40 - Midvale Cruises 33-23 vs Millersburg (2-29-40)

Midvale Blue Devils #13 Forward Frank Morrison receives game honors on his 12 points (5 field goals and 2 free throws) while leading his team to victory over the Millersburg Knights 33-23.  So far in tournament play, Morrison has a total of 50 points giving him an average of 10 points per game.


DOVER - Featured by the defeat of Gnadenhutten's crippled Indians at the hands of the Berlin Blue Jays, crack Holmes County entry, the Class B Sectional Tournament got under way at Memorial Hall last night with Berlin and Midvale, Tuscarawas County Champions, earning the right to meet each other on Saturday night at 8PM in the qualifying round.

Berlin staged a big last period rally to top Gnaden 32-29 and Midvale sent the Millersburg Knights home 33-23 in last night's 1st round games as a crowd of 617 paid customers partly filled the hall.  However, the crowd was the largest 1st night attendance in several years, Tournament Manager D.C. Lemmon said.

The Midvale Blue Devils (5-0)(21-3), led by #13 forward Frank Morrison with 12 points, had little trouble with Millersburg and led by 8-3 in the 1st period, 18-7 by halftime and 29-16 at the end of the 3rd quarter.  Midvale's 7th-year Head Coach M.R. Helwick's team appears to be the favorite in their clash with Berlin Saturday night, winner of the game qualifying for the District Tournament finals at Dennison.

Officiating by Fred Pierson of Tiltonsville and Orville Edmundson of Bridgeport drew many boos from the crow during the evening, especially in the Midvale contest when the pair assessed a Midvale player a technical foul for objecting to a personal foul.

Morrison of the Blue Devils hit the nets for 12 points and no other player on the team was in double figures.  The Knights were led by forwards Leppia and Stafford with 8 points each.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 33

Jerry Young F 3-3-9
Frank Morrison F 5-2-12
Al Turrin C 0-0-0\
Bob Baldwin G 0-1-1
Warren Leggett G 2-1-5
Lew Daltau C 3-0-6
Dan Johnson G 0-0-0

MILLERSBURG KNIGHTS - 23

Leppia F 3-2-8
Stafford F 3-2-8
Hitchcock C 0-1-1
Lawhead G 0-0-0
Blair G 2-0-4
Lydic G 0-1-1
Burns F 0-0-0
Steurmey G 0-1-1
Hersey F 0-0-0


Friday, March 1, 1940
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - Berlin Trims Gnaden (Minus Metzger) 32-29 (2-29-40)

Berlin Blue Jays Forward Orus Weaver rang the nets for 14 points (6 field goals and 2 free throws) while leading his team to victory over the Gnadenhutten Indians 32-19 in the 1st Sectional contest of the 1940.


DOVER - The Gnadenhutten Indians (4-2) in tournament play last night seemed to have the edge on the small but fast Berlin Five, but was badly crippled by the absence of #10 Sophomore Center John Metzger, star pivotman, who was the Indians big gun when they won the Consolation end of the county tournament last week.  Metzger has been ill since Monday with the flu and tonsillitis.

The Indians, much the taller team, swept into a 10-8 lead at the end of the 1st period and increased it to 17-13 at halftime and it appeared that the Holmes County team would be unable to stand the pace.  But, the Berlin Blue Jays 20-3 throughout games played this year, kept plugging away and scored even with Gnadenhutten in the 3rd quarter, which ended with the Indians leading 25-21 and then came on with a rush in the final stanza to tuck the game away.

The period was several minutes old before Berlin tied the score with a bucket by guard Dean Hummel at 28-all and Weaver furnished a free throw and guard Owen Miller a field goal to give the Blue Jays a 31-29 lead before #3 center Virgil Allensworth dropped in a foul toss for Gnaden.  Berlin started stalling, but the Indians grabbed the ball and took several close-in shots at the basket, but the ball rimmed the hoop and refused to go in.  Hummel scored another point for Berlin as the game ended.

Personal fouls took their toll of the Indians in the last half, both #7 Junior forward Dallas Crites and #5 guard Earl Johnson hitting the showers, while Owen Miller was the only Berlin player to be ejected.  Both teams scored even from the field, Berlin making 10 of 16 free throws against Gnaden's 7 of 12.  Weaver led the Berlin attack with 14 points with Owen Miller contributing another 11 points.  Number 9 Senior forward Ray Kennedy picked up game honors with 15 points (5 field goals and 5 free throws) for the Indians.

BERLIN BLUE JAYS - 32

Orus Weaver F 6-2-14
Hostetler F 0-0-0
R. Miller C 0-0-0
Dean Hummel G 2-3-7
Owen Miller G 3-5-11
J. Miller F 0-0-0

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 29

Dallas Crites F 1-0-2
Ray Kennedy F 5-5-15
Virgil Allensworth C 4-1-9
Earl Johnson G 0-1-1
Dean Mills G 1-0-2
Ken Kohl F 0-0-0
Al Galbraith F 0-0-0


Friday, March 1, 1940
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - Tuscarawas Basketball Tournament Talks

DOVER - The crowds at the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament at Memorial Hall last Saturday night had a big time during the half at the Championship games when O.H. May, YMCA Secretary and County Superintendent W.E. Laws presented trophies to the winners and then held the big Championship Trophy up saying that it would go to the winner of the game being played.  Donated by The Daily Reporter, it finally went to Midvale and was presented after the game.  In addition, all the Blue Devil players received individual medals donated by the Godfrey Electric Company.

