39 - Tuscarawas Broncos Wins 6th Annual Consolation Tournament (2-25-39)

Tuscarawas Broncos Senior Forward Earl Johnson hit for 13 points (4 field goals and 5 free throws) in helping to corral the Gnadenhutten Indians 35-34 in a last moment victory.


DOVER - The Gnadenhutten Indians (3-2) (20-21) proved the toughest team of the tournament in its final game losing a 7 point lead in the last-three minutes as Head Coach Charmis Davis' Tuscarawas Broncos (3-1) (13-19) took the Consolation Championship by a 35-34 score.  For thrilling basketball the game was enough to satisfy any fan's desire for it was a story book finish that Tusky won.

Both teams played fast and smart ball all the way, the score being tied at 7-7 for the 1st period of play with the Broncos grabbing a 14-13 advantage at the half and Gnaden forging into a 24-22 lead at the 3rd stanza.  At the start of the 4th quarter Gnaden found itself for the 1st 5 minutes and with substitute Senior forward Warren Parrish leading the attack rolled up a 33-26 lead with less than 4 minutes to go.

But, the Indians couldn't keep possession of the ball after that.  Tuscarawas rallied to score 6 points on a basket and 4 free throws to cut the lead to 34-32 with slightly more than 2 minutes remaining.  Senior guard Bob McDonald knotted the count with a close-in shot after a clever play and Earl Johnson counted a foul as the Broncos led 35-34 with one minute to go and Gnaden; although, it tried desperately to score, was eliminated.

Tuscarawas won the game on free throw shots the box score reveals, when they counted 11 of 20 tosses, while Gnadenhutten made 10 of 18 free throws.  The Indians scored 12 field goals as did the Broncos.

Leading the scoring for Tusky was Senior forward Earl Johnson who dumped in 13 points, but Gnadenhutten's Parrish was high scorer as well as capturing game honors for the evening with 14 points, made on 4 field goals and 6 free throws.

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 35

Earl Johnson F 4-5-13
Earl Myers F 1-2-4
Fred Blackstone C 4-1-9
Clarence Rolli G 1-1-3
Bob McDonald G 1-2-4
Bill Arthurs C 1-0-2
Les Johnson G 0-0-0

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 34

Bob Miller F 3-2-8
Dean Mills F 1-0-2
Earl Crites C 2-2-6
Charles Kail G 2-0-4
Earl Johnson G 0-0-0
John Metzger G 0-0-0
Warren Parrish F 4-6-14
Ray Kennedy F 0-0-0
Dallas Crites G 0-0-0


Monday, February 27, 1939
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio