THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Monday August 26, 2002 Vol.85 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this week's edtion of your occasional reading. **** 'Boys Struggle; Hold on for Win **** The Space Cowboys newarly suffered what would have been the most devastating loss in team history Tuesday night when they faced the "thuggy thuggs" of The Junior Mafia. The game began very promising for hte home team as they jumped out to an early lead. The entire first period was dominated by the 'boys. But it was during the "halftime" that the problems began. With the team missing the key components known as Keith Lubbers and Ben Keene, "emergency replacement" David Iles was called upon to be the only substitute. Digusted with his lakc of playing time in the first period Mr. Iles decided he was not needed and opted to leave the game early. He figured, as did everyone else, that the forty-one (41) to seventeen (17) lead would hold up through another twenty (20) minutes. They were not entirely accurate. The second period began with little happenings. The 'boys had become laxidasical on both ends of the floor, but even still the lead seemed to remain at twenty (20) points. That would not last long. The lack of effort soon caught up with them. The "thuggy thuggs" were pushing the ball and the home team was conceding the easy "bunnies". A few missed shots and a "plethora" of turnovers and just like "that" the lead had dwindled to seven (7) points. Now, with the game close the "thuggy thuggs" had all the energy in the world. They were trying to complete a "spectaculous" comeback and give the 'boys just their second loss of the season. THe home team, now giving their all, still could not stretch the lead. The absence of Mr. Iles did hurt afterall, they were "spent". But just when it looked like the Space Cowboys were going to relinquish the lead, a few shots began to fall and the clock kept on running. With just over a minute to go the 'thuggs began to foul to stop the clock. The game was put on the proverbial "ice" with just a few clutch free throws by Lance Schickling. The Space Cowboys lived to see another day with just one (1) loss to their credit. They extended their winning streak to four (4) games with the sixty-two (62) to fifty-five (55) win over The Junior Mafia and upped their record to a "fabular" six (6) and one (1). Despite a poor second half effort there were a few bright spots for the Space Cowboys. James Boyer finnaly showed the team his capabilities. Mr. Boyer dropped in his first two (2) three point baskets as a 'boy and scored ten (10) points, all in the first half. Mike Ash also continued his hot shooting with a three (3) of five (5) performance. He too, scored all his nine (9) points in the first half. Lance Schickling struggled a little from the field but was a perfect six (6) for six (6) from the free throw line tying a Cowboy record for most free throws made in one game. **** Box Score August 20, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 - - - - - - - N.Lubbers 23 9 18 3 8 4 6 25 Jeffries 24 0 5 0 4 1 2 1 Ash 30 3 5 2 3 1 2 9 Boyer 33 4 6 2 4 0 2 10 Schickling 34 4 11 3 5 6 6 16 Keene 44 - - - - - - - Totals 198 20 45 9 24 12 18 62 44% 38% 67% Attendance: 4 (Batsche, Elsbernd, Lubbers, Sears) Season Attendance: 33 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Next Game Tuesday August 27, 2002 ***** The Space Cowboys will be in action once again tomorrow, Tuesday August 27 at 10 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. They will be taking on the always hated, always cocky, and always undefeated "thuggy thuggs" of the Smokies. This is going to be the biggest regualr season game for the 'boys. The Smokies have lost one game in the last three leagues combined and have the tournament in each of said three leagues. In their most recent meeting in the Spring Season the Smokies came out on top fifty-nine (59) to forty-four (44). But the score does not tell the story of the game. These 'thuggs like to cruise along until the game is on the line, then the decide to pick of their game. And they have done this successfully for some time. The 'boys test will be to get to them early. To make them realize they have a game on their hands from the "get go". A performance similar to last week's will most defintly not get the job done and would result in a "schalacking." A solid all around team performance will be needed to defeat the defending champion Smokies. So come on out to the "big arena by the highway" to watch this "battle of the titans". The first place Smokies against out second place Space Cowboys. Tomorrow, Tuesday August 27 at 10 P.M. Doors will open at 6:30 with pregame festivities beginning at approxamately 9:52. **** Space Cowboys Softball Update **** Space Cowboys softball has official concluded for the summer. The Saturday Co-Ed team was defeated in the first round of the tournament last week to finish a very successful season. The season did not end on a positive note, but nonetheless, it ended. To get all the numbers of you favorite Softball Cowboys check out their website at http://www.softballcowboy.tripod.com **** Great American Ballpark Paver **** The Space Cowboys are now officially going down in history. Last week the order was placed for their very own brick to be on dispay at the new Great American Ballpark, set to open April 2003. It will be inscribed as follows: SPACE COWBOYS ASH 30 BRINKMAN 3 JEFFRIES 24 KEENE 44 LUBBERS 10 23 We will let you know as soon as any information is recieved concerning the whereabouts of the brick at the new "big ballpark by the river". **** Space Cowboys Jerseys **** The Space Cowboys Jerseys are finnally made and ready to be distributed. They will be available at the Space Cowboys basketball game tomorrow night at 10 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. They will only be given out upon the reception of eleven (11) dollars ($). **** News and Notes **** The entire active roster of the Space Cowboys may be together for the first time tomorrow night. Keith Lubbers, who has missed all but two (2) games is expected to attend. "Big Man" Ben Keene, who has missed the last two (2) games, status is still up in the air due to educational indifferences. There is about a 60/40 chanve of "BMBK" being present for the biggest game of the year....Jeremy Jeffries shooting woes continued last week. His zero for five shooting performancned makes his zero for his last ten field goal attempts since his most successful outing of the year. He has scored just one point in the last two contests....the 'boys average margin of defeat in their three matchups against the Smokies is 12.3....their avergae field goal percentage is 40%, they are shooting 47% as a team this season. That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. If you have any question, comments or suggestions email us at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Also don't forget to check us out on the internet at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Hi.