The Strasburg Tigers received the Runner-up Trophy, donated by the Sanitary Milk Company, while the individual medals were given by Walter E. Leiser Incorperated.  The Gnadenhutten Indians received the Consolation Trophy, given by the S. Toomey Company, while League trophies, donated by the E. Fienberg Company, Goshen Dairy and the Midvale Coal Company, went to the 3 co-winners, the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, Bolivar Cardinals and Midvale for the League Title.

The crowd greeted the presentation trophy, donated by The Daily Times, to the Baltic Eagles...with enthusiam.  Baltic was picked for the award by coaches during the season, but the Baltic threat to upset the entire tournament with their fine play made them a top-heavy favorite for any award the officials might have decided to give them.

@@@

This year's tournament was the largest ever held from an attendance standpoint according to Tournament Manager A.C. Bahler who today was profuse in his thanks to all who helped to make the event the big success it was.  Total attendance, including the Saturday night crowd of about 1,400 paid customers, was approximately 6,750 for the 6 sessions of the tourney and amounted to nearly $1,700.  Last year 4,908 paid $1,554.50 to see the competition.

As as result of the larger attendance the 11 teams which played will receive approximately $10 more than last year when each was given a check for $108, Bahler said.

@@@

Midvale, in defeating Strasburg gained revenge for a defeat in the last year Championship game when Strasburg took the title by a 45-33 margin.  But, Strasburg was happy.  All season the Tigers have been battered around in the League and their tournament showing brought their big following of fans back into the fold.

"If we had officiating all year like we had in the tournament, our teams would have been better," one school official said.  It's logical too, for League play this year was very rough at times and players didn't develop the polish they should have.

@@@

But, if you want to have a headache, just try to pick a tournament team.  Only 2 players, Senior Fred Yenny of Strasburg and Sophomore John Metzger of the Gnadenhutten Indians, turned in a real outstanding performance.  Yenny had a game high of 21 points, while Metzger had a high of 18 markers.  Metzger poured 69 points in 5 games of 15, 7, 13, 16 and 18 points, while Yenny scored 40 total points in 3 games of 12, 21 and 7 markers.

Such an outstanding showing by any one of 14 other players would have placed them on the All-Tournament Team, but more important, such a performance would probably have put that player's team in one of the final games.

@@@

Rooting in the final game was not up to par for 3 quarters when it appeared that Strasburg would take the contest because Midvale could not click and missed numerous shots, but that last period in nip-and-tuck playing brought out the hysteria of a sport contest crowd and the wild demonstration which followed emphasized the climax.

@@@

A tumbling act put on by the Tuscarawas High School tumbling team before the final session was a hit with the crowd...upsets kept the tourney alive with comment, but Sugarcreek-Shanesville and Bolivar fans were disappointed when the 2 teams, co-winners of the League with Midvale, were eliminated.


Monday, February 26, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

SECTIONAL GAMES SCHEDULED AT MEMORIAL HALL

THURSDAY 2-29-40

Berlin Blue Jays vs Gnadenhutten Indians 7PM
Millersburg Knights vs Midvale Blue Devils 8PM

FRIDAY 3-1-40

Walnut Creek Cardinals vs Strasburg Tigers 8PM

NOTE:

Bill Bill Sattler of Mineral City has scored 26 field goals and 11 free throws for a total of 63 points for the Ohio State Basketball team so far this year.  Sattler is the 3rd highest scorer for the Buckeye cagemen.

Allen Veigel, star pitcher for the Tuscarawas Broncos a few years ago, is now a Major League pitcher for the Boston Bees and is currently under contract to join the squad in spring training at Barendon, Florida.

The Times Reporter - February 29, 1940

40 - Sectional Tournament B Teams Pair Off Tonight

DOVER - Representatives of 8 Class B Basketball teams that will compete at Memorial Hall Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in the North-Eastern Ohio Sectional Tournament will draw for positions in the brackets at room 114 in the new Dover High School tonight.  The teams are:

Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (Tuscarawas County)
Berlin Blue Jays (Holmes County Runners-up)
Gnadenhutten Indians (Tuscarawas Class B Consolation Champions)
Malvern Green Hornets (Winners of the Carroll County Tournament)
Midvale Blue Devils (Winners of the Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament Championship)
Millersburg Knights (Holmes County League)
Strasburg Tigers (Tuscarawas Runners-Up)
Walnut Creek Cardinals (Holmes County Champions)

Whether or not teams will be seeded and the manner of the draw will be decided by the representative of the teams, according to Delmar Lemmon, Principal of Dover High School and Manager of the Tournament.  There will be 2 games each of the 3 nights.  Those on Thursday and Friday nights will start at 7:30 and 8:30PM and those on Saturday night will start at 8 and 9PM.  Fred Pierson of Tiltonville and Tubby Edmundson of Bridgeport will officiate.

