49 - Mineral City Rips Baltic 67-37 (2-18-49)

Torried Tiger Senior center Dan Lechner of Mineral City aims and fires a strike at Dennison last night as the Bengals trounced the Baltic Eagles 67-37 in the 27th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament.  Lechner tallied 24 points for the night's work.  The other Tiger in the photo is Freshman guard Roger Wigfield (25), while Baltic center Bob Felton (12) comes up too late to halt the launch of Lechner.  Official Vally Dirodis looks on.

Mineral City Tigers 1st-Year Head Coach Don Hamilton is looking forward to guiding his team to a successful Tournament Championship after a 17-3 season.

Mineral City Tigers 1949 Cheerleaders.  In no particular order:  Gladys Ewing - Joann Reidl - Gloria Reed - Annie Eberhardt - Maryalice Duerr - Doris Farnsworth - Janet Tope and Lois Watts.  Miss Belnap (Leader) Standing.

Mineral City Tigers Senior Forward Dick Lindsay led his team to victory hitting the nets for 25 points against the Baltic Eagles in the Birds 1st tournament encounter.


DENNISON - The Mineral City Tigers (1-0) (18-3) (11-38) rushed to a 7 point lead 21-14 over the Baltic Eagles (0-1) (5-15) (24-39) after the 1st quarter of play.  The Bengals' Seniors forward Dick Lindsay, center Dan Lechner and guard Gene Reidl made a rout of the their game with the scrappy Eagle quintet.  Mineral City had won a close 44-40 game against Baltic earlier in the season.

In this 1st period, The Eagles sank 8 straight free throws, but could not approach the marksmanship of Lechner and Lindsay from then on.  Lechner, one of last year's tournament standouts, gave another brilliant performance last night as he racked up 24 points, but had to surrender scoring honors to his teammate, Lindsay, who provides the other half of the potent Tigers' one-two punch this year.

In the 2nd stanza, the offense of Mineral City settled for another 21 points, while their defense gave up only 5 markers to Baltic by the time intermission arrived...Mineral City 42-19.  In the 3rd quarter the Tigers slipped somewhat hitting the hoops for a more modest 9 points as the Eagles outscored them 10 to 9...Mineral City 51-29.  But in the 4th canto the Mineral City Reserve team showed just as much offensive power by swishing the nets for another 16 points as their defense held back Baltic who could pick up a lowly 8 markers.

Lindsay topped all tournament scorers so far with 25 points, while his teammate Lechner followed up with 24 markers and Reidl hit 12 points, while leading the Tiger scoring.  The floor play of Senior Gene Raushenbach and Freshman Garland Burger, diminutive Baltic forwards and Seniors guard Don Thomas' 13 and center Bill Snyder's 12 points, highlighted the Eagles' 1st tournament appearance.

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 67

Dick Lindsay F 11-3-25
Clarence Fiddle F 0-2-2
Don Farnsworth F 0-0-0
Curt Jones F 0-0-0
Larry Ewing F 0-0-0
Dan Lechner C 11-2-24
Bill Walter G 1-0-2
Warren Binder G 1-0-2
Gene Reidl G 6-0-12
Paul Ley G 0-0-0
Dale Adams G 0-0-0
Roger Wigfield G 0-0-0

BALTIC EAGLES - 37

Gene Raushenbach F 2-2-6
Garland Burger F 1-2-4
Dean Huprich F 0-0-0
Bill Snyder C 5-2-12
Bob Felton C 0-2-2
Don Thomas G 4-5-13
Dean Miller G 0-0-0


Friday, February 18, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

49 - Right Down The Line

Thursday, February 17, 1949
The Daily Reporter


THE PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS' showing against the Strasburg Tigers, the Bolivar Cardinals' victory over the favored Dundee Bulldogs and the Sugarcreek-Shanesville 's point-manufacturing ability on the Dennison floor pointed up the 1st round of tournament play last night.

HEAD COACH BILL ORTT'S PIRATES must have had unpleasant memories of a night earlier in the year when they met the Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves on that same floor and were defeated by the nearly unheard-of score...22-18.  The Bucs didn't have any trouble last night, however.  A Stone Creek defensive lapse contributed to the deluge, but the small, speedy Pirates, will be a definite factor in this meet.  Senior center John Andreas' accident was very unfortunate and the boy will be sorely missed if he is not able to return to duty.  It was one of those improbables which cannot be foreseen or avoided in any sport.

