THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Wednesday October 9, 2002 Vol.90 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this long awaited jam packed edition of your occasional reading. **** Big Man Ben Keene Comes Through **** In search of their first ever Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship (S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C.) the Space Cowboys knocked off the "thuggy thuggs" of Advantage Lawn Care in the first round of the tournament on September 24, 2002. The 'boys started out the game playing like they really wanted theever elusive title. They continued that play thourhgout the first half and went to the locker rooms with a ten (10) point lead, thirty-two (32) to twenty-two (22). This lead however would not be enough to put the 'thuggs away just yet. As they tend to do, the home team let Advantage right back into the game just minutes into the second half. In the final minutes Lance Schickling, who was carrying the load of the entire team on his back, did what he could to keep the 'boys close, but he could not put them over the edge and at the end of regulation the score was knotted at fifty-seven (57). Going into the extra period the home team was confident they could keep their hopes of a championship alive, and that is exactly what they did, with the most unexpected of heroes. The clock read 2.5 seconds, sixty-four (64), sixty-four (63). The Space Cowboys have the ball to inbound with three quarters of the court to cover. Jeremy Jeffries will inbound. Lance Schickling and Mike Ash are to his left with Nick Lubbers and Ben Keene at their own foul line. Mr. Jeffries is handed the ball and the 'boys begin to go in motion. Nick breaks for midcourt and Jeremy hits him, his defender and that of Mr. Keene rush towards the ball. Without even thinking Mr. Lubbers hurls the ball in the direction of BMBK on the right side of the lane. He pulls in the ball and all in one motion banks in the layup as time expires. The Space Cowboys have lived to see round two (2) of the Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Champinship! **** Box Score September 24, 2002 - Game 1 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 - - - - - - - N.Lubbers 23 5 14 1 4 0 0 13 Jeffries 24 4 11 1 8 0 0 9 Ash 30 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 Boyer 33 5 13 2 8 0 0 12 Schickling 34 9 14 4 7 2 3 24 Keene 44 4 5 0 0 0 0 8 Totals 198 28 62 8 31 2 3 66 45% 26% 67% Attendance: 3 (Batsche, Goetz, K.Lubbers) Special Thanks to Scorekeepers Christina Batsche and Keith Lubbers **** Second Half Meltdown Dooms Cowboys **** Once again it was a worhtless second half the led to the demise of our beloved Space Cowboys in the second round of the S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C. The "thuggy thuggs" of The Jam took them down handily sixty-one (61) to forty-four (44) after the 'boys failed to rally from a mere six (6) point halftime deficit. It seems that the home team just could not keep up with the "lively legs" of the 'thuggs. Playing their second game of the night with an hour's rest in between, they were sluggish for most of the game and rolled overto die just overe midway through the second half. This second half "meltdown" was something that frequently plagued the Space Cowboys throughtout the course of the regular season. There has been some mrumors about the hiring of a new trainer for the team, although it is entirely speculation, Cowboys management is looking to hire from within. The number one candidate would have to be Louisville Earth Cowboys and Kevin Brinkman's personal trainer, Buddy Lee. We will give you the latest on that situation as it develeopes. **** Box Score September 24, 2002 - Game 1 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 - - - - - - - N.Lubbers 23 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 Jeffries 24 5 11 2 7 0 0 12 Ash 30 3 8 3 8 0 0 8 Boyer 33 3 9 3 6 0 0 9 Schickling 34 3 14 2 6 2 2 10 Keene 44 2 6 0 1 0 1 4 Totals 198 16 52 10 30 2 3 44 31% 33% 67% Attendance: 3 (Batsche, K.Lubbers, Thomas) Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** BMBK Takes Leave Of Absence **** The Space Cowboys will have to do without the likes of one "Big Man" Ben Keene for the entire Fall Season. Mr. Keene has decided to take a sebatical with hoped of returning in time for the Winter Season. Ben Keen has meant a lot to the Space Cowboys organization during his tenure with the club. He has been the one constant in seasons of ups and lots of downs. He holds many records, one that will never be broken by anyone other than himself. Mr. Keene shot an "incredulous" sisty-four (64) percent from the field in the Spring Season of 2002. He has been the one 'boy that keeps the defense a little honest in the paint. Ben Keene embodies everything that the Space Cowboys stand for and he will be sorely missed, but will be welcomed back with open arms whenever he decides once again to dawn the Cowboy orange. **** 'Boys Begin Fall Season With "W" **** The Space Cowboys got the Fall Season underway on Tuesday night in grande fashion disposing of the "thuggy thuggs" of Famous Dave's seventy-nin (79) to seventy-four (74). Playing with no substitues due to the news of Ben Keene and the injury to Keith Lubbers, the home team still managed to jump out to an early lead and this time hang on to