Walnut Creek upset Berlin 25-23 for the Holmes County title Saturday night, while Malvern was downing the Sherrodsville Rockets 26-20.  In the case of Holmes County; however, both teams will participate in the Sectional meet, while one of those from Carroll County will play.


Monday, February 26, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - 18th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Stats for 1940

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

1.  Midvale Blue Devils (M.R. Helwick-7) 4-0 (Tournament Champions)
2.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Ed Sears-3) 4-1 (Consolation Champions)
3.  Strasburg Tigers (Sam Andrews-1) 2-1 (Tournament Runners-Up)
4.  Baltic Eagles (L.P. Wartianin-3) 2-2
5.  Bolivar Cardinals (George Wrentmore-1) 2-2
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Charmis Davis-12) 2-2
7.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Walter J. Meade-4) 1-2
8.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Sylvester Harmon-1) 1-2
9.  Dundee Bulldogs (Ken Gartrell-1) 0-2
10. Mineral City Tigers (Darwin Davis-2) 0-2
11. Stone Creek Golden Panthers (George Holmes-1) 0-2

TOURNAMENT SCORES

FRIDAY 2-16-40

Midvale 60 - Port 23
Tusky 30 - Mineral City 28
Gnaden 38 - Stone Creek 24
Strasburg 35 - Bolivar 32

SATURDAY 2-17-40

Baltic 27 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 23
Midvale 50 - Dundee 22
Port 35 - Mineral City 32 (C)
Tusky 32 - Gnaden 23
Bolivar 46 - Stone Creek 26 (C)
Sugarcreek-Shanesville 27 - Dundee 18 (C)

FRIDAY 2-23-40

Bolivar 32 - Port 28 (C)
Strasburg 46 - Baltic 40
Gnaden 45 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 36 (C)
Midvale 29 - Tusky 25

SATURDAY 2-24-40

Baltic 38 - Bolivar 36 (C) (OT)
Gnaden 47 - Tusky 41 (C)
GNADEN 39 - Baltic 33 (CC)
MIDVALE 28 - Strasburg 26 (TC)

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES

Strasburg Tigers 1928
Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 1932
Strasburg Tigers 1935
Midvale Blue Devils 1937
Strasburg Tigers (1938
Midvale Blue Devils (1940)

MOST POINTS IN A SINGLE GAME IN THE TOURNAMENT

1.  Fred Yenny (S) 21
2.  John Metzger (G) 18
3.  Warren Klink (BC) 16
4.  John Metzger (G) 16
5.  Ken Oberlin (BC) 16
6.  Bud Ross (BC) 16
7.  John Metzger (G) 15
8.  Frank Morrison (M) 15
9.  Ken Oberlin (BC) 14
10. Harold Lahm (B) 13 (Twice)

MOST FIELD GOALS IN A SINGLE GAME IN THE TOURNAMENT

1.  Warren Klink (BC) 8
2.  John Metzger (G) 8
3.  Bud Ross (BC) 8
4.  John Metzger (G) 7
5.  John Metzger (G) 7
6.  Frank Morrison (M) 6
7.  Frank Morrison (M) 6
8.  5 tied with 6

MOST FREE THROWS IN A SINGLE GAME IN THE TOURNAMNENT

1.  Fred Yenny (S) 9
2.  Harold Lahm (B) 7
3.  Charles Kohler (T) 6
4.  Dean Mills (G) 6
5.  Ken Oberlin (BC) 6
6.  Wil Bailey (MC) 5
7.  Olin Kaser (SS) 5
8.  Jerry Young (M) 5
9.  Earl Myers (T) 4
10. Earl Myers (T) 4

MOST POINTS IN THE TOURNAMENT

1.  John Metzger (G) 69
2.  Ken Oberlin (BC) 42
3.  Bud Ross (BC) 41
4.  Harold Lahm (B) 40
5.  Fred Yenny (S) 40
6.  Warren Leggett (M) 39
7.  Frank Morrison (M) 38
8.  Warren Klink (BC) 33
9.  Dean Mills (G) 33
10. Earl Myers (T) 32

MOST FIELD GOALS IN THE TOURNAMENT

1.  John Metzger (G) 30
2.  Bud Ross (BC) 19
3.  Ken Oberlin (BC) 17
4.  Warren Klink (BC) 15
5.  Warren Leggett (M) 15
6.  Frank Morrison (M) 15
7.  Harold Lahm (B) 14
8.  Henry Linard (P) 14
9.  Dean Mills (G) 12
10. Fred Yenny (S) 12

MOST FREE THROWS IN A TOURNAMENT

1.  Fred Yenny (S) 16
2.  Wil Bailey (MC) 14
3.  Charles Kohler (T) 13
4.  Harold Lahm (B) 12
5.  Earl Myers (T) 12
6.  Jerry Young (M) 11
7.  5 tied with 9

