50 - Strasburg Returns 68-52...Gnaden Out! (2-17-50)

The Strasburg Tigers, slamming back after being upset by the Bolivar Cardinals 53-50 in the 1st night of the tournament opener, smashed the Gnadenhutten Indians 68-52 in a Consolation Division game.  John Reiger (44), Tiger player, drives in for a shot, while his teammate Dick Froman (55), stands by.  Tribesmen in the photo are Ted Martin (3) and Paul Brick (4).

The 1950 Strasburg Tigers under the tutelage of 2nd-Year Head Coach Don Martin.  FRONT:  Tom Miller - Norman Couts - Dick Froman - John Rieger and John Jeandrevin.  MIDDLE:  Dale Renner - Don Gepfert - Jim Huffman - John Mizer and Dale Boyer.  BACK:  Bill Van Kaenel - Dick Rentsch - Jim Rieger - Jim Hougian and John Zeigler.

The 1950 Gnadenhutten Indians under 3rd-Year Head Coach Ray Blickensderfer.  1ST ROW:  Bob Wilbarger - Bob Blickensderfer and Walter Glauser.  2ND ROW:  Gary Struchen and Ralph Miller.  3RD ROW:  Howard Weston - Paul Kuhn and Ron Kohl.  4TH ROW:  Ted Lawver - Paul Brick - Dale Brick and Ted Martin.


DOVER - Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers (1-1) (16-5)) (75-20) was given a stiff battle by the Gnadenhutten Indians (0-2) (9-14) (43-37), but clinched the victory  68-52 in the final canto when they exploded with a 26-point splurge.  Sparked by Seniors forward Norman Couts, forward Don Gepfert and center Jim Huffman, the Tigers led 17-9 at the close of the 1st quarter and to all appearances, were on their way to an easy triumph.

However, in the 2nd period, Gnaden unleased a sweeping fast break and with Senior forward Ted Lawver, Sophomore forward Paul Brick and Senior center Dale Brick leading the surge, swept the Bengals off their feet and posted a 28-23 margin at halftime.  After a nip-and-tuck 3rd stanza which closed with Strasburg leading 42-41, the Tigers turned the contest into a rout in the final canto.

Junior guard Ron Kohl paced the losers with 15 points, while his teammates Paul Brick and Ted Lawver also hit double-figures following up with 14 and 10 markers.  Strasburg was led by Seniors center John Mizer and guard John Reiger who hit the hoops for 13 points each and Senior Don Gepfert layed in another 10 points.

During the season, the Strasburg Tigers whipped the Gnadenhutten Indians 87-61 in their only contest.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 68

Tom Miller F 2-2-6
Norman Couts F 4-1-9
Don Gepfert F 2-6-10
Jim Huffman C 3-0-6
John Mizer C 5-3-13
John Reiger G 6-1-13
Dick Froman G 3-3-9
Dale Renner G 1-0-2

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 52

Ted Lawver F 5-0-10
Paul Brick F 7-0-14
Dale Brick C 2-5-9
Ron Kohl G 7-1-15
Bob Blickensderfer G 0-1-1
Ted Martin G 0-2-2


Saturday, February 18, 1950
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Dundee Slams Baltic 68-26 (2-17-50)

DOVER - Head Coach Fritz Jacobs' Dundee Bulldogs (1-1) (22-41) had an easy time in rolling over the Baltic Eagles (0-2) (24-42) as Sophomore center Loris Hostetler and Senior forward Stan Immel meshed 12 points each to spark the winners in the 1st Consolation Division contest.

The Eagles shot to an 11-point 15-4 margin in the 1st quarter.  The Dundee offense never let up in the 2nd quarter as they improved their lead to 22 points pulverizing the Baltic defense by intermission 34-12.  The Dundee Reserves were on the court early in the 3rd stanza continuing the onslaught 50-17.  With the Eagles scoring another 18 points in the final canto and Baltic picking up 9 points, the game had really been wrapped up just after halftime and the Eagles were on their way home.

