THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Thursday March 21, 2002 Vol. 65 Hi, hello and welcome once again to the latest edition of your occasional reading. **** Cowboys Fall To Famous Dave's **** A solid first half wasn't enough to compensate for a sloppy second half as the Space Cowboys dropped their third (3rd) straight game sixty-six (66) to fifty-eight (58) to the "thuggy thuggs" of Famous Dave's. Playing with two (2) "emergency replacements", John Rasp and James Boyer, the 'boys got off to a quick start. Midway through the first half they had already jumped out to a twenty-four (24) to seven (7) lead. It seemed as though the 'boys were finnaly on the right track and were going to put the game away early. Obviously that wasn't the case. The "thuggy thuggs" began to ick up the intesity of the defensive end of the floor and that resulted in a plethora of Cowboy turnovers. The 'boys just weren't getting an opportunity to increase the lead and before they knew the "thugs" were right back in the game. After Jeremy Jeffries connected on a three (3) pointer with just six (6) seconds remaining the "thuggs" moved quickly down the court for an easy "bunny" which knotted the score at twenty-nine (29) and capped of a twnety-two (22) to five (5) run. The 'boys started the second period with the same five (5) guys that began the contest, still no Keith Lubbers, who had to work until 9 P.M. in Mason OH. This lineup produced much of the same turnovers and poor defense as they did in the first half. When Mr. Lubbers arrived the 'boys were already on the losing side of the scoreboard. He quickly entered the game, but with no "warmup" time, he was more then just "cold". Keith made quite a few mistakes upon entering the game. Nothing the 'boys hadn't accomploished without him though. He contriubuted to the turnover problem and didn't help the struggling home team to at least attempt to put the ball in the basket. Famous Dave's defense was stiffling. The 'boys trailed for the entire second period. They could never cut the lead, every basket they scored was matched by the "thuggy thuggs". We take our perverbial hat off to them for a well played game. Although the home team played poorly overall there was, as always, a bright spot. This week that bright spot went by the name John Rasp. This kid was just "fantabular". He shot a "specatulous" seven (7) of ten (10) from the field for a career high of fifteen (15) points. Mr. Rasp has been invited back for the 'boys next game. **** Box Score March 19, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Rasp 1 7 10 1 3 0 1 15 Boyer 9 0 7 0 4 0 0 0 K.Lubbers 10 0 5 0 3 0 0 0 Iles 11 3 5 0 2 0 0 6 N.Lubbers 23 10 14 7 10 0 0 27 Jeffries 24 4 14 2 9 0 0 10 Ash 30 - - - - - - - Keene 44 - - - - - - - Totals 152 24 57 10 31 0 1 58 42% 32% 0% Attendance: 3 (Andrea, Batsche, Brinkman, Kaylor, Kidd, Misty) Season Attendance: 42 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Next Game Tuesday March 26th, 2002 **** The Space Cowboys will be in action once again next Tuesday, March 26 at 9 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. The 'boys will be taking on the "thugg e. thuggs" of Winnelson. Two (2) of the home teams three (3) wins have come against these "thugg e. thuggs". They will look to end the regulalr season with yet another beating of these "fellas" to head into the tournament with some momentum. Winnelson is not a team to be overlooked though. They have a couple of basketball palyers that can shoot the "lights out". They gave the 'boys a real run for their money in their last meeting losing by just four (4) points. The Space Cowboys will be counting on "Big Man" Ben Keene to step up and provide some sort of spark. Mr. Keene has missed the last two (2) games, both losses. The 'boys have not won in any of three (3) games that he missed. Along with Mr. Keene, John Rasp will be returning to the lineup after his great performance Tuesday night. Look for the home team to come out feeling they have something to proove. You dont want to miss out on what is bound to be a great "fundamenatlly sound" basketball game. That's next Tuesday, March 26 at 9 P.Mm. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. Be there! **** News and Notes **** Injury Report: Early indications in the status of guard Michael Ash are that he may be ready to return to action for the tournament in two (2) weeks. Mr. Ash, who sprained his ankle in the 'boys defeat on the 3rd has been going through vigorous rehab to get back on the court this season. This coming after it was first thoguht he may miss the entire upcoming Spring Season....Ben Keene was absent from Tuesday's game for personal reasons. He spent the weekend in Tennessee....Keith Lubbers has yet to live up to his potential after his first two (2) full seasons. He has shown glimpses of what he can do, but has been inable to do it consistently....Emergency replacement Jasmes Boyer has bene optioned to the Louisville Affiliate Earth Cowboys. Mr. Boyer failed to impress in his first appearance as a Space Cowboy, but they still beleive he could be a contributor in the long run. He will work with longtime 'boy Kevin Brinkman and trainer Buddy Lee as he tries to make it back to the "big club". That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. Any questions, comments or suggestions can be emailed to us at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Or check us out on the web at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Love the Hoosiers