49 - Right Down The Line

Tuesday, March 15, 1949
Dover, Ohio


THE "MIGHTY MITES" OF MIDVALE (26-1), sensation of last year's Regional Tournament at Youngstown, return again, this year to Kent State.  With the exception of little Dan Carlisle, brilliant Blue Devil guard, the Midvale team is the same as that of last year.

The Devils will begin at where they ended in 1948, with the North Canton Vikings (20-6) and was the choice of Head Coach Bill French and the entire Blue Devil squad which is seeking revenge for that 47-43 defeat that cost them a berth in the State tournament.  Coach French let co-captain Senior guard Jim Golder make the official choice and the Devils' ball-handling expert and play-maker immediately chose the Vikings.

Head Coach Cllyde Vanaman's Vikings (Clyde is a brother of Coshocton Head Coach Ralph Vanaman) are far from an easy touch, however.  Included in those 20 victories on the North Canton schedule are several Class A teams.  Here is another salient factor.  One of those 6 losses was to Coshocton by a narrow margin on the Redskin floor in mid-season.

If they succeed in getting by the Vikings, Midvale will have to face either Akron Eilet or Lowellville in the finals.  No soft touch there, either.  Eilet holds 2 regular season decisions over North Canton, while Lowellville defeated Class A Struthers, conqueror of Canton South in the Class A District last week.

Midvale's docket of 26 wins is just as impressive as any in the State; however, and of the 16 Class B teams still in the running, rates 3rd place.  Only Salem Township in Wyandot County (27-0) and Lockland Wayne (28-1), the black school near Cincinnati have better marks than do the Blue Devils.  Walnut Creek's mighty Cardinals inflicted the lone defeat on the Blue Devils' record, a 47-41 decision at Midvale in December.

The youthful French and his sharp-passing Blue Devils have a man-sized job ahead of them this week, but having watched them roll down the tournament trail so far undefeated, we will cast a vote for the Tuscarawas countians and hope for the best.

NOTE:  ALL-DISTRICT TEAMS NAMED

Three Seniors, one Junior and one Sophomore were named today on the Class B District All-Tournament Team by sports writers covering the event last week at Dennison.

The Midvale Blue Devils, District Champions and the Walnut Creek Cardinals, unbeaten until the defeat by the Scio Panthers, each placed 2 men on the 1st team.  Bob Hugh, 6-2 Junior, was the only Scio representative on the 1st team.  Lowell Zook, 6-1 Senior and Bob Troyer, 5-6 Sophomore, were Walnut Creek's representatives, while Jack Ford, 5-9 Senior and Bob De Mattio, 6-2 Senior, represented the Champion Blue Devils.

Zook and Troyer, along with Senior Dick Hostetler of Walnut Creek, who was given a 2nd team berth and Ford were undoubtedly 4 of the finest performers in this area.  De Mattio won his 1st team berth by turning in an outstanding performance in the finals against Scio, while Hugh, one of the tournament's high-scoring performers, was a unanimous choice.  It was his field goal in the final 3 seconds which ended the Walnut Creek skein.  Second team berths went to Senior Harold Henry of Dillonvale, Senior Ken Saber of Scio, Senior Jim Golder and Senior Dave Rennicker of Midvale and Dick Hostetler of Walnut Creek.

CLASS B ALL-DISTRICT

1ST TEAM

FORWARD - Jack Ford (Midvale) 5-9 Senior
FORWARD - Bob Troyer (Walnut Creek) 5-6 Sophomore
CENTER - Bob De Mattio (Midvale) 6-2 Senior
GUARD - Lowell Zook (Walnut Creek) 6-1 Senior
GUARD - Bob Hugh (Scio) 6-2 Junior

2ND TEAM

FORWARD - Harold Henry (Dillonvale) 5-9 Senior
FORWARD - Ken Saber (Scio) 5-11 Senior
CENTER - Dick Hostetler (Walnut Creek) 5-11 Senior
GUARD - Jim Golder (Midvale) 5-9 Senior
GUARD - Dave Rennicker (Midvale) 6-4 Senior

HONORABLE MENTION

Jack Oljeski (Dillonvale)
Bob Sherrell (Midvale)
Bill Boone and Sam Custer (Scio)
Lorell Mast (Walnut Creek)

NOTE:  MIDVALE ACE, FORD, ON DOUBTFUL LIST

Midvale's All-Ohio forward, Jack Ford, remained on the doubtful list today as the Blue Devils made preparations to leave at 9:30AM tomorrow for Kent, site of their 1st Regional Tournament battle with North Canton on Thursday night.

