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")