Steelheads game notes
June 10, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
- THE SERIES: This is the fourth meeting between the Gary Steelheads and the Dodge City Legend. Dodge City won the first meeting June 3rd 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. On June 5th, Gary defeated Dodge City 110-87. For the game, the Steelheads shot .549, including a blistering .571 from three-point range. The Steelheads took the boards, 43-36. And Gary committed just 15 turnovers, while forcing 20 by the Legend. Rookie forward Adam Schaper Schaper made a case for strong consideration as the USBL's Rookie of the Year, finishing with a double-double performance of 26 points and 11 rebounds. He hit 10-of-14 shots from the field, and 6-of-7 from the foul line. In forty minutes, he committed just a single turnover. Gary placed six players in double figures, with guard Carl Edwards scoring 24 points and grabbing six rebounds for the winners. The third meeting took place last night at the Dodge City Civic Center, with Gary breaking through with a 113-109 victory. The Steelheads became the first team to defeat the Legend on their home court this season. Gary lead most of the way, but had to fight back from behind in the fourth quarter for the victory. A 12-2 spurt midway through the quarter placed the Steelheads in an advantageous position going down the stretch. Guard Louis White was superb, scoring 23 points while successfully directing the Gary attack. Corey Minnifield fired in 22 points, while Jamario Moon hit two key three point baskets in the fourth quarter for a total of 16 points on the evening. Gary scorched the nets for a .593 shooting percentage from the field, while Dodge City hit .444 from the field. The Legend won the boards, 43-39.
- 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 four 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. 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 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 a season-high 26 points in a losing cause at Oklahoma June 7th.
- 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.
- 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 10, 2007
- Gary Falls at Dodge City, 114-98; Splits Two Games With Legend - Gary Steelheads
- Steelheads game notes - 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.