Physicians were uncertain today if Ford, confined to his bed for the last 3 days with a chest infection, would be able to start tomorrow night.  He is to be permitted to sit up in bed for the 1st time today.

Guard Jim Golder, ill with influenza since Saturday night, recovering, doctors stated.  Both players will make the trip in private cars, but the team will go by bus, it was announced.  (Wednesday, March 16, 1949 'TDR")

49 - MIDVALE...Second Straight District Title! 44-41 (3-12-49)

STILL CHAMPIONS!  The Midvale Blue Devils successfully defended their Eastern Ohio District Class B Tournament Champion title at Dennison Saturday night edging the Scio Panthers 44-41.  FRONT:  Bob De Mattio - Jim Golder and Jack Ford (co-captains, holding the trophy) - Bob Sherrell - Gene Byers and Dave Rennicker.  BACK:  D. Graham - Kay Ford - Everett Wilson - Head Coach Bill French - Ron Pissocra and Don Davis.  The Blue Devils will meet the North Canton Vikings on Thursday at 7:30PM in the 1st round of Regional Tournament play at Kent State.

Midvale Blue Devils All-Ohio Senior Forward Jack Ford led the Blue Devils to their 2nd straight Eastern Ohio District Tournament Championship scoring 18 points in a hard fought 44-41 win over the Scio Panthers in Dennison on Saturday night.  Ford has scored 104 points in tournament play for a 14.8 point average per game.


DENNISON - The Midvale Never-Say-Die Blue Devils will carry the Tuscarawas County Class B banner into Regional basketball play at Kent State this week, final stage before the blue ribbon classic in Columbus on March 24, 25 and 26.  Head Coach Bill French's defending District Champion Blue Devils gained a berth in the Kent State Class B event which opens Thursday by turning back the Scio Panthers Saturday night 44-41 in the District finals at Dennison before another overflow crowd of over 2,000 fans.

Midvale drew North Canton's Vikings and will meet the Stark countians on Thursday at 7:30PM in the Wills Gymnasium at Kent.  In the other Class B game Thursday, Akron Eilet collides with Lowellville at 9PM.  Winners will meet in the Championship game Saturday.  On Friday night, Class A Regional finalists will swing into action also in Willis.

Blue Devils hopes were dampened somewhat by the fact that Senior forward Jack Ford was ordered to bed by a physician following Saturday's victory over Scio with what is feared a chest infection.  It was not certain he would be able to play Thursday night.

In addition to Midvale (26-1), the field at Kent State will include Lowellville (22-2), North Canton (20-6) and Akron Elite.  All except Lowellville played in the Regionals at Youngstown last year with North Canton emerging triumphant after a 47-43 decision over Midvale in the finals.

In notching its 2nd consecutive District title, the Midvale Blue Devils (7-0) (26-1) exhibited Championship form in staving off a desperate last-half bid by the towering Scio Panthers (25-4), 57-55, conquerors of unbeaten Walnut Creek Cardinals.  The Blue Devils, paced by the deadly marksmanship of Ford and 6-4 Dave Rennicker, raced to 1st and 2nd quarter leads of 12-6 and 26-15 and appeared on the verge of making a rout of the battle.

A tight zone defense and delf passing by Ford and Senior guard Jim Golder cut down the Scio fast break and the Panthers were unable to move in the 1st half.  In the 3rd quarter; however, the rangy Panthers unleased an offensive that threatened to overhaul the Blue Devils lead while holding Midvale to one field goal and 5 markers from the free throw line.

