NEW PHILADELPHIA - Probably the smallest school in Tuscarawas County, Stone Creek High School has some mighty "big" problems this season. Without a single letterman back from the squad of last season which posted a good 13-9 record, the Stone Creek Golden Panthers were forced to develop an entire new team this year. Head Coach Ernie Lukens, in his 2nd season with the Golden Panthers, faces a big task.
There are some good aspects; however, to the Panther picture, including great school spirit. Of the 34 boys in high school, 23 are out for the cage sport, including the entire Sophomore Class of 8 young men. Sophomore Dale Feigenhauer is 6-1 and the tallest cager on the squad. Rounding out the Varsity Roster are:
5-10 Merle Degen (Co-Captain)
5-11 Larry Stephon (Co-Captain)
5-7 Joe Kessler
5-9 Ron West
5-11 Gale Sauser
6-0 Larry Lorenz
5-9 David Mizer
5-7 Bernie West
5-7 Dale Mayer
Stone Creek will seriously miss such stars of last year:
Jim MacAfee
Harold Lahmers
Dan Whereley
These players were among the top cagers in the county. In fact, the top 7 scorers of last year were graduated in the spring.
It's been 8 years since a Gold and Blue Squad lost more games than it won and Coach Lukens is hoping to keep this mark in tact this season with the spirit of the Golden Panthers helping to accomplish this giant task.
But, the lack of height and experienced players confronts the Panthers this season and their road to success will be a tough and trying one. It will take a huge amount of work and intestinal fortitude for the Gold and Blue to compete with the much more experienced teams of the county this season. But, the future is one the bright side for the Stone Creek Golden Panthers with only 4 of the 23 on the basketball roster slated to be graduated in the spring.
Tuesday, December 1, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio
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