Seamen Come Out Hot, Win it All!

  Members of the Dribbling Seamen pose after winning the CUI Title. From left: 

  Quinton Sampson-Wood, Ryan Albers, Isaiah Acfalle, McKenna Cardinal,

  Sean Szarnych, Nick Anderson, Caleb Wragge, and Nick Tate.

The Dribbling Seamen defeated "Witness" 74-63 in the CUI championship on Sunday, earning the first league championship in franchise history.

The squad won the coveted championship T-Shirts by outscoring a "Witness" team that had advanced to the finals earlier in the night.  

Sean Szarnych, #47

"It feels good to be champions," said captain Sean Szarnych while fighting tears.  "This is what I play for.  I've reached the pinnacle."

Szarnych finished with nine points while teammates Ryan Albers and Caleb Wragge added 19 and 14 respectively.  Nick Tate hit several clutch shots in the second half including some big three-point shots.

With the Seamen up by three with under 10 minutes to play, the Seamen ran into their turning point.  A "Witness" player took and missed a shot and called an obvious foul on the play.  However, "Witness" got the rebound and went back after a score.  Because the foul was called, the team had to come back down, erasing the score and did not convert.  The Seamen took advantage of what could have been a one point game but wasn't and took off the rest of the way.

"Hey put this in your blog," said Wragge.  "It feels good to be a big expletiving deal on Clarke's campus."

Wragge fought through a major ankle injury to be able to play in the game.  

"When I founded this franchise, this is what I had in mind," said Wragge.  "Last year wasn't what we wanted.  We got her done this year.  Expletiving right we got her done."

Although the Seamen will be focusing on enjoying their first title for a while, starting tonight and into tomorrow by wearing their championship shirts to classes, the end of a season calls for questions about next season.  Some contracts have expired and there are big free agent names on the market.

Albers, Tate, and McKenna Cardinal are all free agents starting Monday, December 1 which is the beginning of the free agent signing period.  Isaiah Acfalle, Nick Anderson, and Quinton Sampson-Wood have a mutual option that needs to be picked up by both parties before returning to the squad.

On the market are several players who were key components to other teams in the 2014 CUI league.  Matt Gagner is one player who has publicly expressed interest in joining the Seamen, but the Seamen are holding their options open by sending scouts to area high school games to lure undecided high school seniors to attend Clarke to play Intramural Basketball.

Will Kevin Fitzgibbons return?

"I hope they consider me to be on the team next year," said Gagner.  "I led the league in rebounds with 20 per game."

Additionally, the team will likely look to return their defensive wonder from 2013, Kevin Fitzgibbons, after his several months in Fiji, Canada.

Although the future in the free agent market looks murky, Szarnych in Wragge are locked in with one and two more years on their contract respectively.  Neither player is linked in any trade talk, but if the Seamen struggle next season, General Manager Wragge may consider shipping Szarnych off for draft picks since he will only have one year left.

Key pieces may be on the move, but for now, the team stays put.

"I can't express enough the love I have for these men.  Also McKenna," said Szarnych.  "We may not all get to play together again, but for this week, we are still a family."

Nick Tate, CUI Finals MVP

After the game, Tate was named 2014 CUI Finals MVP for his incredibly clutch performance that not only wowed his teammates, but his opponents and fans as well.

"He really had it tonight," said Wragge about Tate.  We don't win this game without him.  He stepped his expletive up to another expletiving level tonight.  He was deadly in the paint, beyond the arc, at the point.  He was like a expletiving magician."

Tate will undoubtedly use the honor to get a better contract, whether it be from the Seamen or another suitor, in 2015.

Ethan Wragge's brother, Caleb

Wragge reflected back on the past and what brought him and his team to this moment.

"I was the team," said Wragge.  "Nothing makes you realize that this is a team game until you get a expletiving crippling injury and realize that you have teammates who also play.  It was awesome to see.  But expletive my ankle hurts.  Expletive."

The Naval Intramural Academy would like to thank you for reading this season, despite a late season hiatus due to some Google issues.  We appreciate your readership and hope you continue to follow the team. 

Dribble on, Seamen.  Dribble on.

Seamen Blast Monstars Back to Moron Mountain in Blowout

The Dribbling Seamen recorded their third win of the season on Sunday, improving to an undefeated 3-0.  The team has only played teams with names inspired from the movie Space Jam.  

Ryan Albers led the team with 23 points on five three-point baskets.

Ryan Albers channeled his inner Caleb
Wragge on Sunday night's victory.

"He was angry," said Wragge.  "He was taking none of that business up in his house.  He was like owning it and destroyed it almost as good as I did last week."

"When he first came off he said 'I'm taking this game seriously,'" said Sean Szarnych on Albers' performance.  "They were talking mad stuff all week. I'm going to drop 40."

The squad had good things to say about the defensive prowess of Matt Gagner of Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada, a center on the Monstars.

"He really showed up defensively.  He's good," said Szarnych.  "He blocked his girlfriend though."

In a conversation with Gagner, Wragge echoed Szarnych's comments.

"You were strong, dude," said Wragge.  "It was really cute when your team started trying.  Plus it's too bad you won't be getting any for infinity because you blocked your girlfriend."

The Seamen return to the court on Sunday, October 26.  The opponent and game time are to be determined.

Game 3:  Oct. 19, 8 p.m. vs. Monstars. 74-50.

Player	#	Points	2’s	3’s
Caleb Wragge	7	19	2	5
Ryan Albers	2	23	4	5
Patrick Cristi	5	2	1	0
Nick Tate	19	6	3	0
Isaiah Acfalle	12	5	1	1
Nick Anderson	44	4	2	0
Sean Szarnych	30	11	1	3
Hannah Dentlinger	15	4	2	0

Szarnych Returns, Wragge Responds, Seamen Ground Team Space Jam

Sean Szarnych made his 2014 debut on Sunday, which marked his first game played as team Captain. The squad improved to 2-0 with the win and keep a tie for first place.

Szarnych discussed his return to the court after the game.

As mentioned in the video, Caleb Wragge bounced back big time to become what is believed to be the first player in Dribbling Seamen history to record 30 points in a single game.  Wragge, who got off to a slow start, scored only six two-point buckets in the first half.  In the second half, Wragge took off and scored only six three-point buckets.

"Caleb was huge," said Szarnych.  "He started off slow and we lit a fire under his belly at half-time and then he soared."

McKenna Cardinal made her Dribbling Seamen debut and set some franchise records along the way.  Cardinal broke the record for points by a female by finishing with seven and was the first female to hit a three-point bucket.  The Seamen announced following the game that Cardinal will be a permanent addition to the team.

Game 2:  Oct. 12, 9 p.m. vs. Team Space Jam. 79-56.

Player	#	Points	2’s	3’s
Caleb Wragge	10	30	6	6
Ryan Albers	2	14	4	2
Sean Szarnych	47	18	3	4
Nick Anderson	44	6	3	0
Isaiah Acfalle	12	4	2	0
McKenna Cardinal	99	7	2	1

Dribbling Seamen Go For Two

Week 2 Preview

The Dribbling Seamen will play their second game of the season tonight and look to keep their record perfect by going 2-0.  Ryan Albers led the team in week one with 23 points and could lead the team again if he is able to connect from beyond the arc.  Nick Tate also collected 22 points and all signs point to him keeping up his pace.  

The only two questions from last week translating to week two are Isaiah Acfalle and Caleb Wragge.  It's likely that if you see Wragge step up his game, Acfalle could fade out and find his way on the bench.  If Wragge does heat up, between him, Albers, and Tate, the team will likely be looking for an extra guard in Patrick Cristi and Nick Anderson to fill out the five players on the floor as opposed to a fourth high-scoring threat.

This week, the Seamen will be paired up with Team Space Jam.  This could bode well for the Seamen as they were able to beat the Tune Squad last week.  A win tonight would make it two straight to start the season over two teams with names inspired by Space Jam.

What 2 Watch 4

Pick to Click:  Ryan Albers.  Look for Albers to start big in the first half.

Concerns:  Layups and sportsmanship.

"We had like 20 missed layups last week," said Dribbling Seamen Captain Sean Szarnych.  "We're doing line changes like Hockey."