Forward 5-11 Ken Saber sparked the Panther drive in this period, but received able assistance from 6-2 forward Bob Hugh and 6-4 center Henry Crall working under the nets in the Scio fast break.  The Panthers had reduced the Blue Devils lead to 33-28 at the close of the 3rd stanza.

Midway in the last canto, 6-4 guard Bill Boone lofted a set shot through the Panther cords to make it 38-34 and the pressure was on for both teams.  Senior guard Bob De Mattio, whose defensive play was an outstanding factor in the Midvale victory, hit a set shot from the side, but 6-2 guard Gordon Bower and Saber tallied consecutive field goals on a fast break to make it 40-38.

Ford parted the Midvale nets with a beautiful one-handed shot and Bower scored a free throw shot to make the score 42-39 at the automatic timeout.  It was Ford again shifting through the Scio zone defense, who all but iced the decision for the Blue Devils as he scored on another one-hander with 2 minutes remaining to give Midvale a 44-39 advantage.

Hugh scored the final points of the game seconds later, a set shot from the side.  In the final 90 seconds, Midvale staved off the Scio bid by successfully stalling.  It was Golder, dribbling through the frantic Panther front line who spear-headed the freezing tactics which stymied a Scio threat.

Ford led all scorers with 18 points, followed by Hugh of Scio with 15 markers.  De Mattio left the game late in the final period via the personal foul route as did Boone of the Vikings.

Frank Cox of New Philadelphia, who officiated in the New Concord Class B District Tournament last week, has been assigned as one of the officials in the Class B Regional Tournament at Athens this week.  Ed Sherman, Muskingum College football coach and an official in the Class B District last week at Dennison, moved to Younstown this week to work the Class B Regional.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 44

Jack Ford F 8-2-18
Dave Rennicker F 4-1-9
Bob Sherrell C 0-2-2
Bob De Mattio G 2-5-9
Jim Golder G 3-0-6
Gene Byers G 0-0-0

SCIO PANTHERS - 41

Bob Hugh F 6-3-15
Ken Saber F 4-4-12
Sam Custer F 0-0-0
Henry Crall C 2-2-6
Bill Boone G 1-1-3
Gordon Bower G 1-3-5


Monday, March 14, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

49 - Midvale Holds On To Win 42-33 Against Dillonvale (3-10-49)

The Midvale Blue Devils opened defense of their Class B Eastern Ohio District basketball title in the Dennison gymnasium last night by defeating the Dillonvale Night Riders of Jefferson County 42-33.  Senior Guard Jim Golder of the Blue Devils drives into the keyhole slot for a 2-pointer, while Senior Forward Dave Rennicker (9), 6-4 Midvale Star, follows in.  Dillonvale's Forward Ron Telford (35), Center Jack Oljeski (33), Forward Gus Holubeck (22), Forward Hal (Powder) Henry (20) and Guard Bill Millhoan (30) move into the action zone.


DENNISON - The Midvale Blue Devils (6-0) (25-1) successfully vaulted their 1st hurdle in defense of their Eastern Ohio District title last night in the Dennison Gymnasium, but were forced to subdue a 3rd-quarter uprising by a mediocre Dillonvale Night Riders (12-8) team to win 42-33.  The Blue Devils will collide with the Scio Panthers (25-4) in Dennison at 8PM.  Scio eliminated the unbeaten Walnut Creek Cardinals (25-1) 57-55 in a grueling battle Wednesday night to reach the Championship round.

In notching their 25th victory in 26 starts, the Blue Devils gave a luke-warm performance and the Night Riders, boasting only a 12-7 season record at the time, nearly overhauled the defending Champions with a spurt in the 3rd canto.

Trailing 22-11 at halftime after a slow 2 quarters, the Riders, sparked by the long range marksmanship of forward Hal (Powder) Henry and center Jack Oljeski, pulled up to within 2 points of Midvale in the 3rd period.  Holding only a 28-26 margin, Seniors guard Jim Golder, guard Bob De Mattio and forward Jack Ford paced the Devils to a 38-30 lead at the automatic timeout in the last quarter and Midvale held on to win.

