Blind Your Ponies

West explores the intersection of sports and identity through the Broncs’ team-building efforts. Throughout the narrative, the Broncs grow together as a unit and learn that the only way that they can triumph is through mutual trust and understanding. As the story progresses, they realize that team building helps to craft their identities. The community also begins to attach their identities to their support of the team, highlighting the empowering effect sports can have on both players’ and supporters’ individuality. 

Even though the boys commit to joining the team without knowing if they will ever win a game, they do not start truly bonding until they rally around Olaf. Due to Olaf’s height, everyone believes that he will have a natural talent for basketball. While Olaf develops skills quickly, he does not learn instantly. This makes him a punching bag for everyone in Willow Creek who does not believe that the team can win. However, the rest of the team rallies around Olaf to explain to him that he is not personally responsible for winning the game because being part of a team means relying on other people to win. Each member of the team must learn this lesson separately before the Broncs continue to the state championship.