Original subtitles

MAN OVER RADIO: WCAU-AM news time in the City of Brotherly Love.

It is 3 p.m.

In the news this hour, President Nixon's reelection campaign

was interrupted today by Vietnam protestors.

Despite 25,000 American casualties,

the president reiterated his plan to stay the course.

Thousands of women rallied this afternoon to demand

equal pay for equal jobs.

Feminist leaders took to the podium to voice

"We should be training to be a doctor,

"not training to marry a doctor."

CATHY: I wish I could say that life was always this simple.

But for me, it really came down to two choices.

Could I deal with rejection and temporary pain,

or should I suffer a life filled with regret

because I was afraid to take the risk?

At the time, I only knew a few things about the college.

It was all-girls.

Their basketball team wasn't very good.

And the school was founded and run by the nuns.

I had no coaching experience,

so I was somewhat surprised when they responded to my resume.

But on the surface,

it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a woman

who wasn't ready to assume her role in society.

Hi, I'm Mary Margaret O'Malley. Welcome to Immaculata College.

-How may I help you? -Mother St. John's office?

Room 220. Take the staircase to the second floor.

-It's 28 steps. -Proceed through two oak doors.

And all even rooms on your left.

-Thank you. -No, thank you.

Oh. Rally for O'Malley.

Oh. Ha.

-Catherine Rush? -Yes. Thank you.

Were you named after St. Catherine of Siena,

or St. Catherine of Alexandria?

Is there a St. Catherine of Atlantic City?

If there is, I hope she didn't suffer the same fate

as St. Catherine of Alexandria.

She was beheaded.

Um, here's my...

It's all right, I have one here.

I see you're married?

Yes, just a few months now.

Physical education degree, West Chester State College.

-Did you play there? -Two years.

What do you know about coaching?

Well, I know for the first time, it'll be five on five,

full court with unlimited dribbling,

so it's obviously not our mothers' game.

It'll be similar to the men's game.

Yes, similar to the men's rules,

but the game will be different.

How so?

Well, we'll actually play like a team. (CHUCKLES)

And a 30-second shot clock means better conditioned athletes.

Are you suggesting that our girls will become athletes?

If they wanna win, yes.

I'll be satisfied if you just use these activities

to suppress their hormones.

I'll try to add that to the playbook.

Well, seeing that no one else has applied for the position,

I'm prepared to offer you $450 for the season.

That'll be just fine.

Do I get an assistant?

Only if they volunteer.

This is our last ball.

Please don't lose it.

Thank you.

Can I have a key to the gym?

Oh, you won't need one.

Oh, great.

The gym burned down three months ago.

Here's the student schedule.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must attend to the needs of our sisters.

Practice is scheduled to begin in three days.

Oh, where?

I don't know, you're the coach.

Mrs. Rush,

I hope you're a better coach than you are a negotiator.

Why is that?

I was prepared to offer 500.

That's okay, because I was willing to coach for free.

MAN ON RADIO: The 76ers bring the ball over the time line.

Milwaukee tries to set up a trap. Greer avoids. Passes over

to an open Cunningham. Cunningham over to Wohl. Back to Greer.

Greer rises, shoots.

Congratulations.

Are you mad?

Why would I be mad?

You got that same look when I beat you in tennis.

When do you start?

Tomorrow.

Like I said Cathy, why would I be mad?

Come on Ed, it's just a little something to keep me busy.

Just like tennis was a little something to, what, keep in shape?

I know how bad you wanted to go on this vacation, honey.

It's not about that. We both agreed...

Will you just hear me out?

I wanna have a family with you more than anything in the whole world.

But if I don't try this just once,

I'll always wonder what if, you know?

You know how much I wanted this.

Ref?

Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair,

decoration of gold, and wearing of robes,

but let it be the hidden person of the heart.

Thank you.

(SIGHS)

As since you are the joint heirs of the grace of life.

Finally, all of you,

have unity of spirit...

(WHISPERING) Can you pass this down to her?

Yeah, tall girl at the end there.

MONSIGNOR: Sympathy,

love of the brethren, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Do not return evil for evil

or reviling for reviling,

but on the contrary, bless,

bless.

Yeah, red hair. Red hair.

For this you have been called,

that you may obtain a blessing.

This is the word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Bonjour.

Hey. I thought you were going shopping for engagement rings.

He wants to wait till graduation.

He gave me his letter jacket as a pre-engagement ring.

Ah. Very nice, Lizanne.

We're going out for the team, right?

Why, so we can continue to get crushed by all the bigger schools?

Look, they didn't recruit me either.

You need to let it go.

You know what? I think I'm ready to get a job.

Yeah, right, Trishie.

In a week you'll be looking for an open gym. Do you have a pen?

We're in, right?

Yeah, I'll think about it.

We're also requesting once again that the

heating system be replaced in the freshman dormitory.

So where do I find these numbers?

Page five.

What about alumni support?

They're not banging the buckets like they used to.

Yes?

Mother Superior, it's Cathy Rush.

I'm in a meeting.

Oh, I'll just wait out here.

Excuse me.

What is it?

It's bitterly cold outside, Reverend Mother and I can't find an indoor court.

-Excuse me. -Sorry.

The old activities center.

Oh, thank you so much, and all of you.

Thank you for this opportunity, I...

Please. Please.

I wonder if you'd all excuse me for a minute.

I would like a private word with Monsignor.

You can't depend on the trustees for continued financial support.

Now, the board is going to be meeting in three months,

so consider yourself warned.

Mother of God.

Don't take this personally.

This is the business side of our church.