"I'm waiting for our team to fall because we're a bunch of selfish players," continued Szarnych.  "Sooner or later, something's gonna crack.  But I also want better chirping from my team.  I was a little disappointed with the showboating on Opening Night.  I thought it could be better."

"The allegations of unsportsmanlike conduct are 100 percent true," said Sarnych.  "We just gotta come back louder and prouder next week.  We're a bunch of peacocks and we're going to spread our wings and fly."

Mid-Week Update

Albers led the Seamen on
Opening Night with 23 points.

The Dribbling Seamen sit atop the Clarke University Intramurals standings at 1-0 with their 103-73 Opening Night victory over the Tune Squad.  Off-season signing Ryan Albers led the squad with 23 points on seven three-point buckets.  Through the time off after Opening Night, the team has had plenty of issues to worry about.  In particular, it is believed that CUI is internally discussing potential sanctions for the Dribbling Seamen's sportsmanship issues.  Additionally, Caleb Wragge may face reduced playing time next time out after a poor showing on Opening Night.

Amid all of the story lines swirling around the Seamen, the team looks to get in a few reps this week to prep for their week two match-up.

Nick Anderson is prepping for

week two.

"I spend five hours a day shooting in the gym," said Seamen guard Nick Anderson like he was surprised anyone would ask.  "Before that, I spend five more hours a day thinking about the shots I'd be taking.  Then when I'm done shooting, I spend five hours thinking about the shots I took."

The difficulty for preparation thus far this season is due to CUI not releasing any playing information whatsoever until game day.  This leaves no teams, not just the Seamen, with no time to scout opponents or prepare a specific offensive scheme for a game plan.  The League was not aware that Opening Night was happening until they were informed that very day,  CUI commissioner Darisse Humphries was not immediately available for comment

"We had no idea either," said a significant player from an opposing team who spoke on condition of anonymity.  "It's kind of annoying finding out we have to play and no one told us until that day."

Szarnych and his team are

struggling to prepare for 

week two's match-up.

When new team Captain Sean Szarnych was asked about the next week, he only had one thing to say.

"We don't know.  We'll find out on Sunday."

And so will everyone else, including the NIA Blog and the fans.  The level of preparation that teams put in is now a shot in the dark as CUI refuses to release any information of the upcoming week.  Just like the Dribbling Seamen do on a daily basis, the rest of the League is constantly guessing and throwing up shots and hoping for the best.

A starting five is yet to be announced by the Seamen, largely in part of the lack of knowledge about who their opponent will be.  The team and their opponents will find out when the CUI tells them.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

Nick Anderson, G

Caleb Wragge, SF

Isaiah Acfalle, PF

Ryan Albers, G

Nick Tate, C

-30-

Caleb Wragge: Will He Remain Seamen's Go To Man?

Wragge's Sluggish Start Could Spell Trouble For Team, Self

Caleb Wragge scored 17 points
despite what he considered to
be a poor performance on
opening night.

Caleb Wragge, team founder, owner, Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Power Forward, Shooting Forward, Center, General Manager, and Head Coach, scored 17 points in the Dribbling Seamen 103-73 opening night win over the Tune Squad.  Normally, a seventeen point game would be looked at as a positive, but it's hard to take it as such when it is the team's leading scorer from 2013.  

For what is believed to be the first time in team history, Wragge finished a game fourth on his team in points.  Not only were there three players ahead of him on the final stats, but the Dribbling Seamen blog cannot remember Wragge making more two point buckets than three's.

"I sucked last night," said Wragge the day after the opener.  "I was terrible."

Another key element for Wragge was that this was the first game he played with the Seamen since handing over the team Captain role to Sean Szarnych, who was out with an upper body injury.  Some have wondered if Wragge is feeling out of his place on the team and is worrying about his job.

With what was considered to be a fairly controversial win due to accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct, Wragge certainly didn't help his team's perception.  With five minutes to go in the game, Wragge subbed out and began to pack up his things to leave.

"Hey are we done," shouted one Seamen player to Wragge.

"I am but you're not," replied Wragge.

Wragge's opening night only raises questions about the team, and with Isaiah Acfalle, Nick Tate, and Ryan Albers scoring 18, 22, and 23 points respectively, one has to wonder if Wragge will be willing to fill a smaller role with the team going forward.  With more high scoring players on the roster in 2014, it is possible that the Dribbling Seamen all-time scoring leader may fade from relevance. However, the potential of head coach Wragge benching Wragge is at this point unlikely.