IT IS DOUBTFUL if Bolivar can handle the high-scoring Gnadenhutten Indians tonight, but the Red Birds have at least one victory they didn't expect.  Principal P.O. Cochran and his aid, Bob Lengacher, turned in a good job of pinch-hitting for Head Coach Warren Craigo.  The Cardinal mentor's absence is another of those things which; although unfortunate, are unavoidable.  At least his team brought him one consolation for his days in the hospital.

WITH PAUL DAY AND DICK CORBETT in the field the Purple Riders of Port Washington may have a lot to say about the Consolation Division bracket before the meet ends.  Day, the League's leading scorer, gave a brilliant exhibition once underway.

ANOTHER SURPRISING FACTOR  last night was the small crowd.  Total paid attendance was only 715 as compared with the nearly 1,500 fans who jammed Memorial Hall for the 1st session last year.

49 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Slams Stone Creek 63-29 (2-16-49)

DENNISON - The Strasburg Tigers, defending Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament Champions, were forced to stage a last period rally to defeat the Port Washington Purple Riders 42-39 Wednesday night in the opening round of the 1949 tourney at Dennison before a small crowd of 715 fans, while the Bolivar Cardinals upset the Dundee Bulldogs 32-25 and the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates was exhibiting power in trouncing the Stone Creek Golden Panthers 63-29.

The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-0) (16-4) (49-29) whose victory over a faltering Stone Creek Golden Panthers quintet (0-1) (11-9) (12-31) may have cost the Orttmen the services of Senior center John Andreas for the remainder of the tournament.  Otherwise, the Pirates, conceded a chance of giving the Midvale Blue Devils a battle if the 2 teams meet, had things all their own way against the Golden Panthers.  With Panther ace Senior center Verle Buehler held in check by Senior forward Clayton Deetz, Buc forward, the issue was never in doubt from the first 4 minutes of play.

The rampaging crew of Pirates charged ahead to a crushing 23-3 lead as the Panthers felt the pain of the Bucs' offensive barrage to come by the end of the 1st quarter..  In the 2nd stanza, Stone Creek came alive to out-score Sugarcreek-Shanesville by a point 13 to 12 as the scoreboard read 35-16...Pirates.  The Bucs outscored the Creekers 10 to 6 for a 23-point margin after the intermission period and closed the 3rd period at 45-22.  The Pirate Reserve Team never let up scoring 18 points in the last canto, while the Reserve defense held the Golden Panthers to just 7 markers.

Buehler scored 12 points leading his team in a losing cause and was generally ineffective in this game, as the Pirates pressed the big Panther center all over the floor.  The balanced scoring for Sugarcreek-Shanesville showed Junior guard Glenn Zimmerman, Junior guard Jim Knox, Deetz and Sophomore Ike Hochstetler scoring 15, 14, 13 and 14 points, respectively in a near perfect game.

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLES - 63

Clayton Deetz F 5-3-12
Ike Hostetler F 5-2-12
Myron Beechy F 2-1-5
John Andreas C 1-0-2
Wayne Schrock C 0-2-2
Jim Knox G 7-0-14
Glenn Zimmerman G 6-3-15
Glenn Miller G 0-0-0
Dick Stutzman G 0-0-0

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 29

Gene McPherson F 0-0-0
Dick Kugler F 2-2-6
Bob Shull F 0-2-2
Dean Reid F 0-0-0
Verle Buehler C 5-2-12
Hal Ridenour G 1-0-2
Bob Bucher G 0-1-1
Roger Reifensnyder G 1-0-2
Jim Pfeiffer G 2-0-4


Thursday, February 17, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

49 - Strasburg In A Squeaker Over Port 42-39 (2-16-49)

Trapped is Port Washington's great center, Senior Paul Day (with ball) searching desperately for an opening in the Strasburg defense Wednesday night in the opening round of the Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament at Dennison.  Guards Senior Jim Weber (22) and Junior John Reiger (44) of Strasburg have Day stopped in this photo, but the Purple Riders ace broke loose later to force the Tigers into a 4th quarter rally to win 42-39.  Senior center Lewin Vermillion (66) and Junior forward John Haswell (77) are other Strasburg players in the action along with Junior guard Bill Jones (8) and Junior forward Hal Weber (6) of Port Washington.


DENNISON - Favored Strasburg Tigers (1-0) (15-5) (74-17) was fully extended to subdue the Port Washington Purple Riders (0-1) (6-10) (13-37) threat in last night's feature battle.

