THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Friday December 13,2002 Vol.97 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this edition of your occasional reading. To begin with, we would like to apologize for the long intermission sinmce your last edition. The holiday season was a busy one for us here at the Occasional Orbiter. But better late than never, here is volume 97! **** Smokies Too Much, End 'Boys Run at S.O.A.S.T.N.L.C. **** The Space Cowboys fell to the "thuggy thuggs" of the Smokies Tuesday night, ending their best chance at the Sports of All Sorts Tuesday Night League Championship in team history. The home team was able to run with the three time defending champion Smokies for about three quarters of the game until they prooved to be too much and pulled away for the eighty-two (82) to sixty-four (64) win. The 'boys started out the game strong and fought to stay in the game for the entire first half. They were knocking down three (3) pointers left and right and trailed by a mere eight (8) points going into the intermission. They shot an "incredulous" sixty-three (63) percent (%) (12/19) fromthe field and forty-six (46) percent (%) from beyond the three point arc. The team was "en fuego" and confidence was high that they could overcome the eight point deficit. The second half was not the same story for the home team. Their shooting began to fall off and with that the Smokies' lead started to grow. Even eith the hot shooting of James "jimmy b" Boyer, the 'boys just could not contain the 'thuggs and in the end they proved to be too much. The Space Cowboys ended their best season to date with the eighty-two (82) to sixty-four (64) loss, but spirits remained high with the thought of the Cowboys bright future. **** Box Score December 10, 2002 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP K.Lubbers 10 - - - - - - - N.Lubbers 23 7 12 4 5 0 0 18 Jeffries 24 1 5 1 4 1 2 4 Krallman 27 7 13 0 3 2 6 16 Ash 30 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 Boyer 33 9 13 5 7 0 0 23 Schickling 34 1 7 1 5 0 0 3 Totals 121 25 51 11 25 3 8 64 49% 46% 38% Attendance: 7 (Barnes, Batsche, Hiltibrand, Jan, O'Donnell, Randal, Warkin) Tournament Attendance: 13 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Christina Batsche **** Winter 2003 League Tentatively Set **** The Space Cowboys have been contnacted by the management of the Sports of All Sorts Basketball Association about playing in the Winter 2003 season. Although there appears to be a waiting list upwards of fifteen (15) teams, the 'boys have been slotted to play in the Tuesday night league once again. The league is tentatively set to begin the first week of February, which would put their first game on Tuesday February 4. The games will be played at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00. When more specific information is made available we here at the Occasional Orbiter will be the first to bring it to you. **** Roster Changed, Still Not Complege **** With the beginning of a new year and a new season, the Space Cowboys will be showcasing a few different players on their roster for the 2003 Winter season. Although it was initially thought the team would remain intact, some minor moves will be made. The franchise has learned that newcomer Andy Krallman has backed out of a multiyear deal and will seek other options. Sources say he may be looking at minor league baseball. Also, the long run of Keith Lubbers as a Space Cowboy seem to have ceom to its conclusion. Mr. Lubbers recently moved into an apartment in Centerville, OH. where the "big arena by the highway" is nowhere near accesable. The Space Cowboys and everyone affiliated with the team in any capacity would like to thank Mr. Lubbers for his years of service to the team as a scorekeeper and as a player when he got the call. He presence will defintly be missed. But the team must move on. On a much more exciting note, the rumors that "Big Man" Ben Keene will be returning to the team are not unfounded, but still have yet to be comfirmed. His triumphant return to the "big arena by the highway" would be much welcomed with the loss of Mr. Krallman. Also swirling around the rumor mill was that the 'boys would aquire one time Holy Cross standout Joshua Beiting. The team has been in contact with his agent and negotiations have begun. Mr. Beiting would also be a welcome addition to the Cowboy team. At the moment the roster stands at: Mike Ash James Boyer Jeremy Jeffries Nick Lubbers Lance Schickling **** Schedule of Games **** it has come to our attention that a few of the "loyal" Cowboy fans have missed one or more games due to the tardiness of our firendly newsletter. Said newsletter is titled "Occasional" for a reason and that is not an acceptable excuse. For that reason we would like to point out that the Space Cowboys do have their own website and within it lies a "schedule" which has the dates and time of their games. It is easily accesable and even easier to use, but this season we are going to make it even easier. When the 2003 Winter Season schedule is released and posted on the website there will be a new link at the bottom of the page. Upon clicking this link you will find a printable version of the schedule. It will be easy to read and look great on your refrigerator. Currently looking at the schedule will be no help, but keep your eyes open in the next couple editions of your occasional reading to find out when it has been updated and get it on your 'fridge. **** Orbital Celebration **** With this the 97th edition of the Occasional Orbiter we are one closer to the century mark. As we have yet to recieve any ideas how to clebrate this memorable occasion we wanted to throw it out there one more time. Only 2 editions remain, so in the next few weeks take some time to think how best to celebrate the 100th edition of the Occasional Orbiter. Think of something original and exciting, perhaps a short essay What the Space Cowboys Mean to Me. Anything and everything would be appreciated so email whatever you come up with to us here at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. **** News and Notes **** Injury Report:N/A....In the last edition we reprted on the futility of James Boyer in the Fall Season, but in the postseason he did not disappoint. Against the Smokies Mr. Boyer knocked down five (5) three's. He had six all toll in his six regular season games. The team will be counting on him to continue that solid play next season....there are rumors of the posibility of a rematch between the 'boys and the Elite Eight. There status in the league has not yet been confirmed. That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. If you ahve any questions, comments or suggestions email us here at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. Also dont forget to check us out on the web at http://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001. Some new pictures will be added in the coming weeks! Editor-in-Chief Nick "Stud" Lubbers Ummm Yeeaaaa