THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Monday December 9, 2002 Vol.96 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this edition of your occasional reading. **** 'Boys Drop Season Finale, Advance in Tournament **** The Space Cowboys fell in their final regular season game on the 26th, sixty (60) to forty-seven (47) to the "thuggy thuggs" of Skunk Buds. They finished the season with a record tying six (6) wins and two (2) losses to give them the highest winning percentage in franchise history. THe 'boys were a little shorthanded for what was supposed to be the game of the season. As game time approached the 'boys were left with just four (4) teammates to start the battle. James Boyer was absent due to a work conflict and Lance Schickling and Andrew Krallman had not been heard from. Luckliy for the Cowboys Kevin Brinkman had been recalled to the "big club" earlier in the week. So the team began the game with just four (4) guys to finish off the season, when they recieved yet another break. Former 'boys Daniel Resing, who was in town for the Thanksgiving holiday walked into the "big arena by the highway", saw the situation the team was in and quickly ran and grabbed his gear to jump in and help out. Even with the mercy of the "thuggy thuggs" playing just four (4) players as well, the home team was struggling. With their pregame shootaround not very relaxing since the had no team, they were a little rusty. Even the appearance of Lance Schickling, five (5) minutes into the half, didn't revitalize the team. Although they were not out of the game as far as the score went, they were spent. A poor overall shooting and defensive performance doomed the 'boys to thei second loss of the season and the number four (4) seed in the tournament. **** Box Score November 26, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Brinkman 3 1 3 1 2 0 0 3 Resing 5 2 4 1 1 0 0 5 N.Lubbers 23 4 11 1 6 2 2 11 Jeffries 24 5 8 4 6 0 0 14 Krallman 27 - - - - - - - Ash 30 1 6 0 2 0 0 2 Boyer 33 - - - - - - - Schickling 34 5 11 3 6 0 0 13 Totals 129 18 43 10 23 2 2 40 42% 44% 100% Attendance: 12 (A.Batsche, C.Batsche(x2), R.Batsche, Elsbernd, Kaylor, Lenihan, J.Lubbers, Resing, Rory, Sears, Von Handorf) Season Attendance: 52 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche On Tuesday December 3rd the Space Cowboys were thrown into their first tournament game with just twenty-four (24) hours notice. It was a late one, with tipoff coming at 11:00 against the "thuggy thuggs" of Famous Dave's. A team in which the 'boys defeated in the first game of the season, seventy-nine (79) to seventy-four (74). This time, however they would have "newcomer" Andrew Krallman, along with the rest of the active members of the roster all present and accounted for. Even with the entire team, they still got off to a slow start. Their chemestry had gotten somewhat messed up with all the games missed for various reasons. In the first half they shot a less than "spectaculous" nine (9) for twenty-five (25) (36%) and ended up with a two (2) point deficit, twenty-seven (27) to twenty-five (25). In the second half however, it seemed as if there wa a different team out on the floor. Not only did they overcome that two (2) pointdeficit, but they did it in grand style. The Cowboys shot seventy-one (71) percent (%) (15/21) in the second half to take control of the game. It was somewhat close until the final minutes when a double technical was given to one of the "thuggy thuggs" afte Jeremy Jeffries had already started to the line for a one plus the bonus. Mr. Jeffries ended up shooting nine (9) free throws in the span of a few minutes, putting in seven of them to seal the victory, seventy-three (73) to fifty-six (56). The 'boys will advance in the Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship. **** Box Score December 3, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 - - - - - - - N.Lubbers 23 8 11 3 5 2 2 21 Jeffries 24 0 4 0 4 7 9 7 Krallman 27 4 8 0 2 3 6 11 Ash 30 2 5 2 5 1 2 7 Boyer 33 3 8 1 5 2 2 9 Schickling 34 7 14 3 7 1 1 18 Totals 121 24 50 9 28 16 22 73 48% 42% 73% Attendance: 6 (Barnes, Batsche, Hays, K.Lubbers, O'Donnell, Warkin) Tournament Attendance: 6 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Tournament Continues Tuesday December 10, 2002 **** The Space COwboys will continue play in the Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship this Tuesday, December 10 at 9:30 P.M. The Cowboys will be taking on the 3 time defensing champion "thuggy thuggs" of the Smokies" But the home team is not letting their history together intimidate them. Although they have never deeate dthe Smokies in a quite a few attempts, the 'boys are the most confident they ahve ever been that now is the time for the giant to fall. This team is the best they have had, the best clintel, the best record and the most consistent team play. If ever there was a Space Cowboys team deserving of the S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C. this