After a slow 1st quarter which closed with the Tigers of 1st-Year Head Coach Don Martin leading 10-6, the tempo increased.  With 3 minutes remaining in the 1st half, Strasburg, on the basis of excellent pivot shooting by Senior center Lewin Vermillion and the set shot marksmanship of guards Senior Jim Weber and Junior John Reiger, held an 8-point, 19-11 margin.  Senior center Paul Day, the County League's top scorer, suddenly exploded after being shackled effectively for nearly 2 periods by the defensive work of Junior forward John Haswell.  Day, flashing into the corners on a fast break, feinted the Tiger defenders out of position and poured 3 consecutive field goals through the nets to narrow the Bengal lead to 20-17 as the half ended.

In a blistering 3rd stanza, the Purple Riders made their bid and led 32-28 going into the last canto.  Day and his scoring mate, Senior guard Dick Corbett, paced the Riders attack in the 3rd quarter.  After Corbett had knotted the count at 21-21, Reiger and Weber ut the Tigers back in front 25-21 with a pair of set shots, but Day, using his fast-breaking tactics, tied it again at 25-25 and Corbett sent Port Washington into a 27-26 lead with 2 free throws.

At the start of the 4th stanza, Coach Martin of the Bengals inserted Senior guard Junior Siber into the game and the strategy paid off as Siber banged 2 field goals in succession to knot the score at 32-32.  Corbett raised the hopes of Port Washington followers as he hit a beautiful shot from the pivot, but Siber again came through to tie the score at 34-34.  Reiger hit a set shot and Day matched this, but Vermillion, one of the night's outstanding performers, sent the Tigers ahead to stay with a pivot shot.  With less than one minute left and the Tigers leading 40-39 after a free throw toss by Corbett and another field goal by Vermillion, Day missed a chance to knot the count from the free throw line.

Vermillion led the Tigers with 15 points, while Day and Corbett each collected 15 points, matching Vermillion,  for the Purple Riders.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 42

Tom Miller F 1-1-3
John Haswell F 1-1-3
Lewin Vermillion C 6-3-15
Jim Weber G 3-0-6
John Reiger G 4-0-8
Junior Siber G 3-0-6
Dick Froman G 0-1-1

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 39

Dick Hursey F 0-1-1
Hal Weber F 1-1-3
Paul Day C 7-1-15
Dick Corbett G 6-3-15
Bill Jones G 2-1-5
Bob Frank G 0-0-0


Thursday, February 17, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

49 - Out-Of-The-Gate Bolivar Shaves Dundee 32-25 (2-16-49)

Dallas Sedward of the Bolivar Cardinals goes in the air to score over the heads of the entire Dundee Bulldog team in the tournament operner at Dennison on Wednesday night.  Seward (24) contributed 6 valuable points in the card total.  Maurice Lundenberger (34) drives in toward the basket for a possible follow shot, while Curt Beamer (55), Wayne Flynn (53), Dean Landis (33), Stan Immel (54) and Loris Hostetler (45) attempt to block the shot.  Final score:  Bolivar 32 - Dundee 25. (Photo to follow)

Dundee Bulldogs 2nd-Year Head Coach Fritz F. Jacobs teaches History and Physical Education.  Jabcobs lead his team to a 14-10 season last year.

Dundee Bulldogs Junior forward Stan Immel led all scorers in a losing cause parting the nets with 13 points.  Immel led his team this year with 201 points during the season.

The 1949 Dunee Bullodgs Cheerleaders this season are Junior Betty Hostetler and Sophomore Dorothy Knipe.


DENNISON - Playing under the tutelage of Principal P.O. Cochran and Robert Lengacher of the Bolivar Cardinals (1-0) (7-13) (40-34) upset the Dundee Bulldogs (0-1)(8-13) (21-39) 32-25 in the 1st game of the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament last night in the Dennison Gymnasium.

Trailing 9-7 at the close of the 1st quarter, the Cardinal defense  held the Bulldogs scoreless in the 2nd period , while scoring 4 points of their own to take an 11-9 halftime lead.  Both teams managed to have difficulty finding the range in the 3rd stanza and the Red Birds continued to hold their 2-point margine 17-15 ending the canto.  In the closing 4th quarter of play, Senior forward Dallas Seward, Junior center Maurice Lundenberger, Junior guard Carl McFeeders and guard Chuck Tawney found the range and pulled away to a comfortable margin as the Bulldogs faded.