Seamen Grab Win On Opening Night Amid Criticism

Albers makes impressive Seamen debut.

The Dribbling Seamen started their season out strong, taking the opening game by defeating the Tune Squad 103-73.  The Seamen were led offensively by Ryan Albers who made his Dribbling Seamen debut by scoring 27 points on seven three-point baskets.  

The team started off slow and trailed 52-48 before a Nick Anderson break-away bucket got the momentum going the Seamen's way.  Before the night was over, the seamen had four players in double digits.  Albers was backed up by Nick Tate (22), Isaiah Acfalle (18), and Caleb Wragge (17).  

Sean Szarnych, who was recently named 2014 team Captain, did not play due to an upper body injury and is currently on the Disabled List.  Although Szarnych saw his squad perform just fine without him, his sideline presence irked many others.

Unnamed sources cite unsportsmanlike 

attitudes from Seamen players.

"That Sean guy," said one source.  "I was ready to flip *expletive* on him.  Ok maybe some of the stuff was funny the first couple of times, but he kept it up the whole time."

The criticism wasn't just isolated to Szarnych.  The team was called "unsportsmanlike" for running up the score.

"Give me a break," said another source.  "When you're up by that much with two minutes left and you just keep shooting three's.  I'm competitive and I was about ready to lose it."

The Dribbling Seamen are not in uncharted waters when being called unsportsmanlike.  Several times in 2013, teams left very upset at the attitude of the team.  Wragge was even heard saying "Hey the rest of the teams we play aren't going to be this bad.  Some of these teams are actually good," after a 58-28 win on Opening Night in 2013.  Regardless, it can be argued that the team's win on Sunday was the secondary story to the team's unsportsmanlike attitude.

The Seamen are currently slated to return to the court on Sunday, October 12 barring suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct from the Clarke University Intramurals.  A game time or opponent have yet to be set.  Be sure to check the Seamen Schedule for up-to-date schedule and results news.

Final Numbers:

Player	#	Points	2’s	3’s
Caleb Wragge	7	17	4	3
Ryan Albers	2	23	1	7
Patrick Cristi	5	6	0	2
Nick Tate	19	22	5	4
Isaiah Acfalle	12	18	6	2
Nick Anderson	44	6	3	0
Quinton Sampson-Wood	30	9	3	1
Erica Carradine	0	2	1	0

Seamen Sign, Gear-Up for Opening Night

Caleb Wragge poses after signing with himself.

Seamen Sign, Complete Roster

Maggie Dolan poses after signing with new

team Captain, Sean Szarncyh

The Dribbling Seamen reached agreements with their entire anticipated roster this past week.  Deals are currently disclosed but will be announced to the public in the coming days.

An active roster can be found here.

The team was surprised to learn how sudden Opening Night came on the schedule.  With almost no warning and without a full squad practice, the Seamen will head into tonight having been handed a playing time from the CUI commissioner.

When asked about the suddenness of the schedule, Sean Szarnych could only muster "That's what we said, too."

The League gave no warning or press releases to the media about Opening Night.

Anderson poses with Szarnych after signing.

Szarnych Fills Captain's Role

Caleb Wragge has literally been everything to the Seamen franchise since he founded it last year.  However, Wragge has informed the NIA that he is relinquishing the role of team Captain and handing it to Szarnych.

"He desrves it," said Wragge.  "Not only does he deserve it, but sometimes a shake-up in the team's structure can help a squad.  I have full confidence in AK-47 (Szarnych) to get the job done."

Sampson-Wood poses with Szarnych after 

signing for his first year with the Seamen.

Tonight's Game

Due to the short notice of Opening Night, there will be no live coverage of the Dribbling Seamen's Opening Night game against Tune Squad.  There will be a full post-game report feature statistics, player and staff reactions, and a review

Signings

Courtesy of the Dribbling Seamen, in this article are the official photos from some of the team's recent signing period.

Szarnych signs, and poses with Wragge after

being handed over Captain's duties

Ryan Albers signs and poses with Szarnych

Pat Crisit poses with Wragge after signing