With the exception of that 3rd quarter rally by the underdog Night Riders, who possessed no height with which to match that of Midvale, the game produced none of the fireworks seen Wednesday night in the Scio-Walnut Creek struggle.  Although their ball-handling was off form and the marksmanship had, the Midvale held an 11-8 first period margin, chiefly on the basis of the rebounding of 6-4 Dave Rennicker and 6-3 De Mattio, Henry and forward Gus Holubeck sunk 3 long set shots to keep the Night Riders within striking distance.

In the 2nd quarter, the Blue Devils zone defense held the Jefferson countians to 3 points, all from the free throw line, while Ford and Rennicker were each netting field goals and 6-3 Junior center Bob Sherrell was collecting a pair of action shots.  Early in the 3rd period, Midvale ran the count to 26-14 and appeared on its way to an easy triumph.

Dillonvale; however, suddenly exploded.  Oljeski netted a long shot and followed with a free throw toss.  Substitute forward Ron Telford hit from the gift line and Henry banged in 2 long shots before De Mattio finally got the Blue Devils' next points on a follow-up shot.  Trailing 28-22 with the quarter nearly over, Oljeski meshed another set shot and was fouled by Sherrell seconds later.  He made both attempts from the free throw line and the Night Riders were trailing by only 2 points as the quarter closed.

At this point, Midvale took command of the situation in time to stave off disaster.  Ford and Sherrell fouled out, Sherrell in the late minutes of the 3rd period and Ford late in the final canto.  Dillionvale lossed 3 men on fouls, Henry, Holubeck and forward Ron Noble, all in the final quarter.  Officials Ed Sherman and Ike Myers called a total of 25 fouls against Dillonvale and 21 against Midvale; although, as was the case Wednesday night, some of the decisions were very unpopular with the fans.

Rennicker paced the Blue Devils' offense with 10 points, while Ford netted 9 markers.  Oljeski collected 11 for the Night Riders.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 42

Jack Ford F 3-3-9
Dave Rennicker F 3-4-10
Gene Byers F 0-1-1
Jack Davis F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 2-1-5
Jim Golder G 2-4-8
Bob De Mattio G 4-1-9

DILLONVALE NIGHT RIDERS - 33

Hal (Powder) Henry F 4-0-8
Gus Holubeck F 1-0-2
Cesario F 0-0-0
Ron Telford F 0-3-3
Jack Oljeski C 3-5-11
Bill Millhoan G 3-2-8
Ron Noble G 0-1-1
Merkle G 0-0-0


Friday, March 11, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  Ernie Raber, former Sugarcreek-Shanesville basketball star, left this morning with the Bowling Green quintet for Madison Square Garden.  Raber, a member of the Bee Gees, one of the nation's outstanding teams, gave a brilliant performance last year in the Garden.

49 - Right Down The Line

Thursday, March 10, 1949
Dover, Ohio

Bob Troyer, Walnut Creek's 5-6 fireball goes into the air to score over the heads of a towering Scio team which handed the Cardinals their 1st defeat in 26 games in the District Tournament at Dennison last night 57-55.  Dick Hostetler (5), Red Bird Center, awaits a rebound as does Henry Crall (27), Sam Custer (26) and Bob Hugh (24) of Scio.  It was the 6-3 Hugh's field goal in the last 3 seconds which won the game for the Panthers.

Lowell Zook (4), great Cardinals Forward, fires at the nets in the last canto, while Gordon Bower (30), of Scio stands by.


THE MOST REMARKABLE RECORD in Ohio scholastic basketball circles ended last night at Dennison.  It was the finish of a brilliant era.  The Walnut Creek Cardinals (25-1) string ran out, but not many of the more than 2,000 fans who packed the Dennison Railroad Gymnasium were convinced that the Cardinals had been defeated 57-55 by a better team.

For weeks, while the Red Birds rolled on unbeaten, pressure built up, but last night it was not pressure that tripped them up.  Cool, calm, crafty, Walnut Creek finally came to the end of the trail because they could not quite overcome that shocking height advantage held by the Scio Panthers (25-3).

Scio, undoubtedly, has, man for man, what is probably the tallest club in Class B circles this year.  And yet for all of this, the Panthers could never command the situation.

