Tomorrow?

[Wayne23]

3/1: 75-66. We were down by 7 early in the 2nd half. Rai Leep hit 6 straight threes at that point and we waved goodbye to Hartford. 29 for Leep. -9 RBs, +5 TOs. 17 threes did it for us.

All the favorites won in the round of 8.

#4 seed Binghamton next. We won by 37 here, and lost by 7 there.

Still a standoff in Mexico.

3/2: 67-58. Leep is on fire. He had 23 tonight. 16, 2, 6, 3 for Hart, 12, 3, 7, 5 for Rae. Sloppy game. We had 21 TOs, they had 29.

#2 seed Maine, 17-12, 11-5, for the title. We won by 11 here and ten lost by 1 there last week.

3/3: 90-93. Their bench was the difference- 32, 12, 10 to our 7, 5, 4. They won it with a buzzer beating three, but they set it up nicely and the guy had a good look. 22, 3, 4, 2, 2 for Hart, 18, 9, 4, 3 for Daws, 20, 3, 2 for Rae, 13, 7, 2 for Fowl.

The question is whether we’ll go somewhere. It won’t be the Big Dance.

3/7: A setback in Mexico. Our forces had to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

3/8: Our leaders are enraged over the losses in Mexico. They are bringing in troops from conquered countries to augment our forces, and they are speeding up the training of soldiers here at home.

3/11: More losses in Mexico, but not as heavy.

3/12: 22-9, 11-5, RPI #84. I’d say we’re borderline.

We’re in! NIT, #8 seed, Midwest. We play #1 seed Washington, 19-12.

3/13: 73-72! We never led until 1:01 remained, and then it changed hands a few times. At the end Rai Leep hit a 16 footer coming off a double screen. For once the refs helped us- we took 28 free throws, they took 16.
+12 RBs but -6 TOs. We got help both inside and outside- 21, 6, 2, 2 for Hart, 20, 3, 3 for Leep, 10, 8, 5 for Daws, 10 and 10 for Fowl.

We beat the #1 seed so we can hope to make some NIT noise!

Next up is #5 seed Vanderbilt, 16-15.

3/15: 82-64. They exploded out of the gate and were up 17 in about 7 minutes. It took two time outs but we finally calmed down and played our game. By halftime we had taken the lead, and we went in up 5. In the 2nd half we never looked back. 21, 4, 4 for Hart, 18, 2, 4 for Leep, 12, 8, 3, 3 for Rae, 11, 6, 5 for Mann. Never give up!

#3 seed Utah, 19-12, in the round of 8. This could be a challenge.

We’ve been consolidating and reinforcing our positions in Mexico. There are now about a dozen foreign countries that have sent troops, planes, ships, supplies, and who knows what else to Mexico to help them defend themselves against us. Our leader is furious.

3/20: 61-79. Tough night. They built the lead to 19 at halftime and we never got it to single digits in the 2nd. The calls went against us but they were the better team. 15, 6, 2 for Hart, 14 each for Leep and Fowl. 20 TOs didn’t help.

3/20: Nothing new in Mexico.

3/25: This is turning into an ugly war. There are now 27 countries helping Mexico, directly or indirectly, as far as we know. There may be others. Other than the countries we’ve conquered, we stand alone. Our leaders are trying to convince the British and the French to come in with us, but no luck so far.

3/30: Still nothing new in Mexico.

4/2: We launched a tremendous air attack in Mexico. We seem to have used every plane we have, and we targeted every military target imaginable, as well as factories that we believe have been manufacturing war related items. We hit military bases, places where we knew their troops were camped, airports and hangars, ships at sea and in port. It seems to have been a total success, and we followed it with ground troops advancing in both north and south. We feel like we have turned a major corner.

4/3: Kansas won the national title for the 2nd year in a row.

Our troops are meeting little resistance.

4/4: Awards: Jona Hart was named Frosh OY. Adam Daws got Defensive POY. Daws and Fowl made the 1st team. Rai Leep made 2nd team. I got COY.

4/6: Most of Mexico is now under our control. Opposition is weak.

4/10: Mexico is ours. We have evicted all foreign presence and have installed a military government.

4/11: Our leader has announced that our expansion is complete and we will not be “freeing” any other countries. Time will tell.

4/13: There was a roundup of dissidents throughout our country during the night. The government announced that arrests had numbered more than 10,000.

4/16: We finally signed our last recruit, a PF.

