THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Friday February 28, 2003 Vol.100 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this fabular, spectaculous, incredulous, exhilarating and invigorating centenial edition of your occasional reading!! We here at the Occasional Orbiter would like to begin by thanking all of the loyal subscribors who make this newsletter possible. We would also like to thank all the current and former members of the Space Cowboys for their years of devotion and dedication which give us something to report. We also would liek to apologize for such a long layoff. In our quest to make the 100th edition something special, we did not want to rush, therefore it has not gotten done. There also is the matter of a few technical difficulties. But now everything is in place and we are ready to rock and/or roll. Now, to the games... **** Cowboys Fall To Smokies...Again **** The Space Cowboys had high hopes going into their matchup with the perenial contenders of the Smokies, that this would be their day, they would finally knock off the "thuggy thuggs" that have become the thorn in their side. But things would not go their way on this night, and the Smokies would come away victorious once again seventy-six (76) to seventy (70). The home team began to dig themselves a hole right from the tip off. They failed to score in the first eight minutes of the game, which is detrimental against any team, but especailly one with as much talent as th Smokies. The 'boys finally got on the board when Michael Ash sank two (2) of three (3) free throws. Their first field goal would not coem for another minute. After finally scoring a basket the 'boys began to get in their game slightly. They still had scored a mere eighteen (18) point at halftime and trailed by twenty-two (22), which is not all bad considering they shot a putrid twenty-five (25) percent (%) [5/20] in the first half, including two (2) of fourteen (14) from three (3) point range. The second half was one of a little better basketball played by the home team, but the mountain they had to climb in the form of a twenty-two (22) point deficit was just too much to overcome. Although the 'boys cut the lead to as little as six (6) points in the half, the strain of doing so was too much. The did not have the energy to do anymore than make it appear as a close game. Newcomer Rob Feldman, who along with Lance Shickling went on a scoring "barrage" in the half, knocked down a three pointer from half court as time expired to give the 'boys a "respectable loss." THe bright spots for this game were few and far between, Lance Schickling scored fifteen (15) of his twenty-five (25) points in the second half. Rob Feldman scored sixteen (16) of his twenty-one (21) in the second half. These two (2) 'boys combined for thirty-one (31) of the team's fifty-two (52) second half points. **** Box Score February 11, 2003 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 7 12 5 10 2 5 21 N.Lubbers 23 6 9 1 4 0 1 13 Jeffries 24 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 Ash 30 0 5 0 4 2 3 2 Boyer 33 3 9 3 8 0 0 9 Schickling 34 8 16 7 13 2 2 25 Keene 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 121 21 54 16 41 6 11 70 39% 39% 55% Rebounds:30 (Lubbers 8, Feldman 7, Boyer 5, Ash 4, Schickling 3, Jeffries 2, Keene) Assists:13 (Schickling 6, Lubbers 3, Boyer 2, Feldman 2) Steals:5 (Feldman 3, Ash, Schickling) Attendance: 4 (A.Batsche, C.batsche, O'Donnell, Warken) Season Attendance: 7 Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Amanda and Christina Batsche **** Shortened Bench Dooms Home Team **** The Space Cowboys dropped their second consecutive game on Tuesday night, falling to the "thuggy thuggs" of The Kings (formerly known as The Jam) sixty-eight (68) to fifty-two (52). They did so with zero subds on the bench. James Boyer sat out the game after turning his ankle in an intrmural game at Northern Kentucky University Monday night. The 'boys were also without their lone inside presence "Big Man" Ben Keene, who due to the snow, had to take a rescheduled test at game time. Things did not look so bleek for the Cowboys as the game began. They quickly jumped out to a ten (10) to nothing (0) lead and looked to be in control. But the winded 'boys lost their momentum as fast as they