Div. Game 2

It's a new ball game folks. All games ended in a swift 2 set victory. Only one series will go to the 3 as the Interceptors push for another game. The Dizzy Devils Conference streak and also Nathan's streak comes to a screeching halt. Sebastian and the Diamonds have another solid performance. Toros end 3-Peat hopes.

 Rayquan was off his game, and there goes the Toros. Semere had some 1st set magic but that was abruptly ended by Ausonio as he caught his final throw for a 5-4 W. Then the Cat's easily rolled to a 2nd set W. No 3 straight for the Toros.

 The Interceptors were back to 10-0 form with a quick and easy defeat of the Reapers in STL. They shut down Jason first and foremost, and a lackluster performance by Miller helped the cause 10-3. Game 3 should be a doozy.

 More shut down ball by the Diamonds. They are clearly playing the strongest right now. And that's what it takes to be a Champion, being able to peak right in the nick of time. Sebastian is playing out of his mind and Sean is right there beside him. The Dragonfish appeared drained and outmanned in a 10-7 loss.

The Scarlet Ember won against the wind last night. That would have been a better matchup instead of the Dizzy Devils. The home team had no inspiration. They came out flat and nobody stepped up. 10-3 victory for SE. For the 3rd year in a row, the Midwest will be represented in the Championship. 

Div. Game 1

The stars of the day were Jason and Sebastian, both made their playoff debut in a huge way.

 Things kicked off in Nebraska. A very sloppy game with many overthrown balls and dropped throws. It was really a toss up, but Jack played strong enough to will SE to a victory 10-8.

 Although the score was 10-6, it seemed like a shutout. The Diamonds played HQ ball on their home floor. Sebastian caught 2 good throws and was a perfect 4/4 in throws. What a rookie debut, and the legend keeps growing.

 I the most unexpected game of the night, the Reapers outright won the game versus the goliath Interceptors. The Interceptors seemed alittle off, but it was the play of Sophmore Jason that gave the Reapers such a push. Each set he was a rough play, and made the Interceptors look like mortals.

The Cat's played mediocre ball to secure a game 1 win in Houston. The Toros big 3 were flaky, no real input from Darren. On to New Orleans.

Divisional Round Run Down

The playoffs have arrived folks! It will be a good one to watch too. Many great story lines. The Dizzy Devils trying to keep an insane streak of making the conference finals EVERY time they go to the playoffs. Sebastian and the Diamonds trying to upend and surprise some folks. The Toros trying for an unprecedented 3 straight title. And that has been marginalized by the Interceptors who have not lost a game all season and are looking like the best squad we have ever seen. 

This Southern rivalry rages on into the playoffs. The Cat's bested the Toros twice during the season but they were both really close. Ausonio and Jared are charged with finally earning this team some respect despite being the top seed in the South-West. The Toros showed in the Play-In that they are playoff ready. All this talk about Semere being over rated seems to fade every time the post season comes. And Rayquan and Darren are firing on all cylinders.
Prediction - Toros in 3 games.

 This will be a surprisingly interesting series. The Scarlet Ember were burning up early in the year but no one heard about it because they were being over shadowed by INT. They hit a lull, but they could be back to form. The Dizzy Devils have played exceptional ball all year, a slip up against the Reapers and a tough loss to the Interceptors were the only blemishes. Maybe it's something with the Midwest? Nathan knows how to get to the next round, 4 years straight he's done it, esp with Russell backing him. Jack is still green, maybe this is his coming out party.
Prediction - Dizzy Devils in 2 games.

Two teams with 3 power players. Should be a very unpredictable affair. Of course the gripe about the Diamonds is the 2 weak links they have that will undoubtedly interrupt rallies and momentum. Can Sebastian show himself to be THAT good? Can Sean the Diamond power his way to the promise land a time wanes on his career? Many speculate that the Dragonfish are just a playoff team that had to just wade through the season. Some say they are the only hope against the Interceptors. They have won some good games and lost to only playoff caliber opponents. Earlier in the season the Diamonds upended the Dragonfish in a 3 set thriller. that was DF's last loss.
Prediction - Dragonfish in 3 games.

It's not to say that the Reapers aren't a quality team that deserves to be in the playoffs, but this series is all about the Interceptors. Everybody is watching just to see if the Interceptors lose a game in this series. In 2 matchups this season, the Reapers couldn't win a set and Dian went off both games hard. It was a nice season, quicker turn around for OKC than many expected. But the time is now for the Interceptors.

Prediction - Interceptors in 2 games. 

Toros Get to Playoffs!

New York, NY - 

The DBL season revved up again and it pitted the Silverbacks against the Toros in the only play-in game for the year. Another edition of Semere v. Kenneth, a rivalry which has kinda fizzled to be honest. Diminished play from both the reason and leadership issues from Semere. But I digress, New York City finally was able to watch some quality ball inside Empire Gym this season. 

