Steelheads game notes
June 15, 2007 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
- THE SERIES: This is the first meeting between the Gary Steelheads and the Long Island Prime Time
- 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 seven 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. Injured forward Marlowe Currie is out for the remainder of the season, following an injury sustained in Dodge City on June 9th. Guard Keith Salscheider was injured in the victory at Oklahoma on June 13th. He is currently on IR.
- 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.
- FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT: The USBL informed the Gary Steelheads Tuesday that there would be a change regarding the opponent for the Steelheads' final home game of the season Friday night, June 15th. The opponent had been scheduled to be the Brooklyn Kings. Now it will be the Long Island Prime Time, a team consolidated from both the Prime Time and the Delaware Stars. Both teams ceased daily operations earlier in the year, but a traveling team remains.
- 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 26 points in a losing cause at Oklahoma June 7th. He followed that with a season-high 28 points against the Storm June 12th. Moon's steal of an inbounds pass in the closing seconds against Oklahoma June 13th saved a victory for the Steelheads. Moon tossed in 21 points in the game.
- 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.
- ZOUNDS, IT'S MONDS: Recently-signed rookie David Monds made his presence felt in Dodge City Sunday. The 6-foot-8 forward from Oklahoma State University fired in 32 points, including 12-of-15 shooting from the field.
- CURRIE LOSS: Steelheads forward Marlowe Currie sustained internal bleeding from an injury he sustained in Gary's 113-109 victory at Dodge City on Saturday, June 9th. After being taken to Western Plains Hospital in Dodge City, Currie was airlifted by helicopter to Wichita for surgery. It is anticipated he will make a complete recovery. Currie's presence will be missed. Aside from his statistics, Currie is known for his willingness to do the little things that often make the difference between winning and losing. Currie has shown his ability to take the offensive charge, as well as take a foul to cover for a player out of position. An unselfish player, Currie contributed both as a starter and coming off the bench.
- IT'S SHOWTIME WITH THE STEELHEADS: The latest edition of Showtime With the Steelheads is available for download through the OurSports Central web site. Guests on the program include Steelheads' head coach Cliff Levingston, VP/General Manager Kevin Spudic and former Steelheads' and current Dodge City Legend coach Dale Osbourne. 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. Previous programs are archived for easy access. 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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