gained it and were outscored twenty-six (26) to eleven (11) and faced a halftime deficit of twenty-six (26) to twenty-one (21). The Space Cowboys would not give up and they stayed with the 'thuggs for the beginning of the half. They would cut the lead to as few as two (2), but would never regain the lead. The "short bench" was too muc to overcome as the exhausted 'boys had nothing left in the proverbial tank to mount a comeback. **** Box Score February 25, 2003 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 8 15 5 12 4 8 22 N.Lubbers 23 5 13 2 9 0 1 12 Jeffries 24 4 7 0 3 0 1 8 Ash 30 0 4 0 3 0 0 0 Boyer 33 - - - - - - - Schickling 34 4 10 2 6 0 0 10 Keene 44 - - - - - - - Totals 121 21 49 9 33 4 10 52 43% 27% 40% Rebounds:30 (Lubbers 8, Feldman 7, Boyer 5, Ash 4, Schickling 3, Jeffries 2, Keene) Assists:13 (Schickling 6, Lubbers 3, Boyer 2, Feldman 2) Steals:5 (Feldman 3, Ash, Schickling) Attendance: 4 (A.Batsche, C.batsche, O'Donnell, Warken) Season Attendance: 7 Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Amanda and Christina Batsche **** Box Score March 4, 2003 **** Affordable Overhead 81 Space Cowboys 67 Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 8 18 8 14 2 3 26 N.Lubbers 23 5 13 3 9 0 1 13 Jeffries 24 1 3 1 3 0 0 3 Ash 30 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 Boyer 33 4 10 3 7 0 0 11 Schickling 34 4 16 4 15 0 0 12 Keene 44 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 Totals 121 23 63 19 50 2 6 67 37% 38% 33% Rebounds:15 (Lubbers 5, Feldman 4, Keene 3, Schickling 3, Ash) Assists:14 (Feldman 5, Schickling 4, Boyer 2, Lubbers 2, Jeffries) Steals:9 (Feldman 4, Boyer 3, Keene, Schickling) Attendance: 7 (Barnes, Batsche, Noll, O'Donnell, Sargent, Sears, Warken) Season Attendance: 14 Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Christina Batsche and Tony Sargent **** Box Score March 11, 2003 **** Space Cowboys 74 Rednecks 56 Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 8 15 2 7 1 4 19 Rasp 13 1 5 0 0 4 6 6 N.Lubbers 23 - - - - - - - Jeffries 24 4 7 4 7 0 0 12 Ash 30 - - - - - - - Boyer 33 6 10 4 6 0 0 16 Schickling 34 9 14 4 6 3 4 25 Keene 44 - - - - - - - Totals 121 28 50 14 26 8 14 74 56% 54% 57% Rebounds:29 (Feldman 11, Boyer 10, Jeffries 3, Rasp 3, Schickling 2) Assists:18 (Schickling 7, Feldman 5, Boyer 2, Jeffries 2, Rasp 2) Steals:5 (Feldman 2, Jeffries 2, Boyer) Attendance: 9 (Barnes, Moser, Noll, O'Donnell, Sears, Warken, 3 others) Season Attendance: 23 Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Ashley Noll and Jill O'Donnell **** Cowboys Win Streak Hits Two **** The Space Cowboys extended their season long winning streak to two (2) games Tuesday night with a seventy-one (71) to sixty-five (65) win over the "thuggy thuggs" of Dauwe. Although the 'boys shot a worthless percentage from the field, they were able to pull their game together and get the "W". At the beginning of the game it looked as if the 'boys would blow it wide open and coast to their third win of the season, but the 'thuggs would have none of that. It wasn't their "tenacious d" but just the 'boys own struggles taht kept the game close. The home team shot a horrendous thirty (30) percent (13/43) in the first half. Their lazy play also did not help the outcome of the half. With time runing down and the Cowboys holding for the final shot, Lance Shickling let the ball get swiped from him and the 'thuggs took a two point lead. Mr. Schickling did redeem himself with an assist to Michael Ash for a three (3) pointer at the buzzer to give the 'boys a one (1) point halftime edge. The second half was a little better one. The shooting began to come around and the 'thuggs just didn't have an answer. They shot forty-eight (48) percent (12/25) from the field in the second half, including seven (7) for thirteen (13) from beyond the arc. In a key stretch in the half the 'boys rallied from their largest deficit of ten (10) to regain the lead. They would not relent it for the remainder of the game. A few bright spots for the 'boys: Michael Ash emerged from his coma contributing a season high sixteen (16) points. Also Jeremy Jeffries recorded a "double-double", twelve (12) points, ten (10) rebounds. He is just the third 'boys to accomplish that feat. Rob Feldman and James Boyer both did against the Rednecks. And