But, Tom, why can't we use the insurance money from the gym?

Unfortunately, it will take an act of God to save this school.

Yeah, well, that's exactly what I've been praying for.

ST. JOHN: Come in.

Yes?

Reverend Mother, may I speak with you?

Sit down.

How may I be of assistance, Sister?

I'm not sure I can do this anymore.

Admissions is always difficult,

especially in these changing times.

That's not what I meant.

I'm sorry...

But I'm requesting some time off.

I'm not surprised.

Did you ever struggle with your calling?

If we didn't have to struggle,

we could never harvest the glory.

I'm sorry, Mother Superior.

I thought my service would be different.

I'll be glad to reassign you to chapel.

That should give you plenty of time to ask for guidance.

CATHY: Trish Sharkey.

Here.

Lizanne Caufield. Ici. It's French for here.

Merci. It's French for "be a team player."

-What is it, Miss Malone? -I think I'm allergic to dust.

You will make a wonderful husband.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

-Gayle Moore. -Here.

Colleen McCann.

Here.

Was that a here, Miss McCann?

Yes.

Short, tall, fast or slow,

it's our voice that makes us one.

Understood?

Yes, coach.

-Jen Galentino. -Here.

Who here likes to win?

That is the only reason you should be here.

Unless, of course, you're trying to avoid household chores.

If that's the case, we've got two things in common.

Jen, you know why teams win?

Talent?

If basketball were only about talent, it would be played one on one.

You like these girls, Jen?

Yeah, I guess.

Okay.

Who here thinks that Jen's lipstick is a good color for her?

Come on, anybody? Look at her.

Cute girl, olive skin,

beautiful smile, and street-corner lipstick.

(GIRLS GIGGLING)

Colleen, care to comment?

Trust.

Trust is why teams win.

And if you can't trust your teammate

to tell you your lipstick is wrong,

you can't trust your teammate's call at a backdoor screen.

So I will ask again.

Who here thinks it's a bad color?

Easy to fix. Watch each other's backs.

That's all I'm saying.

Who here knows how to swim?

Great.

The wooden pool is open. If you want it, fight for it.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

And if you're afraid to get your hair wet,

you can always wear one of these.

This is so unladylike.

You should quit too.

Next.

SUNDAY: My dear Lord Almighty,

running projections,

analyzing numbers,

and filing applications.

I fail to find the spiritual nourishment

required to enter my fifth year

and take my final vows.

So I implore your divine guidance

to have mercy on me in this difficult time...

-And I ask that you send me a... -(BLOWS WHISTLE)

(SIGHS)

I implore your divine...

(BALL THUDS)

To send me a sign,

any sign, as I will be listening for your voice.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

(BALL THUDS)

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

(BALL THUDDING)

-CATHY: Good job, ladies. -(APPLAUDING)

Good job, Trish.

Bring it in. Good job. Give yourselves a hand.

(ALL APPLAUDING)

I want each of you to take one of these.

Here you go. You can pass them around.

Hold the top two corners between your index finger and your thumb.

Mmm-hmm.

Now, I want you to close your eyes.

Close your eyes. Good.

Now, I want you to envision everything you know

about the game of basketball.

Defense, screens,

jump shots, layups.

Keep thinking.

Everything you have ever done on a basketball court.

Rebounds, bounce passes.

Think some more.

Now I want you to take all that knowledge

and mentally transfer that knowledge

onto these delicate pieces of paper.

Make sure you leave nothing behind.

Now take that paper, hold it close to your heart.

Embrace that knowledge.

You can open your eyes.

Excellent. Place them gently in the basket.

Here you go, Gayle.

Now, what we must do is take

everything you know...

And...

Get rid of it.

I'll see you here tomorrow at 7 a.m.

(SIGHS)

-What? -Get used to it. And then again at 4 p.m.

Bright and early. Good night, girls.

GIRL: Two times?

-Hey. Where did you play? -West Catholic.

Nice pass.

Ma, where are Frankie's boots?

By the front door. They're wet.

I'll just use some bread bags.

Oh, thanks, Ma.

And tell Frankie I'll need a ride home.

-Will do. -Gotta go.

-Love you. -Love you too.

(WATER TRICKLING)

CATHY: Before every practice,

I'd wait outside that gym and hope

that five girls would be willing to embrace a new world.

We started with 15 girls who had 15 different stories,

and it didn't take long to hear them.

Jen was our fun-loving nurse in training.

Get your brother some orange juice, please.

She was looking for an excuse to get out of the house.

Lizanne, a solid role player who could be a star,

if she wasn't so busy planning her engagement.

And Trish, a big-time player who got overlooked.

All she could think about was where she wasn't and what she didn't have.

And so we began.

Plaid sashes, huh?

So I heard you were the all-time leading scorer at Oakcrest High.

Uh, yeah, I was.

Too bad I never liked pom-poms.

I don't get it.

Senior year, they dropped girls' varsity basketball.

They asked us to be cheerleaders instead.

That's not right. That's what I thought too.

Thanks for the new rim.

We are here to serve.

I can't wear this.

Swing your partners round and round.

It's not that bad.

That's because you're already married.

Who were these inspected by, Adam and Eve?

For now this is all we have, so buck up.

All right. Stretch it out. Come on.

You're still here.

CATHY: All right, bend your knees.

The first thing you'll learn is how to defend.

If you can defend, it shows me you care,

and if you care, we can play as one.

Now, get low. Hands out, palms up.

Slide left.

Lower.

Don't cheat me, don't cheat yourself.

Come on back this way.

Okay, good. Keep going.

There you go.

Good job, Trish.

