THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Saturday March 9th, 2002 Vol.63 Hi, hello and welcome ocne again fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this, the latest editon of your occasional reading. **** 'Boys Drop Another to Redhot Smokies **** The Space Cowboys suffered their fifth defeat of the season Tuesday night falling to the Smokies "thuggy thuggs" seventy-seven (77) to sixty-six (66). As has been the case in recent contests the 'boys struggled on the offensive and defensive ends of the court in the beginning minutes. (Not helping was the absence of "big man" Ben Keene for the second time in four games.) That trend seemed to be on the way to change after their full court pressure forced a couple early turnovers, but that success did not last very long. The slow start resulted in a depressing halftine deficit of fifteen (15) points. But that was not enough to discourage these true "warriors" in a time of "war". Led by consecutive three point baskets by Michael Ash the home team climbed right back into the thick of things, and by the middle of the second period it looked as though there was goign to be a great finish to what started out so poorly. The 'boys pulled to within three (3) points of the "thuggy thuggs" at sixty-four (64) to sixity one (61). But Nick Lubbers missed yet another wide open three (3) point basket to tie it all up and that was the end of it. They went on to be outscored thirteen (13) to five (5) in the last four (4) minutes of the game and fell for the fifth time in six games. But there were other things more important in this game than the loss. Kevin Brinkman, once a "can't miss" prospect, made his return to the "big club" making little more than a ripple in the waters known as Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night Basketball. Mr. Brinkman was held scoreless for his second straight comeback, on zero (0) for two (2) shooting. He did make somewhat of a "wave" when the star of the "thuggy thuggs" came at him full speed down the lane on a mission to "posterize." The slam dunk attempt was to no avail and Kevin stood his ground to draw the offensive foul! Even with all the poor play and disappointing careers coming to a head, there were a couple bright spots. Keith Lubbers broke out of a three(3) game slump to tie his career high twelve (12) points. Also Jeremy Jeffries decided to "show up" and put in a very solid eighteen (18) after scoring just two (2) in last weeks loss. **** Boxscore March 5th, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 5 9 1 2 1 3 12 Iles 11 1 4 0 2 0 0 2 Brinkman 20 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 N.Lubbers 23 8 18 3 9 1 1 20 Jeffries 24 7 13 4 9 0 1 18 Ash 30 4 11 3 9 3 3 14 Keene 44 - - - - - - - Totals 162 25 67 11 33 5 8 66 44% 33% 63% Attendance: 3 (Batsche, Kidd, Misty) Season Attendance: 36 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Big Blow: Ash Out Indefinitely **** Cowboy guard Michael Ash will miss the remainder of the season and possibly the following Summer season due to injuries sustained in Tuesday's loss. When Mr. Ash came down akwardly on his ankle midway though the second half there didn't seem much need for worry, other than the dent put in the wall from the ball that was swatted away as he attempted a layup. The "swatter" apparently bumped Michael just enough to cause him to buckle and fall, with the wait of his body coming down on his ankle. There was no worry because after limping off the court Mr. Ash returned to gut it out for the remainder of the game. It was only after returning to his residence that he came to the conclusion that there may be something seriously wrong since he could not move his ankle without excrutiating pain. After visiting with the Space Cowboys medical team Wednesday morning it was announced that he had "severly sprained" his ankle on both sides with the possibility of torn ligaments. Needless to say this is a hige blow to the Space Cowboys as they look to keep hope alive in their ongoing quest for the elusive Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship. Mr. Ash is one of the leading scorers (16.4 ppg) and was in the midst of the best season of his career. The 'boys are going to be looking for the entire team to pick up production to make up for the hole in the lineup. They will be looking particularly in the general vacinity of one David Iles who although averaging around just five (5) points a game, has the capability to contribute much more on the offensive end of the floor. We here at the Occasional Orbiter on behalf of the Space Cowboys and all their loyal contingient would like to extend Mr. Ash the best of wishes in his rehabilitation and a quick return to action. The Space Cowboys will wear orange arm bands with Fat, or perhaps the number 30 on them in honor of their fallen comrad. **** Next Game **** The Space Cowboys will have next week off as a "bye" week. On the current schedule this is listed as the last week of the regular season, but there have been rumors that say otherwise. It has been the talk of the "big arena by the highway" that the season will be extended to it's normal ten (10) weeks. This would mean two (2) more games for the hometeam before the tournament. We will inform you on the situation as more information is made public. **** M. Brink A No Show **** Michael Brinkman, who is rumored to have attended all of the Holy Cross Boys Freshman basketball team's games, was once again MIA from Tuesday night's contest. This coming even after a call to comfirm the tipoff time. And a game where his little brother was making his triumphant return to the court after battling the evil Fella Lee and overcoming all odds. A game where his presence could have meant the difference between an eleven (11) point loss and a twenty-seven (27) point victory. A game in which he said, "The Space Cowboys can count on me 100%. I absolutly guarantee that I will be at this game. I would rather miss my precious "must see Tuesday" than this fantabular event known as Space Cowboys Basketball. It's money in the bank. Write it in ink. Give me a bible. I will be there." Mr. Brinkman was not available for comment. **** News and Notes **** Injury Report: Michael Ash is still alive!....The team will be searching the basketball world for a replcement for Mr. Ash. Michael Brinkman had been mentioned as the leading candidate, but that was dismissed as a terrible misinterpretation of Space Cowboy mangagment. If you would like to be a "temporary replacement" please contact us here at the Occasional Orbiter. Send us all your measuerments and some of the work you have done in the past. They would like someone with experience, but would settle for even a Dan Resing or John Rasp, so you have to like your chances. That will be all for this all informative edition of the Occasional Orbiter. Keep it tuned in as the Space Cowboys turn. Next week on your occasional reading: Jeremy Jeffries has a double digit scoring night. The Lubbers Brothers bond in an off the court life changing experience and BMBK has a run in with his ex's second cousins, half brothers, long lost twin who reveals the truth in the mystery of that is Ben Keene. So don't miss out, you can only see it hear with the OO. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Like a Helicopter