Hereafter

[Wayne23]

12/21: 4-7 Anal Roberts is here. Their starting PF, their best player, tore his ACL late last season and is still out. Without him they're not very competitive; 0-3 vs. ranked teams.

We're #19, incidentally.

12/22: We score the first 9. Up 5 after 10. Dunk is unstoppable so far. Up 16 at the half. Dunk has 25. +5 RBs, 4 TOs. Both teams are shooting 60% but we've taken 14 more shots. +18 in the paint. More has 3 fouls; his backup, Jaco, has 2. Up 20 with 10 to play.

91-61. They shut Dunk down in the 2nd half- actually he shut himself down with a couple of quick fouls, so he didn't play much. Our backup bigs played well.

25, 3 for Dunk, 15, 7 for Rude. Reid, Doli, and Jaco had 10 each.

+10 RBs, 11 TOs. +10.4% shooting. +24 in the paint, and we took 18 more shots.

Still lots of talk on the ship about the rocks, especially from the crew of the other ship; given what they went through I understand their concerns.

“Wow! 11 turnovers! That's great.”

“Thanks. What's going on in water production?”

“I still haven't figured it out but it feels like the human factor. I'll keep digging.”

[Wayne23]

12/25: We end pre-conf play with a real challenge, #15 Georgia Tech, 10-1, is here. They're a 1 ½ point favorite. They have an excellent outside game, and they're pretty good inside as well. They play much better D than we do. Our big edge is on the boards and we'll need to take advantage of it! They're 2-0 vs. ranked teams.

We're #14.

12/26: “Come to play tonight, guys!”

They take an early lead. Down 10 after 10. Down 12 at the half. We're getting beat up. They're shooting 60.7% to our 53.1% so not much D by either team. -8 at the line and Doli has 3 fouls. 10 TOs, which is awful; they have 8. Their guards are the difference so far. Mini-run gets us within 7 but we need to play better D to have a chance.

76-90. They were definitely the better team tonight.

15, 13, 4 blocks for Dunk, 16, 8, 3 steals for More, 14 for Jaco. Our PG had 10 TOS! As a team we had 25; I don't think any team I've ever coached has had 25 TOs. -12 from the line. +18 in the paint but it didn't matter.

1/1/2042: We end pre-conf play at 11-3. NET #2. +8.2 PPG, +7.4 RBs, tied at an awful 15.4 TOs, -0.1 assists.

Dar Dunk leads us with 16.9 and 10.4 RBs. Fin More is 2nd in both, 14.7, 7.1. Dan Reid gets 5.8 assists.

[Wayne23]

1/4: At 9-5 Vermont. They are very good outside. This won't be easy.

1/5: Back and forth early. Up after 10. Up2 at halftime. 7 players with between 4 and 7 points. 5 TOs. They're +10% shooting but we took 5 more shots. Dunk has 3 fouls which is NOT good. Down 8 with 10 to go.

89-82. We were down 10 with 8 minutes left and 6 with less than 2 minutes left.

19, 3, 3, 3 for More, 12, 2 5 for Reid, 10, 8 for Rude. 11 each for subs Jaco and Demi. Dunk played only 20 minutes due to fouls.

10 TOs.

[Wayne23]

1/8: 10-4, 0-1, ST Johns is here. Their starting PF tore his achilles. His replacement is pretty good. They don't score many but they don't give up many. We're better rebounders and better shooters.

1/9: We take a quick lead. Up 7 after 10. Up only 4 at the break. Dunk is in foul trouble again; he had 2 fouls in the first 3 minutes. 6
TOs, +8 in the paint. Up 10 with 10 left.

65-53. They played good D but ours was better.

15, 7 for Dunk in only 24 minutes, 12, 6 for Doli, 11, 8 for More.

7 fewer TOs. +5% shooting.

Hali comes to every home game, usually with June. She really loves the game and is learning about it. She asks me good questions.

We see each other 2-3 times a week when my schedule allows it.