First thing every young girl should learn

is the proper way to clean a floor.

So...

Ladies, let's make it shine.

Slide, slide. Left.

The next six months, you need to break up with your ego.

If you can't do that,

there are playground courts that'll accommodate you.

Anyone else wanna quit?

Now would be a good time. Right. Slide,

slide. Good, Trish. Slide.

Representing this school is a privilege.

Mimi, down.

We will learn to defend it.

She already has a husband. Why would she wanna work?

You know who she's married to, right? Ed Rush, the NBA ref.

Word is he had to give Mother Superior a case of hand lotion just to close the deal.

Wouldn't surprise me. Around here, that stuff is gold.

-Frankincense. -And myrrh.

That' because it's the only gift they're still allowed to keep.

Is that true?

Am I crazy, or did coach's shoes clash with her belt today?

The woman has got a lot of shoes.

I liked it better when our uniforms smelled like mothballs and cigarettes.

(LAUGHING)

Catch.

Pivot.

And pass.

Catch, pivot and pass.

Be careful, it's hot.

Let's go. Press break.

No, no, no, the other end. Come on, come on.

Hustle up.

Move it, move it, move it. Good.

Yes. Ball movement and teamwork, that's how we break the press.

All right, let's run it again. Come on.

Good, good, good. That's what I'm talking about.

CATHY: Do you see that?

Yeah.

Well, that's exactly why they're in first place.

Cathy, you mind if I get some work done here?

No, no, of course not.

I mean, see? They never let anyone get an easy basket.

Cathy.

Isn't this great?

So who here still needs a ride to the game?

Does anyone have a car?

Anyone's parents going?

Really? Friends, family?

Nope.

Anybody know anyone who can drive?

SUNDAY: I can drive four.

Great. Well,

I can handle the rest.

Can I help you?

Yeah, I'm here for Trish.

He's my brother.

Okay, you can stay. Thanks, Rolf.

Okay.

All right, get some rest. Big day tomorrow.

Listen, you need to hurry. The band practices in an hour, okay?

Girls' locker room?

Right through there, door marked "ladies' room."

Oh, and the walls are out of bounds.

Thank you.

GIRL: Shoot it.

-Let's go. Go. -Pass.

Come on in.

Come on, Jen.

All right, Rosemary, come on.

You okay, coach?

Sure. We'll get through this.

I want each of you to pin this onto your uniform.

All right?

As you think, so shall you be.

All right, listen up.

(TOILET FLUSHING)

Sorry.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

All right, let's go.

CATHY: Off the screen. Get open.

Pressure her.

Kick the ball out. Kick the ball out.

WOMAN: Pass it. Pass.

Cover her.

(SIGHS)

WOMAN: Good job.

CATHY: Get open.

Trish.

Did you forget your bathing cap?

Did you forget there were five of us?

Good afternoon, Sister.

Good afternoon, coach.

Heavenly Father,

I seek your help in this time of need.

There are times

when we need the strength to survive things on our own.

And then there are times

when we need your help and the help of others.

And I ask for your help in finding me an assistant coach.

Of course, she'll have to help me find a gym to play our home games.

(SCOFFS)

And it would be really great if she had a car.

Okay, now you're pushing it.

Well?

Oh, come on, you just need a driver.

Look, we can do this.

Now it's we?

I know I can't do it alone.

Amen.

Was that amen or I'm in?

Both.

CATHY: Watch the screen.

All right.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

CATHY: Move the ball.

Get it, get it.

All right, yeah!

-Get back. Get back. -Oh, come on.

Pass it.

Over here. I'm open.

A little safer at the end of the bench.

CATHY: What can I do for you Trish?

I got a job at a department store

and they need me there three days a week.

Well, we're gonna miss you.

Can't I do both?

Not in our program.

Is that job something you've dreamed of?

No, not really.

But employees do get 50-percent discount.

I can only tell you this.

Have the courage to follow your dreams.

That's your gift to the world.

Maybe it's working in a department store, I don't know.

But if you give that gift,

I promise,

a day will come when the world returns the favor.

I thought dreams were only for rich kids.

No, dreams are for everybody.

All you need is a heart.

You have the gift to play this game, Trish Sharkey.

There is no doubt in my mind.

But you have to believe it.

You let me know what you decide, all right?

MONSIGNOR: It's over a million dollars.

McHALE: Wouldn't it be better to borrow against the equity?

That would barely be enough to pay for the upkeep.

But where would my sisters go?

We will have more than enough

to ensure they enjoy a comfortable life.

Well, what about the students?

There are plenty of colleges in this area.

I might have a tough time explaining this to my wife and her former classmates.

But if you can secure a written offer

for those types of numbers, we'd be foolish not to sell.

I move that we approve the research of these activities

and ask that we reconvene in 90 days.

CATHY: I think we'd be playing better

if we had a few more things, so I put a list together.

Sorry. Here you go.

You may not be able to read my handwriting. New uniforms,

warm-ups and team sneakers.

Oh, yes, well, I'll be happy to be of assistance.

-Yeah? -Sure, just follow me.

We'll see what we have.

NURSE: Good morning, Reverend Mother.

This is my room.

You can help yourself to anything I have.

CATHY: Set a double screen,

and then Mimi crashes the boards hard.

TRISH: Oh.

Where you going?

Frankie. You have any friends?

A few.

Friends who play basketball?

Is there another kind?

-GIRL 1: Defense. -BOY 1: Ball.

Whew. I hope this works.

BOY 2: Get back, get back.

-Watch it, watch it. -Right here.

You got it, you got it.

GIRL 4: That's it.