Sopomore guard Curt Beamer was the only other Bulldog to hit for double-figures, but all Dundee players hit the floor at one time or another.  The Baltic Eagles were lead by Sophomore Dean Huprich with 11 markers.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 68

Stan Immel F 5-2-12
Dick Kate F 1-2-4
Merlyn Immel F 3-3-9
Wayne Flynn F 1-1-3
Loris Hostetler C 6-0-12
George Sliffe C 1-1-3
Weldon Flynn G 2-1-5
Curt Beamer G 5-1-11
Louis Hostetler G 2-3-7
Ken Jones G 0-2-2
Dean Landis G 0-0-0

BALTIC EAGLES - 26

Sam Stauffer F 0-1-1
Dean Huprich F 5-1-11
Jim Syler C 0-3-3
Garland Burger G 1-4-6
John Torgler G 0-1-1
Wallace G 2-0-4


Saturday, February 18, 1950
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Right Down The Line

Friday, February 17, 1950
Dover, Ohio


WE DIDN'T SEE ANY PERFORMANCE at the County Tournament last night which forced us to change our pick of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates for The Daily Reporter winner's trophy.  The Midvale Blue Devils, League Champions, did not look too impressive in defeating a mediocre, small, Port Washington Purple Riders team.

This may have been because of the fact that they did not have to turn it on against the Purple Riders, but the Diablos failed to show as much polish as did the Pirates against the Dundee Bulldogs on opening night.  The Champions did turn in a neat defensive job, but the not so charging Riders did not have too much offensive power to halt the Blue Devils.

This is the Midvale Story...Senior 6-4 center Bob Sherrell and the Blue Devil zone defense.  The Corsairs have better overall balance.

THE STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS had it rough against Head Coach Ray Blickensderfer's fast-breaking Gnadenhutten Indians.  Head Coach Harold Newlon's Golden Panthers had difficulty handling the ball and finding the range in the 1st three quarters of play, but came back with just enough to squeak by in an overtime contest.

Bespectacled Senior guard Hal Ridenour turned in the night's best performance with 18 points.  Hal is the key man in the Stone Creek plan, offensively and defensively.  The Panther captain steadied the Creekers in the clutch and with the aid of the last canto shooting by Senior forwards Dick Krugler and Jim Pfeiffer, salvaged what had the appearance of another upset.

The Panthers will have their work cut out for them against the rampaging Bolivar Cardinals next week if the Red Birds get by the Mineral City Tigers on Saturday night.

LAST NIGHT'S ATTENDANCE OF 1, 300 nearly equaled that of Wednesday night and was on a par with that of one year ago at Dennison.  The overflow crowds are expected next week when the chips go down in the semi-finals.

50 - Midvale Halts Port 45-21 (2-16-50)

Harry Rennicker of the Midvale Blue Devils goes into the air to score for the Blue Devils who laced the Port Washington Purple Riders 45-21.  Bill Jones (7) and Hal West (4) of the Riders are unable to stop Rennicker's shot.

Head Coach Bill French's 1949-1950 edition of the Midvale Blue Devils who tripped-up the Bolivar Cardinals 53-44 to cop their 3rd consecutive Tuscarawas County Class B League title.  It was their 4th League title since the League began in 1925.  French has been at the Midvale helm for 3 years and during that time his teams have dropped but one League game.  FRONT:  Dick Tollotti - Bill Marshall - Kay Ford and George Wilson.  BACK:  Darrell Davis - Harry Rennicker - Bob Sherrell - Carl Pissocra - Rudy Ruffini and Don Graham.


DOVER - The Stone Creek Golden Panthers, hitting a near disastours lull in the 3rd stanza, were forced into overtime by the Gnadenhutten Indians Thursday night at Memorial Hall to notch their 1st triumph in the 28th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament as they eked-out Head Coach Ray Blickensderfer's Indians 63-61.

In the only other game on the schedule, Midvale's League Champion Blue Devils maintained their Championship flight by topping the Port Washington Purple Riders 45-21.

Head Coach Bill French's Midvale Blue Devils (1-0) (48-24) had little trouble dropping the Port Washington Purple Riders (1-1) (15-38) into the Consolation Division Tournament as Junior forward Harry Rennicker and Senior center Bob Sherrell, who was benched midway in the 2nd quarter after he drew his 4th personal, paced the County League Champions with 15 and 14 markers, respectively.

