KENT - Dame Misfortune and a fast-breaking, sharpshooting Lowellville Rockets quintet (22-4) today had combined to erase the Strasburg Tigers (9-1) (29-2) State Class B title hopes as the Rockets posted a 59-54 victory last night at Kent State University Gymnasium before 4,700 who turned out for the opening play of the Regional Tournament, in which Columbiana beat Springfield Township 64-45.
The defeat, which forced Strasburg to join the rest of the "also-rans" in the race for coveted State honors, came after Junior Clarence Yackey, the Tigers' All-Ohio center, twisted his ankle after 5 minutes of play. With the 6-5 star unable to trust his full weight on the ankle, the Tigers were handicapped in rebound play and finally were subdued in the last 4 minutes of play.
Yackey, in addition to scoring 5 points before being hurt, while twisting away from a scramble under the Lowellville basket, had complete control of rebounds against Lowellville's lanky 6-4 Senior center Joe Stephenson until the mishap occurred. Held scoreless until that point, Stephenson then cut loose to spark his club's triumph with 20 points on 10 action shots.
Although he saw action most of the contest, the Tiger center garnered but 12 points, being unable to shoot from the pivot position. Junior guard Tom Haswell spiked the Tigers with 19 points, while playing a sparkling floor game. Junior forward Dean Beitzel made 9 points and Senior guard Marvin Jeffers 8. Junior John Esarco, fast Lowellville guard, racked up 15 points, 10 in the final quarter, while Junior forward Dick Williams made 8.
Head Coach Emmet Riley's Tigers held quarter margins of 11-10, 28-21 and 38-37 in a rough game which saw Referees John Russ and Bob Oldfather call only 22 personal fouls, 14 against Lowellville. The Rockets missed only one free throw in 10 chances, while Strasburg cashed in 10 of 15 charity tosses.
Trailing 44-42 with 4 minutes of the contest remaining, Lowellville provided the real turning point shortly after the automatic timeout when Esarco, getting loose on a fast break, was fouled from behind as he scored. The speedster also made good on both free throw shots and seconds later roared back for another layup to give Lowellville an 8-point lead.
Strasburg fought back to narrow the count to 51-48 with 2 minutes left as Tom Haswell connected twice and Yackey once from the field. But, Stephenson pulled the Rockets out of danger with 2 lay-ups and Esarco followed suit for a 57-48 margin. Jeffers and Sophomore guard Jim Weber tallied field goals for the Tigers as Lowellville started to stall. Freshman forward Sam Mangine and Tom Haswell then traded baskets before time ran out.
The Tigers gained an 8-2 lead at the outset as Yackey caged 2 field goals and a free throw and Tom Haswell an action shot and free throw. Yackey then sustained his injury and while his ankle was being taped, the count went to 11-8. The Rockets then trimmed the Tigers' edge to one point before the quarter ended.
Strasburg maintained the lead until 30 seconds of the 3rd stanza were left, once holding an 8-point margin. A hook by guard John Crocetti gave Lowellville their 1st lead at 37-36, but Yackey's jump shot put the Tigers in front as the 3rd period ended.
Following a basket by Esarco at the start of the final frame, Jeffers meshed a set toss and Beitzel a free throw to give the Tigers a 41-39 margin, but Mangine's fielder and free throw put Lowellville in front 42-41. Beitzel's free throw tied the score at 42-all with 5 minutes left, but a pivot shot by Stephenson gave the
Rockets the lead again and they were never headed.
LOWELLVILLE ROCKETS - 59
Dick Williams F 4-0-8
Larry Grist F 1-1-3
Joe Stephenson C 10-0-20
John Crocetti G 1-1-3
John Esarco G 5-5-15
Fanto F 0-0-0
Sam Mangine F 4-2-10
STRASBURG TIGERS - 54
Roland Malcuit F 1-0-2
Dean Beitzel F 3-3-9
Clarence Yackey C 5-2-12
Tom Haswell G 8-3-19
Marvin Jeffers G 3-2-8
Jim Weber G 2-0-4
Friday, March 14, 1947
Harry Yockey, Right Down The Line
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
NOTE: YACKEY NAMED TO ALL-OHIO
Junior Clarence Yackey, star center for the Strasburg Tigers, became the 1st player in the school's history to be chosen on an All-Ohio Class B Team. The selection was made in International News Service's annual poll of writers and coaches. The 6-5 center is the 1st Tuscarawas County player chosen since 1941.
Yackey's teammates are Neil Schimdt of Bluffton and Lee Thomas of Columbiana, forwards and Len Shull of Gibsonburg and Jerry Jones of Corning, guards. Marvin Jeffers of Strasburg and Bob Gerber of Walnut Creek received Honorable Mention.
NOTE: The Columbiana Clippers (25-1) went on to win the Ohio State Class B Championship 43-34 over New Knoxville.
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