Still no answers re the water department issues.

[Wayne23]

1/11: 5-10, 0-2 Seton Hall is here. They're good outside. They give up a lot of points.

1/12: Nothing to gain and a lot to lose in a game against a weak team...

Back and forth early; we're flat. Down 5 after 10. I am NOT happy! Down 6 at the half. I really kick butts in the locker room.

“11 TOs! That's ridiculous! You're playing like crap! Wake the hell UP!”

Down 5 with 10 to go. OT!

103-99. We escaped. Honestly, we didn't deserve to win this one.

Dunk was awesome, 23, 21. More had 22 and 6. 11 TOs for Reid; unacceptable.

+11 RBs but 18 TOs, to 16. +22 in the paint, most of it in the 2nd half, in the last 10 minutes.

“You stunk the joint out and you were damn lucky not to lose. Expect some very tough practices.”

The water supply is currently undrinkable. We're 3D printing gallons of water and it is a tedious process, using up a lot of our resources.
Hali and I haven't found out what the problem is yet.

1/14: “Jed, there are three people in water production and distribution who are lazy. They pay little attention to what they're doping, and that's the reason the water is contaminated. Frankly, The head of the Water Department needs to be fired, along with all three. Jaylin Crow, from my ship, is 2nd in command over there and she's perfectly capable of running that department and fixing this mess.”

“I'll go to the Captain right now and recommend that.”

[Wayne23]

1/15: At #14 Villanova, 12-6, 2-1.

“They're a big favorite, guys. The odds makers are showing you no respect. Frankly, if you play like you did against Seton Hall they're right. BUT... if you play like I KNOW you CAN play, you'll kick their butts. Solid D is an absolute must, and so is playing smart.”

“Hali, the Captain isn't ready to fire any of those people. We really kind of had an argument about it. I don't get it.”

“Expect more trouble and worse trouble.”

1/16: Close early. Up 6 after 10. We're hot! Up 11 at the half. 13, 6 for Dunk, 11 for Reid, but he has 3 fouls; 9 for More. We're shooting 60%, +8.3%. +10 in the paint.

“Keep doing what you're doing. Don't let up though; they can play.”

Up 9 with 10 left; we're playing great ball so far.

95-84. We really played some O! This is a HUGE win!

28, 18 for Dunk, 15, 5 for More, 16, 4 for Reid. 12, 0, 4 for Demi, our #3 guard; he came up big for us when Reid was in foul trouble.

+15 RBs. +4.2% shooting. +20 in the paint. Their terrific SF was just that but Dunk was better.

“Has the Captain budged any, Jed?”

“Not an inch.”

“Did you show him the video I made of the three guys slacking off, with the water levels in the background?”

“He barely looked at it.”

“What could possibly be going on?”

“No idea. This isn't like the Captain.”

“Should you bring it to the Council?”

“... This is the Captain's decision but I may have to, in order to pressure her. I think I'd really lose her ear though.”

“Threaten her with it.”

“I'm trying to figure a way to do that...”

[Wayne23]

1/18: #10 Georgetown, 14-6, 4-0, is here. Tough team, and right after another tough team. At least we're at home. They're a huge favorite, mostly due to their outside game. Their guard play is as good as anyone's in Div. I. We'll need to control the inside and contain the guards.

1/19: It's close early. Down 3 after 10. They go on a huge run. Down 23 at the half; it felt like we just watched as they took control. They shot 50% to our 34.5%, and they took 9 more shots. -6 RBs, 4 more TOs. Dunk, 11, 5, is the only one who did anything at all. I put in some changes on both O and D but it's a long uphill climb... Down 18 with 10 left. It's not happening.

59-83. Painful! 19, 17 for Dunk, who never stopped trying, 13, 4, 3 for More. But our guards were soundly beaten and their bench had 43 while ours had 11.

We played them even in the 2nd half but it was too late.

#1 big off the bench, Toma Jaco, sprained a toe; he's out 10 days.

Still nothing from the Captain.

“Captain, I need to bring this to the Council.”

“Bring what to the Council?”

“The extreme incompetence of the Director of Water Procurement and distribution and three of his employees.”

“That issue is none of the Council's business. I decide hiring and firing.”

“We are undergoing a continuing crisis in this area and it is not being resolves. The Council has a right to know this.”

“Captain, I am mystified. I have never known you to tolerate incompetence or corruption. What am I missing here?”

“Mind your business.”

“This IS my business and it is the Council's business. If I don't report this I am complicit in a cover up. This will come up at our Council meeting tomorrow night.”

“If it does you will lose a very valuable ally.”

“I'm sorry to hear that.”

1/20: “Madam Chair?”

“Yes Jed.”

“I need to make a report regarding our findings regarding the issues with Water procurement and distribution.”

“Proceed.”

“After an exhaustive investigation, including security, the computer and tech people, and my own people in statistics, my 2nd, Hali Beal, and I have come up with some conclusions. Hali is here in case you have questions for her. I would remind the Council that she was 2nd in command of Water Procurement and Distribution on her ship before she came here and came to stats.”

“Proceed.”

“I would remind the Council that Max Weber, the former Director of WPD, died some time ago. His replacement, Mara Cloei, has been in the job for only a relatively short time. All of the issues with WPD have occurred on her watch. We believe that she is shielding three employees who are doing minimal work, when they do any at all, Jamal Godenoi, Lee Grant, and Vashti Loman. Again, Hali, among others, has both personal knowledge of this and video evidence. We believe the only solution is to fire both the Director and her three employees. The 2nd in command, Jaylin Crow, from the other ship, is perfectly capable of taking control.”

“Captain, report.”

“I have nothing to report.”

“Do you concur with Director Clark's assessment?”

“No.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“No.”

The Chair then asked Hali to report and asked that the Council be shown the video evidence.

“The Council is in recess until tomorrow evening at the usual time. We will take up this matter at that time.”

1/21: 3:37 p.m., ship's time. I received a call. No one ever calls, they simply send video, audio, or text messages.

“Jed, It's Grace. Please come to my quarters immediately.”

“On my way.”

Grace Santio is Council Chair. I practically ran.

“I spoke to the Captain late this morning. She stonewalled completely. Wouldn't budge. No explanation, wouldn't talk about the issue at all.”

“So what are we going to do? What can we do?”

“It takes a 2/3 vote to overrule the Captain. I think we have the votes but I'm going to wait a day or two to talk to people on the Council to be sure.”

“I just don't get it.”

“I don't either.”

[Wayne23]

1/22: We host #8 Marquette, 17-3, 3-2 next. Their very good starting SG is out with a fractured foot. They play solid D and are favored. They lead the nation in shooting %. We're going to need to dig deep for this one. 3 very good teams in a row. We need this win but it won't be easy.

“So what are you going to do?”

“I talked to her again. Nothing. I had Lance Faigo, her best friend talk to her. Nothing. Let's go in, everybody is waiting.”

“The Council meeting is called to order. Captain Gray, have you anything to report on the Water Procurement and Distribution issues.”

“Nothing to report.”

“I order you to fire Director Mara Cloei, and employees Jamal Godenoi, Lee Grant, and Vashti Loman, effective immediately.”

“I refuse.”

“Council, I move the firing of then four named people. All in favor?”

The vote was 10-2 in favor.

“Madam Chair, I resign as Captain, effective immediately.”

“All in favor of accepting the Captain's resignation?”

“The vote was 7-5 against.”

“The Chair is in a quandary. All in favor of giving the Captain a leave of absence, effective immediately, and until further notice, please signify by raising your hand.”

The vote was 8-4, in favor.

“I appoint 2nd in command Rufus Belatrix, Acting Captain.”

This whole thing makes no sense. The four people in WPD were fired and replaced effective immediately. The Captain stormed out.

1/23: “We need everything you've got tonight, guys. You can do it!”

Close early. Down 3 after 10. Down 1 at the half. It's a battle! Our guards are doing the scoring so far. Both teams are sloppy; we have 10 TOs, they have 8. We're shooting 57.7% to 53.3%. -10 in the paint.

“Take care of the ball and control the inside. Those two things should be automatic. If you do them in the 2nd half you'll win this thing!”

Down 4 with 10 to go. We're losing it inside.

71-76. +6 RBs, 1 less TO than they had. -4 in the paint, -6 on 2nd chances. We shot poorly in the 2nd half, 28%.

14, 4 for Dunk, but he was out played. 11 each for Doli and Rude. Hosi wasn't bad from the bench, 9 and 9.

[Wayne23]

1/26: At 12-7, 3-3 Butler. This one is rated a toss up by the odds makers. It's their outside game vs. our inside game.

The Captain, hasn't left his quarters since the last meeting. I don't know what he's doing about food- oh, I just remembered, as Captain he has a small 3D printer in his quarters. That solves the food mystery. And no, we haven't kicked him out of the Captain's quarters since he's only suspended

Things are already considerably better in WPD. Jaylin Crow knows her stuff!

1/27: Slow pace early on. Up 1 after 10. Down 5 at the break. 11, 6 for Dunk. Rude has 3 fouls. His backup, Hosi, also has 3. -5 RBs.
-4% shooting but both teams are shooting poorly.

“I need more energy!”

Up 5 with 10 left.

64-65. We missed an open 12 footer at the horn. This loss really hurts.

21, 11 for Dunk but he didn't get much help.

+12 in the paint and we shot better but it wasn't enough.

[Wayne23]

2/1: At 16-7, 4-4 Provocation College Fryers. They're favored by 3 ½, which is a lot, but I'm telling my guys we can win this one. They don't score many points. We should have a big edge on the boards and we'll need to make that count.

2/2: “Show me what you can do tonight. I have every belief that you're going to kick butt!”

About 1000 UConn fans managed to buy tickets and are here in Providence to support us.

We fall behind early. Down 10 after 10. Great comeback, up 3 at the break! +6 for the bench. Very poor shooting, we're 29.4%, they're 35.5%. +4 from the line. +4 RBs.

“This one is yours if you want it bad enough. You showed your heart when you were down 10. There are over 1000 people in the stands yelling for you. Send them home happy!”

Up 10 but we're in foul trouble inside. We go on a run!

90-79! We absolutely NEEDED this win!

17, 3, 3 for #3 guard Chao Demi. 15, 7 for Dunk, 14, 3, 3 for Rude, 11, 7, 3, 3 for More.

Our inside guys both played long minutes with 4 fouls and neither of them fouled out.

+7 RBs, 9 TOs (10 fewer). They out shot us by 8.8% but we took 12 more shots and were +12 from the line. +10 2nd chance points. +12 on fast breaks, which is unusual for us, but it was there.

16-7, 5-4, in a 3 way tie for 5th, 1 back of 3 other teams. We could well go 5-2, even 6-1. If so, we'll be fine.

“Okay. I hope you proved something to yourselves tonight. You can win a lot of games this season!

2/3: “Members of the Council, I nominate Jed Clark to be the new Captain.”

After a LONG discussion I got my turn:

“Members of the Council. I do NOT want this job. I am willing to take it with the understanding that when we manage to grow someone else into ther job I will leave it. I love the world of stats and that's where I'm at home. I don't want to leave it permanently.”

The vote was 11 yes, one abstention (me).

2/4: “Captain, we're entering heavier rock traffic.”

“Navigator, it's your job to get us through. I won't jog your elbow. Keep me informed when you have the time but the first priority is for you and your crew to navigate, not to hold my hand.”

“Yes sir.”

Damn job is nearly 24/7. I barely have time to coach or to see Hali and June. Hali has had only one question about the job. She's more than capable of doing a great job.