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Gary Steelheads game notes

June 13, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release


- THE SERIES: This is the sixth meeting between the Steelheads and the Storm. Gary has won three of the five meetings to date, but Oklahoma has won the last two meetings in Enid. The first meeting took place at the Genesis Center on May 18th, with Gary prevailing by a 101-92 score. Jamario Moon and Carl Edwards tied for the Gary scoring leadership with 22 points apiece, while Anthony Terrell had a game-high 27 points in just 28 minutes for Oklahoma. Moon also blocked five shots for the winners. The Steelheads were without center Chris Alexander and guard Rob Griffin. It was a relatively error-free game, with the two teams combining for only 25 total turnovers (Gary 13, Oklahoma 12). Gary had Alexander back for the second meeting on May 31st, prevailing 104-91. Oklahoma encountered a dead zone beginning the second quarter, in which they did not score a point for 4:23. The drought proved decisive, as the Storm never pulled closer than seven points after that. Gary held high-scoring Anthony Terrell to eight points, while the trio of Corey Minnifield, Marlowe Currie and newly-signed Keith Salscheider combined for 20-of-32 shooting from the field (.632). The third meeting took place on June 1st, with Gary winning 84-77. The Storm scored the first two points of the game, but the Steelheads scored the next twenty for a 22-2 cushion midway through the first quarter. Oklahoma whittled away, pulling within two points in the fourth quarter. But Gary held off the charge for the victory. Forward Jamario Moon paced the Steelheads with 23 points. Forward Corey Minnifield and center Chris Alexander turned in double-double performances, with Minnifield scoring 14 points with 11 rebounds and Alexander tossing in 12 points with a game-high 14 rebounds. Oklahoma, playing without forward Anthony Terrell, was paced by forward Michael Cuffey with 22 points. Joe Adkins added 14 and rookie Charles Ramsdell tossed in 14. The Storm won their first game in the series June 7th in Enid, winning 101-96. The win broke a six-game losing streak and was the team's first victory in 25 days (including a very long road trip). Forward Michael Cuffey again paced Oklahoma with 20 points, while former Steelheads' swingman Ray Cunningham added 17. Forward Jamario Moon paced all scorers with 26 points in a losing cause. The two teams combined for 100 free throw attempts. Oklahoma made it two in a row last night (June 12th) with a hard-fought 87-85 victory. Former Steelheads' swingman Ray Cunningham loomed large once again, hitting 11-of-15 from the field for 26 points. Newly-acquired guard Tony Bobbit hit two free throws in the closing seconds to break an 85-85 tie. Steelheads' guard Keith Salscheider had a clean look on a three point shot in the final seconds, but he failed to connect. Incredibly, the Steelheads were credited with only five assists for the evening.

- GARY ROSTER WOES: The Gary Steelheads have been plagued by injuries and roster issues for all but two games this year. Gary had its full roster for the opening two games of the season against the Jackson Wildcats. Since then, a combination of injuries, family tragedies and NBA tryouts have kept the Steelheads below full strength. Guard Rob Griffin, the USBL's second-leading scorer at the the time of his injury, has missed 18 games. Center Chris Alexander missed 10 games due to injury, plus three more to facilitate NBA tryouts with both the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. He also missed Gary's last six games with disciplinary issues. Forward Jamario Moon missed three games due to a death in the family. Guard Akeem Clark also suffered a family tragedy when his brother died. Clark has moved to and from the active roster in recent weeks, prior to his release. Injured forward Marlowe Currie is out for the remainder of the season, following an injury sustained in Dodge City on June 9th.

- FORFEITURE: The Gary Steelheads were awarded two forfeit victories in Jackson, Mississippi, after the Wildcats failed to provide an adequate facility and resources for the games. According to the USBL office, the forfeits should not factor into any team averages.

- FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT: The USBL informed the Gary Steelheads Tuesday that there would be a change regarding the opponent for the Steelheads' final home game of the season Friday night, June 15th. The opponent had been scheduled to be the Brooklyn Kings. Now it will be the Long Island Prime Time, a team consolidated from both the Prime Time and the Delaware Stars. Both teams ceased daily operations earlier in the year, but a traveling team remains.

