Friendship is a bond that's larger than anything

Throughout the book, it is these girls' friendships that forges the team. It is a physical game, but Blais explains that the emotional connections between the girls is what lends the team its power. It's a team, but it's a lattice of friendships that makes it special.

After the loss to Hamp, Lucia writes disparagingly about the other team in her diary. She writes: “Northampton is not a team like Amherst. Amherst is a team of unselfish, incredibly talented, team players who love their teammates. Northampton is a bunch of good basketball players put together who do not feel or look like a team” (21). She knows that Amherst is a group of girls who care about each other and mesh well together. It's this mutual love and respect that makes them deserve a win, even if they didn't actually win.

Lucia...