ALL TOURNAMENTS

1923-1933 See 1933 Tournament
1934 - Strasburg Tigers (6) (1) - Dundee Bulldogs (0) (2)
1935 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1) (0) - Bolivar Cardinals (1) (2)
1936 - Bolivar Cardinals (2) (2) - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (2) (3)
1937 - Strasburg Tigers (7) (1) - Tuscarawas Broncos (1) (1)
1938 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (3) (3) - Baltic Eagles (0) (1)
1939 - Strasburg Tigers (8) (1) - Midvale Blue Devils (1) (2)
1940 - Midvale Blue Devils (2) (2) - Strasburg Tigers (8) (2)

CONSOLATION TOUIRNAMENTS

1934 - Mineral City Tigers (1) (0) - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (0) (1)
1935 - Strasburg Tigers (1) (0) - Midvale Blue Devils (0) (1)
1936 - Midvale Blue Devils (1) (1) - Strasburg Tigers (1) (1)
1937 - Midvale Blue Devils (2) (1) - Sugarcreek-Shanesville (0) (2)
1938 - Strasburg Tigers (2) (1) - Midvale Blue Devils (2) (2)
1939 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1) (0) - Gnadenhutten Indians (0) (1)
1940 - Gnadenhutten Indians (1) (1) - Baltic Eagles (0) (1)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 48-10 .828
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 30-14 .682
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 31-19 .620
4.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923) 25-20 .556
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 24-22 .522
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1923) 15-21 .417
7.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 16-23 .410
8.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 13-24 .351
9.  Mineral City Tigers (1923) 9-24 .273
10. Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 5-15 .250
11. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 5-21 .192

OTHER TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS

1.  Dennison Railroaders (1924) 3-0 1.000
2.  Newcomerstown Trojans (1924) 0-1 .000
3.  Winfield High School (1925) 0-1 .000
4.  Ragersville Pirates (1935) 0-2 .000
5.  New Cumberland Trojans (1927-33-34) 0-4 .000

MOST POINTS IN A SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Harland Sliffe (SS) (1927) 30
2.  Lester Price (D) (1928) 27
3.  Luke Warnes (S) (1925) 26
4.  Paul Class (BC) (1936) 26
5.  Marne "Blick" Blickensderfer (SS) (1938) 23
6.  Ed Lorenz (SC) (1938) 23*
7.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1936) 22
8.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1937) 22
9.  Ward Kreis (BC) (1937) 22*
10. 3 tied with 21

MOST FIELD GOALS IN A SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Harland Sliffe (SS) (1927) 14
2.  Luke Warner (S) (1925) 13
3.  Lester Price (D) (1928) 12
4.  Randall Gerber (S) (1926) 10
5.  Ward Kreis (BC) (1937) 10*
6.  Marne "Blick" Blickensderfer (SS) (1938) 10
7.  Ed Lorenz (SC) (1938) 10*
8.  Bill Stevenson (M) (1939) 10
9.  8 tied with 9

MOST FREE THROWS IN A SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Lester Veigel (T) (1937) 11*
2.  Paul Class (BC) (1936) 10
3.  Fred Yenny (S) (1940) 9
4.  Bill Sattler (MC) (1934) 8
5.  Kermit Lebold (BC) (1935) 8
6.  Adrian Miller (S) (1935) 8
7.  Frank Ellwood (SS) (1936) 8
8.  Paul Baker (D) (1932) 7
9.  Leland Goettge (G) (1937) 7
10. Harold Lahm (B) (1940) 7

TOTAL POINTS

1.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934)-35-36-37) 177
2.  Bill Stevenson (M) (1937-38-39) 143
3.  Paul Class (BC) (1933-34-35-36) 141
4.  John Studer (S) (1931-32-33-34) 130
5.  Cliff Moomaw (SS) (1935-36-37) 114*
6.  Paul "Pete" Haswell (S) (1935-36-37-38) 110*
7.  Boyd Burkey (SS) (1930-31-32-33) 103
8.  Ward Kreis (BC) (1935-36-37) 101*
9.  John Harmon (SS) (1934-35-36-37) 98*
10. Ed Lorenz (SC) (1936-37-38-39) 97*

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 61*
2.  Bill Stevenson (M) (1937-38-39) 60
3.  Paul Class (BC) (1933-34-35-36) 55
4.  John Studer (S) (1931-32-33-34) 52
5.  Ward Kreis (BC) (1935-36-37-) 46*
6.  Cliff Moomaw (SS) (1935-36-37) 46*
7.  Boyd Burkey (SS) (1930-31-32-33) 45
8.  Paul "Pete" Haswell (S) (1935-36-37-38) 45
9.  Dean Norris (SS) (1933-34) 40
10. 3 tied with 37

TOTAL FREE THROWS

1.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 41*
2.  John Harmon (SS) (1934-35-36-37) 32
3.  Paul Class (BC) (1933-34-35-36) 31
4.  John Studer (S) (1931-32-33-34) 26
5.  Ott Haager (D) (1932-33-34-35) 25
6.  Leland Goettge (G) (1936-37-38) 24
7.  Ed Lorenz (SC) (1936-37-38-39) 23*
8.  Bill Stevenson (M) (1937-38-39) 23
9.  3 tied with 22

TEAM HIGH GAME

1.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1927 and 1933) 61
2.  Bolivar Cardinals (1937) 61
3.  Strasburg Tigers (1934) 60
4.  Midvale Blue Devils (1940) 60
5.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1938) 57
6.  Strasburg Tigers (1938) 55
7.  Midvale Blue Devils (1939) 54
8.  Midvale Blue Devils (1937) 53
9.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 52
10. Dundee Bulldogs (1938) 51

1,000 CAREER POINT CLUB (League-Non-League - All Tournaments)

John Studer (S) (1934) 1,052

Midvale Blue Devils complete season record was 25-4.