BOY 5: Watch it.

GIRL 3: Get in there.

BOY 5: Here we go. Push it, push it.

BOY 3: Pass.

Rosemary,

if Frankie's cutting through the lane, you need to keep contact with him.

If he's gonna be aggressive, how should you play?

The same way.

Right on, but with a ponytail.

Let's go, ball in.

That was good. Good stuff.

GIRL 1: Get on top of him.

BOY 1: Hey, over here.

It's okay to pass the ball, Frankie.

Thank you.

GIRL 1: Defense.

BOY 2: Get back, get back, get back.

GIRL 2: You got it, you got it.

Come on.

Flash to the ball.

BOY 3: Watch the pick.

Good, good, good. Yes.

GIRL 2: Defense. Defense.

Watch it.

Blow the whistle.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

Hey, Colleen, you need to get between him and the basket.

How many times did coach go over this?

See your man and the ball, okay?

Know where he is at all times.

Find him and box out.

Stay with him just like this.

Don't let him get the rebound. Okay?

Good job.

Mrs. Rush, may I have a word with you, please?

There are no men allowed on this campus,

let alone having physical contact with our girls.

Now send these boys home.

I've got my eye on you two.

All right, boys, uh...

That'll do it for today.

Reverend Mother wasn't always this stressed.

When she first got here, we'd stay up all night

playing poker.

Of course, that's when they used to give us walking-around money.

She'd look at her cards, lay them down,

straighten out her cash, and say, "Be not afraid."

Then she'd bet everything.

Boy, was she good.

Oh, she took a few bucks from me.

And that activity room used to be packed.

I'd have to wait minutes to get on the bike.

Those were the days.

People had a little respect for the habit.

Now look at us.

In a few years, we're gonna be an exhibit at the Smithsonian.

We need to stick together.

Where's the switch?

Oh, somebody better help me out here.

Oh, bless you.

Maybe you could use your rec time, come out and cheer on the basketball team.

Watch the pick-and-roll.

-NUN 1: Eye on the ball. -NUN 2: Pressure her.

GIRL 1: Pass it.

GIRL 2: Come on. Come on.

GIRL 3: Ball!

GIRL 1: That's it, that's it.

GIRL 4: I got her.

-Time-out. -(BLOWS WHISTLE)

-You got to get there sooner. -I tried.

-Move your feet. -You can't just stand there after you get beat.

If you call for help and she helps you,

then help her. Help the helper.

That is the way it works.

Does everybody understand that?

Just play as a team, all right?

Bring it in.

ALL: One, two, three, team.

Team!

(CROWD APPLAUDS)

GIRL 1: Slide through.

GIRL 2: Come on, come on. Here.

-GIRL 3: Move the ball. -GIRL 4: Get on top of her.

GIRL 5: Watch it.

CATHY: Help, help, help. Help your man.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

GIRL 1: Set it up.

CATHY: Protect the basket.

Come on, move your feet.

GIRL 2: Okay.

GIRL 3: Yeah.

CATHY: All right, we got it, we got it.

GIRL 4: Get it.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

GIRL 5: Yes.

(CROWD APPLAUDS)

You call that defense?

I need to find out who wants to be here.

Shake hands and get in the van.

Come on, girls, let's go. It's okay.

TRISH: What is she doing?

MIMI: I don't know.

Watch your step, ladies. Come on.

Pick it up.

Bring it in. Colleen.

Come on, come on.

All right, take your jackets off.

Jackets off.

Let's go, defensive slide drills.

Here?

Defensive slide drills. Who's first?

Mimi. You're up.

Palms up, backside down. Up and back.

Go, go, go.

Trish, Colleen, Gayle, Rosemary, come on, come on.

If you wanna stay dry, you need to lift your feet.

Faster, faster, faster.

(PANTING)

I don't like this.

-Cathy, that's enough. -Here we go, here we go.

Again, here we go, one more time. Get through.

Trish, get in there. Lizanne, come on. Gayle, Rosemary,

come on, come on.

Our results will not change until our habits change.

(GROANS)

Cathy, it is too dangerous.

CATHY: Come on, come on.

Come on.

Here we go, here we go.

Get back in now. Go, go, go.

Lower, lower, lower. Faster. Keep your feet dry.

Are we in it together?

Cathy, stop.

Here we go. You're not done. You're going back.

How much are you willing to sacrifice, huh?

How much? Come on, move, move, move!

There you go, there you go.

-Keep it going. -Cathy, that's enough.

Here we go, one more time, back in.

Keep your feet dry.

Here we go. Come on, come on, come on.

Cathy, stop. These girls were sent here for an education.

In what, historic preservation?

I'll see you in the morning.

(SIGHS)

Hey.

What?

Maybe this isn't working out the way we planned.

Well, you're gonna have to adjust.

Ha. I'm gonna have to adjust? To what?

To never seeing each other? To never having dinner together?

To watching game films together? Maybe I don't wanna adjust.

It's not my fault you're spinning your wheels on something

that no one cares about, Cathy.

I care.

What, you'd rather I sit at home all day while you travel

all over the country?

I travel so I can pay for this apartment

and everything here. What they pay you, that's not legal.

Most women, they would be grateful.

Grateful?

In the past three years, do you know what

I've done with my free time?

I go to your games.

I find the time to support you.

You don't understand what grateful is.

I didn't know you were so unhappy.

I am not unhappy.

Well, you don't sound too happy right now.

I'm frustrated. It's different.

Because you're trying too hard to change these girls, and they don't want it.

It's not that they don't want it.

They've been told for so long

that they can't have it, that they can't even imagine wanting it.