The end may have been inevitable, but last night as you watched the fluid-smooth Cardinals outplay their towering opponents, you wondered if this "cinderella" team might not have been Columbus-bound had they ousted Scio.  The Red Birds raced through 25 straight games unbeaten.  Playing without benefit of a full-time coach, cramped by the knowledge that they had no strength beyond the starting 5, the Creekers relied on finesse, marksmanship and clean basketball.

Last night, lack of reserve strength took its toil.  Lowell Zook, one of the finest class B performers we have seen, drew 4 fouls in the 1st half.  Whether they were deserved fouls is unimportant now.

With Zook slowed down, Scio did not have to battle quite so hard under the boards.  Walnut Creek efficiency was seriously impaired and the story ended after a heroic effort by 5-6 Bob Troyer nearly swayed the balance.  All was quiet in the Walnut Creek dressing room after it was over.

But, Head Coach Abe Mast and the Cardinals did not even offer to give an alibi.  They missed it and that was that!

They won't be in Columbus.  They won't even be at Kent State next week, but we still have the feeling that Zook, Troyer, Dick Hostetler, Ted Horrisberger and Lorrell Mast would have made it very interesting for any club in the State.  As for Scio.  They have a fine club, featuring, of course, height.  The Pantehrs are sportsmen.  One of the finest gestures we have seen was made by Bill Boone, 6-4 Scio guard, in the 4th period.

With his team behind, Boone fouled out.  Bill walked to the center of the floor, shook hands with Troyer, Zook and Hostetler before going off of the court.  That sort of thing, coming when it did, is impressive.

THE SPOTLIGHT now centers on the Midvale Blue Devils (24-1).

Midvale, once by the Dillonvale Night Riders (12-7) tonight will test Scio power.  The Blue Devils, equipped with height that Walnut Creek did not have, are our choice for District Champs!

49 - Right Down The Line

Tuesday, March 8, 1949
Dover, Ohio


TWO INTERESTING CHAPTERS remain to be written this week as the Walnut Creek Cardinals (25-0) and Midvale Blue Devils (24-1) continue on the Class B Tournament boards at Dennison.  The saga of the unbeaten Cardinals will continue at Dennison Wednesday night when the Creekers attempt to make it 26 in a row against the towering Scio Panthers (24-3).

The Panthers will be the first 6-foot team the Cardinals have met this year.  High-scoring Bob Hugh measures 6-2, Gordon Bower 6-2, Henry Crall 6-4 and Bill Boone 6-4.  Ken Saber, another starter is 5-11, while substitute Custer is 5-7.  The 2 teams did not meet during the season, but there is a basis of comparison.  Scio split with the Magnolia Panthers during the season, while Walnut Creek edged Magnolia Saturday night to earn a District berth.

Although the Red Birds had plenty of  trouble with Magnolia, they had enough to pull the game out of the fire in the last half, keeping their brilliant record alive for at least another week.  We didn't think the Cards looked quite as sharp in the Sectional meet as they did during the season several times, but when the chips were down they produced.

Scio will be their most rugged test so far in tournament play.  If successful, they will have set the stage for a 2nd meeting with Midvale, providing the Blue Devils get by the Dillonvale Night Riders on Thursday night.

THEIR BATTLE WITH THE DILLONVALE NIGHT RIDERS will be in the nature of a return engagement for the Blue Devils.  Last year in the District Tournament finals at Steubenville, Midvale won its title by defeating the Night Riders 45-40.  Back from that 1948 Dillonvale team, which eliminated the Strasburg Tigers 51-48 in the 1st round of District play, are Harold (Powder) Henry, long shot artist, Jack Olseski and Gus Holubeck.  The Riders have a 12-7 season record.

49 - Midvale Goes To District...57-49 Over Mineral City (3-5-49)

Midvale Blue Devils All-County Senior Forward Jack Ford led the way to the District Tournament by leading his team with 22 points over the Mineral City Tigers 57-49.  Ford has produced a total of 77 points in 5 tournament games for a 13.5 points per game average.