*Missing 1 game

40 - Midvale Wins 18th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament (2-24-40)

Pictured are #5 Center Adrian Ford, hero of the final game, when the Midvale Blue Devils nosed out the Strasburg Tigers for the tournament Championship 28-26 and #7 Guard and Captain Bob Baldwin of Midvale with The Daily Reporter Trophy awarded the Champions.  Ford pitched the winning basket.  Both he and Baldwin were named on The Daily Reporter's All-Tournament Team.

Big moment of the year in Class B League and Tournament circles is pictured above with team captains grouped around the trophies presented Saturday night at Memorial Hall.  In the photo are:  Harold Lahm of Baltic - Russ Eberly of Bolivar - Bob Baldwin of Midvale - Bud Ross of Bolivar - Don Hershberger of Sugarcreek-Shanesville - Dean Mills of Gnaden and Fred Yenny of Strasburg.  O.H. May of the Y.M.C.A. and County Superintendent W.E. Laws made the presentations.

Midvale Blue Devils #4 Guard Warren Leggett was awarded game honors for dropping in 12 points (5 field goals and 2 free throws) and leading his team in defeating the Strasburg Tigers 28-26 for this years 18th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Championship.


For the 2nd time in the past 18 years the Midvale Blue Devils today had ascended the Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament throne after winning the Championship from the Strasburg Tigers on Saturday night 28-26 by a last-second field goal before a mob of 1,700 screaming fans who almost lifted the roof of Memorial Hall as the tourney came to an end.  And with their beautiful tournament trophy already safely stowed away, the Blue Devils along with Strasburg and the Gnadenhutten Indians, which took the Consolation Championship by defeating Baltic's sensational Eagles 39-33, were preparing today for the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall this week-end with eyes upon the District finals at Dennison the following week.

Midvale, only one of 3 co-winners of the current League race to remain in the tournament, fought an uphill battle to win the Championship final and it was not until Adrian "Payday" Ford, Blue Devil center, sent a following shot through the net in the last second that Head Coach M.R. Helwick's team finally won.  Strasburg, dark horse of the tournament, was fighting for its 9th Championship in the 18-year old joust and its defeat by Midvale marks only the 2nd time that the Burgers have lost the final game.  The Tigers have won the Consolation twice.

Coach Helwig of the Midvale Blue Devils (4-0) (30-14), fearing that personal fouls might take a heavy toll of his players left #9 forward Jerry Young and Ford on the bench as his starting lineup took the floor, but the Strasburg Tigers (2-1) (48-10) with #8 Senior center Fred Yenny hitting the hoop on 2 action shots and 2 free throws jumped into an 8-5 lead at the period end.  Then Ford and Young came into the game and from then on Yenny, whose sensational pllay took the Tigers into the finals, was stopped cold as the Midvale zone formed around him and his teammates were unable to get the ball into the pivot.

The Tigers piled up a 13-6 lead in the middle of the 2nd period on 2 quick field goals by #11 Sophomore forward Walt Hanner, but Young dropped in 3 free throws and Leggett scored an action shot for Midvale to cut the Burger advantage to 13-11.  Strasburg opened the 3rd period with a fast attack, sweeping through the Midvale defense for 7 points on baskets by #7 Senior forward Bill Shutt, Hanner and #4 Senior guard Ed Smith and midway in the quarter led by 20-14, but Midvale again retaliated.  A basket by Leggett and 2 free throws by #13 forward Frank Morrison cut the Tigers lead to 20-18.

Midvale opened the final quarter with 5 free throws by Ford and a basket by Leggett to take a 21-20 lead, but Hanner plut Strasburg back on top with a bucket before the Blue Devils stasrted going away in a big drive which gave them a 26-22 lead.  Leggett scored a basket, Baldwin a foul shot and Ford an action shot.  But, Smith of Strasburg, jumped into the breach for the Tigers and sent 2 long action shots whistling through the nets to tie the score with less than a minute remaining.

Then Young, fouled #9 Senior guard Pete Welsch of Strasburg with only half a minute remaining and the Tiger supporters were in an uproar as he stepped to the line to shoot the shot.  He missed, Midvale took it off the backboard and raced up the floor.  Only 5 seconds remained when a heave at the bucket missed and Ford leaped high to take the rebound and banked an action shot through the net as the game took an abrupt end.