You know what? I can't even talk to you.

It's 7 a.m. and... They're not here.

Okay.

Maybe I pushed them too far.

(CHUCKLES)

Maybe Ed is right,

and they're not like me, and they don't want what I want.

Mrs. Rush,

your entire team broke curfew last night.

We've never had that before.

Nor have we had anyone endanger the lives of the girls.

-I... -Now, that is unacceptable.

You leave me no choice.

It was my idea.

I should have known.

So you finish out the season, and then that's it.

Don't be surprised if all the others quit too.

-You didn't have to do that. -I know.

But we can't give up.

I don't know if you've noticed, but we have no team.

(WHISTLE)

GIRLS: Quick, quick, quick.

Dry, dry, dry. Quick, quick, quick.

Dry, dry, dry. Dry, dry, dry.

Quick, quick, quick.

Dry, dry, dry.

Dry, dry, dry.

Rosemary, force the ball to the sidelines.

Now, I need you to keep your feet dry. Got that?

Trish. Trish, you're gonna sneak in and double-team.

Don't reach.

No, don't reach, because Gayle, I wanna anticipate this pass across court.

Got that? Here we go.

Let's go. On Sister Sunday, one, two, three, team!

One, two, three, team! Team!

-Get out there. -Let's go, let's go.

-CATHY: Here we go, girls. -GIRL: Dry, dry, dry.

Go, go, go.

-Yes! Yeah! -Yes, yes, yes! Yes!

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

That's what I'm talking about.

* Hey there, lonely girl

* Lonely girl

(SIGHS)

What?

Nothing.

Can I help you, ladies?

Coldest thing on tap.

-Okay. -I'll have the same.

-Oh, and number twos to go. -BARTENDER: You got it.

-Thank you. -Put those drinks on my tab.

Oh, no, you don't have to do that. It's fine.

Thank you.

Just passing through?

Aren't we all?

I like a woman with a sense of humor.

But I bet a pretty gal such as yourself must be hitched.

You could say that.

What's the old man do?

He's a...

Carpenter.

He's good with his hands, is he?

Works miracles.

And you?

Uh, my husband's also very good with his hands, thanks for asking.

The good ones are always taken.

Either of you ladies like to dance?

Thank you, but we'll have to pass.

It's girls' night out.

-I can respect that. -(LAUGHS)

You ladies have a nice evening.

You too.

You are trouble.

Takes one to know one.

Nice win.

-Who's in? -I am.

Uh, math.

Who do you pray to for help balancing your checkbook?

I just pray to my dad.

My dad would kill me if he knew I was going to college.

What?

"Daddy I'm thinking of becoming

"a nun and would love to volunteer at Immaculata."

-He doesn't know? -No.

And he thinks I'm the team nurse.

-Does coach know? -Yeah.

She said we'd wait for a quiet moment to let him know.

So when did you know?

I'd been at this ad agency for four years,

finally got my first big promotion,

and I felt nothing.

I woke up the next day

and thought "There has to be more to life than this."

So you just left?

Well, the first thing I did was break up with my boyfriend.

You had a boyfriend?

(CHUCKLES)

I was 26 and living in Manhattan.

So do you ever miss it?

Sometimes.

But my whole life I had listened to others tell me what I should do.

And this time, I listened to

that little voice inside of me.

So I quit my job and took a bus to Immaculata.

Why there?

I had this great Immaculate Heart of Mary nun in high school.

She whispered something to me that I'll never forget.

"Jesus likes to dance."

(LAUGHS)

That's how I reacted too. It forever changed the way

I look at things.

Like the whole wedding-in-Cana thing.

Apparently, he was having a good time and wanted to stay.

That sounds just like Ed.

I mean, not that Ed is like Jesus.

He really loves to dance.

Have you told him lately?

Told him what?

How much you love him.

Yeah, sure.

I mean not exactly.

It's been a little hectic lately.

That's why I'm asking.

Since when did you become so perceptive?

I'm just saying,

keep your eye on the ball, coach.

(SIGHS) So...

You think you'll stay?

If it's meant to be.

* Oh, we want to be in that number *

One, two, three, team! Team!

* When the sun begins to shine

* Oh, when the sun begins to shine

* Oh, we want to be in that number

* When the sun begins to shine *

Fight, fight, fight!

(CROWD CHEERING)

CATHY: Come on, Trish. Come on.

CROWD: Let's go, Macs! Let's go, Macs!

(CROWD CHEERING)

CATHY: Here we go. Here we go, Jen. Here we go.

Let's go, Macs! Let's go, Macs!

Get in there. Get it to Trish.

All right.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Gayle, very good.

Run it out, run it out.

Go, Rosemary.

-That's her. -Who?

My old coach.

There you go.

Yes. Way to go.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Good job.

Great game. Great game.

Looks like I might have been wrong about you.

Well, thank you.

Next time, you'll play the varsity.

What was that about?

I started freshman and sophomore year.

After that she cut me, twice.

Why?

Said I wasn't a team player.

(PHONE RINGING)

(SIGHS)

Hello?

Hey, it's me.

Hey. Where are you? I thought you'd be home by now.

Yeah, the train got delayed, and I'm stuck in Newark.

-What? -Yeah, I know.

Hey, how was your game?

We won.

-That's great. -How'd you do?

Did all right.

It was close, but I did all right.

We're leaving now,

so I'll see you in a few hours.

Well, okay.

Travel safely, all right?

Hey, Cathy.

I love you.

I love you too.

-Hey, honey? -Yeah?

Thanks for asking about my game.

You're welcome.

