THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Hi, hello and welcome once again fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this edition of your occasional reading. **** 'Boys Suffer Deplorable Overtime Loss **** The Space Cowboys suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday night, falling to the "thuggy thuggs" of SOAS sixty-nine (69) to sixty-seven (67) in overtime. Things were not going well for the home team right from the "get go" as they failed to score in the first five (5) minutes f the game and fell behind fourteen (14) to two (2). The "thuggy thugg" defintly missed their opportunity to put the struggling 'boys away when they had the chance. After a few shots began to fall and the defense played ever so tenaciously, the home team pulled themselves right back into the game, and even held a twenty-five (25) to twenty-four (24) lead at the break. This low scoring half of basketball was in large part due to poor shooting, but the 'boys also could not hold on to the ball. They made bad pass after bad pass. They threw the ball away a plethora of times in said first half and that was a plethora of times too many. Things would look up for them though as they came out and played fuindamental basketball for the remaining twenty (20) minutes. Shooting was the first fascide of the game to improve for the Space Cowboys upon the start of the second hal, but it was because of their solid defense. That defense created a few quick turnovers which were converted into layups, mostly for guard Keith Lubbers. Mr. Lubbers scored eight (8) consecutive points for the 'boys in the first few minutes of the second period as they jumpd out to the lead. That lead would grow to as much as eight (8) points, but it would not be enough to fend off the persistant "thuggy thuggs". It would come down to the end. With the score knotted at sixty-four (64) the Cowboys defense would once again proove up to the task. "fat guard" Jeremy Jeffries "snatched" the ball to regain possession with time winding down. With just over three (3) seconds remaining they wuld have a chance to walk out with a hard earned victory. The ball is out under their basket and inbounded out the top of the key to Nick Lubbers. He puts up an errant shot that just clips the bottom of the backboard. But Mr. Jeffries is there once again with a chance for the tip in as the horn sounds, but he could not get a good hold of the ball. Overtime. The extra period was not a good one for the home team. They could not get their perverbial act together in the short three (3) minutes alloted to settle the score. The defense which had been the key to keeping them in the game failed them. After a three point play and a few other foul shots, the 'boys time had dwindled down. They had to ball at midcourt with four (4) seconds remaining, down by two (2). the frist attempt to inbound the ball was unsuccessful and knocked out of bound, but they maintainted possession. Now, with just over two (2) seconds remaining they had to make something happen. The ball was inbounded to Keith Lubbers. The defense collasped, but he was still able to get the shot off. The ball bounced off the rim, then the backboard before the ball fell to the floor after the sound of the buzzer. The game was over and the Space Cowboys had suffered their first defeat at the hand of the SOAS "thuggy thuggs". Although the 'boys were defeated, there were still a few "bright spots". Te aforementioned Keith Lubbers had a career night. Mr. Lubbers connected on five (5) of ten (10) shots for a career high eleven (11) points. Also, Michael Ash had another solid performance. He did not quite keep up with his astonishing twnety point average, but nonetheless contributed with thirteen. **** Box Score January 22nd, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 5 10 1 3 0 0 11 Iles 11 2 4 0 1 0 2 4 N.Lubbers 23 12 21 6 12 1 1 31 Jeffries 24 2 7 2 6 0 0 6 Ash 30 5 11 3 9 0 2 13 Keene 44 1 4 0 0 3 4 2 Totals 142 28 57 12 31 1 3 67 49% 39% 33% Attendance: 5 (Batsche, Goetz, Keene, Kidd, Misty(?)) Season Attendance: 18 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Next Game January 28th, 2002 **** The Space Cowboys will be in action again, next Tuesday, January 28th at Sports of All Sorts in Florence, at 10 P.M. They will be taking on the Smokies "thuggy thuggs". Their only knowledge of the "thuggy thuggs" was gained watching them play the "early" game last week, when they defeated the "thuggy thuggs" of Famous Dave's. The 'boys will be looking to avenge their first loss with a drumming of these 'thuggs. So come on out to Sports of All Sorts, tuesday the 28th at 10 P.M. Doors will open at 9:46 with pregeame festivites already underway. **** Space Cowboys II **** These "Space Cowboys" fell last week at the hands of the Gunslingers sixty (60) to fifty (50), dropping their record back under .500 at three (3) wins and four (4) losses. They will look to redeem themselves and climb back above that mark of mediocreness tonight, Sunday January 27th at 8 P.M. at the Sports Comlex at Town and Country in Wilder. **** News and Notes **** Although attendance has been surprisingly high for this "late night" league, there is no surprise that the always unfaithful Michael Brinkman has not made the trip out to the "big arena by the highway"....The Space Cowboys are now accepting ideas for a team mascot. If you think that you know the perfect way to excite the crowd and the team at the same time let us know. Email us your ideas at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Once a mascot has been decided upon applications will be accepted to be THE Space Cowboys Mascot. Note: No "fat" ideas will be acceptable. **** Get Well Soon **** It has been brought to our attention here at the Occasional Orbiter that long time Space Cowboy Kevin Brinkman is more than a mite under the weather. The cause and identity of his illness is still illuding the best of doctors, supplied by the Space Cowboys Franchise of course. This illness comes just as Mr. Brinkman was beginning to find his "game" once again with the Louisville affiliate Earth Cowboys. It is beleived that jealous trainer Buddy Lee, may have something to do with his mysterious sickness. If you have any information pertaining to the whereabouts of Mr. Lee, first name Buddy,(not to be confused with Stud Lee) please contact us here at the Occasional Orbiter or notify your local authorities. Local newswoman Hagit Limore has already began to notify the public of this little madman. We'll "bust 'em". Hang in there Fella. That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter, but keep your eyes peeled for the next edition. If you can't wait til then, email us any questions, comments or suggestions at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Or check us out on the web at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers wee eee wee eee