YOUNGSTOWN - Midvale's Mighty "mites" (7-2) (27-4) stored their basketball uniforms today until next season, but in dropping a 47-43 thriller to the North Canton Vikings (23-5) before an overflow crowd of 4,200 fans in the Regional finals at Youngstown Saturday night, the Blue Devils wrote a chapter of cage history, which, for sheer courage and aggressiveness, has never been equaled in Eastern Ohio Tournament play. Although Head Coach Bill French's quintet joined Canton McKinley, routed 45-26 by Canton South in the Class A finale, in defeat, Midvale was the "people's choice" in the jammed South field house Saturday night.
The orange-shirted Blue Devils, rated underdogs by as much as 20 points by some of the experts, discounted the odds and height advantage held by the powerful Vikings, conquerors of Akron Eilet and lost little glory as they battled the favorites on early even terms for nearly 4 quarters, losing by the slender margin in the final canto when a Viking substitute found the range with 2 quick fielders. The score was deadlocked 4 times and the lead changed hands on 5 occasions in the 1st nine minutes of play as Midvale fought the Vikings to a standstill in the 1st and 2nd quarters.
North Canton held a slender 8-7 margin at the 1st quarter mark on the basis of 2 field goals by Leland Schneider, clever Viking guard, in the final minutes of the canto. From then on it was give and go as Midvale challenged North Canton at every turn and sent the crowd into a roaring frenzy with its brilliant display of floormanship and pass work.
The Vikings surged from behind in the early minutes of the 2nd period to take a 10-9 lead after little Senior guard Dan Carlisle, one of the tournament's brightest performers, had sent the Blue Devils into a one-point lead with a dribble-in performance. Viking forward Bob Warburton made it 11-9 from the charity circle, but center Bob Sherrell deadlocked the count with a follow-in. It was Carlisle again who sent Midvale ahead for the last time with a free throw shot midway in the 2nd period. Forward Don Hinerman gave North Canton a 13-12 margin a few seconds later and the Vikings stretched this lead to 26-20 at halftime despite doubledeckers by Jack Ford and Junior forward Jim Golder.
Midvale could register but 2 field goals in the 3rd stanza, both by Ford and the Vikings owned a 32-28 lead going into the sizzling final quarter. Golder opened the Midvale bid with a field goal that trimmed the North Canton margin to 32-30, but Warburton gave the Vikings their 4-point advantage again with a set shot.
It was at this stage that guard George Hamilton, Viking substitute, all but nullified the Blue Devils chances when he caged 2 rapid action shots and gave Head Coach Red Vanaman's Vikings a 38-32 edge. But, Midvale tired from weeks of grinding tournament play, found enough to make a last rally. Carlisle, who completely captivated the crowd with his sensational ball-stealing and ball-handling, worked the count to 38-34 with a dribble-in shot just as the automatic time-out buzzer sounded.
North Canton increased its margin to 44-36 with a minute to go, but Golder sliced a point off of the lead with a free throw toss. Schneider made it 46-37 and then Carlisle hit a 2-pointer with seconds ticking away. Warburton ran the count to 47-39 from the free throw line and Golder, racing against the clock, sank 2 doubledeckers which only reduced the North Canton margin as time ran out.
Schneider led the way hitting 13 points, while his teammate Warburton followed him up with 11 points for North Canton. Ford was high for Midvale with 16 markers.
NORTH CANTON VIKINGS - 47
Don Hinerman F 4-1-9
Bob Warburton F 4-3-11
Jim Heckman C 3-0-6
Leland Schneider G 6-1-13
Don Humbert G 2-0-4
George Hamilton G 2-0-4
MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 43
Jack Ford F 7-2-16
Jim Golder F 4-1-9
Bob Sherrell C 2-3-7
Dave Rennicker G 0-3-3
Dan Carlisle G 3-2-8
Monday, March 22, 1948
Rex Ridenour, Right Down The Line
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
NOTE: North Canton went on to lose 55-46 to Lima St. Rose in the semi-finals. Lima St. Rose then lost 45-36 to Eaton for the State Championship.
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