(CARNIVAL MUSIC PLAYING)

There you go. Your food will be right out.

Where did you guys meet?

At a basketball camp.

Did you know right away that he was the one?

I did.

How did he propose?

What makes you think he proposed?

Oh. Really?

(LAUGHS) No. But I thought about it.

(LAUGHS)

Was it fun shopping for a dress?

My mother made it.

Did you have a big wedding?

No, we eloped and then came back and had a party.

That's so sweet.

I can't wait for my wedding day.

Nine, ten.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

CATHY: Good afternoon, girls.

ALL: Hi, coach.

SUNDAY: Seven, eight, nine,

Where's Lizanne?

No one's seen her all day.

Well, was she in class?

No, coach, she wasn't.

Again.

(SIGHS)

Is there anything else I can help you with?

That's $90.50.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Have a great day.

Here. I got it.

Thanks for the jackets. Have a nice day.

Hello, Mrs. Caufield.

-Thanks for coming. -She still in bed?

Yes. Come in.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENS)

Hey, coach.

We missed you today.

I'm sorry.

-Give us a few minutes. -She's a mess.

(SIGHS)

You okay?

Yeah.

(SOBBING)

I'll be fine. I'll be fine.

Breaking up is the worst.

I know there's nothing I can say right now

to make you feel better, but...

I just loved him so much.

Hey.

What are some of the things he's gonna miss about you?

Right now? Nothing.

That's not true.

What makes you such a special person?

I know the answer, but I want you to tell me.

I'm bilingual.

Okay.

And I think I'm a pretty good dancer.

You know, for a Catholic girl.

Go on.

And I think I'm pretty.

Probably not right now, but I think...

You are.

All of those things, even right now,

and what you think of yourself

is way more important than what he thinks of you.

This isn't you.

Don't let his jacket define who you are.

This

is who you are.

Try it on.

Might be easier if you stand up.

(SIGHS)

You've earned this jacket.

And nobody can take it away from you.

All right?

Your team's waiting for you.

Coach?

Thank you.

I've already phoned our sisters in Baltimore.

Good. Now let's go talk to Mother Superior, huh?

Come on. It'll be all right.

Trust me.

The retiring nuns will move together and live at the motherhouse.

Excuse us, but we have some very exciting news to share.

We're in a meeting here.

I understand, but we got invited to the regional championships.

Yes, well, that's very nice, Mrs. Rush,

but now is not the time.

What year are you in, young lady?

Oh, I'm not a student, Mr. McHale.

I know it's Mr. McHale

because I go to your bank. I cash my checks there.

My own paychecks.

We coach the basketball team.

We got invited to the regionals in Baltimore.

We just needed some money to get the kids there.

Mrs. Rush, I'm afraid at this time,

we have more important issues to deal with.

There has to be something we can do.

Just please accept my apologies for this interruption.

Would you please excuse us?

We can't give up.

We've worked too hard.

You must leave now.

Do you understand the commitment these girls have made?

Young lady, I don't believe you understand

the meaning of the word commitment.

If it means not giving up when no one believes in you,

and if it means showing up every day when all hope seems gone,

then I do know what it means.

But I didn't really understand that until I got here.

I know you're trying to save this place,

but the only way to protect these girls and your future

is to make them stronger.

And we do that by working together.

There will always be other people who think

they have a better plan,

but at some point, we have to stand up

for what we believe in.

My goals are no different than yours.

Good afternoon.

We will have three offers before the end of the day.

Who put this here?

Whose button is this?

Well, we're not going to eat until someone steps forward.

It must be yours.

We can't really call it a rematch, then.

No, but if we win, we get one of 12 automatic bids to nationals.

We lose, we sweat it out with the rest of the country

for four at-large bids.

His wife was a Mac, you know.

No kidding. Excuse me. Here.

Ah. I already have one of those.

Oh, no, it's not for you, it's for your wife.

Thank you.

(INSTRUMENTAL STAR SPANGLED BANNER PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

All right. Bring it in, bring it in. Right here, right here.

All right, listen up. Play our game. Our game, all right?

-We can win this. -Yeah.

-Team. One, two, three, team! -Team!

Don't let up. One, two, three, win!

Come on, Macs. Come on. Press hard, press hard. Let's go.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

CATHY: Press break.

Come on.

GIRL: Pressure her.

CATHY: Help her out. Help her out.

(GRUNTING)

Up the middle.

Pass. Pass.

GIRL: Press break.

CATHY: Try to get open.

I'm open. Jen.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

(ALL EXCLAIM)

CATHY: Stay in it.

Pressure, pressure, pressure!

GIRL: Come on, come on, come on.

COACH: Pressure her.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

WOMAN 1: All right, West Chester.

MAN 1: Way to go, girls.

Better luck next year.

I'm sorry I let you down.

No, Mrs. Rush, you haven't let me down.

We've just been invited to the nationals.

-What? -What?

We got one of the four at-large bids.

Thank you.

No, thank you.

The local newspaper called. They want a team photograph in the morning.

I ask that all the girls be wearing their Sunday best.

-You hear that? -(ALL EXCLAIMING)

All right, now let's go inside.

I don't know how we'll pay for this.

We have a meeting with the monsignor first thing in the morning.

Let's go, Macs! Let's go, Macs! Let's go, Macs!

(CHANTING)

-Are you asleep? -Yes.

-Guess what. -What?

We got the invitation.

No.

-Yes. -No.

-Yes. -No. Yes?

-Congratulations. -(LAUGHS)

Can you believe it?

Yes. Wow.

A little closer, girls.

