THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Monday, April 21, 2003 Vol.103 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space vareity to this "tournament time" edition of your occasional reading. **** Cowboys Take Two (2) of Two (2) from Rednecks **** The Space Cowboys surprisingly faced the "thuggy thuggs" of the Rednecks in two (2) consecutive game, but came out victorious in each. On April 8, the 'boys defeated the 'thuggs fifty-three (53) to forty-two (42), in what was not one of their best performances of what has been such a successful season. The 'boys held the lead for the majority of the game, but failed to knock down shots from the outside. The team was just three (3) for twenty-one (21) from beyond the arc for a worthless fourteen (14) percent (%). It took the nineteen (19) for twenty-nine (29) shooting from elsewhere to give the 'boys the win. No one player shined in the victory with James Boyer leading the team in scoring with twelve (12) points, followed by Lance Shickling and Rob Feldman with eleven (11) and ten (10) respectively. This was the first time Mr. Boyer led the team in scoring since December 10, 2002. It was the third time overall, the other two being his only twenty (20) plus point outputs. In the 'boys second game against the 'thuggs, one in which they were thought to be palying PWA, the 'boys had an even worse night from three (3) point land, but still managed to pull out the victory fifty-four (54 to fifty-three (53). This game was also led by the home team for the majority, but they did not have the "knockout blow" to apply and the Rednecks would not go away. The reason there was no knockout was once again horrid shooting from the outside. The 'boys set a record by making just one (1) three pointer the entire game and it just so happened it was their first three (3) points of hte contest. They did so on a mere fourteen (14) attempts, which is well under their season average. At least it can be said the problem was recgnized and they were not going to lose the game because of it. The home team pounded the ball inside, mainly to their leading scorer Rob Feldman, and dominated the 'thuggs in the paint. They shot an incredulous sixty-four (64) percent from inside the three point arc (the second straight game over 60%). Mr. Feldman would score twenty-two (22) points for the game to lead the 'boys to vicotry, although it was almost stolen from them. With the Cowboys holding the lead the 'thuggs began to foul, but still had a few to give before the "bonus" was in effect. When the seventh team foul was committed only three (3) seconds remained on the clock and James 'Jimmy clutch" Boyer was headed to the free throw line for one (1) plus the bonus. The ball was intentionally gotten in the hands of Mr. Boyer because he has made all six (6) of his free throw attempts on the season and someone clutch was needed. As he stepped to the line the home team looked confident they would extend their lead to three (3) with just a few seconds remaining on the clock. But as the first attempted flew from his fingertips it caught the front iron and was pulled down by the 'thuggs. This was not the situation they had planned on. Two (2) seconds reamined and they would be inbounding the ball at midcourt. no pressure was put on the inbounder. The defense was tight. The was passed in foul line extended. The 'boys defense collasped on him. Rob Feldman standing straight like a peice of steel to keep from drawing the foul. He goes up with the shot only to hear the buzzer sound before the ball ahs left his ands. The Cowboys escape with their record setting seventh win, their sixth in a row to close out the season. No thanks to one James "Jimmy No" Boyer. **** Boxscore April 8, 2003 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 4 13 1 8 1 2 10 N.Lubbers 23 4 8 0 4 0 0 8 Jeffries 24 2 5 1 3 2 2 7 Ash 30 1 1 1 1 0 0 3 Boyer 33 5 10 0 3 2 2 12 Schickling 34 5 12 0 2 1 5 11 Keene 44 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 Totals 121 22 50 3 21 6 11 53 44% 14% 55% Rebounds:33 (Feldman 12, Lubbers 6, Schickling 6, Boyer 4, Jeffries 3, Ash, Keene) 2) Assists:11 (Feldman 6, Schickling 5) Steals:5 (Schickling 2, Ash, Jeffries, Lubbers) Attendance: 7 (Batsche, Elsbernd, Moser, Noll, O'Donnell, Sears, Warken) Season Attendance:47 Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Christina Batsche and Stephanie Warken **** Boxscore April 15, 2003 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 9 15 0 2 4 5 22 N.Lubbers 23 6 12 1 6 0 0 13 Jeffries 24 4 8 0 3 0 0 8 Ash 30 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 Boyer 33 1 2 0 1 0 1 2 Schickling 34 4 11 0 1 1 2 9 Keene 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 121 24 50 1 14 5 8 54 48% 7% 63% Rebounds:32 (Feldman 9, Schickling 8, Boyer 5, Lubbers 5, Jeffries 4, Ash) Assists:16 (Schickling 9, Feldman 5, Boyer, Lubbers) Steals:3 (Boyer, Feldman, Schickling) Attendance: 4 (Keene, J.Lubbers, K.Lubbers, Sears) Season Attendance:51 Special Thanks to the Space Cowboys for keeping their own scorebook **** Next Game Tuesday April 22, 2003 **** The Space Cowboys will be in action once again this Tuesday, but with a little more on the line. THe Cowboys wil once again be particiapting in the Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship. The will be taking on the "thuggy thuggs" of the Skunk Buds in their first round game at 6 P.M. In their only previous meeting this season the home team defeated the 'thuggs seventy-five (75) to sixty-five (65). This was due in large part to the thirty-eight (38) pints scored by Rob Feldman. Also a lack of their "regulars" was thought to be a contributing factor. It is thought that the 'thuggs were not a full stregnth in their last matchup, so the home team will have a bit of a tougher test when they face off tomorrow. That doesn't mean that the Cowboys are not going to win though. Coming off two (2) horrific shooting performances the team is due to "breakout". Don't be surprised if the three (3) pointers are raining from everyone, everywhre on the floor. A balanced attack is need in the S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C. and that is exactly what the 'boys are bringning. So come on out to the "big arena by the highgway" to catch the Space Cowboys in the quest for the ever elusive Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship. But don't come just for the game. Being tournament time, we havea special offer for you. It is once gain time for "Big Man" Ben Keene Bobblehead Night! We have worked out the glitches and differences with our supplier and we have finally recived the first ever Space Cowboy bobbleheads. The first one (1) fan in attendance will recieve this one of a kind collectable. You can't find these anywhere else! So come on out to Sports of All Sorts in Florence for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Doors will open at 5:33 with pregame festivities already underway. **** Birthday Wishes **** The Space Cowboys would like to take this opportunity to recognize a coukle birthdays. First, longtime "nemesis" William Aseere will celebrate is 21st brithday tomorrow the 22nd. Happy Brithday William, hope it's one you can remember! We would also like to give a Cowboys Happy Birthday to Karen Lubbers, mother of Keith and Nick Lubbers. Mrs. Lubbers is celebrating her "29th" birthday for the twenty second year in a row. Happy Birthday to both of you. We here at the Occasional Orbiter, along with everyone in the Space Cowboy organization hope your days are filled with joy! **** News and Notes **** Injury Report:Awww nah, hell nah.....Records Set: with their recent shooting drought the Cowboys have set lows in three point shooting in consectutie weeks. The 7% on the 15th was the lowest ever....The 'boys have never failed to maked a three pointer in their 84 games....Nick Lubbers 0 fer from beyond the arc marks just the fourth time that has happened in his 83 games, with two of them coming back to back in the 2001 Summer season....Although he missed the clutch free throw James Boyer tied for the second best season percentage all time. Rob Feldman's name is also scattered across the newly updated record boards. Check them out on the web to get the complete scoop. The only team record broken in the 2003 Winter season was for wins. The 'boys had won six game three time, including the past two season. They finished this season with seven wins and three losses....Details have not yet been made available but sources from the front office say to exect a roster overhaul after the season has officially ended. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers I Love the Easter Bunny!