For three years now, Sea Lonergan '97 has participated in shooting contests at basketball practice everyday, and everyday of practice brings the same result for the Big Green starting shooting guard, who is always the last player out of the gym.
"I've never won one of them," said Lonergan, who was recently named to the academic all-American first team.
The Ivy League's leading scorer for two straight years has never won a shooting contest?
"Somebody always beats me, I just can't seem to win one of them. Maybe next year," he said.
Regardless of his winning percentage in shooting games, make no doubt about it, Lonergan can shoot. In fact, Lonergan is the biggest gun to play for the Big Green in a long time.
"Sea is the kind of guy who leads best by example," forward Rob Davis '99 said. "He is the guy who always puts in the extra time and effort, in order to be the best. Through watching him as a freshman I have learned the kind of energy and desire you need to have to achieve this, and have made it my goal to follow that example as best I can."
Ever since leaving Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, the 6'6" Lonergan has led by example, not to mention by scoring. For the second straight season, Lonergan captured the Ivy League's scoring crown, averaging 16.9 points per game. Earlier in the season, he became the 19th Dartmouth player to eclipse the 1000 point plateau.
The effects of Lonergan's game can not only be seen in the box score, but in the standings. In opening the season 6-0, Dartmouth rarely needed any other offense than Lonergan, as he was fourth in the nation in scoring after six games, thanks to 35, 30 and 29 point efforts.
In the Big Green's 16 wins, Lonergan averaged 20.5 points per game, leading the team in scoring 14 times. Furthermore, the team posted a perfect record of 9-0 when Lonergan scored more than 18 points. Responsible for 26 percent of the Big Green's offense, the junior guard paced the team with 439 points on the season, almost 150 points better than the second leading scorer.
However, the balance of his game reflects elsewhere, as Lonergan also led the team in minutes played and offensive rebounds. He was second in both assists and steals.
" Sea has improved in many ways since we came here," said point guard Kenny Mitchell '97, Lonergan's back court mate who came with him to Dartmouth three years ago. "When he came here, he was a good mid-range shooter, a good finisher, and of course he played excellent defense. He's worked really hard to increase his range and improve his ball handling, which has made a difference in his game and made him a much better player."
Mitchell's sentiments are echoed by University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith. "Lonergan is a very good basketball player who you need to be aware of his presence on the court at all times."
The honors don't only bounce his way because of his skills on the basketball court, because Lonergan's success isn't limited to the hardcourt. Last week, the chemistry major was named to the GTE Academic All-American squad for having a grade point significantly higher than his 3.38 assists per game.
"Sea brings so much to the table," Coach Dave Faucher said. "He gives 100 percent day in and day out and is a great example of what it's like to be a true student-athlete."