it. The first half was a back and forth battle, but the 'boys gained the momentum going into the break on a stupid play by the 'thuggs. After missing a shot with just seconds to go, they fouled Nick Lubbers as he hurled a last second prayer from beyond midcourt. He went on to knock down all three free throws to give the 'boyus a thirty-seven 937) to thirty-one (31) halftime lead. Coming out in the second half the home team came out in rare form and not only kept the lead, but began to extend it. They connected on just two (2) two (2) point field goals in the entire half, but it would not matter. They sank nine (9) of thirteen (13) three point attemps, and also the entire team came through in the clutch and put in crutial free throws. The biggest was a pair by the worst free throw shooter of a season ago, James Boyer. Mr. Boyer made both "ends" of the double bonus to all but put away the 'thuggs with a four(4) point lead with just thirteen (13) seconds remaining. **** Box Score October 8, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 - - - - - - - N.Lubbers 23 10 18 5 10 3 3 29 Jeffries 24 1 7 0 4 4 6 6 Ash 30 7 15 7 13 2 2 23 Boyer 33 2 6 1 5 2 2 7 Schickling 34 5 12 2 4 3 6 15 Totals 121 25 58 15 36 14 19 79 43% 42% 73% Attendance: 1 (K.Lubbers) Season Attendance: 1 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Keith Lubbers **** Krallman Aquired, Schickling Re-Signs **** With the temporary resignation of Mr. Keene the 'boys ahve made a few roster moves. After long nights of negotiating the Space Cowboys and finally came to terms with Lance Schickling for the Falll Season. Mr. Schickling was the "floor general" in the team's first winning season ina a year. The specific terms have not been released, but it is beleived he signed for somewhat of a "hometown discount" so the team could aquire one ofo his close friends. With the announcment of Mr. Schickling's re-signing came the news that the team had also come to terms with free agent Andy Krallman. Mr. Krallman and Schickling played high school ball together at Holy Cross and ahve remained close. Andy is also a former rival of the Space Cowboys, one whom they neveer defeated. Which once again brings up the motto, if you can't beat 'em, pick 'em up, and the 'boys did exactly that. Mr. Krallman will add a little more height to the roster with his six foot three inch frame. He is very agile and plays very well on the inside or outside. His athleticism allowed him to stray a little from basketball in high school. he was the starting quarterback his senior year and also has some experience in high jumping. This is an all around good pick up for the organization and hopefully he will contribute on what will become the first ever Space Cowboys team to become Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Champions **** Next Game Tuesday October 15, 2002 **** The Space Cowboys will be in action once again this coming Tuesday, October 15 at 9 P.M. at Sports of All Sorts in Florence. they will be taking on the the orignnial "thuggy thuggs" of P.W.A. These two clubs have met a few times in the past, with the Cowboys coming out victorious in each of them. The only matchup since records have been kept was on November 6th of last year when the 'boys defeated them handily 74-57. There have been rements of P.W.A scattered about in leagues since their arrival on the S.O.A.S scene, but this is the first full blooded reunion. The home team will look once again to start the season out on the right foot. Also, this will mark the Space Cowboys debut of Andy Krallman, who will be doing his best to fill the void left by BMBK. If this isn't enoughto get you out to the "big arena by the highway", then this is your lucky day. The first twenty-seven fans in attendance sporting any sort of "Space Cowboy" Orange on their backs will be given a FREE orange lanyard. Beleive it or not there are still a plethora of loyal Cowboy fans who do not have one of these collectables in their possession. This may be your last chance to get the only item that to all who look at is screams Space Cowboys, and this is the only place to get them. So come on out to Sports of All Sorts (25 Cavelier Drive Florence, Kentucky 41042) this Tuesday October 15. Doors will open at 8:43 with pregame festivites begining approamately at 8:54. **** News and Notes **** Injury Report:Keith Lubbers remains on the injured list. He is making progress and may possibly have the cast removed from his right distal radial fracture. There is still no timetable for his return....The 79 points scored in Tuesday's game was the second most in franchise history. Second only to 84, scored against the same Famous Dave's team to begin the 2002 Winter Season....Nick Lubbers scoreless performance in the second game on September 24 was the first of his career in 65 games....Mike Ash's scoreless performance in the first game was his second in four games after having his scoring streak of over a year snapped. That will be all for this once again late breaking edtion of the Occasional Orbiter. Don't forget tocheck us out on the internet at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001 for the new easier to follow history of your favorite Cowboys. Also if you have anyn question, comments or suggestions, email us here at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Until Next Time....Ssyyaa