All-County Senior forward Jack Ford of the Midvale Blue Devils (13) is swarmed by a band of Gnadenhutten Indians who battled grimly before bowing 39-36 to the Blue Devils. Six-Foot-4 Senior forward Dave Rennicker (9) and Junior center Bob Sherrell (7) of Midvale stand by while Braves 6-2 Senior forward Jim Lindon (8), Sophomore guard Ron Kohl (12) and Junior Ted Lawver (6) move to block Ford's attempt.
The 1949 Gnadenhutten Indians Basketball Team. FRONT: Ted Martin - Jerry Virtue - Dale Brick - Gene Montague - Jim Lindon and Dick Frey. BACK: Bob Stewart (Manager) - Ralph Miller - Ron Kohl - Bob Blick - Ted Lawver and Ray Blickensderfer (Head Coach).
DENNISON - In the 2nd game of the night, 2nd-Year Head Coach Ray Blickensderfer's Gnadenhutten Indians (1-1) (12-10) (42-34) sent the crowd into a roaring frenzy as they battled the highly-favored Midvale Blue Devils (2-0) (21-1) (46-24) down to the wire as the Blue Devils turned-back the Braves' last canto surge to win 39-36. During the season, Midvale won both of their encounters 51-37 and 73-41.
Never more than 7 points separated the 2 teams as they battled through a thrill-packed last half and once the Tribe came within one point of knotting the count. It remained for 6-4 Senior forward Dave Rennicker to spark the drive that averted a shocking defeat for the Blue Devils after All-County Senior Jack Ford, Midvale ace, failed to solve the Indians' defense. Rennicker's performance was matched; however, by Senior center Gene Montague and 6-2 Senior forward Jim Lindon of Gnadenhutten whose combined efforts came very close to providing the margin needed by the Indians.
After a slow 1st half in which both teams failed to score consistently, Midvale held a 17-10 lead. The Blue Devils made it 19-15 soon after the opening of the 3rd period and Lindon electrified the crowd as he pulled the Braves to within 2 points with a lay-up shot.
Junior center Bob Sherrell and Ford made it 23-18 at the close of the period, but trailing 27-22 midway in the 4th canto, Gnaden rallied. Lindon and Montague scored successive field goals and Gnadenhutten was only one point off of the pace...27-26. Sherrell and Senior guard Jim Golder bagged fielders to send the count to 31-26. The Indians rallied, but the drive came too late.
In addition to doing an outstanding job of rebounding, Montage tallied 14 points to lead both teams, while Lindon followed up netting 11 markers. Rennicker led the Blue Devils with 12 points. Jack Ford was held to just 7 points by the Indians.
MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 39
Jack Ford F 2-3-7
Dave Rennicker F 6-0-12
Bob Sherrell C 2-2-6
Gene Byers C 0-0-0
Bob De Mattio G 3-2-8
Jim Golder G 3-0-6
Jack Davis G 0-0-0
GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 36
Jim Lindon F 5-1-11
Ted Lawver F 1-0-2
Gene Montague C 5-4-14
Jerry Virtue G 2-0-4
Ron Kohl G 2-1-5
Thursday, February 24, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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