DOVER - Walnut Creek's unbeaten Cardinals at 25-0 will launch Class B District Tournament play at 8PM Wednesday in the Dennison Gymnasium where the Creekers collide with powerful Scio Panthers in the 1st round, while the defending District Champions Midvale Blue Devils meet the Dillonvale Night Riders at 8PM on Thursday.  The 2 winners will clash Saturday night at 8PM in the Dennison Gymnasium for the right to represent the District in Regional play next week.  Drawings were held Sunday afternoon under the direction of Tournament Manager E.F. McCarroll in the Dennison High School building.

The 4 schools decided to use the free draw method, with teams from the Scio Sectional seeded away from each other.  Walnut Creek and Midvale earned District berths by eliminating the Magnolia Panthers and Mineral City Tigers Saturday night in the qualifying round of the Dover Sectional Tournament, while Scio trounced Smith Field 76-52 at Scio.  Dillonvale upset favored Yorkville 48-39 to earn its Dennison "ticket" last Friday night.

Both the Cardinals and Blue Devils were forced to repulse stern opposition on Saturday night before another capacity Memorial Hall crowd of over 1,500.  The Cardinals notched their 25th consecutive victoroy, a 52-48 decision over Magnolia, but were forced to come from behind to keep the string intact.  Midvale was threatened by repeated Mineral City rallies, but hung on to win 57-49.

It was a brilliant display of marksmanship by Sophomore Bob Troyer, 5-6 forward, which paced the Cardinals to victory over a very efficient Magnolia quintet.

After trailing 13-5 at the end of the 1st period, the Mineral City Tigers (4-2) (21-5) rallied to give the Midvale Blue Devils (5-0) (24-1) a battle the rest of the way.  Held scoreless in the 1st quarter, the Bengals' 6-2 Senior center Dan Lechner, aided by substitute Junior forward Dale Adams, narrowed the gap to 27-21 at halftime and trailed 45-36 going into the last period.

Early in the 4th canto, Lechner made it 46-43 with a set shot, but 6-4 Senior forward Dave Rennicker hit 2 consecutive field goals from the side of the court to give the Blue Devils a margin they held.  Near the close of the battle, Lechner made the longest shot of the tournament when he fired one through the nets from the center of the floor.

Ford, employing his "hand grenade" shot effectively, led both teams in scoring with 22 points.  Lechner collected 19 for the Tigers who had bowed 60-39 one week ago to the Blue Devils in county tournament play.

Only one game a night will be played in the District meet starting at 8PM, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.  Doors will open at 6:30PM for each session, McCarroll announced today.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 57

Jack Ford F 8-6-22
Dave Rennicker F 4-3-11
Gene Byers F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 4-2-10
Bob De Mattio G 5-1-11
Jim Golder G 1-1-3

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 49

Dick Lindsay F 1-4-6
Don Farnsworth F 1-0-2
Dale Adams F 3-0-6
Dan Lechner C 9-1-19
Warren Binder G 3-0-6
Gene Reidl G 4-0-8


Monday, March 7, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Monday, March 7, 1949
Dover, Ohio

The undefeated Walnut Creek Cardinals (25-1) 1949 Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Lowell Zook - Bob Troyer - Lorrell Mast - Dick Hostetler and Ted Horrisberger.  BACK:  A. Hostetler - K. Brand - L Miller - M. Hershberger - K. Machen and Head Coach Abe Mast.

THE SAGA OF HEAD COACH ABE MAST of the Walnut Creek Cardinals will end with this campaign.  Mast, who is a yard superintendent at the Claycraft Company in Sugarcreek in the daylight hours and a basketball coach at night, was given special permission this year by Commissioner H.W. Emswiler to guide Walnut Creek cage fortunes when a regular coach could not be secured.

Emswiler has ruled; however, that Walnut Creek must employ a full-time coach next year.  With Mast will go 3 members of this year's crack quintet of Cardinals.  Lowell Zook, Dick Hostetler and Lorrell Mast graduate this spring, leaving Bob Troyer and Ted Horrisberger to carry on.  Both are Sophomores.

