With great hopes for the season the ladies of Saint Bonaventure set one simple goal: to come together and truly become a team. Building cohesion is important given all the challenges teams face in a long-standing season.

As the Bonnies have reached conference play in a loaded Atlantic 10 conference, they have had their share of difficulties. Their current record sits at a challenging 5-18.

Having a losing season in any side is a hard to navigate. A tough pill to swallow. The struggles of managing a losing season can be pressure filled on coaches, players, staff. it can often take have its course emotionally but not having the scoreboard on the winning side, but the goal is to keep pushing to stay together. 

Assistant Coach Chad Smith gave some insight on how to navigate through this. “The focus is staying consistent, productive days with intensity day in and out no matter the result.” He emphasized the team is embracing the journey together. 

How the coaches maintain a positive culture for the players during these moments are reminding them of their potential. Supporting them unconditionally. Smith says, “we recognize that our players are more than athletes, they are human beings, and they must help navigate them through the challenges of life”

Their coaching staff’s mission goes well beyond the court. Whether its basketball or life they are preparing the young women for that and assuring them they can count on them.

This team has a resilience and will not accept defeat. 

It is to note that the Bonnies are an incredibly young team. The team brought in six new first year players and added some newcomers. The development of these young players will be instrumental in the next few years. The freshmen have proved to be instrumental and some of the success the Bonnies have had this year. 

Freshman Zoe Shaw has shown great promise. Thus far bringing in 11 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists a contest. 

Mackenzie Pattinelli has consistent across the board.  She has proved the ability to play an all-around game currently averaging 4.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.

Caitlin Frost and Macy Smith have both been instrumental and their production is believed to increase as the team heads into the conference tourney. 

The team has shown strength and promise. In their most recent game against University of Massachusetts the team came out extraordinarily strong in the first half giving UMASS a run but ultimately failed to score much in the second half and fell short being outscored 45-38 with the final score of 81-54.

Asked Coach Smith about preparations for games during times like this. He emphasized: by competing. If the team does not show up and challenged each other every day, they’re failing each other long before they ever face an opponent. Competing in practice sharpen them, unites them, and ensures they are ready when it’s time to step on the court. 

In the final month of regular play, the team looks to keep building before the conference tournament. The Atlantic 10 tournament is set to begin March. 

A losing season does not have to be a team’s identity. Staying focused on the bigger picture is key. The Bonnies are celebrating wins within the losses. They will continue to build. Staying true to their core standards and the fundamentals that define the program. With the forever changing landscape of college basketball continuing to build cohesion will be important. Every nine months rosters look completely different due to the transfer portal, but the hope is that the young players will spend four years there and committed to improving themselves. Embracing the beautiful and rare culture that Saint Bonaventure has created. Leaving the program better than when they entered and leaving a legacy. When the team comes out the losses the program will be more in unison and will be a force to be reckoned with in the competitive A-10.