DOVER - Every year you have a point-a-minute basketball team, but who ever heard of a foul-a-minute refereeing team. The 2,000 fans who crowded Memorial Hall at the Class B Basketball Tournament saw that team of officials...Valley and F.T. Dirodis of Ravenna...and if you don't think the boys had the stuff just take a look at the stastistics.
There were 4 basketball games played on Saturday night, actual playing time of each is 32 minutes, making a grand total of 128 minutes of play during the evening. The Dirodis brothers called exactly 143 personal fouls on the 8 teams involved. Were not saying they weren't right either for no one can kick about an official who calls them as he sees them. But, the Dirodis family was working like bees in clover last night.
The Midvale Blue Devils-Tuscarawas Broncos game topped the list, 22 on Midvale and 20 on Tusky, a total of 42 personal fouls. The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates-Gnadenhutten Indians and Bolivar Cardinals-Port Washington Purple Riders clashes were next with 34 each and the Strasburg Tigers-Baltic Eagles game drew 33 infractions. Is it any wonder the games ended at 12:15AM today instead of about 11-15PM as they should have?
And while we're on the subject, lets take a look at the averages of the 8 clubs. A total of 165 free throws were taken and only 77 of that number made, Gnaden leading the way, with 17 of 22. Other "records" were: Bolivar and Port, each 4 of 18, Baltic 12 of 26, Sugarcreek-Shanesville 8 of 15, Strasburg 10 of 16, Tusky with 13 of 23 and Midvale 9 out of 27. Some pitching, eh?
And with all this fouling only 16 players hit the showers for having 4 assessed against them. That's an average of 2 from each team; although, at one time 5 correctly placed fouls would have sent the entire Strasburg or Sugarcreek-Shanesville team out of the game.
BUT look at the more pleasant side. We noticed that after one of the big games was over a player rushed out into the center of the floor, grabbed his girl and planted 2 nice big kisses upon her lips.
MOST sorrowful and at the same time most humorous spectacle at the tournament was the little popcorn boy who won't walk along the sidelines tonight unless he can see what's coming at him. He was walking briskly, as little businessman earning money, when a player made a mad dash for the ball. Right on top of the popcorn boy he landed. Everything hit the floor, player, boy and popcorn. The lad tried to straighten the mess up, but gave up and went back for more.
OVER 1,700 paid admissions to see the tourney last night, according to Tournament Manager A.C. Bahler who said the crowd was the largest in the tournament's history. He opened the doors at 6PM, closed them at 7:30PM, while a line of customers extended out into the street and then opened them again after the Strasburg game to sell a few replacement tickets.
OTHER tournament talk...Head Coach Paul M. Roby of Twinsburg, formerly head coach of Strasburg, sitting in the bleachers watching the game...tourney trophies will be presented at the half of tonight's final game by G.H. May of the Y.M.C.A...League co-winner trophies for Sugarcreek-Shanesville, Bolivar and Midvale may not be in time...and last, but not least...if the Hall is as hot tonight as it was last night, it would be a good idea to take a bathing suit along...you might pretend that you're enjoying Florida.
Saturday, February 24, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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