THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Wednesday February 27, 2002 Vol. 62 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to the latest edition of your occasional reading. **** 'Bos Drop Fourth of Season **** The Space Cowboys lost their fourth game of the Winter Season Tuesday night. They were defeated convincingly seventy-three (73) to fifty-two (52) by the SOAS "thuggy thuggs", whom they lost two by a mere two (2) points in overtime in their meeting earlier in the season. It appeared that there was some sort of lid contraption on the basket for the home team. Every other shot they took rattled around the rim before falling out. Someone just did not want the 'boys to walk out of the "big arena by the highway" with a victory. The game seemed to be completly out of their hands. They were doing everything they could to put the ball through the hoop, but there was "no love" to be had. But even with such a poor shooting first half the Space Cowboys trailed by only eleven points at the break, which was a definte confidence builder. Or they thought it was. The second half, as the first, started out slow for the home team and their deficit began to grow. The offensive woes were continuing. "Rim jobs" were for the 'boys as the "thuggy thuggs" were not having the least bit of problems putting the ball in the basket. In the end it would be poor defense and "lights out" shooting on behalf of the thuggs, that put this game away. Showing little sign of life the 'boys defense gave up at least four (4) consecutive three (3) point baskets to put the game completely out of reach. In lue of such a poor performance, we here at the Occasional Orbiter decided to present an award to one of the members of the Space Cowboys. This "honor" has not been bestowed upon any member of the organization in years. It was thought that it may never be presented again, but alas that was prooved wrong in Tuesday's performance. It is the Most Worthless Player (MWP) award. The MWP was brought out of retirement for non other than Mr. Nicholas Lubbers. Mr. Lubbers shot a Ted Arlinghaus like six (6) of twenty! (20) from the field to lead the Cowboys to defeat. Congratualtions Nick on a most worthless performance! (Jeremy Jeffreis was a distant second in voting.) On a much better note, there was one bright spot in the loss. Forward David Iles, making his comeback this Winter scored a career high twelve (12) points. Included in those points were two (2) fabular and spectaculous "slam dunks". This coming just a week after Mr. Iles was "called out" for never having scored in double figures in a game. Way to go Dave! The last item concerning the most recent loss for the 'boys in an apology. On behalf of the entire Space Cowboys organization we here at the Occasional Orbiter would like to apologize to one Buddy Lee for the game that he had to witness. Maybe it was the nervousness caused by his presence, but the 'boys had hoped to put on somewhat of a show for Mr. Lee and did nothing of the sort. In related news Mr. Lee has been invited to work with the "big club" temporarily before returning to the Louisville affiliate Earth Cowboys. **** Box Score February 26th, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 2 9 0 2 2 2 6 Iles 11 5 9 0 3 2 3 12 N.Lubbers 23 6 20 3 8 3 3 18 Jeffries 24 1 9 0 7 0 0 2 Ash 30 4 10 2 3 0 0 10 Keene 44 2 4 0 0 0 0 5 Totals 142 20 61 5 23 7 8 52 33% 22% 88% Attendance: 4 (Batsche, Keene, Keene, Kidd) Season Attendance: 33 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Next Game Tuesday march 5th, 2002 **** The Space Cowboys will be in action once again next Tuesday, March 5th at 10 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. They will be facing the Smokies "thugg e. thuggs". Coming into what is beleived to be the final game of hte regular season, the "thugg e. thuggs" will be carrying a record of seven (7) wins and zero (0) losses. Including a sixty-seven (67) to fifty-six (56) over the 'boys. A victory would not completely catch the Sports of All Sorts world by surprise. It was just in the Fall Season that the 'boys knocked off the undefeated, number (#) one (1) ranked BSM "thuggy thuggs". This team has a history of "showing up" for the big games, and this defitnly is one. A victory would also give them a respectable record of four (4) wins and four (4) losses and most likely put them in third place going into the tournament. Any way you look at it this is a big game for the Space Cowboys organization. The one thing that always seems to help this team in a big game is a big crowd. The overall attendance is noticably down for this Winter Season, not surprisingly though as the games are a "mite" later than they have been in the past. We would like to take this opportunity to ask all the Space Cowboys faithful (Michael Brinkan loosly included) to come out to the "big arena by the highway" for this David versus Goliath matchup. You will hae a second chance at meeting the ever popular and always smiling Buddy Lee and possibly geet your picture taken with him. That's next Tuesday night, March 5th at 10 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts (Home of the Space Cowboys) in Florence KY. Doors will open at 10:35 with pregame festivities beginnnig at 10:42. **** Kevin Brinkman Returns **** Kevin Brinkman, who has overcome much adversity, will make his triumphant return to the Space Cowboys lineup next Tuesday when they take the floor against the "thuggy thuggs". Mr. Brinkman has gone through "hell in a gasoline suit" (Pete Rose) to get back to playing shape after the Buddy and Fella Lee debacle. Through his unprecidented hard work and dedication he has finnaly made it back to the "big club." This will be the first appearance he has made in the Space Cowboy Orange since November 20th, when he had a less then stellar performance. Kevin just may be the perverbial spark that the 'boys need to get a huge win over the undefeated "thuggy thuggs". He has always provided that extra effort hat seems to be contagious. Mr. Brinkmna is an irreplaceable piece ofthe puzzle we call the Space Cowboys. The fact that his mentor and trainre Buddy Lee will be present will provide a little extra incentive for Mr. Brinkman. The two have not seen each other sine Buddy Lee broke open the story that had labeled him a madman, by turning in his twin brother Fella Lee. **** News and Notes **** Ijury Report: Dave Iles seems to have overcome the mental illness that had plagued him throughout the season. He connected on two of his three free throw attemps. He was zero for three comnig into the game....Michael Ash scored 10 points in the 'boys loss. He has now scored in double figures in twelve straight games, one off the record....Jeremy Jeffries streak was stopped at two....Michael Brinkman's streak of games unattended has reached an all time high of eight games, the last one being November 20 when little brother Brinkman was playing. Will the streak end when he takes the floor again?....In the Fall when the 'boys toppled undefeated BSM their record was pulled to .500. A win Tuesday against undefeated Smokies, wold do the same. A sign of the inevitable? That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. Any questions, comments and suggestions are welcome as well are new subscribors. Email us at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Or check us out on the web at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Worthless