Ford was Midvale's hero of the evening, but Baldwin and Leggett were Midvale's big stars.  Baldwin, Captain of the team, starred so spectacularly on defense that it seemed he had the ball glued to his fingers, while Leggett was the only Midvale player to hit the hoop consistently, leading all scorers.  Hanner led Strasburg with 10 points, while Shutt, one of the Tiger star forwards and a consistent scorer, was held to a field goal as he went out in the 3rd period on personals after injuring his ankle in a tussle for the ball.

Personal fouls lost the game for Strasburg, the Tigers being assessed 15 penalties, while Midvale was charged with only 7.  Strasburg made 4 of their 7 chances, but Midvale scored 12 of their 22 opportunities.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 28

Frank Morrison F 0-2-2
Lew Daltau F 0-1-1
Al Turrin C 0-0-0
Bob Baldwin G 1-2-4
Warren Leggett G 5-2-12
Jerry Young F 0-3-3
Adrian Ford C 2-1-5
Dan Johnson F 0-1-1

STRASBURG TIGERS - 26

Bill Shutt F 1-0-2
Walt Hanner F 5-0-10
Fred Yenny C 2-3-7
Pete Welsch G 0-0-0
Ed Smith G 3-1-7
Bill Schenk G 0-0-0
Gene Gordon F 0-0-0
Clyde Denzer F 0-0-0


Monday, February 26, 1940
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

THE DAILY REPORTER ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS

1ST TEAM

FORWARD - Bill Shutt (Strasburg Tigers)
FORWARD - Adrian Ford (Midvale Blue Devils)
CENTER - Fred Yenny (Strasburg Tigers)
GUARD - Bob Baldwin (Midvale Blue Devils)
GUARD - Warren Leggett (Midvale Blue Devils)

2ND TEAM

FORWARD - Harold Lahm (Baltic Eagles)
FORWARD - Walt Hanner (Strasburg Tigers)
CENTER - John Metzger (Gnadenhutten Indians)
GUARD - Glenn Regula (Baltic Eagles)
GUARD - Earl Johnson (Gnadenhutten Indians)

HONORABLE MENTION

BALTIC EAGLES - Harold Snyder
BOLIVAR CARDINALS - Bud Ross and Warren Klink
MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - Jerry Young
PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - Henry Linard
STRASBURG TIGERS - Ed Smith
SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - Earl Smith
TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - Earl Myers and Lester Meese

NOTE:  Midvale High School today celebrated their victory in the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Saturday night when the Blue Devils beat the Strasburg Tigers under the wire 28-26 in the Championship game.

There was no school.  Students took the morning off and staged snake dances through the village streets, over to Barnhill and back to the downtown section where they set off a huge bonfire and then cheered 7th-year Head Coach M.H. Helwick and his team.

They carried the 2 trophies won by the team, one for the County Championship of the League and the other The Daily Reporter Award for the tournament title on the marches.  And thoughout the morning Midvale's curfew rang and rang and rang.

40 - Gnadenhutten Indians Win 7th Annual Consolation Tournament (2-24-40)

Gnadenhutten Indians #10 Sophomore Forward John Metzger was awarded game honors when he pushed the nets for 18 points (8 field goals and 2 free throws) in leading the Indians to the Consolation Championship by handing the Baltic Eagles a 39-33 defeat.  Metzger has averaged 13.8 points per game in the Tuscarawas County Tournament for a total of 69 markers.


DOVER - The Gnadenhutten Indians (4-1) (24-22), another dark horse team, had a hard time with the Baltic Eagles (2-2) (16-23) in the 7th Consolation Division Championship game, but finally the Indians' superior heighth took its toll as Gnaden won a 39-33 victory despite a big Baltic rally in the final 3 minutes.

The Indians creeped to a 15-11 lead in the 1st quarter of the championship game.  The Warriors continued their assault with another 12 points, while their defense held the Eagles to 8 points leading up to intermission and a 27-19 lead.  The 3rd period had both teams point-by-point scoring 7 points each...34-26.  Baltic outscored Gnaden in the 4th quarter (7 to 5),but could not make up the difference.

The Eagles could not stop Metzger...before he was pulled in the 4th and final quarter.  John Metzger led the Indians with 18 points.  Baltic was led by #3 Senior forward Harold Snyder who hit for 12 points with teammate #11 Sophomore center John Regula close behind with 10 markers.

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 39

Dallas Crites F 1-0-2
John Metzger F 8-2-18
Virgil Allensworth C 3-2-8
Earl Johnson G 0-2-2
Dean Mills G 2-3-7
Ray Kennedy F 1-0-2
Ken Kohl G 0-0-0
Schrfeiner C 0-0-0

BALTIC EAGLES - 33

Bill Lint F 0-2-2
Harold Lahm F 1-0-2
Glenn Regula C 4-2-10
Chester Froelich G 1-0-2
Harold Snyder G 5-2-12
Don Huff G 1-3-5


Monday, February 26, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - Gnaden Corrals The Broncos 47-41 (2-24-40)

Gnadenhutten Indians #10 Sophomore Forward John Metzger won game honors by amassing 16 points in leading the Indians to a 47-41 victory in a Consolation Tournament game and a chance at the Consolation Championship.  Metzger is averaing 12.8 points a game.  John had his lowest game (7) and highest game (16) against Tusky.  Tuscarawas gave Gnaden their only loss in the tournament in the Indian's 2nd game...losing 32-23.


