger to sports-themed movies. He was the basketball coordinator for "Glory Road" and the football coordinator for "Remember the Titans.""I think the whole aspect of Katrina makes it unlike any other movie. The hardship that this coach and these kids faced is unlike anything you've seen before," Fisher said. "My major responsibility is to make the basketball authentic and make the audience feel like they're seeing the real deal."Academy Award winner Forrest Whitaker will be playing the part of head coach Al Collins."I think Forrest Whitaker has a great challenge," Fisher said. "He's a great actor, and he'll bring coach to light, and I think that's what's going to really drive the film."Two casting calls will be held for the film in two different locations for Caucasian and African-American men between the ages of 18 and 23. Those who will participate in the casting call must be 6 feet or taller and an excellent basketball player and dressed and prepared to play basketball.