Senior Keith Gerber (12) of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates had just reached around to block an attempted shot by Senior Jim (Lefty) Kuecher (33) of the Strasburg Tigers when the Daily Times Photographer snapped this action shot. Other Pirates are Junior Bill Gerber (7), 6-3 Freshman Merle Clum (13) and Senior Ted Brown (3), while number (77) is Senior Willie Rieger of the Tigers who copped a 77-70 verdict.
DOVER - After a scorching opening quarter, the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-1) (10-12) (58-43) were ahead of the Strasburg Tigers (1-0) (18-0) (92-24) by a score of 19-16, but the Bucs fell behind in the 1st minute of the 2nd heat and a few times it looked like the talented Tigers were going to roar to another lopsided triumph. First-Year Head Coach Jim Stull's Corsairs trailed by 3 points at the half after once being in arrears by 7. At the end of three periods, Strasburg was on top 60-50.
Then Sugarcreek-Shanesville, with Senior Jim Troyer and Junior Dan Bear leading the fight, threatened to toss a bombshell into the Tigers victory cage. At the outset of the last chapter, Bear's jump shot and Troyer's layup after his steal, cut the deficit to 60-54. Two free throws by Senior Jim (Lefty) Kuecher, Bengal ace tally-maker, hiked the advantage before the Orange and Black's shooting collapsed temporarily.
Within 3 minutes and 25 seconds, the Pirates were making the temperature in the Dover sweatbox climb even higher. They trailed by only one point after 7 straight makers came in this order: a rebound goal by Senior Ted Brown, 2 by Troyer and a set from the corner by Troyer. With the sardine-packed crowd going wild, Junior Bill Gerber parted the cords with a jump shot and the Maron and Grey were enjoying a 63-62 lead with only 4 minutes to go.
Just as calm and cool and collected as the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates had been during their foray, the Tigers showed their class and it was Senior Willie Rieger who pulled them from the brink of defeat. Rieger grabbed a rebound and hooked a deuce to send his team on top again and the next time the Strasburg Tigers got the ball he hit on a jump shot. As the hands on the clock started on their last 3 minutes, Troyer retaliated with a jumper, but this time Senior Ron Gray took command.
He snared a rebound and converted it into 2 points and added a point after being fouled in the act of shooting. Again Troyer hit on a jump shot at the 2 minute mark, but it wasn't in the books for the Corsairs to spring a major Buc upset. Senior Lloyd Deibel connected on a jumper. Gray put in a one-hander and it was 73-67 with a minute and a half left. Troyer dropped in a charity toss and there was still time for the Maroon and Gray to turn the trick. However, as Sugarcreek-Shanesville began to freeze, Deibel was fouled. He made 2, the Pirates missed 2 hots and Kuecher iced it with a beauty of a reverse layup.
Second-Year Head Coach Ken Newlon's Bengals made 33 of 78 shots for 43 percent as the Bucs hit for 44 percent on 30 fielders in 68 tries. All Strasburg starters scored in double figures with Kuecher pitching in 21 points, Gray, Deibel and Froman all 16 each.
For the Corsairs, Keith Gerber came through with 16 points, Bill Gerber and Troyer canned 14 each and Brown netted 10.
STRASBURG TIGERS - 77
Jim (Lefty) Kuecher 9-3-21
Willie Rieger 3-2-8
Ron Gray 6-4-16
Lloyd Deibel 7-2-16
Jerry Froman 8-0-16
Bill Hensel 0-0-0
SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 70
Ted Brown 4-2-10
Keith Gerber 8-0-16
Merle Clum 3-2-8
Bill Gerber 6-2-14
Jim Troyer 5-4-14
Dan Bear 4-0-8
STRASBURG 16-34-60-77
SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE 19-31-50-70
Satuday, February 18, 1956
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio
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