Steelheads game notes
May 17, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
- THE SERIES: This is the first ever meeting between the Gary Steelheads and the Oklahoma Storm.
- ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS: Last Saturday, the Gary Steelheads adjusted their roster by moving center Chris Alexander and guard Akeem Clark from Injured Reserve to active status. Center Chris Garnett and guard Steve Lepore were moved from the active roster to Injured Reserve. These roster changes are reflected in Gary Steelheads Roster #06, which is included within these game notes.
- 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 abd 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.
- 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 (2.4 bpg), stands second in rebounding (8.4 rpb), and ranks among the leaders in steals (1.6 spg), field goal shooting (.579), free throw shooting (.905) and three point shooting (.500). Moon has also ranked among the league leaders in assists, for a seventh category!
- 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.
- BY THE NUMB3RS: The Steelheads are outrebounding their opponents by 9.6 rpg, and are outshooting their opponents from the field (+6.8%), from the free throw line (+6.1%) and from three point range (+0.6%). Turnovers, however, have been the major problem for Gary at a -3.3 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 thetime 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.
- A 2-3 PUNCH: Guards Louis White and Eddy Barlow rank second and third in the USBL in assists. White is averaging 4.9 apg, while Barlow is right behind him with a 4.8 apg average.
- A SPECIAL ROOKIE: Bethel College product Adam Schaper isn't playing like a rookie in the USBL. He has seven 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 ranks among the league leaders in offensive rebounding (2.4 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 is now available for .mp3 download. In the program, Gary coach Cliff Levingston gives his assessment of Jamario Moon's potential to play in the NBA. Team VP/General Manager Kevin Spudic talks about tonight's special entertainment, the Zooperstars. And Dr. Basil Ubanwa, a member of the Steelheads' ownership group, shares his vision for basketball in Northwest Indiana. 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.
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United States Basketball League Stories from May 17, 2007
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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.