NOTE:  TOURNAMENT TEAMS GET $270.00

Each of the 11 schools participating in the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament in Dennison this year will receive $2,570.00 of receipts totaling $4,891.03 for the 7 sessions, Tournament Manager W.E. Laws revealed today.  An attendance record for a single game session was established at the 5th session with total paid admission of 1,866.  The former record was 1,728 set at Memorial Hall in 1944.

The total paid admission figure of 7,268 for the 7 sessions was also a record, Laws stated.  This topped the record of 7,043 established in 1946.  The 1946 tournament at Memorial Hall had one less session, however.  Total expenditures for this year were $1,752.36 of which $737.91 was for federal admissions tax and $350.00 for officials.  Rent for the Dennison Gymnasium was $35.00 per night or a total of $245.00 for the 7 sessions.

Net receipts totaled $3,138.67.  Of this figure, $168.67 will go into the Tuscarawas County Athletic Association.  Total receipts for the County Grade School Tournament at Midvale were $294.91, Laws stated.  Each of the 7 schools in the meet, which extended over 3 nights, will receive $16.40. (Tuesday, March 8, 1949)

49 - Mineral City Upsets Millersburg 54-51 (3-4-49)

Mineral City Tigers Cheerleader Senior Gladys Ewing also shows off her form for a rare Sectional Tournament appearance.

Mineral City Tigers Senior Center Dan Lechner led the Tigers in an upset over the Millersburg Knights 54-51 by outscoring both teams with 24 points.  His total points in tournament play is now 99 points which shows him just 1-point short of a 20-point per game average.


DOVER - Walnut Creek's Cardinals and Midvale Blue Devils, top-seeded teams in the Dover Class B Sectional Tournament, will make their bids for berths in next week's Dennison District Tournament.  The Midvale Blue Devils (23-1) will play a return engagement with the Mineral City Tigers (21-4) at 7:30PM as a result of the Bengals' 54-51 decision over favored Millersburg Knights (22-7) last night.  Walnut Creek (24-0) will meet the Magnolia Panthers (23-6) 45-43 conqueror of the Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves (15-6) Friday night at 8:30PM.

For Mineral City, tonight's meeting with Midvale will be an opportunity to avenge a 60-39 defeat handed them just one week ago in the finals of the Tuscarawas County Tournament.  The Cardinals, 61-49 victors over the Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers Thursday night, will be seeking their 25th consecutive win.

Magnolia; however, is expected to offer stern opposition for the Red Birds.  The Panthers hold a decision over the Scio Panthers and defeated the Dennison Railroaders in their 1st tournament appearance Wednesday night.

In defeating a slightly favored Millersburg Knights (22-7) before a crowd of 1,000, the Mineral City Tigers (4-1) (21-4) was again paced by its great center, Senior Dan Lechner.  Lechner meshed 21 points to lead both teams.  It was his field goal in the closing seconds which thwarted a Spartan rally.  Trailing 44-34 going into the final canto, the Knights spurted and trimmed the Tigers lead to 50-45 at the automatic timeout period.

With less than 2 minutes remaining, the Spartans drew to within one point of the Bengals, but Lechner's field goal stymied the effort.  Both teams were tied 11-11 at the end of the 1st quarter, while Mineral City ended intermission with an 8-point 30-22 lead

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 54

Dick Lindsay F 5--12
Clarence Fiddler F 2-0-4
Dan Lechner C 10-1-21
Gene Reidl G 5-2-12
Warren Binder G 0-0-0
Don Farnsworth G 1-1-3
Dale Adams F 1-0-2

MILLERSBURG KNIGHTS - 51

Weise F 2-5-9
Huston G 0-1-1
Painter C 4-5-13
Wachtel G 6-3-15
Shonk G 4-0-8
Cline G 2-1-5


Saturday, March 5, 1949
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

49 - Midvale Continues To Dominate Sugarcreek-Shanesville 55-44 (3-3-49)

Seniors guard Bob De Mattio (6) of Midvale and John Andreas (65) of Sugarcreek-Shanesville battle for the ball as the Blue Devils defeated the Pirates 55-44.  Other Corsairs are Senior forward Clayton Deetz (63) and Ike Hostetler (62).


