PRO BASKETBALL

GARY | It's time for the Gary Steelheads to make a big move. No, the USBL entry isn't closing shop like four other teams have this turbulent season.

With playoffs approaching, the Steelheads must catch fire -- having lost five of eight prior to Saturday's game with Kansas -- and put their fans at ease once again.

"It's been a little bit of a concern," Gary general manager Kevin Spudic said of lengthy road trips that cause fan interest to wane. "But even more of a concern is the time of the season. People had it ingrained in them that we were here from November to April during the CBA season.

"We're still educating them that we're here now April, May and June with the USBL."

Gary and Kansas came in at 10-6, with the Cagerz having won the three previous meetings thanks to a stronger showing on the boards. The Steelheads, in dire need of rebounding, waived guard Steve Lepore and center Chris Garnett, then brought ex-Roosevelt star Akeem Clark and 7-footer Chris Alexander off injured reserve.

A Thornton grad, Alexander had missed 13-of-16 games this season.

"The key is doing well in the tournament. Everybody gets in and it's single-elimination," Spudic said. "But it's played at a neutral site -- in Edin, Oklahoma."

The USBL began this season with 10 teams, then had Jackson (Miss.), New Jersey, Long Island and -- most recently -- Delaware fold for financial reasons.

"The league's been around 21 years. It's established, stable, and not even close (to folding)," said Spudic, a Highland native and Valparaiso University grad. "The teams that did fold were expansion teams but we have a solid base in the Midwest Division with Dodge City, Kansas, Oklahoma and ourselves.

"There's a good chance Rockford's coming in next season and a few other teams. That's why (former Lightning CBA coach) Chris Daleo is here again tonight, scouting things out."

What Daleo saw was Kansas outscore the Steelheads 31-18 in the fourth quarter to win 113-99 before an announced crowd of 2,064 fans.

Eddie Barlow led Gary with 19 points and Corey Minnifield had 17 off the bench. For the Cagerz, Anthony Richardson and Anthony Johnson had warrior-like efforts with 22 points each. James Williams tossed in 18 and 7-2 Marcus Campbell added 14.