Tawney led Bolivar with 9 points, while Seward, Lundenberger and McFeeders were each netting 6 markers.  Junior forward Stan Immel paced the Bulldogs with 13.

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 32

Dallas Seward F 2-2-6
Bill Willard F 2-0-4
Maurice Lundenberger C 2-2-6
Ed Grossenbacher G 0-1-1
Chuck Tawney G 4-1-9
Carl McFeeders G 2-2-6

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 25

Stan Immel F 4-5-13
Merle Immel F 0-0-0
Glen Fisher C 0-0-0
Wayne Flynn G 2-0-4
Loris Hostetler G 2-1-5
Louis Hostetler G 0-1-1
Dean Landis F 0-1-1
Don Bauders F 0-1-1
Curt Beamer G 0-0-0


Thursday, February 17, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  BRACKET 1949

49 - Right Down The Line

Wednesday, February 16, 1949
Dover, Ohio

SOLELY ON THE BASIS of statistics, records and the like, the Midvale Blue Devils are a heavy favorite to win the county tournament title and dethrone the Strasburg Tigers, defending Champions.  Again on the basis of records, teams most likely to pose the most serious threat to the Blue Devils are Strasburg, the Mineral City Tigers and the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates.

Although Midvale conquered all three during the season, the Tigers (Mineral City and Strasburg) and Pirates gave Head Coach 2nd-Year Head Coach Bill French's quintet more trouble than anyone else in the conference.  Midvale topped Sugarcreek-Shanesville 46-36, Mineral City 58-49 and Strasburg 54-44.

THE "SLEEPER" in that upper bracket with Midvale and Strasburg may be Head Coach 2nd-Year Head Coach Ray Blickensderfer's Gnadenhutten Indians.  Tall, rangy and gifted with scoring ability, the Indians could forege one of the top upsets of the meet if they have a good night.

MINERAL CITY AND SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE appear headed for a return engagement on February 23rd.  Near the close of the regular session, the Bengals spanked the Bucs 61-43 at Mineral City and the Pirates have found it difficult to forget.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL SEASON (1948-49)

1.  Midvale Blue Devils 19-1 .950
2.  Mineral City Tigers 17-3 .850
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 15-4 .789
4.  Strasburg Tigers 14-5 .737
5.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers 11-8 .579
6.  Gnadenhutten Indians 11-9 .550
7.  Tuscarawas Broncos 8-10 .444
8.  Port Washington Purple Riders 6-9 .400
9.  Dundee Bulldogs 8-12 .400
10. Bolivar Cardinals 6-13 .316
11. Baltic Eagles 5-14 .263

49 - 27th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament 1949

DENNISON - Six teams of the 11 quintets in the County League open fire tonight at 6:30PM for the 27th Tuscarawas County Tournament and when the hostilities cease on February 26th in the Dennison Gym, 3 of the original starters will have gained a berth in the Dover Sectional Tournament next month.  The winner, runner-up and Consolation Division winners will enter the Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall, site of the county tournament for many years until it was decided to move the event to Dennison this year because of added seating capacity.

The Bolivar Cardinals and Dundee Bulldogs will open the meet tonight at 6:30PM with the Strasburg Tigers, a seeded team, coming on at 7:45PM against the Port Washington Purple Riders.  The game tonight at 9PM will pit the Stone Creek Golden Panthers against the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, another seeded entry.  Thursday's round will get under way at 7:30PM when the Baltic Eagles plays the Mineral City Tigers.  The Gnadenhutten Indians will meet the winner of tonight's Bolivar-Dundee battle Thursday at 8:45PM.

Midvale, top-seeded team and County League Champions, sees action for the 1st time Friday night at 9PM against the winner of the Strasburg-Port Washington game.  Also on Friday, the Wednesday and Thursday losers meet in the Consolation Division bracket.  On Saturday night, the Tuscarawas Broncos, which drew a bye in the 1st three rounds, meets the winner of the Stone Creek-Sugarcreek-Shanesville game at 9PM.  The Consolation Division games will precede this game Saturday, the 1st at 6:30PM.

Doors will open one hour before game time each evening, Tournament Manager W.E. Laws announced.  The Tournament Championship Trophy, awarded by The Daily Reporter, will be presented next week after the final round as will the County League Trophy, given by The Daily Times.