finnally, Lance Schickling. Mr. Schickling shot an atrocious five (5) for seventeen (17) from the field. But even with such a worthless performance, Mr. Schickling kept his composure and was a key component in the 'boys comeback, hitting his final three (3) shots. **** Box Score March 18, 2003 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 6 14 2 8 3 4 17 N.Lubbers 23 5 14 2 7 0 0 12 Jeffries 24 4 10 3 7 1 3 12 Ash 30 5 9 4 7 2 2 16 Boyer 33 1 3 0 2 0 0 2 Schickling 34 5 17 3 4 0 0 13 Keene 44 - - - - - - - Totals 121 26 69 14 35 6 9 71 38% 40% 67% Rebounds:30 (Jeffries 10, Lubbers 8, Feldman 7, Boyer 4, Ash) Assists:16 (Schickling 6, Feldman 6, Jeffries 4, Boyer, Lubbers) Steals:2 (Feldman, Jeffries) Attendance: 6 (Barnes, Batsche, Flesch, Noll, Sargent, Sears) Season Attendance: 29 Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Christina Batsche and Tony Sargent **** Next Game Tuesday March 25, 2003 **** The Space Cowboys will be in action once again next Tuesday, March 25 at 7 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. The 'boys will be taking on the "thuggy thuggs" of the Skunk Buds in an effort to extend their winning streak to three (3) games and climb above the .500 mark. All that is known of the Skunk Buds is their record of one (1) win and four (4) losses, going into play on the 18th. This, however, does not mean much as the Cowboys just "eecked" out a victory over the "one win" Dauwe. The roster for next week's matchup is still up in the air. If you noticed in the boxscore, Ben Keene missed his second straight game Tuesday night for "personal reasons." His status for next week is still uncertain, but on behalf of the Space Cowboys we here at the Occasional Orbiter hope that everything is okay with the "big man" and he is back in action as soon as possible. Come on out to the "big arena by the highway" this Tuesday, March 25 at 7 P.M. as they try to reach the .500 mark. Doors will open at 6:25 with pregame festivities already underway. **** Jeffries Coming Around **** Cowboy guard Jeremy Jeffries began the Winter 2003 season with high expectations, as always, but things just did not go his way in the eary going. Mr. Jeffries was held scoreless through the first two (2) games of the season, and did not hit a three (3) pointer, his forte, until the third game. But ever since he has been "en fuego". Mr. Jeffries is shooting forty-eight (48) percent (%) from the field over the last four games and forty-seven (47) percent (%) from beyond the arc in the last three (3) games, since knocking in his first. His steady shooting has played a large part in the team's current two (2) game win streak. They have been struggling to find a consistent third scorer behind Lance Shickling and Rob Feldman. Jeremy has been exactly that for the last two (2) games. Look for Mr. Jeffries to keep up this solid play and keep the 'boys on the winning path. With any luck his improved play will begin to rub off and the team will play the way they are capable. **** Space Cowboys Hit Century Mark ***** In honor of the 100th edition of the Occasional Orbiter, we thought we would mention the one hundred (100) points scored by the Space Cowboys in a game earlier this season. That is, the Space Cowboys of the Northern Kentucky University Monday night Intrmural League. These Space Cowboys defeated an opponent, who will remain annoymous, one hundred-three (103) to fifty-one (51) in an amazing shooting display. This was just one of their five (5) wins in their undefeated season. A season that will come to a close this Monday, March 24 at 7 P.M. at the Albright Health Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky Univeristy. This team, that includes such 'boys as Michael Ash, James Boyer and Nick Lubbers, along with former 'boys/ermegency replacement John Rasp will begin play in the tournament possibly against their closest game of the season. Pending the outcome of the first round game, the 'boys could be matched up with a four (4) and one (1) squad whom they defeated by just four points. A team led by none other than Joseph Scully. A hats off to the Space Cowboys for spreading the winning attitude assiciated with the 'boys to NKU. **** Centenial Celebration **** In honor of the 100th edition of the Occasional Orbiter the Space Cowboys organization with