DOVER - The Gnadenhutten Indians (3-1) (23-22) led all the way to defeat the Tuscarawas Broncos (2-2) (15-21) by a score of 47-41.  Metzger was once again the Bronco's main threat before he left the game in the final period.

Gnaden took the lead in a tight 1st quarter 10-9.  In the 2nd period, the teams remained playing point-for-point as the 1st half wrapped up the scoring at 20-19.  The Indians put some breathing room between them and the Broncos with a 6 point lead in the 3rd stanza 37-31.  Tusky could not close the 6-point gap as both teams scored 10 points in the final quarter.

John Metzger led all scoring with 16 points.  Tuscarawas was led by #3 Senior center Earl Myers who copped 12 points, while fellow Tusky cager #11 forward Charles Kohler was close behind with 11 points.

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 47

Dallas Crites F 2-1-5
John Metzger F 7-2-16
Virgil Allensworth C 3-2-8
Earl Johnson G 1-2-4
Dean Mills G 3-0-6
Al Galbraith C 0-0-0
Ray Kennedy F 3-1-7
Ken Kohl F 0-1-1

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 41

Ray Stull F 1-0-2
Charles Kohler F 4-3-11
Earl Myers C 4-4-12
Lester Meese G 0-2-2
Angelo Cerqui G 2-1-5
Clarence Eckhardt F 3-1-7
Warren Crites G 1-0-2


Monday, February 26, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - Baltic Turns-Back Bolivar In Sudden-Death Overtime 38-36 (2-24-40)

Baltic Eagles #4 Senior Forward Harold Lahm led his team with 13 points (5 field goals and 3 free throws) to victory over the Bolivar Cardinals 38-36 in sudden-death overtime to reach the Consolation Tournament Championship game later tonight.


DOVER - The Baltic Eagles (2-1) (16-22) gained the Consolation final by turning back the Bolivar Cardinals (2-2) (25-20) 38-26 in the semi-finals in the afternoon contest with the 2 teams playing the tournament's only overtime game.

The Cardinals led all the way, but Lahm, Baltic forward, dropped in an action shot as the game ended to knot the count and after forward Ken Oberlin made 1 of 2 free throws for Bolivar to tie the score 36-36.    In sudden-death overtime, #3 Senior guard Harold Snyder sunk a shot for Baltic to win the joust 38-36.

Bolivar leaped to a commanding 13-5 lead in the very 1st quarter.  Baltic outscored the Cardinals in the 2nd period 11 to 8 as the scoreboard read 21-16.  The 3rd stanza repeated and showed the Eagles continuing the pressure by scoring another 11 points, while the Cardinals hit for 8 points again showing Baltic's defense stiffing.  The final quarter continued with the Eagles creeping closer to Bolivar and eventually tie the score 36-36 at the end of the game.  Snyder of Baltic closed out the scoring with a 2-pointer ending the sudden-death overtime.  Bolivar had led the entire game until the final few minutes.

Lahm led Baltic scoring with 13 points, while his teammate #5 Junior forward Bill Lint layed in 9 points and the rest of the team on the floor all scored 4 markers each.  Game honors went to Bolivar's Oberlin who crashed the nets for 16 points (5 field goals and 6 free throws) in a losing cause, while his fellow cager center Bud Ross canned 11 markers.

BALTIC EAGLES - 38

Bill Lint F 4-1-9
Harold Lahm F 5-1-13
Glenn Regula C 1-2-4
Don Huff G 1-2-4
Harold Snyder G 2-0-4
Chester Froelich G 2-0-4

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 36

Paul Cushing F 2-1-5
Ken Oberlin F 5-6-16
Bud Ross C 5-1-11
Warren Klink G 2-1-5
Russ Eberly G 1-2-4
Sam Notz F 0-0-0
Joe Huffman G 0-0-0


Monday, February 26, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - Tournament Chalk Talk

DOVER - Every year you have a point-a-minute basketball team, but who ever heard of a foul-a-minute refereeing team.  The 2,000 fans who crowded Memorial Hall at the Class B Basketball Tournament saw that team of officials...Valley and F.T. Dirodis of Ravenna...and if you don't think the boys had the stuff just take a look at the stastistics.

There were 4 basketball games played on Saturday night, actual playing time of each is 32 minutes, making a grand total of 128 minutes of play during the evening.  The Dirodis brothers called exactly 143 personal fouls on the 8 teams involved.  Were not saying they weren't right either for no one can kick about an official who calls them as he sees them.  But, the Dirodis family was working like bees in clover last night.

The Midvale Blue Devils-Tuscarawas Broncos game topped the list, 22 on Midvale and 20 on Tusky, a total of 42 personal fouls.  The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates-Gnadenhutten Indians and Bolivar Cardinals-Port Washington Purple Riders clashes were next with 34 each and the Strasburg Tigers-Baltic Eagles game drew 33 infractions.  Is it any wonder the games ended at 12:15AM today instead of about 11-15PM as they should have?