The Blue Devils posted a 1st quarter lead of 12-6 and sat on a 6 point margin.  The Diablos offense picked up another 9 points, while the Purple Riders stayed with them by scoring 7 points and they ended the 2nd quarter at 21-13.  In the 3rd stanza, Midvale's defense held the Porters to but 1 point pretty much wrapping up the game at 31-14.  The Midvale Reserves never let up, scoring 14 points in the last canto, to tuck-away the win.

Port Washington's Senior guards Bob Frank and Bob Jones lead the Purple Riders attack with 6 points each.  The Midvale defense stopped Port's Senior forward Hal Weber to 1 point, Junior center Bill Jones to 3 points and Senior guard Bob Jones to 6 points after they scored 19, 15, and 13 against Baltic in the opening tournament contest.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 45

Harry Rennicker F 6-3-15
Rudy Ruffini F 0-0-0
Kay Ford F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 5-4-14
Carl Pissocra G 3-0-6
George Wilson G 1-1-3
Darrell Davis G 3-1-7

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 21

Hal Weber F 0-1-1
Hal West F 1-1-3
Bill Jones C 0-3-3
Bob Frank G 2-2-6
Bob Jones G 1-4-6
Allen Corbett G 1-0-2


Friday, February 17, 1950
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Stone Creek Squeaks-Past Gnaden 63-61 (2-16-50)

The Stone Creek Golden Panthers defeated the Gnadenhutten Indians 63-61 in an overtime game at Memorial Hall last night in the 2nd round of the Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament.  One of the chief factors in the Panthers win was Harold Ridenour (4), a steady guard whose ball handling and marksmanship kept the Creekers in the game.  He is pictured bringing the ball into scoring territory, while teammate Dean Heid (11) and Tribesmen Dale Brick (8) and Paul Brick (4) look on.

The 1950 Stone Creek Golden Panthers Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Dick Kugler - Hal Ridenour - Jim Pfriffer and Gene McPherson.  BACK:  Willis Ridenour - Gary Grimm - Jerry Gasser - Dean Heid - Jerry Brown and Paul Heid.

The 1950 Gnadenhutten Indians Cheerleaders:  Junior Sue Roche - Senior Betty Rankin and Junior Melba Brick.


DOVER - Head Coach Ken Newlon's Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1-0) (15-32), winners over the highly touted Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates in League play, were nearly dumped from the running as the Gnadenhutten Indians (0-1) (43-36), trailing 13-9 at the close of the initial round forged a 26-25 lead at the half and were leading 57-55 with only seconds remaining.  But, the Golden Panthers' Senior guard Hal Ridenour netted a drive-in shot to knot the count at 57-57 as the regulation contest ended.

Senior guard Gene McPherson, one of the county's best marksmen, put the winners in front as he rimmed the 1st field goal in the extra period, but the Tribe lashed back to take a 61-59 lead on a basket by Junior center Bob Blickensderfer and a pair of free throws by Senior guard Walter Glauser.  Senior forward Dick Kugler paired the margin to 61-60 on a free throw and then cashed a shot from close in to give the Panthers a one-point margin with only seconds remaining.  Ridenour, who paced the Newlonmen with 18 points and also turned in an outstanding floor game, added the final point from the charity line.

With Ridenour and McPherson paving the way, the Creekers held a slim margin during the 1st quarter, but the Tribe, combining a fast break with some fancy set shooting by Sophomore guard Jerry (Ted) Martin, fought an up-hill battle that resulted in a one-point lead at the half.

It was Kugler who kept the winners in the game during the 3rd stanza.  The clever Panther forward, who can jump with the best, netted 9 points in that frame as the Indians' fastbreak and rugged rebounding gave them a 46-40 margin going into the final quarter.

Ridenour of Stone Creek led all scorers with 18 points.  His teammates, Kugler netted 16, McPherson 15 and Senior forward Jim Pfeiffer 10.  Senior forward Chamlmers (Ted) Lawver paced Gnaden with 14 points with Martin, Ron Kohl and Dale Brick following up with 12, 11 and 11 markers, respectively.

