47 - Right Down The Line

RIGHT DOWN THE LINE
With Harry Yockey
Wednesday, February 19, 1947
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

The Strasburg Tigers currently hold one of the best Class B records in the State for the last 2 years, having posted their 51st victory against only 2 losses when they toppled the Port Washington Purple Riders 57-32 in last night's tournament play.

Head Coach Emmet Riley piloted his basket-makers to 28 consecutive decisions last year before they lost to Worthington 32-31 in the Regional Tournament at Athens  The only setback in 24 games to date this season came at the hands of Dalton in a 31-30 overtime duel at Dalton, a defeat later avenged 49-32 by the Tigers.

But, the Bengals are performing extremely well under the pressure which always is present when such a record is being maintained.  Even the boos of friendly enemies fails to unnerve them as big Junior Center Clarance Yackey proved last night when he calmly meshed 2 free throws in the 4th quarter, while the palace was in an uproar.

The 6-5 center of the Tigers is a greatly improved player over last year.  He not only gives the Bengals the best of representation around the backboard, but he also is a dangerous scorer because of his height and if you watch Yackey closely, you will realize he also is a fine team player  as he rarely misses an opportunity to pass the ball to a teammate who is in better scoring position.

ZZZZZ

While Yackey perhaps is the best "big" player in the tournament, Junior Guard Dan Carlisle of the Midvale Blue Devils doesn't have to take a backseat in the "little" division.  During the Blue Devils' 3 tournament appearances, in which they won once and lost twice, Dan sparkled offensively and defensively.

The Midvale mite totaled 29 points in the 3 contests in addition to setting up the Blue Devils' plays.  He was a will-o-the-wisp on defense, frequently stealing the ball to score himself or set up baskets for teammates.

ZZZZ

The 25 points Yackey meshed last night hiked his tournament total to 59 for 3 contests, putting him 11 ahead of Midvale's Sophomore Forward Jack Ford, who is out of the tourney.  Forward Junior Murray of the Bolivar Cardinals is the current runner-up with 46 points after last night's 13-point splurge, while his teammate Guard Junior Lundenberger, is next with 42.

The Gnattenhutten Indians' Sophomore Forward Gene Montague has amassed 41 to tie with Senior Guard Dean Gerber of the Baltic Eagles whose team also is out of the running.  Center Loyal Bishop of the Tuscarawas Broncos, which was dumped into the Consolation Division by the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, has tallied 39 points, while Forward Bill Weiss of the Pirates has 36 to his credit.

Weiss, incidentally, was a big factor in the Pirates' advance to the finals.  He was in on practically every backboard play against Tusky and his 6 points in the 1st period kept the Pirates in the running until they could hit their stride and then he sparked the last-quarter drive with 7 points.

ZZZZZ

The 1,459 fans who paid their way into last night's proceedings boosted the total attendance for 4 tournament nights to 5,145.  With 2 more nights to run, the county classic could well set a new mark.

Hundreds were turned away last night when there was a long line waiting an hour before the opening game.  Counting the passes, the attendance was around the 1,750 mark.  Every inch of space was taken and fans were even asked to give up any seats they might be holding for friends by stacking coats on them.

When the 4th and final game between Gnaden and Midvale started, there still were 25 or so fans trying to get into the building.