The Tournament Runner-up Trophy will be awarded by the Sanitary Milk Company of Dover and Canton, the Consolation Division Trophy by the S. Toomey Company of Dover, the game basketball to the winner by the Godfrey Electric Stores, 12 silver basketballs to the runner-up by Deardorff Hardware Company of Dover and 12 gold basketballs to the winner by Marsh Wall Products of Dover and Mineral City Hardware.
Officials for the tournament will be Nick Frascella and Valley Dirodis, both of Akron.


Wednesday, February 16,, 1949
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL LEAGUE (1948-49)

1.  Midvale Blue Devils (Bill French-2) 10-0 1.000 (3rd Title) (2nd in a row)
2.  Strasburg Tigers (Don Martin-1) 8-2 .800
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Bill Ortt-3) 8-2 .800
4.  Mineral City Tigers (Don Hamilton-1) 7-3 .700
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Ray Blickensderfer-2) 6-4 .600
6.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-3) 4-6 .400
7.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (?) 4-6 .400
8.  Bolivar Cardinals (Warren Craigo-1) 3-7 .300
9.  Tuscarawas Broncos (?) 3-7 .300
10. Dundee Bulldogs (Fritz F. Jacobs-2) 2-8 .200
11. Baltic Eagles (?) 0-10 .000

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL LEAGUE SCORING (1948-49)

1.  Senior Paul Day (Port Washington Purple Riders) 188
2.  Senior Jack Ford (Midvale Blue Devils) 183
3.  Senior Jim Lindon (Gnadenhutten Indians) 182
4.  Senior Dan Lechner (Mineral City Tigers) 176
5.  Senior Verle Buehler (Stone Creek Golden Panthers) 170
6.  Senior Dick Corbett (Port Washington Purple Riders) 149
7.  Junior Glen Zimmerman (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates) 142
8.   Senior Dave Rennicker (Midvale Blue Devils) 135
9.  Senior Gene Montague (Gnadenhutten Indians) 129
10. Senior Hal Tharp (Tuscarawas Broncos) 114

48 - Right Down The Line

Monday, March 22, 1948
Dover, Ohio

IF YOU WERE over in the Youngstown South field Saturday night you probably had the same impression we did.  As the minutes ticked away and one courageous Midvale rally after another failed to close the gap, you felt that, given just one break, the Blue Devils could have accomplished the impossible.  You probably came away with another impression, too, no matter what your partisan interests.  Those Midvale "mites" are a quality ball club.  They produced when the blue chips were down and the odds stacked the highest.  Selling them short would have been the gravest mistake a foe could have made and the few teams which did make this mistake discovered the error much too late.

It is no secret that many North Canton followers felt that their Vikings would romp as they pleased over Midvale on Saturday night.  Instead the Blue Devils nearly made history.  Their rapid fire play and pressing defense, which has opened the Strasburg Tigers, Dillonvale Night Riders, Middlebranch Diamonds and given them a season mark of 27-4 one of the best in the school's history, nearly succeeded again.  Had the Devils been able to cash in on 5 opportunities from the free throw line in the final canto, the story would probably not yet be ended.

Another thing, North Canton was hitting an uncanny number of their shots from the field in the 2nd quarter.  The Vikings rolled up 8 doubledeckers and a pair of free tosses in this quarter.  This above-average exhibition would never happen again probably.  Midvale made 16 of 56 attempts from the field, North Canton 21 of 61.  Even though defeated, Midvale need not apologize for anything.  They were 4 quarter laborers and in Senior guard Dan Carlisle, the "maneuvering midget" of the Blue Devil attack and Junior forward Jack Ford, a performer who should rate anybody's All-Ohio team, Midvale had a pair of the State's top cagers.  Next year the prospects are equally bright with all but Carlisle returning.

NOTE:  STRASBURG'S CLARENCE YACKEY LOOKING AT COLLEGES

Senior Clarence Yackey, the Strasburg Tigers brilliant All-Ohio center, was entertained on the Kentucky University campus Thursday, April 29th by Head Coach Adolph Rupp of the Champion Wildcats,  Yackey was one of 15 high school Seniors from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois invited to the Kentucky campus for workouts.

Others from this area who accepted the invitation were Roger Baker and Dick Westover of Canton South and Louis Metzger of Louisville.  Yackey was the tallest player in the group, towering at 6-6 and has also accepted invitations to visit Kent State, Bowling Green, Ohio State and Muskingum before the season closes.

