Three Steelheads Finalists for USBL Awards
Published on June 13, 2007 under United States Basketball League (USBL)
Gary Steelheads News Release
GARY, Indiana (June 13, 2007) - Three Gary Steelheads are finalists for United States Basketball League awards, according to a release from the USBL earlier today. Steelheads' coach Cliff Levingston is a finalist for Coach of the Year, while team VP/GM Kevin Spudic is under consideration for the USBL's Executive of the Year. On the court, forward Adam Schaper is a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Coach Cliff Levingston joined the Gary Steelheads in February of 2006, while Gary was competing in the CBA. He was elevated to the head coaching position when the team joined the USBL for the 2007 season. Levingston had to restore the team after an extended dormancy during which the franchise was being reorganized under new ownership. He did so by blending together a team composed of key players from the 2005-2006 CBA Finalists, along with new standouts like forward Jamario Moon and guard Carl Edwards. Levingston showed a keen eye for talent, finding 6-foot-10 rookie Adam Schaper from tiny Bethel College in South Bend, Indiana. The Steelheads posted the best record in the USBL for the first month of the season. They have remained among the league leaders, despite a combination of injuries, overseas contracts and NBA tryouts.
Gary Steelheads' Vice President and General Manager Kevin Spudic joined the team on January 8th, 2007. A Northwest Indiana native, Spudic moved rapidly to prepare the Steelheads for their return to the court as a member of the USBL. He oversaw the hiring of staff, and worked closely with coach Cliff Levingston on building the Gary team. Spudic also made it a priority for the franchise to reach out to all parts of Northwest Indiana.
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.
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