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View Full Version : All The Love I Can Muster For The Stampede


Pounder
12-01-2005, 12:47 PM
After all, someone needs to. With probably 600 actual souls watching last night's game, I doubt anyone else will.

NOTE: When the boxscore shows up, it'll probably show over 2,000. The Stampede actually headlined a doubleheader with a high school game prior. I believe the HS game had a comparably even crowd, some of whom might have stayed for the second game... and it's not like HS basketball is a really big deal around here. When it comes to the Stampede, I suspect I'm watching something becoming a ghost.

Too bad... if nothing else, this is a quirky team.

Matt Freije, the man who brought down the Nashville Rhythm by accepting $10,000 for 2 games. Well, I do doubt he's worth $240,000 a year (pro-rated per game from that Nashville paycheck, not what he's getting paid here), but a little power game and a 3-point shot rarely hurts when needing to stretch a defense. Nasty shiner on the left eye right now.

Ricky Sanchez, 18-year-old Puerto Rican International, skinny guy, can shoot, perhaps too deferential to teammates, but I like how he keeps the ball moving no matter what.

David Jackson... had to remember that he finished as a Duck. Quack! Intense fellow.

Jermaine Boyette, represents the Stampede's continuing attempt to show love to the Big Sky, carried Weber State really far... maybe shouldn't be a point guard, but he can shoot. Doesn't need acting classes (and I'm not talking about flopping- I mean his ability to show facially complex emotions without saying a word to the blind errrrrrr ref).

Eric Washington... who would have thunk (trying to fail the Sam Hill test) that a 6'4" shooting guard would turn out to be the team's second best low post defender?

Not to mention a token Kansas big stiff, a Brazilian sometimes international, and the not-so-token Boise State player whose legs might be skinnier than OUR arms... but Jermaine Blackburn can fly.

I still miss Sam Clancy, but I can have fun with this bunch while it lasts.

Ken, Steelheads fan
12-01-2005, 01:59 PM
Gary's opening night attendance of 2,207 would have certainly been reported as 2,807 last season. The second home game attendance of 1,007 would have been reported as 1,607 last season. This year (and for now on) the Steelheads have to keep accurate financial records (if they want continued financial support from city government). I understand what you mean about actual bodies in seats vs. tickets issued. I also understand that if more accurate accounting doesn't work for the Steelheads, then I may become Ken, Idaho Steelheads fan...and that is a mouthful.

Chuck the Writer
12-01-2005, 08:41 PM
Albany started out with a legit 2,800+ for their home opener, then drew about 1800 for the Thanksgiving night loss against Rockford. The next day, 2500 souls in the Armory, but the first appearance of the Gary Steelheads in the Armory brought 1,900 or so for Albany's OT loss.

Despite all that, the Patroons are starting to develop their own stars, especially the team's #1 draft pick TJ Thompson from George Washington. 53 points he dropped on the Steelheads last Sunday, more than half his team's total output in the 102-101 victory. Carl Mitchell, who played with the Gladiators in the WBA, has been leading the team in rebounds and monster dunks. After a poor start that saw him get ejected from a game (and earned a 1-game suspension) for slugging Michigan's Alpha Bangura, Albany's muscle man Devonnaire Deas is starting to come into his own.

The Pats right now are 2-4, but at least three of those losses were by only a couple of points. The Pats just need to play 48 minutes, not 47 minutes and 30 seconds.

Right now they're on a 6-game 2-week roadtrip, so we'll see how things go from there. Besides, the best thing about this roadtrip is that when they get to play the Stampede, at least I can watch the game from the comfort of my computer screen - thanks to Idaho's streaming video channel.

Pounder
12-05-2005, 05:56 PM
My apologies to the Rockford folk for Saturday night's refereeing.

An early technical for rim-hanging was rather touchy IMO.

The 24-second clock was improperly reset during a loose ball at the end of the game IMO.

BTW, 2,511 my patootie. Well, there might have been 1,000.

Afraid I have to miss Tuesday's game... among others.