is it. So come on out to the "big arena by the highway" to watch all of our dreams come true. The Space Cowboys will try to fight their way into the finals against the Smokies. And with this being such a festive occasion, and the last Tuesday the Cowboy family will be together before the holidays, special holiday Orange Lanyards will be given out to the first five (5) fans in attendace. The only stipulation is that you request the lanyard. So, in retrospect, it is the first five fans that approach the bench asking for their Orange Lanyard that will recieve said Orange Lanyard. So once again come on out to Sports of All Sorts, 25 Cavelir Blvd. Florence, Ky. Game time 9:30 with pregame fetivites beginning promptly at 9:22. Doors will open early at 8:27. **** Cowboy Affiliates **** After seeing his first action with the "big club" in a number of months it was noticed that Kevin Brinkman still is not the player he once was and will spend some more time in the International Leauge with the Louisville affiliate Earth Cowboys. Although his game was improved and he was a huge help to the shorthanded 'boys. The bar has risen and his game has not. Also, announced late last week, Daniel Resing, one time long time 'boy will begin play in the International Leauge as well. Mr. Resing will begin play with the Richmond Earth Cowboys after the holiday break. His future with the "big club" is unknown, but after showing his dedication after a long hiatus, management figured a roster spot of the Richmond affiliate was the least they could do. Thanks again Dan Resing on helping out the team we all love. **** Orbital Celelbration **** In case you did not notice this is the 96th edition of the Occasional Orbiter and with the 100th edition approaching fast we would like to take some suggestions as to what should be done to celebrate the longevity of your occasional reading. As always guest work is always welcome, but something bigger and better and more likely to occur is needed to celebrate this great "occasion". If you have any ideas or suggestions how best to comemorate the greatest feat of modern times please email us here at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. We would like to hear from you so we can brainstorm and make the celebration "incredulous." **** Records Set **** With the completion of the 2002 Fall Season a number of Space Cowboys records fell. The 'boys set the most points per game at 71.2 (64.1 Spring 01), the highest field goal percentage at 47% (44% Summer 02), highest three pint field goal percentage, 41% (39% Summer 02), and the highest free throw percentage at 78% (66% Spring 01). Other than those records set with their great shooting of the ball, the 'boys tied the single season wins record with 6, in a shortented 8 game season, and the highest winning percentage at .750. Congrsatulations Cowboys onyour most successful season yet. No matter what happens in the pst season, this will be a season to remember. **** News and Notes **** Injury Report: All is fine and dandy....Jimmy B. where are you? After stepping up and getting a "shout out" for his performance thus far as a Space Cowboys James "Jimmy O." Boyer has been a nonfactor. He mechanics are fine, but something in his head just isnt' right. Hopefully the last week he spent in the Space Cowboys Pshychiatric Institute did him well....Michael Ash, who has taken on more of a "role player" role as of late also has struggled from the field. it is understood that his shot attempts are way down, but look for Mr. Ash to have a solid tournament with everything on the line....One player that has stepped up of late is Lance Schickling. Mr. Schickling, after shooting just 32% through the first three games, while scoring just over ten points a game, has shot 45% scoring almost 15 game over the last six games. That is including his 18 point performace in last week's tournament action. **** Final Season Averages **** N. Lubbers - Fg. 55/102 *54% 3pt. 32/60***53%Ft. 10/10100% Ppg. 19.1 Krallman - Fg. 35/63 56% 3pt. 1/4 25% Ft. 16/21 76% Ppg. 17.4 *** Schickling - Fg. 37/914 41% 3pt. 18/50 36% Ft. 10/16 63% Ppg. 12.7 Jeffries - Fg. 33/72 *46% 3pt. 21/47 *45% Ft. 9/13 *69% Ppg.*12.0 Ash - Fg. 25/66 38% 3pt. 16/46 35% Ft. 10/11 91% Ppg. 9.6 Boyer - Fg. 20/46 43% 3pt. 6/25 24% Ft. 7/9 *78% Ppg. 8.8 Resing - Fg. 2/4 50% 3pt. 1/1 100% Ft. 0/0 0% Ppg. 5.0 Brinkman - Fg. 1/3 21% 3pt. 1/2 50% Ft. 0/0 0% Ppg. 3.0 K.Lubbers - Fg. 0/0 0% 3pt. 0/0 0% Ft. 0/0 0% Ppg. 0.0 Totals - Fg. 208/447 3pt.96/235 Ft.62/80 Ppg.**71.2 **47% **41% 78% ** = team record * = personal best That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. Please be sure to join us next time when we report on the happening in the Sports Of All Sorts Tuesday Nigh League Chamnpionship. Also, don't forgt to check us out on the web at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Editor-In-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers I'm not a shrimp, I'm a King Prawn