15,000 more arrests of dissidents, according to the government.

I got a raise and a contract extension.

4/19: A third round up of dissidents, 12,000. Our Assistant A. D., and two people who worked in the A.D.’s office were arrested, as were approximately 175 students, and 35 faculty and staff.

4/23: We ask for the facilities upgrade that we didn’t get last season. Got it, C- to B-!

24-10 for the season. Overall I’m 47-18, .723.

The government announces that more than 50,000 people were arrested last night. The word is that a very high number of them are members of the LGBTQ community.

No one knows where, or under what conditions the nearly 100,000 new prisoners are being held.

[Wayne23]

5/1: We buy only the National Basic.

Our leader announced today that LGBTQ people are enemies of the state. Any willing to go through “conversion therapy” will be free, and will remain free if they take the course and do not engage in any further “perverted activities.” All others will be imprisoned.

Oh, the leader announced that he no longer acknowledges the title of President. Henceforth he is to be called The Leader. He further announced that elections will be held in November. Only members of The Leader’s party will appear on the ballot.

6/5: We go after an SF.

6/12: We get the SF.

6/26: 4 scholarships. We need 3 bigs.

Millions of LGBTQ people have been rounded up, and millions are undergoing “conversion therapy.” One of my players, a freshman, was one of those rounded up.

6/29: The Leader has been shot. Officials are not talking about his condition. He spends very little time in public. He was at an event in the nation’s Capital today, at a museum. Security was, as always, very tight. Somehow someone managed to get close enough to fire several shots. Reports vary regarding how many. The shooter was killed at the scene.

It's amazing that, first, a shooter was able to get close enough to do this. Apparently the shooter was only a few feet away. It is also amazing that the shooter was able to get a handgun. There are very, very few handguns to be found.

People are saying that The Leader was hit more than once, with none of the shots hitting him above the neck.

6/30: Still no word on The Leader’s condition. The Deputy Leader is said to be in control but that is questionable. The Leader’s inner circle is far more likely to be in charge.

7/1: The shooter was identified as a lesbian. She was dressed as a security agent, which she seems to have been, at the museum The Leader was visiting. It has been confirmed that she was at work when the incident occurred.

7/2: The Leader is dead. The Deputy Leader declined to become the new Leader. The deceased Leader’s Chief of Staff was sworn in as the new Leader.

No one is saying it but no one doubts that the Deputy Leader’s hand was forced.

7/3: As many as 250,000 people were supposedly taken into custody last night. No idea of how that many people can be rounded up in a single night, and no one seems to know where all these people are being held.

7/13: People are looking over their shoulders wondering if they or their friends and relatives may be next.

7/23: As far as we know there have been no more roundups.

8/8: Things remain quiet, at home and abroad.

8/21: We offer to a PG and 3 bigs.

9/1: The curfew is very strictly enforced. It always was, but even more so now. The government seems to have a paranoid fear of an underground opposition. People are encouraged to go to athletic events and musical events. Theater is all but banned, except for the most vacuous, light hearted musicals and comedies. But if you go, make certain to have your ID booklet stamped.

9/18: The schedule is a little stronger this season.

Things are very strictly controlled here. The new Leader is ruling with an iron fist.

9/25: We get a PF and a PG.

10/2: 1st day of practice.

Still 2 scholarships to fill.

Things remain quiet here and abroad but people at home continue to “disappear.”

10/18: There are fewer non-white faces seen around. It’s hard to say whether people of color and Hispanics are being rounded up but it sort of feels that way.

Mexicans were deported early on, both citizens and non-citizens, both legal and illegal aliens, but other Hispanics seemed to stay until recently.

Even at universities there are far fewer foreign students and far fewer nonwhites.

11/6: Our lineup is far from resolved, but here’s what we’re starting with:

Senior Rai Leep and soph Jona Hart start at guard. Soph Chad Rae subs at both SG and SF, so we plan to go with 3 guards for part of the time.

Junior Bob Garr starts at SF.

Jay Fowl starts at C.

The rest of the minutes inside are spread among 4 guys. Senior Jin Worr will start at PF and play about ½ the time. Senior Sid Mann and soph Brad Cord will split the rest of the time at PF. Senior Tro Nahr will back up at C.
As I said we expect some changes.