(CHUCKLING)

Uh, the girl on the end, let's see if we can put you in the back.

Bring somebody else down.

We're fine. You can go ahead and take the picture.

I'd like to switch her with somebody from the back.

-CATHY: We're good. Go ahead. -Please.

-Sir... -LIZANNE: Trish.

-JEN: Trish. -CATHY: Trish.

Honey. It's okay, just...

Will you open the door? Trish.

SUNDAY: Trish.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

-Come on. -(GIRLS WHISPERING)

(GIRLS EXCLAIMING)

We're ready.

The first game is in less than hours.

I have every sympathy with your cause,

but you...

You above all people should know we don't have the money for these

recreational activities.

I have an idea.

-Here? -Yeah.

Okay, so wait, what are we supposed to say? I've never done this before.

And I have? I don't know. Just say things like soothing

and feminine feel.

Okay. Okay.

Can I help you?

BOTH IN UNISON: Hi.

Good afternoon.

My friend and I are selling men's soothing cream.

Yeah, for just a dollar, it's perfect for things like

dry hands, dry elbows.

-Oh, yeah? -TRISH: And dry feet.

And you know what? It might help

if my friend Lizanne here could

put some on your feet.

Thank you.

Sir, you forgot your lotion.

Ah...

TRISH: How does it feel?

Great, great.

TRISH: You're doing great.

We could only sell enough for four one-way tickets.

On United, two sisters can fly for free.

It's still not enough.

Even if we left now and drove through the night,

we'd be in no condition to play a number-two seed.

Are you sure we've done everything we can?

Well, this should be enough to get your players there.

Be not afraid.

Final boarding call to Chicago.

Final boarding call to Chicago.

You know this is a sin, right?

I intend on paying them back.

I'm gonna hold you to that.

I have a confession.

The habit will do that to you.

I'm not Catholic.

What?

I'm Baptist.

-You are? -Mmm-hmm.

But you believe?

Above all else.

Then we are sisters.

WOMAN OM PA: Standby passenger Sister Sunday,

standby passenger Sister C atherine of Atlantic City.

Yes. Amen.

Don't you get hot in these things?

It ain't easy, Sister.

(CROWD CHEERING)

GIRL 1: Push it, push it.

-GIRL 2: Go, go. -GIRL 3: Over here.

GIRL 4: That's it.

SUNDAY: Hit it, Lizanne.

Yes. Double fast, double fast.

SUNDAY: That's the way, girls. That's the way.

Hands up. Hands up.

Put your hands up.

CATHY: Pressure, pressure, pressure. Pressure.

GIRL: Over here.

Pressure.

Yes.

That's all right, that's all right. Push it, push it.

-Come on. -SUNDAY: Don't worry.

Good shot.

CATHY: Yes.

-Here. -GIRL 1: Defense.

SUNDAY: Nice.

GIRL 2: Get back, come on.

MAN ON SPEAKER: Two points.

-Nice. -Yes!

[NORMAN GREENBAUM'S SPIRIT IN THE SKY PLAYING]

-Ed, we got through. -Thanks.

Can you tell me if Immaculata won?

Yes! Thanks.

* Never been a sinner

* I never sinned

* I got a friend in Jesus

* So you know that when I die

* He's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky *

MALE ANNOUNCER: Immaculata is clinging on to a one-point lead

in the final minute of play.

Don't give up the baseline.

A heavily favored Mississippi State

dribble the ball side to side.

The fans are on their feet. The Macs closely defend, pressuring the ball.

Dribble drive and a pass, shot is up and good. And a foul.

-Oh, no. -(CROWD EXCLAIMING)

-Mississippi takes the lead. -You're blind! You're blind!

Here's the foul shot.

It's up and good.

Immaculata now trails by two.

And the Macs push the ball up the court.

Rosemary, box three. Box three.

Looking for the open shot.

Pass to Lizanne Caufield. She squares.

It's good! Time-out, time-out.

It's good! The Macs tie it up!

Very, very, very good. All right.

This is what we've been working for all year.

This is why we have made sacrifices.

To defend this moment, right now.

And we are ready, okay?

Remember, force the ball left, move those feet,

and know your teammates are there to help you. Here we go.

-One, two, three, team! -Team!

Get out there.

MALE ANNOUNCER: It looks like it'll come down to one final play

to see who will advance to the national championship game.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

Mississippi State races up the floor.

-SUNDAY: Defense. -CATHY: Force her left. Force her left.

There's a pass. A dribble drive.

The Macs poke it free. Loose ball.

The Macs have it.

Shot!

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

No good! No good!

No good, and we're headed to overtime. But wait, wait.

The referees confer.

(CROWD EXCLAIMING)

Before the end of regulation, foul, two, one, two.

The Macs have one more chance.

Yes.

Number 12, shoot two.

Trish Sharkey's gonna go to the line for two.

Gonna make that lonely walk out to the free-throw line.

That's a lot of pressure on a young girl.

Go, Trish.

And she misses.

Time-out. Time-out.

It's all right. Have a seat.

-Have a seat. Get her some water. -I'm fine. I'm fine.

Listen to me. You can do this, Trish.

Just trust your shot, bend your knees,

and don't forget to breathe, all right?

Go.

All right. Here we go.

MALE ANNOUNCER: Here we go again.

Sharkey walks the plank.

She's now four for nine from the charity stripe.

Come on, Trish.

She dribbles.

Shoots.

Yes!

(CROWD CHEERS)

Yes!

Tiny Immaculata College is going to the finals.

One more.

Light another candle, Sister Regina.

This dream is still alive.

What if they full-court press?

