Anyone who’s seen a sports movie knows that before a team can overcome the odds and triumph just before the credits, there has to be a period of struggle. New players come together, feeling each other out and losing a bunch of games, before turning it all around just in time for the playoffs.

The women’s basketball team might not be Ithaca’s version of the Mighty Ducks (the Bombers actually know what they’re doing), but this season is looking more and more Hollywood, complete with a climactic game during senior weekend.

The team had just two starters with significant game experience and a group of talented yet inexperienced underclassmen, but that didn’t stop Head Coach Dan Raymond from playing high-pressure defense and fast-break offense while constantly rotating his players on the court. But the strategy didn’t pay off and the Bombers went 2–7. Senior Sue Kelly said at first, the Bombers needed time to gel.

“At the beginning of the season, we just weren’t there,” she said. “We had a lot of inexperience but at the same time a lot of depth. It took a while for everyone’s skill level to reach its potential.”

Potential is one of those intangibles analysts love to talk about during drafts and scouting combines, but it’s not something that materializes out of thin air. Hard work is one way to achieve it — after all, no team turnaround is complete without a good training montage. But unfortunately, this is real life, and nothing bonds a team better than spending three-and-a-half weeks together during winter break.  

Since Jan. 9 the South Hill squad has done a complete 180, going 9–2 and sitting just one game back of the No. 1 seed in the Empire 8 tournament. For this year’s seniors, the turnaround couldn’t have come sooner, with this weekend’s game key in determining whether the Bombers will host the conference tournament.

It’s especially gratifying for this group of seniors, which won 44 games its first two seasons only to go 12–14 last year. Senior Erin Sanvidge said last year’s record, paired with this year’s start, hurt the Bombers’ pride.

“Last year we didn’t look as strong and people didn’t expect us to be that good this year, and that hurts,” she said. “At the start of the season we were proving people right, but we stuck to it and now it’s paying off.”

Ithaca sure has found a comfort zone. But while a storybook ending isn’t guaranteed, there’s a good chance these players will be holding their heads high when the credits roll.