MIDVALE - The only thing missing was the State Basketball Championship Trophy. That was the thought running through the minds of the Midvale Blue Devils Basketball Team when they arrived in Tuscarawas County from Columbus yesterday afternoon.
When the team drove through Newcomerstown at about 2:30 they were surprised with a caravan of more than 90 cars, loaded with fans, all lined up to escort their fabulous "Cinderella" quintet home after the long journey from the Class A State Basketball Tournament held in Columbus over the weekend. Deputy Sheriff Don Patterson, father of Don Patterson Jr. one of the Blue Devil players, led the huge stream of decorated cars on a trip through the county. The Midvale-Barnhill-Brightwood Volunteer Fire Department truck was also on hand and followed Patterson's cruiser.
Next came the 4 cars with the players, managers and Head Coach Pete Hilliard. From there on there was nothing but car after car of Midvale fans. A nicer welcome couldn't have been planned for the State Champion Ayersville Pilots and many a tear was shed by the proud Diablo players before the ceremonies were over. The caravan proceeded through Tuscarawas and Goshen on Route 16 and into the south side of New Philadelphia from where it took Route 211 into Dover.
The State Highway Patrol halted traffic on Route 21, while the Dover and New Philadelplhia Police Departments also aided in stopping traffic to allow the 5-mile parade of cars through the cities. The team entered Dover on West 3rd Street and made a right turn down North Wooster on which they continued through the city entering New Philadelphia on lthe Boulevard and 4th Street.
The caravan continued down West High Street and through the square of New Philadelphia and then made a left turn onto Route 39 where it proceeded through Roswell and made a right turn going through Barnhill and finally into Midvale. But, it wasn't over yet. The caravan then circled through Midvale and continued on the back road to Uhrichsville, which it skirted and entered Dennison, going down North 4th Street and making a right turn into Grant Street through downtown Dennison. It then proceeded through Dennison and into East 3rd Street and passed through the main part of Uhrichsville, finally making a right turn into North Water Street and onto Route 250 and a back to Midvale.
As the long caravan, which stretched better than 5 miles at one time, came into Brightwood the Midvale High School marching band met the team. All of the players along with Coach Hilliard, the managers and Supt. J.F. Zack got out of the cars and walked behind the band to the high school. Cars moved into Midvale 3-abreast and finally came to a halt in front of the school. Players were hugged, kissed, slapped on the back and cheered. You would have thought Midvale had won the State Championship. They didn't, but the loyal fans of the "comeback" team of 1957 wanted to show their team they were behind them all the way.
A huge chicken dinner was prepared and served to the players and coaches as well as the cheerleaders. The dinner was prepared by Mrs. Paul Stevenson, Mrs. J. F. Zack, Mrs. Don Fantin, Mrs. Lonnie Wolfe and Mrs. Bert Beaber. The food for the dinner was donated by the John Gibbs and Paul Steveson Grocery stores, both located in Midvale.
It was a tremendous celebration and a fine way to end the basketball season.
Monday, March 26, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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