And while we're on the subject, lets take a look at the averages of the 8 clubs.  A total of 165 free throws were taken and only 77 of that number made, Gnaden leading the way, with 17 of 22.  Other "records" were:  Bolivar and Port, each 4 of 18, Baltic 12 of 26, Sugarcreek-Shanesville 8 of 15, Strasburg 10 of 16, Tusky with 13 of 23 and Midvale 9 out of 27.  Some pitching, eh?

And with all this fouling only 16 players hit the showers for having 4 assessed against them.  That's an average of 2 from each team; although, at one time 5 correctly placed fouls would have sent the entire Strasburg or Sugarcreek-Shanesville team out of the game.

BUT look at the more pleasant side.  We noticed that after one of the big games was over a player rushed out into the center of the floor, grabbed his girl and planted 2 nice big kisses upon her lips.

MOST sorrowful and at the same time most humorous spectacle at the tournament was the little popcorn boy who won't walk along the sidelines tonight unless he can see what's coming at him.  He was walking briskly, as little businessman earning money, when a player made a mad dash for the ball.  Right on top of the popcorn boy he landed.  Everything hit the floor, player, boy and popcorn.  The lad tried to straighten the mess up, but gave up and went back for more.

OVER 1,700 paid admissions to see the tourney last night, according to Tournament Manager A.C. Bahler who said the crowd was the largest in the tournament's history.  He opened the doors at 6PM, closed them at 7:30PM, while a line of customers extended out into the street and then opened them again after the Strasburg game to sell a few replacement tickets.

OTHER tournament talk...Head Coach Paul M. Roby of Twinsburg, formerly head coach of Strasburg, sitting in the bleachers watching the game...tourney trophies will be presented at the half of tonight's final game by G.H. May of the Y.M.C.A...League co-winner trophies for Sugarcreek-Shanesville, Bolivar and Midvale may not be in time...and last, but not least...if the Hall is as hot tonight as it was last night, it would be a good idea to take a bathing suit along...you might pretend that you're enjoying Florida.


Saturday, February 24, 1940
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

40 - Midvale Knocks-Off Tusky 29-25 (2-23-40)

DOVER - Winning their semi-final games last night before a crowd of 2,000 which jammed Memorial Hall until the walls seemed to bulge, the Strasburg Tigers and Midvale Blue Devils today were sitting on the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball throne...ready to plunge at each other tonight in a struggle for the Championship.  The Tigers dark horse of the tournament, turned back a gallant Baltic Eagle team last night 46-40 in a game which kept the crowd on its feet, while the Blue Devils, rated as tourney favorite, was unimpressive in downing the Tuscarawas Broncos 29-25.

As a result the fans today had placed Strasburg, which completed its League season with its worst record in years (5-5), in the role of the favorite, giving the Tigers a better than even chance to take their 9th tourney Championship in the last 17 years.  Midvale has won but once.  In the Consolation games last night, the Bolivar Cardinals sent the Port Washington Purple Riders home for good by a 32-28 score after a hard fought battle and the Gnadenhutten Indians eliminated the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 45-36 in a game which was close until the last period.

The Midvale Blue Devils (3-0) (29-14) and the Tuscarawas Broncos (2-1) (15-20) fracas failed to pack near the punch of the 1st semi-final contest as both teams went through the entire 1st period without a single field goal...Tusky grabbing a 5-2 lead.

Both teams found the basket in the 2nd period; however, and the Blue Devils captured a 14-13 nod at the half, coming back again in the 3rd period to sweep into a 26-17 lead and the game appeared on ice.  But the final period saw Midvale hit the ceiling and they went scoreless as Tuscarawas cut the lead to 26-23 with only 3 minutes left.  #6 forward Lew Daltau came through with a bucket and #4 guard Warren Leggett scored a free throw to give the Blue Devils a 6-point lead with 2 minutes remaining.  The Broncos missed several opportunities to score, but counted 2 more free throws before the final gun.

Midvale made 10 field baskets, but only 9 of 27 free throws, while Tusky scored only 6 times from the field, but dropped in 13 of 23 free tosses.  The Blue Devils lost #13 forward Frank Morrison and #9 forward Jerry Young, while #6 Junior guard Lester Meese and #7 Sophomore guard Angelo Cerqui were ejected for the Broncos.

Morrison and Leggett led the winners with 9 points apiece and #11 forward Charles Kohler scored 8 markers for Tusky.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 29

Frank Morrison F 3-3-9
Jerry Young F 0-1-1
Adrian Ford C 1-2-4
Bob Baldwin G 0-0-0
Warren Leggett G 3-3-9
Lew Daltau F 3-0-6
Al Turrin C 0-0-0
Bill Holmes F 0-0-0

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 25

Ray Stull F 1-1-3
Charles Kohler F 1-6-8
Earl Myers C 1-4-6
Lester Meese G 1-0-2
Angelo Cerqui G 0-0-0
Clarence Eckhardt F 2-2-6
Warren Crites G 0-0-0
H. Myers G 0-0-0


Saturday, February 24, 1940
John Stratton, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio