Steelheads game notes
June 4, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
- THE SERIES: This is the second meeting between the Gary Steelheads and the Dodge City Legend. Dodge City won the first meeting Sunday night at the Genesis Center, 94-86. Gary played this game without center Chris Alexander, benched for disciplinary reasons. The Steelheads were outrebounded, 54-40. The Legend's stifling defense held Gary to just .321 shooting from the field. The teams are scheduled to meet five times this season, two in Gary and three in Dodge City.
- GARY ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS: Guard Eddy Barlow signed a lucrative contract to play basketball in Venezuela. The Steelheads added swingman Keith Salscheider, who played with the Dodge City Legend during the 2006 USBL season. On June 3rd, the Steelheads added forward Monte O'Quinn and guard Lawrence Barns.
- 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 first game with Dodge City due to 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. Since there are several Steelheads players getting serious looks from NBA teams, there is a possibility of additional NBA tryouts in the coming weeks.
- 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 SHOTS: After some rough outings with the Kansas Cagerz, forward Jamario Moon got back in the groove on Memorial Day. Moon paced all scorers with 23 points, hitting 8-of-14 shots from the field, and 3-of-4 from three point range. He also grabbed five rebounds, handed out five assists and picked off four steals. Moon's all-around game was in evidence against Oklahoma Thursday night, 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 last Friday night, Moon paced all scorers with 23 points and six rebounds. He again paced all scorers Sunday against Dodge City with 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
- BY THE NUMB3RS: Going into this game, the Steelheads are outrebounding their opponents by 3.1 rpg, and are outshooting their opponents from the field (+3.6%), from the free throw line (+3.5%) and from three point range (+1.9%).
- A SPECIAL ROOKIE: Bethel College product Adam Schaper hasn't played like a typical 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 May 18th. He has not scored in double figures on the road to date. For the first time, Schaper was held below double digits at home in the May 26th loss to the Kansas Cagerz. In that game, he scored 4 points with 3 rebounds in 18 minutes.
- 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, VP/General Manager Kevin Spudic and a chat with Steelheads' Hidden Hero, Jeff Metz. 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.
- 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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United States Basketball League Stories from June 4, 2007
- Steelheads game notes - Gary Steelheads
- Steelheads Rematch With Dodge City Tuesday Night at the Genesis Center - Gary Steelheads
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.
