THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Monday April 22, 2002 Vol. 70 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to the latest edition of your occasional reading. **** 'Boys Notch First Victory of Season **** In what was an emotion packed game the Space Cowboys defeated the "thuggiest of thuggs" from Mains last Tuesday fifty-seven (57) to thirty-eight (38) to pull their record to an even .500 at one (1) and one (1). This was the best overall performance for the home team in some time as they got off to an early lead and never looked back. Coming into this intense matchup with some of their "aquaintances" the 'boys were not sure what to expect. They were confident, but still were not sure what Mains was capable of. After going up two (2) to nothing (0) right off the tip the 'boys would not relinquish the lead. This can be attributed to solid play by the home team and a few mental lapses for the 'thuggs. Although the they did shoot a "blistering" fifty-three (53) percent (%) from the field, the 'boys did so by catching the defense offguard and connecting on their open layups. A few came on fast breaks, as the defense failed to get back, and a few on baseline inbound passes where men were left unattended. Yet another contributor to the Space Cowboys hot shooting was the lack of the "long ball." The team shot just ten (10) three (3) point baskets, sinking four (4) of them. This is the fewest attempts from beyond the arc in Space Cowboy history, with the next fewest being eighteen (18). Do not expect this inside pounding to continue for the 'boys. The lack of three (3) pointers is largely due to the size advantage the 'boys had over Mains. There was one moment in the game when the emotins seemd to get the best. Space Cowboy Jeremy Jeffries swiped the ball from Daniel Gerwe in the backcourt on a controversial "no-call". Mr. Gerwe briefly lost his cool and immediatly fouled Mr. Jeffries, grabbing his head. Surprisingly no "intentional foul" was called, but all wa forgiven as the two just got caught up in the moment. All in all this was a very intense game and we look forward to these two teams meeting again. If you did not make it out to this contest you defintly missed out. This is the only scheduled meeting between these clubs this season, although there is the posibility of a postseason matchup. We hope that this rivalry will be continued for many seasons to come. **** Box Score April 16th, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Rasp 1 - - - - - - - K.Lubbers 10 3 5 0 1 1 2 7 N.Lubbers 23 7 13 2 5 0 0 16 Jeffries 24 3 5 1 2 0 0 7 Ash 30 3 7 1 2 0 0 7 Keene 44 3 4 0 0 0 0 6 Hedrington 45 5 11 0 0 4 6 14 Totals 177 24 45 4 10 5 8 57 53% 40% 63% Attendance: 11 (Batsche, Brinkman, Glass, Glass, Jessica, Josh, Keene, Kidd, J.Lubbers, K.Lubbers, Thomas) Season Attendance: 21 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Larry Keene **** Next Game Tuesday April 23, 2002 **** The Space Cowboys will look to extend their "good" play to this week's matchup against the "thuggy thuggs" of Smokies. The 'boys will be facing the Winter Season Champs this Tuesday, April 23 at 10 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. This could be a very big game for the home team. They will be hoping to gain a little momentum and pull their record over the .500 mark. In their two (2) meetings last season the Smokies came out victorious both times, but they did not overwhelm the 'boys as both losses were in the ten (10) point range. They will be looking to the inside play of "new edition" Fred Hedrington, to propel them to the "W". Mr. Hedrington improved on his play ffrom the first to second game,s but will face a real test with the athletesism of the Smokies. He will not be the only 'boy who needs a solid game for them to win. This will have to be a complete team effort. It may take a shooting performance similar to last week's to accomplish the "upset." Come out and root the 'boys to a second straight victory this Tuesday April 23 at the Sports of All Sorts arena. Doors will open at 9:35 with pregame festivities beginning at approxamatly 9:53 with the tipoff following at 10:00. Note: Mains will take the floor at 6 P.M. vs. Smith. **** Ash's Streak Over at Fourteen (14) **** Michael Ash failed to score in double digits for the first time in fourteen (14) games Tuesday night putting in seven (7). This comes just one (1) game after Mr. Ash broke the record from consecutive games scoring in double figures. Although he would have liked to continue the streak Michael was not upset. He was just happy to come out with the win. He went on to say that this sport is not about individual accomplishments. Winning is what is most important, and when you are winning those things will come. Mr. Paul Brinkman was one fan who was not impressed with the streak. After hearing of the record breaking he had this to say, "Hell if I put the ball up as much as he does I could hit double figures." That is not the feeling of the majority and we would like to congratulate Michael on a remarkable fourteen games. We look for the beginning of the next record setting streak to being this Tuesday. **** Brinkman Debut? **** The Space Cowboys officials have announced their plans to get Michael Brinkman into a game this season. Mr. Brinkman, who has been on the "emergency replacement" roster for almost a year is scheduled to recieve his first playing time in a blowout, no matter what side of it the 'boys are on. He has been asked to come dressed and ready to play for every contest for the remainder of the season. **** News and Notes **** Injury Repory: Jeremy Jeffries is suffering from tired....Mr. Jeffries took the second fewest shots in his career. His five FG attemps was the fewest since he took four on May 1st of last year....Michael Ash took the fewest shots since his streak started on October 30. He also took seven in that game....John Rasp will return to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game for personal reasons....For the second straight game "BMBK" missed just one (1) shot going three (3) for four (4) from the field. His field goal percentage is a team leading 71%. He is thriteen (13) for twenty-three (23) [57%] in his last six (6) games, which includes on zero (0) for two (2) effort....Fred Hedrington became the first 'boy not named "BMBK" to not attempt a three (3) pointer in a game. And he did so while taking eleven (11) shots...."BMBK" has taken just three in his thirty-nine (39) games....Keith Lubbers is on the team....Rumors have begun to circulate that Mr. Dan Huhn will be making his return to the bleachers at the "big arena by the higway" this season. That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. IF you ahve any questions, comments or new subscribors just email us here at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Also don't forget to check us out on the web at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers ...and this one belongs to the Cowboys