[Wayne23]

11/16: 74-78 in OT at Seattle. They took 40 free throws we took 12. 2 of our guys fouled out, 2 others ended with 4. No one on their team had more than 3. +10 TOs, -10 RBs. 27 for SF Bob Garr, 12, 3, 4 for guard Jona Hart, 14, 6 for sub PF Sid Mann.

11/19: 80-73 at Alabama A & M. +10 RBs, +7 TOs. 15, 4, 3, 2 for Sid Mann, who will now start at PF. 15 for Garr.

Changes: We’re not going with three guards at all for now. Leep will get full minutes and Hart and Rae will split the rest.

Bob Garr will get all the minutes he can handle at SF, and the same for Sid Mann at PF, and Fowl at C. Brad Cord will fill in at all three spots.

The number of Asians here as students at universities, and as visiting professors seems to be decreasing very little, unlike the numbers of other minorities. But Asians in the business community, both as business owners and as workers, are disappearing very rapidly.

11/23: 87-76 over a very good Baylor team in our home debut. 23 for Hart, 15, 6 for Cord from the bench, 11, 3, 3 for Leep, 10 each for Garr and Mann, and 9 for Rae. Fouls remain a problem, both Fowl and Hart fouled out.

11/26: 92-98 in OT at Towson. Our 2nd OT game and our 2nd OT loss. We came back from 13 down to tie it at the end of regulation, but in OT they had the ball last and they managed to score. Fouls were about even but Mann fouled out in 12 minutes, and Leep fouled out at the beginning of OT. 25, 8, 3, 2, 2 for Fowl, 16, 7 for Garr, 18, 2, 4 for Leep, 11, 8, 4, 2 for Cord, who his making a case to start. 22 TOs hurt.

Mann will continue to start, but he and Cord will get about equal minutes.

11/30: 74-57 over Illinois ST here. 21, 3, 3 for Leep, 18, 5, 2, 2 for Fowl, 14, 4, 2 for Garr, 12 for Hart. +18 TOs, but -7 RBs.

There was a bombing at the FBI building in D.C. Some serious damage. No one has been arrested.

12/3: 65-69 to Drexel here. They came on strong late, outscoring us 11-5 in the final few minutes. They took 10 more free throws and made 9 of them. 17, 4, 3 for Garr, 11, 3, 3, 2 for Hart, but he fouled out.

Brad Cord hurt a hip. Day to day.

We haven’t really come together as a team yet.

Four people were arrested in the FBI building bombing. They were trotted out in public. They had clearly been severely beaten. Are they actually the people who did the bombing? Who knows.

12/7: 64-52 over Fordham here. 22 for Leep. No one else had more than 8 but 6 had between 8 and 5. +6 RBs. Good D, especially in the 2nd half, when we held them to 15 points.

12/9: My dad came for a visit and again insisted that we take a walk. He is very concerned that he may “disappear.”

“I know too much. I have been completely discreet about things. I say nothing to anyone except you, and believe me, I’m not telling you anything they could get out of you if they took you in. I’ve done everything I can to appear to be on their side, and I haven’t stuck my neck out even when my conscience was telling me I should. I’m following the advice I’m giving you and staying out of it. I hope that at some point it may be possible to overthrow these monsters, but that time is not yet. I’d fight, and even die, to throw these guys out, but it’s stupid to throw my life away, and right now that’s what it would amount to.

“If they take me, it’s okay to do a little checking, but don’t go crazy. There wouldn’t be anything you could do except wind up following me into whatever hell they put the people they capture in.”

That was hard to hear, but I kind of knew it anyway. I hope dad finds a way to stay safe. He’s all I have. I’m an only child, and my mom died of cancer ten years ago. I have no intention of getting married and less of having kids. In this environment none of that makes sense.

12/10: 69-62 over Jacksonville ST here. We led all the way and the final score was as close as it got. +11 TOs but great inside play- 19, 7 for Fowl, 18, 7 for Garr, 13, 8 for Mann.

12/13: 76-40 over New Jersey Tech here. We needed one of these! 19, 6, 4 for Fowl, 17 for Leep, 7, 6, 2, 3 for Cord. 4 TOs (+18).

12/17: 80-64 over New Orleans here. 21, 5, 3, 2 for Leep, 20, 5, 3, 2 for Garr, 11, 8, 2, 3 for Cord. +8 RBs, +7 TOs.

12/21: 74-61 over a good Long Beach ST team here. 16, 6 for Garr, 15, 4, 2, 2 for Hart, 13, 4 for Leep, 10, 4, 3 for Cord, 9, 7 for Mann. +9 TOs.