- MOON SHOTS: After some rough outings with the Kansas Cagerz, forward Jamario Moon is back in the groove. He connected for 16 points in the victory over the Dodge City Saturday night, hitting two key three-point baskets in the fourth quarter. Moon's all-around game was in evidence against Oklahoma May 31st, as he came within one rebound of a double-double effort. He scored 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added to his league-leading blocked shot total with four. In the rematch June 1st, Moon paced all scorers with 23 points and six rebounds. He again paced all scorers June 3rd against Dodge City with 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds. He scored 26 points in a losing cause at Oklahoma June 7th. He followed that with a season-high 28 points against the Storm June 12th.

- A SPECIAL ROOKIE: Bethel College product Adam Schaper hasn't played like a typical rookie in the USBL. Schaper turned in his most impressive performance of the season in Gary's 110-87 victory over Dodge City on June 7th. Schaper hit 10-of-14 shots, finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds. Equally impressive, the 6-foot-10 rookie committed just one turnover in 40 minutes. At Oklahoma, June 7th, Schaper broke through with his first double-digit road performance of 14 points. On the season, Schaper has two double-doubles and ten double-digit scoring games.

- ZOUNDS, IT'S MOUNDS: Recently-signed rookie David Mounds made his presence felt in Dodge City Sunday. The 6-foot-8 forward from Oklahoma State University fired in 32 points, including 12-of-15 shooting from the field.

- CURRIE LOSS: Steelheads forward Marlowe Currie sustained internal bleeding from an injury he sustained in Gary's 113-109 victory at Dodge City on Saturday, June 9th. After being taken to Western Plains Hospital in Dodge City, Currie was airlifted by helicopter to Wichita for surgery. It is anticipated he will make a complete recovery. Currie's presence will be missed. Aside from his statistics, Currie is known for his willingness to do the little things that often make the difference between winning and losing. Currie has shown his ability to take the offensive charge, as well as take a foul to cover for a player out of position. An unselfish player, Currie contributed both as a starter and coming off the bench.

- IT'S SHOWTIME: You'll hear the phrase, "It's Showtime" a great deal at Steelheads games. That's because the team is now owned and operated by a new ownership group, Showtime Sports and Entertainment. The following principals compose this group: Jewell Harris Jr., Esq., Darnail Lyles, Esq., Dr. Adolphus Anekwe, Dr. Olusegun Ishmael, Dr. Paul Okolocha, Dr. Basil Ubanwa and Ben Richmond (owner of Family Mobile Medical and the Beach Café Restaurant). Jewell Harris Jr. is President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. Showtime Sports and Entertainment was formed to better diversify ownership of the franchise, assuring long term stability and viability.

- IT'S SHOWTIME WITH THE STEELHEADS: The latest edition of Showtime With the Steelheads will be available for download Wednesday afternoon or evening through the OurSports Central web site. Guests on the program include Steelheads' head coach Cliff Levingston, VP/General Manager Kevin Spudic and former Steelheads' and current Dodge City Legend coach Dale Osbourne. OurSports Central is in its second year of offering downloadable Internet programs relating to a number of sports, collectively known as "OurSports Central Radio." The web site's Internet address is www.oursportscentral.com. A menu of radio programs can be found prominently on the site's front page. Previous programs are archived for easy access. Showtime With the Steelheads is anchored and produced by Steelheads' play-by-play broadcaster and Media/Public Relations Director Bill Hazen.

- CLIFF WATCHING: The Steelheads named former Chicago Bulls forward Cliff Levingston to succeed Jaren Jackson as head coach on November 21st, 2006. He joined the Steelheads as an assistant on February 8th. Levingston played on the Chicago Bulls' first two championship teams and was a fan favorite. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1982 NBA Draft, going ninth in the first round. He retired from the game in 1995. In 2000, Levingston began his coaching career as an assistant coach in the CBA with the Ft. Wayne Fury. In 2001, he served as an assistant coach with the Dodge City Legend of the USBL. After a year as a college assistant at St. Francis, he returned to Dodge City as head coach. His Legend team won the USBL title, and Levingston was named USBL Coach of the Year. During 2003-04, Levingston served as an assistant for the Harlem Globe Trotters. Two years ago, he coached the St. Louis Flight of the ABA.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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