Gary Steelheads game notes

May 21, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release


- THE SERIES: This is the second meeting between the Gary Steelheads and the Kansas Cagerz. On April 19th, the Cagerz became the first (and currently the only) USBL team to defeat the Steelheads at the Genesis Center, 86-78. Kansas placed five players in double figures, paced by former Steelheads' guard Larry House with 17. Gary forward Jermaine Blackburn registered a season-high 24 points in defeat. The Steelheads had just three players in double figures and were held to only .329 shooting from the field. The Steelheads played without three of their top players in the game; forward Jamario Moon, guard Rob Griffin and center Chris Alexander. Griffin remains sidelined due to injury.

- ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS: The Gary Steelheads have activated center Chris Garnett from Injured Reserve. Center Chris Alexander has been called to a pair of NBA tryouts this week.

- FROM STREAK BUSTER TO STREAK MAKER: The Gary Steelheads first-ever USBL losing streak came to an end at Delaware last Thursday night, as Gary secured a 97-91 victory at Wilmington College. That victory stopped a Steelheads' slide at three games, two losses at Albany (87-81 and 93-83) and a third at Brooklyn (109-92). With the Steelheads' 111-89 Mother's Day victory over the Brooklyn Kings, Gary's win streak advanced to two games. The streak reached three with a 101-92 victory over the Oklahoma Storm on May 18th.

- 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.

- MOON LAUNCH: The Steelheads' Jamario Moon is having an incredible USBL season. Going into this weekend's action, Moon stands among the league's ranked players in six different categories. Moon leads the USBL in blocked shots (2.8 bpg), stands second in rebounding (8.6 rpb), and ranks among the leaders in steals (1.6 spg), field goal shooting (.586), free throw shooting (.909) and three point shooting (.522). Moon has also ranked among the league leaders in assists, for a seventh category!

- EDWARDS' SUDDEN IMPACT: Since coming aboard with the Gary Steelheads, guard Carl Edwards has made a very rapid impact. The USBL's eighth leading scorer (16.2 ppg), Edwards connected for 31 points at Delaware during the team's last road trip. The performance ranks among the league's best this season. He followed that with 25 points in Gary's victory over Brooklyn, and 22 points in the Steelheads' win against Oklahoma. Edwards ranks 4th in USBL field goal shooting (.598).

- ALEXANDER THE GREAT: After being sidelined for ten games, center Chris Alexander returned to the roster for a Mother's Day 111-89 victory over the Brooklyn Kings. Alexander tossed in 14 points, one of five players in double figures for the winners. He hit 6-of-7 shots from the field. Chris was not available for Friday night's game with Oklahoma, as he was in Miami for a tryout with the Heat. On Monday, Alexander had a tryout with the Milwaukee Bucks.

- BY THE NUMB3RS: The Steelheads are outrebounding their opponents by 9.0 rpg, and are outshooting their opponents from the field (+6.8%), from the free throw line (+5.5%) and from three point range (+4.2%). Turnovers, however, have been the major problem for Gary at a -3.1 turnovers per game.

- MISSING IN ACTION: The MASH unit has reduced in size for the Gary Steelheads. At one time, Gary played without forward Jamario Moon, guard Rob Griffin and center Chris Alexander. Moon left the squad to attend to a death in the family. He returned after three games. Alexander was out for ten games. That leave Rob Griffin as the only remaining player in this group on the sidelines. Griffin, a fan favorite, stood second in USBL scoring at the time of his injury.

- LEAGUE-LEADING PERFORMANCE: Eddy Barlow's 16 assists against Brooklyn on Mother's Day stands as the best in the USBL this year. According to the USBL office, it is also possible that the performance stands among the best in USBL history. The Steelheads have submitted a revised box score after review of this game. If accepted by the league, Barlow would be credited with 20 assists in the game.

- ASSISTING THE STEELHEADS: Guards Eddy Barlow and Louis White rank second and fourth in the USBL in assists. Barlow is averaging 5.0 apg, while White is averaging right behind him with a 4.6 apg average.

- A SPECIAL ROOKIE: Bethel College product Adam Schaper isn't playing like a rookie in the USBL. He has eight double-digit scoring games this season, all of them at the Genesis Center. Against Brooklyn on Mother's Day, Schaper tossed in 15 points with six rebounds and a blocked shot. He shot 7-of-11 from the field. Schaper added 14 more points in the victory over Oklahoma last Friday. He ranks among the league leaders in offensive rebounding (2.3 rpg).

- 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 on Tuesday through the OurSports Central web site. Guests on this week's program will include Steelheads' head coach Cliff Levingston, guard Eddy Barlow, a visit to Kevin's Corner with VP/General Manager Kevin Spudic and a visit with Steelheads' Hidden Hero, Renee Connelly. 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. Showtime With the Steelheads is anchored by Steelheads' play-by-play broadcaster and Media/Public Relations Director Bill Hazen. The program utilizes the latest in digital audio technology to increase the audio quality of interview segments, which are often recorded as the team travels.

- WATCH OUT FOR THAT CLIFF: 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.



United States Basketball League Stories from May 21, 2007


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.

OurSports Central