48 - Midvale Falls To North Canton In A Squeeker 47-43 (3-20-48)

YOUNGSTOWN - Midvale's Mighty "mites" (7-2) (27-4) stored their basketball uniforms today until next season, but in dropping a 47-43 thriller to the North Canton Vikings (23-5) before an overflow crowd of 4,200 fans in the Regional finals at Youngstown Saturday night, the Blue Devils wrote a chapter of cage history, which, for sheer courage and aggressiveness, has never been equaled in Eastern Ohio Tournament play.  Although Head Coach Bill French's quintet joined Canton McKinley, routed 45-26 by Canton South in the Class A finale, in defeat, Midvale was the "people's choice" in the jammed South field house Saturday night.

The orange-shirted Blue Devils, rated underdogs by as much as 20 points by some of the experts, discounted the odds and height advantage held by the powerful Vikings, conquerors of Akron Eilet and lost little glory as they battled the favorites on early even terms for nearly 4 quarters, losing by the slender margin in the final canto when a Viking substitute found the range with 2 quick fielders.  The score was deadlocked 4 times and the lead changed hands on 5 occasions in the 1st nine minutes of play as Midvale fought the Vikings to a standstill in the 1st and 2nd quarters.

North Canton held a slender 8-7 margin at the 1st quarter mark on the basis of 2 field goals by Leland Schneider, clever Viking guard, in the final minutes of the canto.    From then on it was give and go as Midvale challenged North Canton at every turn and sent the crowd into a roaring frenzy with its brilliant display of floormanship and pass work.

The Vikings surged from behind in the early minutes of the 2nd period to take a 10-9 lead after little Senior guard Dan Carlisle, one of the tournament's brightest performers, had sent the Blue Devils into a one-point lead with a dribble-in performance.  Viking forward Bob Warburton made it 11-9 from the charity circle, but center Bob Sherrell deadlocked the count with a follow-in.  It was Carlisle again who sent Midvale ahead for the last time with a free throw shot midway in the 2nd period.  Forward Don Hinerman gave North Canton a 13-12 margin a few seconds later and the Vikings stretched this lead to 26-20 at halftime despite doubledeckers by Jack Ford and Junior forward Jim Golder.

Midvale could  register but 2 field goals in the 3rd stanza, both by Ford and the Vikings owned a 32-28 lead going into the sizzling final quarter.  Golder opened the Midvale bid with a field goal that trimmed the North Canton margin to 32-30, but Warburton gave the Vikings their 4-point advantage again with a set shot.

It was at this stage that guard George Hamilton, Viking substitute, all but nullified the Blue Devils chances when he caged 2 rapid action shots and gave Head Coach Red Vanaman's Vikings a 38-32 edge.  But, Midvale tired from weeks of grinding tournament play, found enough to make a last rally.  Carlisle, who completely captivated the crowd with his sensational ball-stealing and ball-handling, worked the count to 38-34 with a dribble-in shot just as the automatic time-out buzzer sounded.

North Canton increased its margin to 44-36 with a minute to go, but Golder sliced a point off of the lead with a free throw toss.  Schneider made it 46-37 and then Carlisle hit a 2-pointer  with seconds ticking away.  Warburton ran the count to 47-39 from the free throw line and Golder, racing against the clock, sank 2 doubledeckers which only reduced the North Canton margin as time ran out.

Schneider led the way hitting 13 points, while his teammate Warburton followed him up with 11 points for North Canton.  Ford was high for Midvale with 16 markers.

NORTH CANTON VIKINGS - 47

Don Hinerman F 4-1-9
Bob Warburton F 4-3-11
Jim Heckman C 3-0-6
Leland Schneider G 6-1-13
Don Humbert G 2-0-4
George Hamilton G 2-0-4

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 43

Jack Ford F 7-2-16
Jim Golder F 4-1-9
Bob Sherrell C 2-3-7
Dave Rennicker G 0-3-3
Dan Carlisle G 3-2-8


Monday, March 22, 1948
Rex Ridenour, Right Down The Line
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  North Canton went on to lose 55-46 to Lima St. Rose in the semi-finals.  Lima St. Rose then lost 45-36 to Eaton for the State Championship.

