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.