Not that Carter enjoys inflicting pain on his players, though the grim smirk that sometimes plays across Jackson's stern features suggests that his character does not exactly share their misery. But it is, of course, for their own good. The educational system, represented by the harried, cynical principal (Denise Dowse) has all but given up on these boys, and the tough love of their coach may offer their only chance of escape from the poverty and despair that surrounds them. The off-court challenges they face are sketched in a series of subplots. Kenyon, a sweet-faced forward played by Rob Brown (Finding Forrester) has impregnated his girlfriend, Kyra (the R 'n' B singer Ashanti, making her film debut), which puts his athletic and academic ambitions in conflict with his impulse to do the right thing. Timo (Rick Gonzalez) is an angry, insecure young man sliding toward a life of gang-banging and drug dealing. Junior (Nana Gbewonyo), the team's center, can barely read a newspaper article chronicling his brilliant exploits on the court.
Jackson acts with his usual steely authority -- his Coach Carter is so convinced of his righteousness that he never needs to be nice -- leaving it to the younger cast members to supply warmth and levity as they absorb his stern lessons. Gonzalez and Brown are especially strong, and Antwon Tanner, playing the team's designated joker, Worm, cuts the solemnity with impish wit. This may be the coach's story, but to the extent that Coach Carter is interesting rather than merely inspirational, it's because of the team.
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