48 - Right Down The Line

Saturday, March 20, 1948
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio


THE FINAL CHAPTER of the amazing Midvale story may be written tonight on the hardwood of the Younstown South field house, but North Canton followers expecting their Vikings to have an easy run may be in for a rude surprise.  On the basis of records, tournament play and a few other factors, the Vikings appear to have the thing cinched, but other teams have felt this same way about facing Head Coach Bill French's Blue Devils only to find that they were laboring under false security.

In their pell-mell race through Sectional and District tournaments, the Blue Devils have defied basketball averages.  You expect them to lose and they win.  And, nearly as surprising, when they are picked to win, they do.  North Canton trounced the Middlebranch Diamonds during the regular season by 20 points.  However, if they are running true to form tonight, this won't mean a thing to the Devils.

The trail may end tonight.  Against the type of odds they will be facing, Midvale's small crew could hardly be expected to derail the Vikings.  But, if Midvane can gain an 8 or 10 point advantage midway in the game, North Canton will have to earn that berth in the State finals the hard way.  The Blue Devils can make 2 points look very, very large!  If you are going to the Mahoning County capital tonight, don't expect too much of the Blue Devils, but don't be surprised if they give you more than you expect.  That is the kind of ball club the 21-year-old French has molded.

NOTE:  The Midvale Blue Devil's chances tonight were seriously impaired by an injury to Senior guard Dan Carlisle.  The diminutive guard received a torn muscle in his right leg Thursday night and was limping badly today.

48 - Right Down The Line

Friday, March 19, 1948
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio


THE MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS were just one game away from a spot in the State Tournament today, but this one tilt, Saturday night against the powerful North Canton Vikings (22-5), promises to be the most difficult hurdle 1st-Year Head Coach Bill French's quintet has faced this year, with the possible exception of the Strasburg Tigers.  In eliminating the Middlebranch Diamonds (20-4) Thursday night, the Blue Devils did not exhibit their best brand of basketball, hampered as they were by colds and the strangeness of the Youngstown South field house.  Yet the victory over the Diamonds, a team which "backed" into the Regionals, was decisive and never very much in doubt after the 1st quarter.

The Vikings; however, present a different problem to the Midvale board of strategy.  A rugged, fast-breaking club with a towering performer in center Jim Heckman, North Canton is being touted by some observers as a definite threat to Glenford's Class B title aspirations.  When they move in to attack, the Vikings go to the left and possess accurate marksmen in Heckman, guards Leland Schneider and Don Humbert.

The Blue Devils; however, possess one thing which held the interest of coaches and sports writers in the south field house Thursday night...their passing attack.  It is doubtful if the Vikings can top Midvale in this department and with this factor operating at full effectiveness, the Devils can make 2 or 3 points look very large.  Disregarding the season records, we will have to string along with North Canton Saturday night after seeing the Vikings operate.  But, this doesn't present our hoping that Frenchy and his courageous quintet can pull one more out of the hat.  It has happened before...you will remember.

THE BLUE DEVILS were quartered in the Ohio Hotel in Youngstown last night, but made the trip home today.  French will hold a practice session this afternoon and the squad will return to Youngstown Saturday morning.  North Canton's Head Coach Red Vanaman, is a brother of Coshocton's Head Coach Ralph Vanaman.  There was much cause for rejoicing in the Vanaman family Thursday night as Ralph's Redskins upended the Steubenville Big Red 54-39 in the Class A Regional at New Concord.

LITTLE DAN CARLISLE drew the praise of radio commentators and assembled sports writers Thursday night.  The 5-4, 120 pound guard, impressed the 3.028 fans with a dazzling exhibition of ball handling and ball stealing.  WKBN in Youngstown made a recording of the games and presented the Blue Devils with a record following the game.

THIS YOUNGSTOWN TOURNAMENT, under the direction of South High School faculty manager Dave Williams, is one of the most efficiently managed in the State.  Not only that, but it is one of the largest.  The South field house was the scene of the Northwestern District Class A meet for 2 weeks.

THE 4 SESSIONS of the Class B Sectional Basketball Tournament at Memorial Hall drew a total of 3,909 paid admissions, a report released this week by Tournament Manager Don Campbell revealed.  Gross receipts for the 4 nights were $2,033.40 with net gross receipts amounting to $1,654.06.  Team mileage for the 11 quintets in the meet amounted to $34.02 and team bonus to teams totaled $675.91.

