Entering this season with only one returning starter from last year’s PIAA state semifinal team, Jim Thorpe coach Nadia Gauronsky knew that it could take some time for this season’s Olympian squad to find their identity.

After Tuesday night’s 39-36 statement win over previously undefeated Palmerton, it’s a safe bet to say the Olympians have found who they are.

“This was a rivalry game,” said Jim Thorpe’s Mackenzie Yuhas. “Right from the warm ups, we were ready to go.”

In a game during which Palmerton led just once the entire night, it looked as if the Bombers might find enough offense in the fourth quarter to keep their unbeaten season alive.

When Sydney Frantz - who was the game’s top scorer with 16 points - scored on a layup to tie the game at 31 with 4:40 left to play, the Bombers seemed to have the momentum.

But Thorpe (6-2) responded by scoring the next five points as Yuhas hit a jumper in the paint and Gabby Cinicola followed with a three-pointer.

Four minutes still remained and the Bombers (9-1) weren’t about to go away quietly. Hannah Berry drilled a triple from the baseline, pulling her team within two points. Then, with 1:05 left, Berry tied the game at 36-36 with a left-handed bank shot.

Thorpe regained the lead when Yuhas made two free throws before Palmerton coach Dan Beck called a timeout with 15 seconds left. Jim Thorpe defended well, however, and regained possession. Brianna Snisky then sank the first of a one-and-one for a three-point that preceded another Bomber timeout with :10 remaining.

But the best Palmerton could do was throw up a wild shot before the buzzer that was well off the mark.

Beck said the game wasn’t lost in the final minutes, but in his team’s inability to generate offense the entire game.

“We played sloppy, and forced too many bad shots,” he said. “We tried to press them most of the game, and I think that tired us out a bit too.”

Meanwhile, Gauronsky felt the key to her team’s win was its ability to handle the Bombers’ pressure.

‘We were well prepared against their press,” said Gauronsky. “We didn’t hurry our passes or speed up the game, but calmly brought the ball into the forecourt. I think that made a big difference in the outcome.”

The first period had both teams struggling to score. Yuhas opened the scoring with a running one-hander in the lane. Barry’s driving layup, and Bethie Morgan’s free throw gave the Bombers their only lead at 3-2, but Thorpe closed out the first eight minutes scoring seven of the next 11 points.

The beginning of the second period was not kind to the Bombers, as five turnovers led to several scoring chances for Jim Thorpe and a 9-0 Olympian run. Cinicola scored five points in the period, while Yuhas added four.

Snisky added two on a put back to make the score 18-9.

But the Bombers stormed back with a run of their own. Frantz hit a trey to start the comeback, and then added a jump shot late in the half to pull Palmerton to within 20-18 at intermission.

Palmerton stayed within four points for the entire third period despite shooting just 3-14 from the floor against an aggressive JT man defense. “We watched a lot of film on them,” said Gauronsky. “They like to run their girls outside on a cycle rotation looking to get the ball inside and drive to the basket.”

But Thorpe cut off the passing lanes, often forcing the Bombers to take low percentage shots from outside the paint. The Olympians were also able to hold Morgan - the Bombers’ top scorer - to only five points in the game.

“They played us really well,” said Beck, “and they did a great job defending Bethie (Morgan).

“But I told the girls that we weren’t going undefeated this season and now that it’s out of the way, it’s time to move on, prepare better, and get better.”

SUPER SUB ... Gauronsky praised Brianna Snisky, who came off the bench to grab several rebounds and scored five points.

NEVER SAY DIE ... On several occasions, it appeared as though Thorpe might pull away, but the Bombers fought back time-and-time again.

FINAL SECONDS ... Gauronsky said she told her team in the huddle when Palmerton called a timeout with :10 left to “defend the perimeter and not give up a good look from behind the three-point line.” She also said she reminded them they had a foul to give and should use it if needed.

PALMERTON

Frantz 7-0-2-16, H. Barry 4-0-2-9, B. Morgan 2-1-2-5, Baumgardt 1-0-0-2, Matsko 1-0-0-2, Connell 0-2-2-2, Pengelly 0-0-0-0, Balliet 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 15-3-8-36.

JIM THORPE

Yuhas 6-3-4-15, Cinicola 5-1-2-14, Hartman 2-1-5-5, Snisky 2-1-4-5, Smelas 0-0-0-0, Robinson 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 15-6-15-39.

Palmerton 7 11 7 11 - 36

Jim Thorpe 9 11 9 10 - 39

Three-pointers: Palmerton - Frantz 2, H. Barry 1. Jim Thorpe - Cinicola 3.