DOVER - Walnut Creek's unbeaten Cardinals (24-0) and Midvale's Blue Devils (23-1) reached the qualifying round in the Northeastern Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall last night before a jammed hourse of over 1,500 fans, but both teams were forced to repulse stubborn resistance.

Head Coach Abe Mast's smooth-functioning Red Birds added another victory to the string by decisioning the Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers 61-49, while the Blue Devils of Midvale met more rugged opposition in Head coach Bill Ortt's Pirates and settled for a 55-44 win.

Fans began lining upo outside Memorial Hall at 5PM yesterday, an hour and one-half before the doors opened.  Soon after the doors opened, every available inch of space was taken as the crowd streamed in to watch the 2 top teams in the Sectional battle it out with worthy foes.  More than 150 fans were turned away.

For 2 periods, Head Coach Bill Ortt's Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (4-2) (19-6) battled the Champion Midvale Blue Devils (4-0) (23-1) on even terms and were even leading 12-7 at the end of the 1st quarter.  Midvale rallied to take a 22-19 halftime lead and increased this to 45-35 at the end of 3 periods of play.

It was not; however, until midway in the 3rd stanza that the Blue Devils were able to forge a comfortable lead over the speedy Bucs  After combating the height advantage held by Midvale for over one-half of the distance, the Pirates faltered in this 3rd canto as 6-4 Senior forward Dave Rennicker and Senior guard Jim Golder each poured action shots through the nets to cinch the decision for the Blue Devils.  The shooting of Senior forward Clayton Deetz, Sophomore Ike Hostetler and Junior guard Glenn Zimmerman kept the Buccanners on pace until that disastrous 3rd period paved the way for a Midvale victory.

Rennicker led the Blue Devils with 15 points, while All-County Senior forward Jack Ford, although he failed to flash his usual form against the pressing tactics of the Corsairs, netted 12 markers.  Deetz and Zimmerman divided honors for the Pirates with 12 markers each.  Midvale's only loss was to Walnut Creek during the regular season.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 55

Jack Ford F 4-4-12
Dave Rennicker F 6-3-15
Ron Pissocra F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 2-1-5
Jim Golder G 5-0-10
Bob De Mattio G 4-3-11
Gene Byers G 0-2-2

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 44

Clayton Deetz F 4-4-12
Ike Hostetler F 2-2-6
Myron Beechy F 0-2-2
John Andreas C 1-3-5
Wayne Schrock C 1-1-3
Glenn Zimmerman G 3-6-12
Jim Knox G 1-2-4


Friday, March 4, 1949
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

24TH VICTORY.  The unbeaten Walnut Creek Cardinals turned back a scrappy Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers quintet 61-49 last night in the Sectional Class B Tournament at Memorial Hall before a capacity crowd of 1,500.  It was the 24th straight for the Red Birds.  Forward Bob Troyer, Cardinal ace (with the ball) looks for an opening in the Ramblers' defenses which are being formed by Ed Reiger (12), Bob Contini (3), L. Conidi (7) and Ed Streb (9).  Dick Hostetler (5) and Lowell Zook (4), Cardinals aces, stand by.

NOTE:  RIGHT DOWN THE LINE WITH REX RIDENOUR

THE SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES gave it a try again last night and for awhile, it looked as though the Orttmen might author that upset.  But, when the final tally was in, Midvale had notched a 10-point victory over the Corsairs for the 2nd time this year.

A few more breaks here and there and the Bucs might have made it.  The Blue Devils' height; however, was the deciding factor.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville is a great little club, but lack the height necessary to control the boards at crucial moments.

THE WALNUT CREEK CARDINALS did exhibit as much in eliminating the Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers as in other games we have seen the Red Birds play.  We got the impression that the Cardinals were pacing themselves through this one, awaiting Saturday night's battle.  They made it 24 straight last night.  Not bad for a school with an enrollment of 14 boys and a business-man for a coach!

Even if that string snaps soon, everyone has had his money's worth.  That was a very impressive night when they needed 6 points at the end of last night's game.  Walnut Creek stepped up the pace and had those points in less than 2 minutes.