12/25: At the end of pre-conf. play we’re 8-3, RPI #234. +9.5 PPG, +0.6 RBs, +8.0 TOs.

[Wayne23]

3/1: 78-71 Albany. 20 for Leep, good play all around. This was close most of the way. We went on a late run and got it to 11, and held on from there. -9 RBs, but +13 TOs.

In a shock, Maine loses.

#3 seed New Hampshire, 16-13, 10-6. They won by 4 there, and then we won by 21 here.

Crap. Dad was returned to jail today. No explanation.

3/2: 85-67 over New Hampshire. We came to play tonight! 19, 6, 3 for Leep, 18, 3, 4, 2, 2 for Fowl, 17, 4, 5, 3 for Garr. -7 RBs, but +12 TOs. We shot 54.5%.

#5 seed Binghamton, 18-11, 9-7, for the title. They won by 3 there, then we won by 14 here. On paper this one is a toss up.

3/3: 59-71. Last night we came to play; tonight we didn’t. We shot 32.3%, mostly because we weren’t getting open shots.

I think we are very iffy regarding being invited anywhere. Our season may be over.

3/4: Home from the tourney. I tried to see my father but was denied permission. Not good.

3/5: 21-9, 11-5, RPI #106. +7.0 PPG, -1.3 RBs, +7.4 TOs.

I called dad’s attorney. He is not being allowed to see dad.

3/8: I received a call saying that my dad committed suicide last night.

That’s impossible. My father would never do that.

After I got my breath back I asked if I could make arrangements for burial I was told that he had already been cremated.

This is so wrong. Dad would never have killed himself. There’s no way.

3/12: RPI is now #107.

CHI, #2 East. We play #7 Winthrop, 18-12, from the Big South, 1st in this 16 team tournament.

3/14: 69-49. Great D! 17, 4, 6 for Hart, 13, 3, 2 for Leep, 11, 3, 3, 2 for Garr. +8 RBs, +6 TOs.

Maine went out in the 2nd round of the NIT, and Binghamton in the 1st round of the NCAA.

3/16: I’ve done all I can to try to find out more about what happened to my father but I’ve been blocked at every turn.

3/18: I received an anonymous call telling me to back away from the thing with my dad. It was clear that it was a threat.

3/20: #3 seed Dayton, 18-14, in the quarter finals.

3/21: 85-73. 25, 13, 3 for Jay Fowl in his best game of the season. 17, 4, 3 for Hart, 15, 2, 7, 2 for Leep, 14, 3, 4 for Garr, 8, 7, 2 for Cord. +9 RBs.

3/26: It’s #4 seed Alabama ST, 18-14, in the semifinal round. Thay have a very good SG, and we’ll need to contain him.

3/23: I’ve decided that I need to get out of Lowell. If I get any kind of decent offer I’m moving on.

3/27: 71-68. We were down 13 with 6:22 left. Their SG had 32, but none in the last 5 ½ minutes. 25, 2, 3, 4 for Leep, 16, 4, 7, 4 for Hart. 39 RBs, 10 TOs.

Chad Rae hurt his leg. He’ll play, but not at 100%.

And we’re in the title game! We play Northwestern ST, 22-10, from the Southland.

3/29: 86-76 and the CHI title! It went back and forth for the first 3-4 minutes. At that point we went on a 21-4 run. It was 48-30 at the half, and they never got close in the 2nd. 23, 3, 6 for Garr, 23, 4 for Leep, 20, 6, 9 for
Hart. We had 16 threes.

4/3: #12 ranked LSU won it all.

4/4: Awards: Bob Garr and Jay Fowl make 1st team, Rai Leep makes 2nd. I get COY.

4/9: We’re going to Delaware in the Colonial Athletic. Lots of rebuilding to do.

4/16: Our #1 assistant stays. We hire new guys at #2 and #3.

4/23: We ask for $. No.

25-9, CHI champs. My 3 years at UMass Lowell end with me at 72-27, .727. We really had about the same record each season.

I need this change. Too many memories and too much hurt in Lowell now. Hopefully Newark, Delaware will bring better days.

[Wayne23]

5/1: There’s a lot of work to do here.

We buy the national basic.

I feel completely alone in the world. 28 years old, and no one I feel close to, no one at all. I miss my dad every day, and it hurts- lots.