the help of Keith Lubbers have a big surprise. The Space Ranch is moving!! That's right, the internet home of the Space Cowboys, which has been at it's current location at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001, since it's inception two (2) years ago, has been moved. The new site is http://www32.brinkster.com/spaceranch. The new Space Ranch was programed and designed by Keith Lubbers to make your online Cowboy experience faster and easier. Also it will be easier to update, which in turn, makes it more likely to get done. There are however, a few things not completed with the site. Although it is functional it has not yet become the "primary" site. There is still work to be done with the updating of numbers, so until further notice, to get all the latest numbers keep visiting us at the geocities location. This moving process will take some time, but in the end, will be well worth the wait. Thanks Keith for all your hard work! It is much appreciated! **** Space Cowboys at Great American Ballpark **** It is now official, the Space Cowboys have been immortalized at Great American Ballpark, the new home of the Cincinnati Reds. In a letter from the Reds fron office, the Cowboys were informed their 8x8 in. "paver" has been installed in section 22. You can view the official Certificate of Ownership and a map of the sections at the Space Ranch. Now every time you go down to the new "big ballpark by the river" you can look up the Space Cowboys. Forever. **** Records Shattered **** The Cowboys set a few records while we were on our "occasional intermission", a few not to brag about. In their eighty-seven (87) to sixty-eight (68) loss to the Smokies the 'boys attempted a record setting fifty (50) three pint field goals, breaking the previous mark of forty-five (45). In the process they connected on a record setting nineteen of them. Besting the previous number by one (1). In the game the 'boys made just four (4) two (2) point field goals while attempting just thirteen (13). A few personal records were also set. Lance Schicling, who has been having an extrordinary season set a mark of futility. He tied Jeremy Jeffries for the most three (3) pointers missed in a game, at eleven (11) in their loss to Affordable Overhead. He that game, and the most recent contest against Dauwe, Mr. Schicling missed twelve (12) shots, two (2) short of that record. On a more positive note, Rob Feldman has shown his value to the team as he tried to get resigned fro next season. Mr. Feldman tied the records for most three (3) pointers made and attempted in one game with his eight (8) for fourteen (14) performance. A few other informal records have been broken or are on pace to be by Mr. Feldman and Mr. Schickling. The two currently lead Nick Lubbers by 6.2 and 5.5 points per game respectively. Mr. Lubbers has not led the team in scoring once this season and looks as though for the first time outside the Arlinghaus era, he will not lead the team in scoring. Hats off to these two 'boys for their outstanding offensive play! **** News and Notes **** Injury Report:Michael Ash's face seems to be pealing nicely....Mr. Ash along with teamate Nick Lubbers missed the Cowboys contest on March 11. The 'boys were on a recruiting trip in Sarasota Fla. We are sad to report their efforts will not be rewarded. The missed game was the first in 77 for Nick Lubbers. His Ripkin like streak will be hard to duplicate....The Image Gallery will soon be updated with pictures from their journey....Special thanks to John Rasp for filling in in said game. He has been a valuable asset as an "emergency replacement"....Also thanks to "emergency replacement scorekeepers" Ashley Noll and Jill O'Donnell....Mr. Schickling and Mr. Feldman have each led the team in scoring in three (3) games....The latest numbers are now available on the "old" Space Ranch. We apologize for the layoff with those as well once again as with the "O.O." That will be all for this 100th edition of your occasional reading. If you ahve any question comments or suggestions email us at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Also kep checking the "new" Space Ranch for the most up to date information on your Space Cowboys. http://www32.brinkster.com/spaceranch. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Go Big Blue!