Monday, March 15, 1948
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
HEAD COACH BILL FRENCH'S Midvale Blue Devils have definitely proven their County League Championship was no fluke. They enter the Youngstown Regionals this week by virtue of their victory over the Dillonvale Night Riders, conquerors of the Strasburg Tigers at Steubenville Saturday night. One thing is certain. Midvale has one of the most polished passing attacks of any team in this area. The lack of height under the boards yes, but with All-District Senior forward Jack Ford and Junior forward Jim Golder baffling the opposition with their ball-stealing act, the Blue Devils might be the surprise team of the lot at Youngstown.
The field will be strong; however, Akron Ellet, conquerors of Lowellville at Kent Saturday night, has a record of 17-3, while North Canton 21-5, swamped Leavittsburg 60-31 in District play. The 4th team, the Middlebranch Diamonds, Midvale's Thursday foe, has a 20-3 mark for the year. Midvale 26-3, is actually the top record team of the meet. Eilet split with Strasburg this year, while Lowellville, no longer a factor, was the team which ousted the Tigers, in the Kent Regional last year.
THE POLICE had to rescue Earl Clevins, Wheeling official, following the final buzzer Saturday night at Steubenville. An inebriated fan from the Midvale section dashed onto the floor and took a swing at Clevins for no particular reason. Only the reputation of Midvale fans was damaged as the Blue Devils themselves showed real sportsmanship on the court...Jack Ford was holding the District Championship Trophy after the game when a fan walked up and said: "Congratulations, I see you have the trophy." The Midvale star laughlingly replied: "Well, that's what we came down here to get."...The Blue Devils stalled on numerous occasions throughout the game, drawing the Dillonvale defense out so they could get better shots at the hoops. The strategy was hard on the Night Riders' nerves as they had no chance of scoring when they didn't have the ball.
Wednesday, March 17, 1948
NOW THAT STRASBURG has fallen by the wayside, Tuscarawas County cage fans will turn their eyes toward Youngstown Thursday night where youthful Head Coach Bill French's scrappy Midvale Blue Devils will start their 4th drive for a berth in the State finals. The Devils gained the top in Class B basketball, 1st in 1937 when Frank (Frankie) Baumholtz led Midvale into the semi-finals before bowing out at Columbus. In 1940 the Devils were back again and again they lost in the semi-finals. It was the same story in 1941 when Midvale was once more eliminated in the 2nd round.
Midvale; however, placed a man on the All-Ohio squad twice in the 2 trips. Baumholtz received the honor in 1937 and Cal Hostetler in 1941. Once more the Blue Devils are 2 victories away from the coveted berth in Columbus. Middlebranch must be eliminated Thursday and either Akron Ellet or North Canton Saturday. A tough job, but this Midvale club never quits when the chips are down. And a club which won't quit under fire is hard to beat.
No comments:
Post a Comment