50 - Right Down The Line

Friday, March 3, 1950
Dover, Ohio


TUSCARAWAS COUNTY is certain to have 2 Class B teams in the District Tournament at Steubenville  next week.  Last night's thrill-packed session of the Dover Sectional decided that much, at least, even if it did not definitely establish the supremacy of county quintets.

Three teams now remain in the upper bracket, 3 in the lower.  In the top bracket, the Dennison Railroaders, Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves and the Strasburg Tigers are still in the running, while the county has a clean sweep in the lower bracket in the Midvale Blue Devils, Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers and the Bolivar Cardinals.  Top performance of the tournament to date was given by Head Coach Wilbur Yoder's Berlin Blue Jays last night.  For 3 quarters the Holmes County quintet mastered the Midvale Blue Devils and just when it seemed a new District Champion would be needed, the Tuscarawas countians staged that blistering rally.

What happened to Berlin in that last 3 minutes is not quite clear.  Perhaps they started coasting too soon, forgetting the fact that they were playing a team that specialized in last ditch stands.  Regardless of which team you feel should have won, you cannot deny Midvale its courage and fight.  The Blue Devils didn't quit.  That type of drive might carry them further along the tournament trail than was first thought.

Twice now, the Diablos have met and defeated a team with more polish and class.  Berlin was, without doubt, even more polished and sparkling than the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates.  Yet the Blue Jays let a victory slip away in the fading seconds as the Bucs did.  What the story might have been had captain Wayne Yoder, Berlin's top passer and key floor man, not been in bed with the mumps will never be known.  Head Coach Bill French; however, can be justly proud of his Midvale cagers today.  They were tottering on the brink of disaster again last night and again they steadied and will play yet another day.

EXCITEMENT RAN HIGH in that Midvale-Berlin battle and so did the temper of the fans.  Referee Vally Dirodis had to warn someone on the sidelines several times not to use the type of language he was using.  Dirodis and Nick Frascella, both veteran officials, did not draw much abuse from the fans, however.  The reason...they call a fair, well-worked game.  There were some boos from the gallery several times, but most of this resulted from over excited fans who were not outraged with the decision as much as they were dismayed at the turn of events.

HEAD COACH JACK CASTIGRIOLA of the Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers can sympathize with Head Coach Wilbur Yoder of Berlin.  Castigriola had a star down with the mumps.  Center Ed Reiger was the victim and although he is scheduled to start against the Bolivar Cinderella Cardinals tonight, his tenure is uncertain.

If Head Coach Warren Craigo's Red Birds maintain their present pace, the Ramblers will need all they have to notch a victory.