6/5: looking at transfers. 3 slots open.

6/12: We get a PG, an SF, and a C, and they all look very good- at least compared to what we have now.

6/26: 2 scholarships; we thought we’d do better with transfers.

7/4: Settling in here but still pretty much by myself. I’m getting close to Pete Reuter, my #2 assistant. He’s about my dad’s age, and he has that calm demeanor dad had. Seems like a really bright guy, too.

7/24: Getting to know my assistants well. I like all of them, and they are all good at what they do. I’m immersing myself in my work because I simply don’t have anything else in my life right now.

8/21: We offer to a guard and a big.

9/18: We get a PF, #406 for now.

We set up a weak schedule. Looking for wins, which won’t be easy.

9/25: We get a PG, #113 at present. They both look like they will easily hit our SAT score so we’re done unless we decide to do something in March.

Things have been almost eerily quiet.

10/2: 1st day of practice. It’s going to be a long season unless these guys really improve. We’re paper thin inside, and almost as thin at guard.

10/21: One of my assistants said that he thinks they’ve rounded up just about every group of people that it’s possible to round up. Thinking about it, yes, either that or they’ve deported them. They deported all the Muslims and Mexicans, and most of the Puerto Ricans, even though the latter are citizens- that is meaningless, many of the Mexicans and Muslims were citizens.

They’ve rounded up literally millions of LGBTQ people.

There aren’t many people of color around.

Interestingly, at least so far, the Jews have been left alone.

Abroad, there are no new endeavors. We seem to be holding onto the territories we captured. It feels like at some point the last 4 countries in South America, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, will be attacked, but nothing yet.

11/6: I’m making friends. I like the A. D. and her Assistant A. D., and the office staff- well, there are two of them. I’m really getting along well with my assistants. And the kids are great- not talented, but great.

Okay, we’ve been working hard. Here’s the lineup we’ll start with. I doubt it will be the one we end with:

Junior Chaz Ture is our #1 guard. He’ll play more PG than SG. Soph Mitt Aver will start at SG and play some PG, and frosh Ody Sims will play both spots. Frosh Sid Shep is in the wings.

Junior Doug Shin will start at SF, as he did last year.

Inside it’s junior Lan Wood at C, and frosh Merv Rose starting at PF, but playing some SF and some C. Redshirt soph Jan Robb will back up at PF.

Shin and Wood look like our best players, and our only decent big men. Our 3 guards will hopefully hold their own.

[Wayne23]

11/15: 61-71 at New Hampshire. We never led but we kept it close most of the way. 12, 8, 2 for Wood at C, 12, 3 for Shin at SF, 9, 3, 5, 2 for Ture at PG, 11, 3, 2 for Aver at SG. Rose fouled out in 20 minutes at PF, and we’re not deep enough to survive that.

11/18: 56-43 at Oakland. Excellent D! 25, 3, 2 for Ture. +7 TOs. Ody Sims is helping as our 3rd guard but Jan Robb is giving us nothing as our first big guy off the bench.

11/20: Both of our recruits sign, as expected.

11/22: 60-67 at Robert Morris. -17 RBs, -8 TOs. We’re lucky it was as close as it was. Doug Shin’s 28, on 8 threes kept it close. No one else did much.

Aver is getting more minutes, and we’re going to give Art Bett about half of Robb’s time.

11/25: 79-54 over Austin Peay here. Wow! +14 TOs. 18, 5 for Shin, 14, 4, 3 for Wood, 13, 5 for Rose, 11, 2, 5, 3 for Ture, 9, 3, 3 for Aver. Hope this wasn;t just a fluke!

11/29: 80-65. 13, 7, 4, 2 for Shin, who is definitely our best player. 11, 3, 3, 2 for Wood, 14, 2 for Rose. +7 TOs.

I guess I’m destined to coach teams that can’t rebound; we’re at 23.6 per game.

Bett is getting the rest of Robb’s minutes.

12/2: 73-59 over Yale here. 23, 8 for Shin, 17, 10 for Rose, 12, 4, 5 for Aver, 10, 5, 3 for Wood, who is not rebounding well enough for a Center. +8 TOs, +7 RBs.

3 more games before we begin conf. play, all on the road. Would I take 1-2? Yes I would!

12/6: 60-70 at UIC. 16, 3, 2 for Shin, 15, 2, 2 for Sims, 11 for Ture. Threes were the only thing that kept it reasonably close.

