Steelheads game notes
May 25, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
- THE SERIES: This is the fourth meeting between the Gary Steelheads and the Kansas Cagerz. Kansas has won all three games played to date. 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 were held to only .329 shooting from the field. On May 22nd, Kansas prevailed 106-100 in Salina, Kansas. Guard Carl Edwards tossed in 30 points in a losing cause, while guard Eddy Barlow added 15. Then on May 23rd, Kansas double dipped the Steelheads in Salina, 95-79. Barlow tossed in a season-high 17 points, while guard Louis White added 16. It took Gary 4:15 to score a point in the third quarter of the game.
- 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. Also, guard Steve Lapore has been shifted to the active roster, while guard Akeem Clark has moved to Injured Reserve.
- 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 14 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. 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. Since there are several Steelheads players getting serious looks from NBA teams, there is a possibility of additional NBA tryouts in the coming weeks.
- BOARDS SHORTAGE: The roster issues have created a shortage on the boards, against strong front lines like the Kansas Cagerz. In three games with Kansas, Gary has been outrebounded by an average of 8.0 rpg. On the season, the Cagerz are outrebounding their opponents by an average of 3.7 rpg, while the Steelheads have outrebounded their opponents by a 5.7 rpg average.
- 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 five different categories. Moon leads the USBL in blocked shots (2.6 bpg), is third in rebounding (7.8 rpb), and ranks among the leaders in steals (1.6 spg), free throw shooting (.911) and three point shooting (.485).
- EDWARDS' SUDDEN IMPACT: Since coming aboard with the Gary Steelheads, guard Carl Edwards has made a very rapid impact. Edwards had a string of four straight 20+ scoring games broken against the Kansas Cagerz on Wednesday, May 23rd. In that game, Edwards played nine minutes due to an injury and scored two points. 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, 22 points in the Steelheads' win against Oklahoma and 30 points at Kansas May 23rd. Edwards ranks among the USBL leaders in scoring and field goal shooting.
- 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 has been unavailable for either the Oklahoma game or either of the games at Kansas, as he had tryouts with both the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks.
- BY THE NUMB3RS: Going into this week's action, the Steelheads were 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, had been the major problem for Gary at a -3.1 turnovers per game.
- 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: Going into this week's action, 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 has not scored in double figures on the road to date.
- 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 download through the OurSports Central web site. Guests on this week's program include Steelheads' head coach Cliff Levingston, guard Eddy Barlow, a visit to Kevin's Corner with VP/General Manager Kevin Spudic and a chat 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 and produced 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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