THE OCCASIONAL ORBITER Sunday February 9, 2002 Vol.99 Hi, hello and welcome fellow Cowboys of the Space variety to this the 99th edition of your "incredulous, fantabular and spectaculous" occasional reading. **** Cowboys Dominate PWA in Opener **** In his most dominiating performance as a Cowboy, Lance Schickling led the 'boys to a seventy-nine (79) to sixty (60) win over the "thuggy thuggs" of PWA with a career high twenty-six (26) points. But it was not just Mr. Schickling who contributed for the home team. They shot a record high fifty-eight (58) percent (%) from the field with five (5) players scoring in double figures, including newcomer Rob Feldman. The Cowboys overwhelmed the 'thuggs pretty much from the tip off taking as much as a twenty (20) point lead in the first half. They missed just three shots from inside the three (3) point arc in the first twnety minutes and looked as good as the Cowboys ever have. They played a comlete team game with nice passes and smooth transition running the break. The second half saw much of the same, although the 'thuggs did make a "mini run" when the 'boys came out "half asses" with their twenty-five point lead. It was cut to as little as ten (10) points, but James Boyer connected on back to back three's to get the 'boys going again as they pulled away for good. The two (2) "newcomers" for the Space Cowboys, Rob Feldman, and returnee Ben Keene contributed with solid performances. Mr. Keene connected on his only field goal of the game, knocking down a ten footer on the baseline as time expired in the first half. Rob Feldman showed his value to the team with some dominating play on the inside with his offensive rebounds and put backs. Even though he failed to make a three (3) pointer his prooved he will be an assest this season. **** Box Score February 4, 2003 **** Name No. Fgm Fga 3ptm 3pta Ftm Fta TP Feldman 2 5 12 0 3 0 0 10 N.Lubbers 23 5 6 3 4 2 2 15 Jeffries 24 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 Ash 30 4 7 2 3 1 1 11 Boyer 33 5 9 3 6 2 2 15 Schickling 34 11 17 4 8 0 0 26 Keene 44 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 Totals 190 31 53 12 25 5 5 79 58% 48% 100% Attendance: 3 (Batsche, Noll, Sargent) Season Attendance: 3 Special Thanks to Scorekeeper Tany Sargent **** Next Game Tuesday February 11, 2003**** The Space Cowboys will continue play in the 2003 Winter Season at Sports of All Sorts this Tuesday at 10 P.M. when the will face the "thuggy thuggs" of the Smokies. That's right, the Smokies. The Cowboys have never defeated these particular 'thuggs and really ahve never made a game of it. Most recently the Smokoies knocked our beloved Space Cowboys out of the post season. Although they held their own for the first half the Smokies proved to be too much dow nthe stretch. Things could pan out a little differently this time around. The 'boys may have lost their lone inside threat form last season, Andy KRallman, but with Lance Schickling coming out in the season opener and Rob Feldman showing the potential to be something great, combine that with the rest of the team anything is possible. It is not known what the roster of the Smokies looks like. If they have lost one of the two (2) star players the 'boys would be extatic, whereas if they remained in tact from last season they could proove difficult to contend with. Either way the Space Cowboys will come out firing on all proverbial cylinders looking for their first ever victory in this long time rivalry. So come on out to the "big arena by the highway" to witness Cowboy history as the 'boys try to take down the Smokies at 10 P.M. Tuesday February 11. Doors will open at 9:43 with pregame festivities beginning around 9:52. **** Orbital Centenial Celebration **** With the next edition of the Occasional Orbiter we will be celebrating the 100th edition. We woud like to say we have recieved a plethora of good ideas as how best to celebrate, but we would be lying. At the moment one big surprise is in store, but that could change as the deadline may not be possible to meet. If you ahve any ideas or would just like to share once again what the Space Cowboys and/or the Occasional Orbiter mean to you we would be more than happy to put it in writing. So please feel free to send us any ideas at occasionalorbiter@hotmail.com. **** Printable Schedule **** As promised, we have added a prinatble version of the Space Cowboys 2003 Winter Season schedule to the schedule page on our website. It can be accessed athttp://www.geocities.com/spaceranch2001/schedule. Now none of the fickle fans will have the excuse of our tardiness for your absence at the games. Print as many as you like, give them to your friends and family. They make the perfect Valentine's Day gift for that special someone. But whatever you do, come on out to the "big arena by the highway" early and often to root the Space Cowboys to victory. **** Earth Cowboys Update **** Kevin Brinkman had a successful season debut for the Earth Cowboys at the spring training complex at Bellarmine University. Mr. Brinkman conncected on four (4) of nine (9) shots and four (4) of seven (7) from three point range for twelve (12) points. ALthough it has been said many times, maybe he has finally gotten taht spark back and will play himself right up to the "big club". **** News and Notes **** Injury Report:N/A....James Boyer continued his hot shooting Tuesday after disappointing for most of the Fall Season. He connected on five three pointers in his final post season game and three in Tuesday's victory....Lance Schicksling 26 point performance was his first 20 point output since September 24 and just the fourth in his 23 games played as a Cowboy....Records Set: Team fiel goal percentage 58%, free throw percentage 100%, individual Michae Ash (1/1), James Boyer (2/2), Nick Lubbers (2/2)....'Boys are 5-3 in season openers, they ahve won their last three compiling an overall record of 15-8 since the beginning of the 2002 Summer season, which is when the 'boys aquired Mr. Schickling. They accumulated a 21-31 record prior to his signing. That will be all for this edition of the Occasional Orbiter. If you ahve any questions commetns or concerns email us 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 Damn It Feels Good to be a Gangsta