Gnadenhutten Indians Senior Forward Don Miller wins game honors as he scored 17 points (8 field goals and a free throw) in leading the Indians and destroying the Big Prairie Panthers 54-40. Miller has 55 points in 5 tournament contests for an average of 11.0 per contest.
DOVER - The Gnadenhutten Indians (5-0) (25-1) and the Big Prairie Panthers (16-4) game saw the Indians almost headed for a runaway by the Panthers in the 2nd period. But, they recovered, tied the score at halftime and returned in the final 2 quarters to play their own game and overcome the smaller Holmes County team. Gnaden was ahead 8-7 at the 1st period, but faltered badly in the 2nd to drop behind 19-14 at one point before the half ended with Junior guard Ken Kohl dropping one in from behind the center circle almost as the gun cracked to tie the count at 21-21.
The 3rd stanza saw the Indians come into their own. Right at the start they opened their fast breaking attack, featuring fast and accurate passwork to sweep into a 37-32 lead at the end of the 3rd and continued in the final to collect their 14 point margin. The Gartrellmen, throughout the contest, traveled by jumps and jerks and at times displayed uncertainty or over confidence which robbed their attack of its punch. They missed many scoring opportunities and at times did not seem to have the drive which carried them to such a successful season, the county Championship and finally a crack at the District.
Senior forward Don Miller, who sank most of his shots from the side, scored 17 points to lead the attack, while Junior guard Bill Lockett dropped in 13 and Senior center John Metzger 12. Senior guard Bill Schreiner and Kohl each scored 5 and Junior forward Ralph Long 2...the final quarter seeing Miller and Kohl go out on personal fouls. Center Jack Basquin, who scored overhead shots from the corners consistently, led Big Prairie with 14 points, while Tom Smoot, star guard, came close behind with 12 and guard Bob Lee tallied 8.
The Panthers which conquered the Millersburg Knights 42-41 in an exciting game Thursday night, did not lose a man on personal fouls and was assessed only 9 fouls, while the Indians were charged with 13. Big Prairie made 8 of 13 free throws and Gnaden 4 of 10.
The victory places the Indians in the District finals for the 2nd straight year. Last year they won the Consolation Division of the county tournament and went to the semi-finals in the District meet before bowing out.
GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 54
Don Miller F 8-1-17
Bill Schreiner G 2-1-5
John Metzger C 6-0-12
Ken Kohl G 2-1-5
Bill Lockett G 6-1-13
Ralph Long F 1-0-2
BIG PRAIRIE PANTHERS - 40
Levers F 0-1-1
Plank F 0-3-3
Jack Basquin C 6-2-14
Tom Smoot G 6-0-12
Bob Lee G 3-2-8
Snoody F 0-0-0
Wachtel F 1-0-2
Monday, March 9, 1942
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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