Gnadenhutten Indians Junior Forward John Metzger collared the nets for 15 points (7 field goals and a free throw), while leading the Indians to a 44-40 tight win over the Berlin Blue Jays in a Saturday night's Sectional Tournament contest. Metzger has 48 points and an average of 8.0 points a game in tournament play.
DOVER - Coming through with flying colors Saturday night before a packed house at Memorial Hall, the Midvale Blue Devils and Gnadenhutten Indians won the Class B Sectional qualifying games and this week will be the county's only represenatives at the District A and B finals at Dennison. Midvale, extending its great end-of-the-season drive which carried Head Coach Pete Wolfe's cagers to a 2nd straight County Championship, the Blue Devils upset the strong Dennison Railroaders 30-28 in the last 3 minutes of a hectic contest, while the Indians, County Consolation winners, outdistanced a snappy Berlin Blue Jay five from Holmes County 44-40.
The Blue Devils will be defending District Champions and will again be out to make the Columbus trip for the State finals. Last year they won their opening game at Columbus, but were eliminated in the 2nd contest. Because Dover, New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville and Newcomerstown, the county's 4 representatives in the Class A Sectional Tournament at Dennison last week were eliminated, county fans must pin their hopes on either Midvale or Gnadenhutten to come through for a title.
A record crowd of 1,233, largest ever to attend a Sectional Tournament, was present Saturday night according to Tournament Manager Dick Roberts who said that $428.90 was taken in at the gate. Last year's gate receipts on the final night was $308.20.
Missing entirely in the Gnadenhutten Indians (5-1) and the Berlin Blue Jays game was the hot rivalry and the 2 clubs played smooth ball, the Indians hitting on their shots, while forward Orus Weaver and guard Dean Hummel, fast Blue Jays scorers, couldn't quite keep up. Gnaden took a 13-8 lead at the 1st quarter of play and was still ahead 22-17 at the half and by 31-23 at the 3rd period. Berlin tried desperately all the way, but the Blue Jays were too small to take the under-the-basket play away from the taller Indians.
In defeating Berlin, the Indians completely wrecked the Holmes County chances of a District Title. Gnaden Friday night dropped the Walnut Creek Cardinals from Holmes County 45-35. The uncanny pivot shooting of Weaver, Blue Jay star scorer, was the feature of the game and honors winner, as he poured 19 points through the nets, while Hummel, who left the game on personals in the 4th stanza, made 10 points despite an off night in shooting. Junior forward John Metzger's 15 points was high for the Red Men, while Senior forward Dallas Crites came through with 10 markers.
GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 44
Dallas Crites F 4-2-10
John Metzger F 7-1-15
Ralph Long C 3-0-6
Ken Kohl G 1-0-2
Bill Schreiner G 3-1-7
Don Miller F 1-2-4
BERLIN BLUE JAYS - 40
Orus Weaver F 9-1-19
Scfhnell F 1-1-3
R. Miller C 2-2-6
Dean Hummell G 5-0-10
J. Miller G 0-2-2
O. Miller F 0-0-0
J. Miller G 0-0-0
Monday, March 10, 1941
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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