We go upside down. Oven mitts on.

Center and forwards bring the ball up,

Trish and Rosemary use speed to go to the basket.

What if they don't press?

We put the winter clothes on.

I don't know that one.

It means it'll be a cold day in hell.

She will never adjust.

(SIGHS)

I think we're ready.

Guess we're about to find out.

(SIGHS)

No matter what happens tomorrow,

I wanna thank you for what you've done for me this year.

You are a team player.

You have helped the helpers.

No, you don't need to...

No, no, no. You listen to me, Cathy Rush.

You taught me that not only is change possible,

it's as vital as breathing.

And not only that, you also taught me

and all my sisters,

that sometimes angels wear high heels.

That is the corniest thing I have ever heard.

Do you not know

that in a race,

all the runners compete,

but only one receives the prize?

So run that you may obtain it.

Corinthians.

You've earned the right to run tonight.

And it's okay to want the prize.

Lizanne,

do you know why teams get to the championship?

Trust.

Yeah, that's why they get to the championship.

Do you know why they win the championship?

Anyone?

I want all of you to point to yourselves.

That's right.

Look where you're all pointing.

This. This is why.

This is where championships are won.

One team, one beat.

This is what keeps us alive, but we can't even see it.

It's not about what we wear

or where we live or how much money we have.

That's how they see us.

That's how they judge us.

None of that matters.

Because what they don't know,

is that we will win tonight,

and we will win

because of the things they cannot see.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

One minute.

Coach.

Everyone, take a knee.

(SIGHS)

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,

and welcome to the first national championship for women's college basketball.

Tonight it's history in the making,

as the Golden Rams of West Chester State College

face the Macs of Immaculata College.

The tension is building here inside the arena

as the Immaculata faithful rise to their feet.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And the Mighty Macs are taking the floor.

This is one of the most improbable championship matchups in sports history.

The pint-size papal institution received one of the four

at-large bids and was seeded at number 15 out of 16 teams.

It was just one week ago that these two teams played for an automatic bid

to the nationals, and Immaculata lost by 42 points.

How will this fairy tale end?

Will the glass slipper fit head coach Cathy Rush and her little sisters

on the floor?

The answer lies somewhere between heaven and the hardwood.

SUNDAY: You got it, Macs.

West Chester State easily wins the tap.

Get back, get back.

They push it forward and get an easy layup.

Now they're setting up for pressure defense.

Macs are fighting to get open.

Get it to her.

They finally get it in.

Pass the ball up the court.

-Open, I'm open. -And the Golden Rams steal it.

Oven mitts, Mimi, oven mitts. Oven mitts.

Macs to inbound.

Quick pass to the middle.

Very nice!

Unselfishly move the ball up the floor.

Here's another pass, and they score.

Yes! That is teamwork.

Here we go.

Yes!

Immaculata pressuring the ball.

The Macs are all over the floor.

Sharkey pokes it free.

The Macs dive to the floor, picking up loose ball,

bounce pass, layup, score!

Macs continue to whip the ball around.

Moore passes down low to Trish Sharkey.

-Bang! -Yes, yes! Yes, yes! Very good.

Macs tie it up. West Chester wastes no time getting down the floor.

-They shoot. And a foul. -(BLOWS WHISTLE)

Are you kidding me?

-Come on. -Cathy Rush doesn't like that.

West Chester dribbles, swings it.

Macs rotate to help. There's Moore with a steal.

Passes ahead. Macs look to push over half-court.

Pick to the corner. Rainbow!

And a pot of gold! Whoa!

The Macs tie it again.

West Chester controls.

Slide your feet.

Just stay tight there.

Open jumper, she nails it.

West Chester leads by two with a minute and a half left to go in the game.

Find Rosemary, Gayle.

Find her. There she is.

-GIRL 1: Get her. -GIRL 2: Here. Open.

Jump shot. We're tied again.

Perfect. Very good.

That's it.

Macs with the ball and a chance to lead.

Time's running down.

Sharkey, a jump shot. And it drops through.

Macs take the lead by two. Thirty-five seconds and counting.

West Chester in a weave.

Come on. Come on.

Foul line, jumper. Good. We are tied!

Sixteen seconds.

Fourteen. Thirteen.

Time-out. Come on, bring it in, bring it in, bring it in.

Time-out, Cathy Rush.

Jen, you're in. Okay, listen up.

We're gonna start pretty low.

Rosemary, I want you to hand off to Gayle.

Trish, flash to the ball.

They're gonna overplay her, so, Jen, I want you to set a backdoor screen.

You need to trust that Trish will be there.

Let's do this.

Be strong, Trishie.

Heart on three.

-Ready? One, two, three, heart! -Heart!

Come on! Get out there. Come on, girls.

Last week, these two teams were separated by 42 points.

Not today, folks. Here we go.

For every team that thought they never had a chance.

Twelve seconds.

Ten.

Immaculata sets up along the baseline.

And now they motion.

Five seconds.

Sharkey lays it up.

Score!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Immaculata College has won the national championship!

The Mighty Macs are number one!

-Nice game. -You too.

We did it.

(ALL EXCLAIM)

Congratulations, coach.

CATHY: When I look back,

I'm not sure any of us could explain

the mystery of how we won or why we won.

But maybe all we did was look around us

to see other women committed to something they believed in.

Somewhere along the way, you forget how important that is.

As a team, we must have learned from that because in the end,

it proved to all of us

that anything can happen when we're committed to our dreams.

(INAUDIBLE)

Immaculata College survived the turmoil of the early 70's.

In 2005 it went coed and is now thriving as Immaculata University.