DOVER - The plucky Strasburg Tigers (7-0) is going after the State Ohio Class B Basketball Championship at Columbus on March 16 and 17. On virture of their last quarter one point 19-18 victory over the Cadiz High School Cardinals of Harrison County in the final game of the Eastern District Class B Basketball Tournament here last Saturday afternoon. The select Tuscarawas County quintet are not only Tuscarawas County Champions of their District, but have a chance to make themselves the best cage team in the State of Ohio. In one of the most thrilling, exciting and best defensive games of the tourney, the Tigers proved their rare abililty in taking over the Cadiz Cardinals.
But, it was the shooting of one man, flashy Senior guard Pal Neidenthal that won the Eastern District for them. Neidenthal sewed up the contest with a beautiful long shot with only 2 minutes left to play. The shot too away what would have been an 18-17 victory for the Cardinals. And not only did Neidenthal win with one shot, but his shooting of 3 long shots all from the same locality, was the outstanding feature of the final tourney play. The game was a teeter-tooter affair. It was in doubt from the starting of the 2nd period until the final crack of Ike Truley's pistol. It was close throughout. Just as close as the final score indicates. Both teams battled fiercely and played wonderful defense. Strasburg led at the end of the 1st quarter 5-2 and that was the biggest gap that separated the 2 teams at any time.
Cadiz started hitting the hoop a little better in the 2nd period and managed to go in front and led Strasburg by a count of 8-6 at the end of the 1st half. They continued scoring in the 3rd quarter, but Strasburg also started hitting the hoop again and Cadiz was leading by a score of 16-13 when the 2 teams finished the 3rd lap of the race. Then in the last quarter, Senior guard Clyde Denzer and Senior forward Orval Deems swished baskets for the Tigers that gave them a 17-16 lead. Ralph Martin got away under his own basket with an action shot with only 3 minutes to play and gave the Cardinals the lead of 18-17. It looked then like Strasburg would have to be content with being merely runner-up in the tournament.
But, with only 2 minutes to play, Neidenthal drove through the Cadiz team for a moment, took a good aim and then let it fly with the winning shot. From then Strasburg "froze" the ball and kept Cadiz trying to get possession of it. Neidenthal was the outstanding star for his team with Senior center Sundheimer, Senior forward Bob Miller and Denzer, in fact everyone of them, following closely with the same brand of basketball. Deems' defensive play in holding Lucas, star black forward of the Cadiz team, scoreless in the 2nd half after Denzer had allowed him 2 baskets in the 1st two periods, with excellent work. Miller cut the cords with an action shot for Strasburg in the 1st half, while Sundheimer struck for 2 from the field. Denzer had a lot of tough luck with his shots in the 2nd period, but he managed to get 1 in the last half from a corner. Lucas was the outstandig star for Cadiz with B. Martin, center, running a close second. Lucas in 2 previous games had scored 37 points. The largest crowd of the tournament which lasted Friday and Saturday, witnessed the game. The Dover Concert Band and cheering of the rival schools gave added color to a great contest.
STRASBURG TIGERS - 19
Orval Deems 1-0-2
Bob Miller 1-1-3
Paul Sundheimer 2-1-5
Paul Neidenthal 3-1-7
Clyde Denzer 1-0-2
CADIZ CARDINALS - 18
Ralph Martin 1-1-3
Richards 1-0-2
Lucas 2-0-4
B. Martin 3-3-9
Maffeo 0-0-0
Harrah 0-0-0
Monday, March 5, 1928
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
1928 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAMS
Officials 1st Team
Forward - Saad, Coshocton Sacred Hearts Catholics
Forward - Lucas, Cadiz Cardinals
Center - B. Martin, Cadiz Cadinals
Guard - Orval Deems - Strasburg Tigers
Guard - Paul Neidenthal - Strasburg Tigers
Joe Williams, The Daily Reporter Sports Editor 1st Team
Forward - Orval Deems, Strasburg Tigers
Forward - Lucas, Cadiz Cardinals
Center - Lester Price, Dundee Bulldogs
Guard - Paul Neidenthal, Strasburg Tigers
Guard - Riggs, Mingo Junction
Officials 2nd Team
Forward - Hresho, Mingo Junction
Forward - Bob Miller, Strasburg Tigers
Center - Lester Price, Dundee Bulldogs
Guard - Clyde Denzer, Strasburg Tigers
Guard - Murply, Cadiz Cardinals
Joe Williams 2nd Team
Forward - Bob Miller, Strasburg Tigers
Forward - Saad, Coshocton Sacred Hearts Catholics
Center - B. Martin, Cadiz Cardinals
Guard - W. Bell, Millersburg
Guard - Haager, Dundee Bulldogs
TOURNEY SHOTS
@In choosing the forwards one would have to select from a group of at least 7 who starred for there respective teams. Among those 7 were Lucas of Cadiz, Kinney and Saad of Sacred Hearts, Deems and Miller of Strasburg, Hresho and Ullstrum of Mingo Junction. Everyone of them have natural ability.
@The center positions were alloted after playing of the men had been compared. Price of Dundee, Sundheimer of Strasburg, Ralph Martin of Cadiz, Kiefer of Sacred Hearts and Schaefer of Mingo Junction were all considered.
@The absence of guard material for the tournament team made the selection for those 2 positions hard. Neidenthal of course is everyone's unanimous choice, Riggs of Mingo Junction, Haager of Dundee, Denzer of Strasburg, W. Bell of Millersburg, Kinney and Murphy of Sacred Hearts were taken into consideration.
@Enriched with an attractive silver basketball trophy on pedestal given by The Daily Reporter and another pedestal basketball given by The Ohio High School Athletic Association to the Strasburg High School went home to a big celebration. The Eastern District Class B Basketball Champions were heartily received everywhere. Each individual member on the team carried or worn the silver medal awarded in recognition of his play with the champions. The Tigers Band led a celebration in front of the Garver Store in Strasburg.
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