The Toros were hot from the outset. Darren set the tone in the 1st set by intercepting an Ethos throw and setting up a 4-0 score with Kenneth remaining. A Kenneth of past years would have been alittle more scary, but this year he was mortal, got 2 points but was outed by Rayquan. In the second set, Rayquan pretty much controlled things. Nadashess tried to get things going popping off Martin to begin things, but the Toros did not sweat it. It came down to 2 former Texas Institute teammates Rayquan and Zeno, also 2 hot hot youngsters in the league. Rayquan bested him and the Toros rolled to a 10-6 victory. 

Now its on to Houston to prepare for the Cat's and try to begin the road to a 3-peat! This team is built for playoff mode, and that showed tonight, but they will face a much harder team that has beaten them twice already this year. 

For the Silverbacks, its another year gone by. Last year was a groundbreaker, but this year was promising showing that this team will become a duo with Kenneth and Zeno. Young team, many more playoff runs in them.

Now on to the dance!!

Week 8 Prediction

Interceptors vs. Dragonfish, INT wins

The Fall of an Empire?

Nat Bly - New York, NY

Standing outside of Empire Gym waiting for the New York City Empire's home opener. We find season ticket holder Marc Sunshine. Although his team started 0-2 on the road, he still has much faith in his team.

"I've waited a long time for the league to get over labor talks and start playing again. In my opinion, I am so lucky to live in New York to see the greatest team play. We have been blessed with a really good squad the past few years." - Marc

That is the same faith most everyone in Empire Gym had during the Interceptors/Empire game. Most everyone interviewed said that the Empire would definitely make the big dance. But after another lackluster performance from the Empire, and especially super-diva Williame, the fans and the everyone around the league are starting to have their doubts.

During the off-season the Empire had another great regiment with 3 improvements of players. Riding high at #6 coming into a crazy good North with the Dizzy Devils and Seadogs, who have both ranked #1 in the season so far. And to add to the craziness, the Empire easily have the toughest schedule this season. Facing the Seadogs and Dizzy Devils twice. Then out of division games with the Toros, Dragonfish, and Interceptors. All Championship contenders.

The Season began in London as the Seadogs opened up their brand new Seadog Place. The Empire were slammed in 2 sets, but no worries because it was the first rusty game and the Seadogs were really good. The worry really really began when EMP traveled to Minnesota to play the supposed easy win Margays. And looking at their schedule, they needed all the easy wins they could get their hands on. Now, the Margays played tough, but the Empire still were much more talented and lost in 3 sets, ending the Margays unreal home drought.


Panic seriously set in outside of the dedicated fan base. It may seem like only 2 games, but in the past 5 years, only 1 of the 21 teams that have started 0-2 have made the post season! And in the history of the Empire they had never been ranked #15 or #16 ever, green or red rankings. But if there were any team talented enough to make it, it would have to be this one. A young promising center in Lawrence, Garcia starting to really contribute, and of course Williame centering it all.

Team Owner Chris Ramos was bombarded with complaints by the shareholders after this shameful loss. He told everyone to keep cool and look at his track record. They quieted and knew that the Interceptors game would be the real litmus test.

"This is our shot to show everyone we are not only relevant, but a real force to be reckoned with in the North that we have OWNED for years now." -Lawrence #44 before the Interceptors game

It was seriously a playoff atmosphere as the unbeaten and highly touted Midwestern juggernaut entered Empire Gym on a sunny afternoon. It was do or die mode. It showed in the players desperation throughout the game. Effort was definitely there. But the Interceptors were a brick wall. They kept Garcia and Williame out of the game and rolled on to a 3-set victory. Empire Gym collectively held it head in disbelief.

"Were looking for a mircale at this point! And it's crazy because we still have the Dizzy Devils, Seadogs and Dragonfish coming into our building!! Not to mention the away games I have to sit through on TV!" -A very worried Marc Sunshine.

He has reason to be worried, in the history of the league only the Cat's in the 2008-3 season have started 0-3 or worse and made the playoffs. And with the schedule the Empire have, it'll be even harder than those odds.

I sat down with owner Ramos and asked him about the outlook on the rest of the season, here is the gist:

"We have to take it one came at a time. But it is looking tough realistically"

"We are looking not to rebuild, but reload next year. Contracts might be shaken up, personnel may be shaken up too."

"I don't care if the media knows, Williame is on the hot seat, what has he done for us in 3 years?"

"I have already had one horrible (4-6) season under my reign, and we bounced back strong (2 #1 ranked seasons) quickly. The shareholders need to calm down I got this."

"I hope our fans show their dedication and keep coming to our games, the team needs support."

The Empire's next game pits them against the Margays, hoping to get their revenge and sting of embarrassment out of their system. It would be a nice first step on the road to recovery. Good Luck.

League Unveils New Logo

The league released this new DBL logo and erected it atop their Atlanta Headquarters today. Commissioner Halim had this to say- "The league is entering a new era, an era of sophistication and power. We contacted famous Architecture firm HYH Architects and they shot this at us in 30 minutes. These guys are good."

Regardless of whether this is a good logo or not, fans are more concerned with the halt in playing. No worry, the league worked out the AP™ Ranking system trial and games will resume shortly.