DOVER - Tournament time in Dover and not a place to park within blocks of Memorial Hall. That was the situation last night as fans from all parts of Tuscarawas County jammed the hall from the thrilling see-saw semi-finals of the county Class B basketball elimination contest.
Most avid of the frenzied spectators were coaches Bill French of the Midvale Blue Devils and Gerald Straley of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates. The game were ballyhooed as the hottest tilt on the boards. And it was. Coaches are a funny lot. They try so hard not to show any emotion as their boys slip and stumble up and down the court in a gallant effort to out-step the opposition. But, close observation reveals a touchy disposition.
First-Year Head Coach Straley tried so hard to be visibly unimpressed with the proceedings. He just bobbled his crew-cut head back and forth with the flight and bounce of the ball. But, something big happened and his eyebrows popped like a champagne cork...vintage 1700. When his team dropped a bucket, he only intensified his inspection of the ball. Third-Year Head Coach French wasn't quite so elusive. He was easy to spy in the crowd with his glaring red socks and red tie. As excitement rose, his favorite trick seemed to be a slight hike of his trouser legs. It's a good thing the game didn't last too much longer.
Coach French also showed a remarkable affinity for throwing his arm around each and every boy who left the floor. Instead of peering at the ball after the basket as Coach Straley was wont to do, he'd just ignore the court for a time and devote his attention to the replaced man on the bench.
Activity behind the scenes were bustling as usual. In the big room under the floor, the 8 to 13 year-olds were soaring ceiling-ward to slap at overhanging pipes. Roving bands of "drugstore cowboys" leaned against every post ready to engage in conversation with any passing female. Bottle caps were flying in the concession stand as 30 fans guzzled gallons of soft drinks.
At 7:30PM there was a crowd of 25 or 30 people leaning against the outer doors of the building, trying to wangle admission. No go. The place was filled to the ceiling. After this crowd was convinced there was no more room in the hall, ticket takers were kept busy the rest of the night turning away stragglers who insisted on seeing the game. Also in the under-stairs room, the Gnadenhutten Seniors were operating a check room. Although most sports fans prefer to wad up the wrap and sit on it, the girls counted 250 coats hanging in the room. They made money solely on tips.
Thursday, February 23, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
Radio Station WJER as it looked in the year of 1950.
NOTE: The Sugarcreek-Shanesville-Midvale contest was broadcast by Denny Corwin of Radio Station WJER.
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