Pete Toon is getting some of Bett’s minutes.

12/13: 91-65 at Army. 34, 3, 3 for Shin with 10 threes, 20, 5 for Rose, 10, 4, 5, 2 for Sims. +7 RBs.

12/20: 62-80 at South Alabama. Not a good night. We stayed close for a half but fell apart after intermission.

12/25: We end pre-conf. play at 5-4. Considering 6 were on the road that’s not bad. RPI #144. +5.4 PPG, -3.8 RBs, +4.8 TOs.

[Wayne23]

12/27: 80-72 over Elon here. 24, 6 for Shin, 16, 3, 4, 2 for Rose, 13, 3 for Sims. +9 TOs.

12/30: 59-67 at 1-9 Towson. Awful. 20, 3 for Shin, 13, 7, 3, 2 for Rose.

1/3/5: 75-58 over College of Charleston here. 15, 5, 2, 4 for Wood, 16, 2, 2, 3 for Shin, 15, 4 for Rose, 11, 3, 6, 3 for Ture, 10 for Aver.

1/6: 62-75 at James Madison. They were 2-9 going in. I shudder to think of what’s going to happen when we play the good teams. 17, 5, 2, 3 for Rose, 14, 6 for Shin.

Our goals are to win 10+ and to not finish last. I think we can reach those.

1/8: 7-6, 2-2, RPI #159.

1/10: 74-64 over Northeastern here. 18, 9 for Rose, 16, 3, 2 for Shin, 11, 7 for Wood, 13 for Sims. +11 TOs.

1/13: 54-62 at William & Mary. We couldn’t hit shots and Shin fouled out. We’re awful on the road.

1/17: 69-67 over Hofstra here. We led most of the way but we almost let it get away. Shin fell and hit his head pretty hard with just over a minute left and didn’t come back, and we had no offense on our last few possessions. Hofstra had the last shot and missed an open 12 footer. 16 for Shin, 11 for Toon, 10 for Ture.

Shin is day to day.

1/20: 65-58 over 1st place Drexel here. 13, 5 for Rose, 11, 7 for Wood, 12, 4 for Shin. Close all the way.

The win puts us in a 3 way tie for 2nd, 1 back of 1st, but 6 of our last 10 are on the road where we have ye3t to win a conf. game.

1/24: 59-56 at NC-Wilmington. Finally a road win! 14, 5, 3 for Ture, 12, 8, 3 for Shin, 8, 9 for Wood.

We’re alone in 2nd place.

1/27: 64-50 at Elon. A 2nd road win! 14, 6 for Shin, 14, 5 for Rose, 12, 4, 2, 3 for Wood, 11, 3, 2 for Ture. Good D, especially outside.

1/29: 12-7, 7-3, RPI #84. Alone in 2nd, 1 back of 1st. +4.1 PPG, -2.1 RBs, +4.2 TOs.

[Wayne23]

1/31: 75-50 over Towson here. All 5 starters contributed and the D was great.

Chaz Ture hurt his hip. He’s questionable for our next game.

Everything remains pretty much the same here and abroad. There are so many homeless people.

2/3: 59-77 at College of Charleston, ending our 5 game win streak. Ture only played 22 minutes due to the injury, but he led us with 16, 2, 2. 12, 4 for Wood, 11, 2, 3 for Sims. Shin was completely taken out of the game by fouls, playing only 9 minutes. Rose and Wood also fouled out, and I got my 1st ever ejection, getting T’d up twice. Worst officiating I’ve ever seen.

Still alone in 2nd, but 2 back of 1st now.

2/5: 13-8, 8-4, RPI #94.

2/7: 96-75 over James Madison here. Offense went crazy! 26, 7, 2, 2 for Wood, 17, 5, 2, 2 for Rose, 15, 4, 2 for Shine, 13, 2, 6, 3 for Sims. +12 TOs.

2/10: 66-57 at Northeastern. 18, 2, 2, 2 for Rose, 15, 5, 2 for Shin, 11, 5 for Sims.

2/14: 62-46 over William & Mary here. Great D. 15, 2, 2, 3 for Rose, 13 for Sims, 10, 5, 2, 4 for Shin. -10 RBs, but +13 TOs.

2/17: 47-69 at last place Hofstra. 17 in the 2nd half. 21 TOs.

2/19: 16-9, 11-5, RPI #76. 2 back of 1st, 2 up on 3rd, with 2 to play.

