District Champions and Class B Regional contenders at Youngstown this week, the fast-moving Midvale Blue Devils have compiled one of the best records in the State this season in winning 26 and losting only 3 games. Thursday they start Regional play in the Youngstown South field house against the Middletown Diamonds. FRONT: Dave Rennicker - Jim Golden - Bob De Mattio - Jack Ford - Dan Carlisle and Bob Sherrell. BACK: Ben Pissocra - Darrell Davis - Jack Davis and Gene Byers.
STEUBENVILLE - Midvale's tenacious Blue Devils (6-1) (26-3), who unsaddled Dillonvale's Night Riders (22-8) 45-40 Saturday night at Steubenville, will battle the Middlebranch Diamonds (20-3) of Stark County Thursday night at 9:15 on the Youngstown South Fieldhouse court in the Southeastern Ohio Class B Regional Basketball Tournament.
Head Coach Bill French, 21-year-old mentor of the only Tuscarawas County team still involved in tournament warfare, drew Middlebranch Sunday when pairings were made at Youngstown. The other 2 Regional entrants, North Canton and Akron Rilet, will collide Thursday at 8PM. The victorious quintets will meet Saturday night for a berth in the Ohio finals. The Midvale-Middlebranch engagement will bring together 2 clubs which have surprised their respective followers by remaining in the running for the State crown. North Canton and Eilet have 21-5 and 17-3 records, respectively.
Midvale notched its Saturday night triumph in brilliant fashion. Dillonvale's "cinderella" team, which numbered Yorkville and Strasburg amoung its victims, was confident as it ventured forth on the Steubenville court. But, the upset shoe was on another foot and even the clock couldn't wait on the so-called "giant killers" whose rally in the last 2 minutes did nothing more than reduce Midvale's victory margin. The Blue Devils, playing their 1st season for Coach French, completely ignored the odds as they fought Dillonvale to a standstill and then turned on the heat. The Frenchmen waged a determined offensive battle, demoralizing the Night Riders with their "come-and-get-it" tactics and their defensive play was exceptional. They hounded Dillonvale from goal to goal, intercepting or spoiling numerous passes in addition to beating the Riders to the ball on rebounds.
It was a torrid battle for more than 3 quarters; although, Midvale was never headed after the opening minutes of the 2nd period. Up to that stage the score had been deadlocked 5 times and the lead changed hands 5 times. The 1st stanza ended 10-10, but the Blue Devils were ahead 20-18 at halftime and 34-28 at the close of the 3rd canto. With 2 minutes 19 seconds left, Midvale held an 11-point 42-31 edge and its stalling strategy was paying dividends. Then came Dillonvale's futile rally.
It was strictly a team victory as each Blue Devil contributed all his ability. Senior forward Jack Ford, who fouled out with 70 seconds remaining and Junior guard Dave Rennicker sparked the triumph with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Senior guard Dan Carlisle and Junior forward Jim Golder, who set up the plays, were never better in their dribbling and ball handling. Carlisle made only 4 points and Golder 2 before he fouled out with a minute of the 3rd period left, but their floor exhibition was nigh-perfect. Junior forward Gene Byers, who replaced Golder, contributed 5 points, while Sophomore center Bob Sherrell made one. The latter; however, was one of the big reasons the Blue Devils were able to control the rebounds.
Forward Harold (Powder) Henry, Dillonvale's number 1 scorer, made 18 points, 5 in the last 2 minutes after Midvale began to coast. Midvale outscored Dillonvale 16 to 13 from the field and cashed 13 of 20 free throws. The losers hit on 14 of 23 charity tosses. A total of 42 personals were called, 20 against Midvale.
Rennicker and Ford netted free throws to give Midvale a 2-0 lead at the outset, but before the period was over the score was tied 2-2, 7-7, 8-8 and 10-10 with Golder's set shot ending the point-making for that stanza. With the count tied 12-12 in the opening minute of the 2nd period, Rennicker caged a one-handed side toss to put Midvale in front and it never relinquished the lead.
MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 45
Jack Ford F 6-5-17
Jim Golder F 1-0-2
Sherrell C 0-1-1
Dave Rennicker G 6-4-16
Dan Carlisle G 1-2-4
Gene Byers F 2-1-5
Bob De Mattio F 0-0-0
DILLONVALE NIGHT RIDERS - 40
Harold Henry F 6-6-18
Jerry Jelneck F 3-3-9
Earl Thompson C 3-2-8
Gus Holubeck G 0-2-2
Jack Olzeski G 1-1-3
B. Boyle C 0-0-0
Noble G 0-0-0
Monday, March 15, 1948
Harry Yockey, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
All-District selection Senior Forward Jack Ford, high-scoring Midvale forward, paced the Blue Devils to their 4th District title. Ford has won a berth on 2 all-tournament teams this year. He was placed on the Daily Reporter County Tournament quintet as well.
NOTE: The Midvale Blue Devils placed 3 players and the Strasburg Tigers one on the District Class B All-Tournament team of 8 cagers selected by sports writers following Saturday night's final at Steubenville. Midvale's Jack Ford and Dave Rennicker were awarded forward positions with Dan Carlisle sharing the guard posts with Jim Parker of Belmont and Jack Olzeski of Dillonvale. All-Ohio Clarence Yackey of Strasburg and Ernie Kovach of Belmont were picked as centers with Harold (Powder) Henry of Dillonvale rounding out the forwards.
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