DOVER - The Tuscarawas Broncos (1-2) (14-6) (42-40) slipped into the drivers' seat late in the 1st quarter of their Consolation Division contest with the Port Washington Purple Riders (3-1) (15-8) (19-48), but the Purple Rider roared back into the contest in a stretch drive that had the fans holding onto their seats. Tusky had a comfortable lead most of the way, posting quarter leads of 19-13, 37- 28 and 51-41. The Broncos still had a 7-point lead with 3 and a half minutes left to play as they were ahead 60-53.
That's where the fireworks started and with a frenzied crowd cheering for the underdog Riders, a repeat performance of Friday night's upset over the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates was staged. Junior center Ken Huston, who was still woozy from penicillin shots given to him to knockout a touch of the flu, led the stretch drive along with Senior guard Bob Gray and forward John Kochner. Trailing by 7 points, Gray started the ball rolling with a drive-in jump shot from near the foul circle. Sophomore forward Paul Frank added a free throw shot and Huston came in with a layup to make the score 60-58 with 2:40 left on the clock.
Junior forward Harry Thompson put Tuscarawas back on the safe side with 2 free throw shots and Tusky led 62-58 at 2:30. Kochner caged a layup and Gray, playing another whirl-wind finish, deadlocked the count at 62...all with 1:30 to go. Junior guard Jim Henry made one of 2 free tosses for the Broncos at 1:05, but Huston put Port Washington ahead with a jump shot and Kochner made one of 2 charity tosses before Junior guard Ralph Vesco deadlocked the count again at the 55-second mark. A big flurry of shots was soon getting the attention under the Port basket, but Gray tipped in the ball at the 35-second notch and the Purple Riders went on to win.
Enthusiastic Port fans stormed on the floor even before the game was over and they nailed their heroes at mid-court when the final buzzer sounded and thoroughly roughed them up in their glee. Huston, Gray and Frank led the Riders with 17, 16 and 14 points, while Junior center Larry Myers paced Tuscarawas with 17 markers.
PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 67
Paul Frank F 6-2-14
Jim Parker F 1-0-2
Larry Combs F 0-0-0
Ken Huston C 7-3-17
John Hursey G 0-1-1
Jim Landon G -1-3
Bob Gray G 6-4-16
Fred Welsch G 2-1-5
TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 75
Harry Thompson F 3-6-12
Dave McGrew F 2-0-4
Don (Red) Tharp F 4-4-12
Larry Myers C 8-1-17
Ralph Vesco G 6-1-13
Jim Henry G 0-1-1
Rich Hill G 2-2-6
Friday, February 20, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
No comments:
Post a Comment