Sugarcreek-Shanesville's Pirates, who played 3 games, topped the list with a bonus of $112.66, while Strasburg, Dennison, Dover St. Joseph's, Berlin and Midvale each received $75.10 for 2 games.  A bonus of $37.55 was paid to Carrollton, Dennison St. Mary's, Millersburg, Malvern and Walnut Creek, teams participating in but one game.  Disbursements included 15 percent to the OHSAA, 30 percent to Center, 3 percent to the District Board and $100 for the gym.  Officials and secretary's pay amounted to $198 and the tournament manager received $35.  Federal tax absorbed $344.10 of the gross receipts.

48 - Midvale Rolls Over Middlebranch 43-34 In Regionals (3-18-48)

Senior forward Jack Ford of the Midvale Blue Devils scored 14 points while leading his team to a 43-34 triumph over the Middlebranch Diamonds last night in theYoungstown Regional Tournament.  Ford has gathered a total of 141 markers for a 19.6 average per game in tournament play.


YOUNGSTOWN - Midvale's amazing Blue Devils (7-1) (27-3) continued their blazing pace on the tournament trails Thursday night in the Youngstown Regional tournament where they completely outclassed the Middlebranch Diamonds (20-4) before 3,028 fans and won a 43-34 victory which earned them a berth in the finals Saturday night at 8PM against the North Canton Vikings, 47-33 victors over Akron Eilet last night in 1st round play.  Head Coach Bill French's Blue Devils, District title holders, played a masterful brand of basketball in notching their win over a Stark County quintet Thursday in the spacious Youngstown south field house.

The Diamonds, a "cinderella" team from the Kent District meet, boasted more height under the boards than did the small Midvale combine, but after a 10-10 first period deadlock, the Blue Devils pulled steadily away from Middlebranch and except for a 4th quarter rally, their lead was never seriously threatened.  Once in the 2nd period the Diamonds were able to knot the count again, but superior floor work and ball stealing by All-District Senior forward Jack Ford, Senior guard Dan Carlisle and Junior forward Jim Golder, plus a sharp passing attack which disorganized the Middlebranch zone defense gave the Blue Devils a clear-cut victory margin.

Midvale led 17-15 at halftime and held a 29-23 third stanza edge as Ford, Golder, Sophomore center Bob Sherrell and Junior guard Dave Rennicker broke through the Diamond barrier to score points when they were most needed.  After the 2nd quarter got under way, Sherrell sent Midvale ahead with a charity toss and forward Jerry Petro tied it up for the 2nd time with another free throw.  Doubledeckers by Golder and Ford sent the Devils into a 15-11 lead, but 2 fielders by rangy center Jim Bennett knotted the count for the 3rd time.  A few seconds after Middlebranch achieved this 3rd deadlock, little Dan Carlisle, whose ball handling and floormanship was outstanding, sent the Blue Devils ahead 16-15 with a shot from the gift lane, a lead they never relinquished after that.

With Ford, Golder and Sherrell shifting through the Diamond defenses and counting on layups and follow shots, Midvale stretched their margin to 31-23 as the 4th period opened.  Then came the Middlebranch rally which, for a brief time, endangered the Blue Devil lead.  Bennett tallied twice under the basket on follow shots to make it 31-27.  But, Ford intercepted a Diamond pass under his own net and turned it into a fielder to give the Devils a 33-27 margin.  Bennett again revived Middlebranch hopes with a follow shot and Ford hit one from the charity lane.  With the count at 34-29, Bennett put the Diamonds back in the game with another follow shot which proved to be the last Middlebranch hope as Sherrell made it 36-31 with a beautiful pivot shot.  The glue-fingered Blue Devils controlled the ball for the remainder of the period and forestalled any more Middlebranch rallies.

In addition to playing a stellar floor game Ford netted 14 points for Midvale just one less than Bennett registered for the losers.  Golder, playing with a severe cold collected 9 markers as did Rennicker.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 43

Jack Ford F 5-4-14
Gene Byers F 0-0-0
Jim Golder F 2-5-9
Bob Sherrell C 3-2-8
Dave Rennicker G 4-1-9
Dan Carlisle G 0-3-3

MIDDLEBRANCH DIAMONDS - 34

Royer F 3-0-6
Downey F 0-1-1
Jerry Petro F 2-1-5
Jim Bennett C 7-1-15
Calalier G 1-0-2
Erb G 0-0-0
Ohman G 2-1-5


Friday, March 19, 1948
Rex Ridenour, Right Down The Line
The Daily Reporer
Dover, Ohio