2/21: 74-64 at Drexel. I didn’t expect a win here. I’m delighted! 24, 4, 3, 3 for Rose, 15, 5, 3 for Shin. Stats were close in most categories. We had 10 threes, they had 6, and that was the difference.

Barring another shock we’ll still finish 2nd, but we’re one back of first, 3 up on third, with one to play.

2/24: Well, 2 shocks for the price of one. Drexel lost, but so did we, 48-55 to NC-Wilmington here. O was awful. We took 12 more shots and made one less, and we shot 46.7% from the line.

2/26: We end regular season play at 17-10, 12-6, RPI #83. 2nd place. +4.1 PPG, -1.9 RBs, +4.0 TOs.

[Wayne23]

3/3: Last place Elon, 12-16, 6-12, beat the #7 seed, so we play them in the quarter finals. We beat them by 8 here, then 14 there.

3/4: 63-55. It was close for almost 35 minutes. 17, 5 for Ture, 11 for Shin, good bench play.

#3 seed NC-Wilmington, 15-13, 10-8, in the semis. Tough match up for us. We won by 3 there, then lost by 7 last week here.

3/5: 64-77. This team has our number. -11 RBs, and they went to the line 28 times (hitting all 28!), we went 11. But, frankly, we didn’t play very well. 22, 4 for Shin, 17, 4, 2 for Rose, 14 for Sims, and only 2 other players scored at all!

We’ll go somewhere, but it won’t be to the NCAA tourney.

NC-Wilmington upset Drexel by 1 for the title.

3/12: 18-11, 12-6, RPI #87.

NIT, #8 West. We play #1 Texas Southern, 21-8. On paper it’s a tough match up for us.

3/14: 63-80. They were quicker. As a result they had lots of open shots and shot 56%. As they did all season Doug Shin, 17, 6, and Merv Rose, 15, 4, led us. Ody Sims had 17.

It would have been nice to make a little noise in the NIT but my team far exceeded expectations, all in all.

3/16: So very many people living in cars, living in doorways, living on the street.

4/3: #1 Arizona wins it all.

4/4: Awards: Juniors Doug Shin and Lan Wood, and frosh Merv Rose made the 2nd team.

4/5: And this morning there were no homeless people in sight. Evidently, they were rounded up during the night. It never ends.

4/9: Shocked to get an offer I can’t refuse. I’m going to the Air Force Academy, in the Mountain West. Colonial Prestige was 25, Mountain West 51. Delaware 19, Air Force 39. So, I’m headed for Colorado Springs.

There’s more to the story… After my interview with the A. D., well, my 2nd interview, he took me into the President’s office. They don’t call him the President, it’s a military academy, but that makes it easier.

“Coach Phyte, can you keep something confidential if you choose not to take our offer?”

“Of course!”

“Not so fast. This would be a big, serious secret. Telling would jeopardize lives.”

“I can’t even imagine-”

“This is a military academy, as you know.”

“Yes.”

“This is one of the few places in the country that is not monitored by government security- at all…”

“… I-”

“NOBODY is listening in on us here.”

“Is this going where I think it’s going?”

“Can you keep a secret if you choose not to accept our coaching offer?”

“Sir, if I get the offer I’m accepting.”

“Even if it means becoming part of something… secret? Very secret?”

“I can keep the secret.”

If you haven’t guessed, the Air Force Academy, as well as West Point and Annapolis, are operating underground operations to disrupt, and hopefully eventually destroy the dictatorship that now rules this country. I am now a part of that conspiracy. I was told that once or twice a season, no more, I, or a member of my staff, my #1 assistant and the team trainer are the two who are in this thing, will be asked to deliver a message, or something like that. The trainer takes a more active part, occasionally. I don’t know what that means. I’m doing this for my dad. Whatever happens, no regrets.

4/16: Filled the coaching staff. I like who I got.

4/23: We ask for a budget increase. We get $15,000.”

I never expected to leave Delaware after only one year. 18-12. Overall, I’m 90-39, .698, for 4 seasons.

[Wayne23]

5/1: Here we go! We buy the national basic.

5/3: First thing I noticed when I got here was that everyone is doing well. It’s like it was before The Leader took over. Everyone who works here- and their families. Or who attends here, eats in the cafeteria, 21 meals a week. And the food is excellent, choices, healthy, plentiful food. There’s no shortage of potable water either, which is a problem everywhere else. People live decently, wear decent clothes. There’s great public transportation. But all of this is only for people associated with the Academy.

My A.D., Cliff Morr, said to enjoy it. We’re training the elite, and the government sees to it that we’re treated properly.

Yesterday, Cliff said that I have 4 people who I could expose if I get hauled in. He said only he and the Academy President had more. He told me not to take any chances.

The team trainer, Holly Sanders, I was told, is the most exposed, and takes the most risks. One of the reasons is that she looks and sounds completely innocent. No one would suspect her. She’s about my age, and tiny, maybe 5 feet tall, and weighs less than 100 pounds. BUT… she has extensive martial arts training. Interesting woman. I already like her.

5/30: Settling in nicely. My #1, Rod Hall, is a great guy. He and the Assistant A.D., Guy Lewis, are the two people I spend the most time with. Although I do find myself hanging with Holly Sanders when I can find an excuse to do so.

6/5: 3 spots for transfers.

6/8: Holly and I went for a hike yesterday. This is definitely great country for hiking, and it turns out we both really like to hike.

6/12: We get a C and an SG. Both look really good.

6/19: Holly and I have been on a few more hikes. My friend Guy Lewis says I should ask her out. I haven’t dated anyone in years. It just seems like the world is so crazy, a relationship doesn’t make a lot of sense.

6/23: Holly asked me out, and she made it clear it was a date. I said yes. Dinner and a concert.

6/26: 4 spots. We want at least 2, maybe 3 big guys. Looking at 15.

Our date went really well. I’m still conflicted though.

6/30: LONG hike and a long conversation with Holly. No kids. She knows how dangerous what she is doing is, and there’s no way for her. I don’t want them either. This is no world to bring kids into. We agree on just about everything. And yeah, I’m definitely falling for her.

7/15: Holly and I are officially dating.

8/1: A. D. Cliff Morr brought Holly and me into his office. He said that, given the danger and the sensitivity of what we’re doing we need to keep our romance as discreet as possible. He made it clear he has no objection to us having a relationship but he felt it would be less dangerous for us if it looked like we were just friends. Holly answered that she thought our romance might draw less attention to us. Two young, healthy people should be involved with someone, or people might think we were LGBTQ.

Cliff said he’d take it up with the Superintendent- that’s the title of the Academy President.

8/4: Cliff Morr called us in and said to make our romance as public as we wish. The Superintendent thinks that’s the best way to go.

8/21: We offer to 3 PFs and a PG.

9/1: Holly and I are talking about moving in together. Interestingly enough that’s not yet an issue in our religious fanatic society.

9/18: We’re in the Las Vegas Winter Jam. Fairly easy schedule. I want a year to build the team before we take on big challenges.

My place is a little smaller than Holly’s and a little farther from campus. Plus, she has a mortgage, I’m just renting. I will leave my apartment on 11/1.

9/25: Got a PF.

10/2: Got a PG, lost a PF.

First day of practice.

We’re picked to finish 2nd in the Mountain West. I’m not so sure. Very shallow at guard.

10/9: We get 2 PFs.

11/1: Moving day. I move in with Holly.

11/6: Here’s the lineup we’re starting with:

We are truly awful at guard. Senior Coy Chil will start at PG. He can’t play D at all but he’s my only ball handler. The rest of the minutes will be split equally between senior walk on Mike Fisk and soph Dan Jore. Jem Sign is in the wings but he’s really terrible.

We’re much better at the other 3 spots. Senior Dee Akin starts at SF, backed by frosh Nick Wrig.

Junior Rick Joyn and soph Cam Arn start inside, supported by senior Avi Sand.

We’ll go as far as our guards let us go.

I learned today that the armed forces are in with all of this, along with the service academies.

They are torn. The Leader, even though he has no legitimate claim to power, would almost certainly win a fair election, if one was held. The propaganda has been extremely effective.

On the other hand millions have disappeared. No one knows where they are, or even whether they’re alive or not. The rest of the population is mainly living a bare subsistence existence. Most minorities have been rounded up, and have disappeared.

The environment is in grave danger. The Arctic ice caps have completely melted, and the Antarctic have melted to such a degree that places like Florida, and most coastal cities are in danger of being under water very soon.

Fresh water is a very real issue. The Pacific is radioactive. The air quality is at its lowest level in decades.

The military has not committed to attempting to overthrow the government, but it is a serious consideration.