During the one and only contest between these 2 teams this season, Gnadenhutten won 59-56.

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 63

Jim Pfeiffer F 4-2-10
Dick Kugler F 6-4-16
Dean Heid C 1-0-2
Jerry Gasser C 1-0-2
Hal Ridenour G 5-8-18
Gene McPherson G 6-3-15

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 61

Paul Brick F 3-1-7
Chalmers (Ted) Lawver F 6-2-14
Dale Brick C 4-3-11
Bob Blickensderfer C 2-0-4
Ron Kohl G 3-5-11
Jerry (Ted) Martin G 6-0-12
Walter Glauser G 0-2-2
Ron Weston F 0-0-0


Friday, February 17, 1950
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Right Down The Line

Thursday, February 16, 1950
Dover, Ohio

HEAD COACH WARREN CRAIGO'S BOLIVAR CARDINALS were the toast of that northern Tuscarawas County village today.  For the 2nd consecutive year the Cardinals earned their glory the hard way...by defeating the favored MIGHTY STRASBURG TIGERS.

It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy than Coach Craigo or one that is more deserving of the break.  Last year the Cardinals were toppled in the tournament opener and then Craigo entered the hopital for an appendectomy.

Principal P.O. Cochran took over the reigns and the Red Birds blazed through to the Consolation finals.  Craigo came back in time to guide his team to one victory.  This year illness in the family forced him to leave the team for one game, but last night Head Coach Craigo was on the Bolivar bench when his boys achieved their biggest triumph.

The Cardinal victory completely changes the picture in that lower bracket.  In addition to the Red Birds, the Stone Creek Golden Panthers, Gnadenhutten Indians and Mineral City Tigers remain.  Stone Creek and Gnadenhutten meet tonight and Bolivar meets Mineral City on Saturday.

Strasburg had been the favored team in the bracket.  Now that the Tigers are gone the finger points at either Stone Creek or the Cardinals.  After watching that Red Bird performance last night, you wondered if they could be halted this side of the finals.

A large share of credit for the Bolivar victory goes to blonde Senior Ed Grossenbacher, the cool, rugged Cardinal forward.  Grossenbacher was magnificent.  Time after time it was his rebounding that saved a Red Bird lead.  Out in front, he was flawless.  Not far behind Grossenbacher were Seniors 6-3 center Maurice Lundenberger and guard Carl McFeeders as well as Junior forward Bill Willard.

With Lundenberger and Grossenbacher controlling the boards and Williard and McFeeders hitting in the clutches, Bolivar had by far the outstanding opening night performance.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITES still remains...Head Coach Gerald Straley's Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates.  The Corsairs looked very smooth and polished in whipping the Dundee Bulldogs 63-39.  That upper bracket, with the Buccaneers, Tuscarawas Broncos and Midvale Blue Devils remaining, will still produce the tournament winner...we believe.  With due respect for the defending Champion Blue Devils, we still like the Pirates.

HEAD COACH KEN NEWLON OF STONE CREEK was in the press box watching the opening night action...the Bolivar-Strasburg spectacle in particular.  Coach Newlon, when asked what he thought of his chances against Gnadenhutten tonight, remarked that he had never beaten the Indians in anything for the past 3 years.

IKE HOSTETLER, Sugarcreek-Shanesville's blazing guard, posted the night's high point total.  Ike had 26 points for the night's work.

ACCORDING TO FIGURES released by Tournament Manager W.E. Laws, a total of 754 paid to see last night's opening round.  This topped last year's paid total of 711 at Dennison.

50 - All-County Class A and B

ALL COUNTY CLASS A AND B.  The Daily Reporter Class A and Class B All-County Basketball Teams named with the help of an informal poll by the coaches.  Selections were made on the basis of season play and do not include tournament performances.

CLASS A - TOP ROW:

Bob France - Dover Tornadoes
Dave Leggett - New Philadelphia Quakers
Ed Woods - Dover Tornadoes
Harold Huffman - Newcomerstown Trojans
Ron Winrod - Uhrichsville Wildcats

CLASS B - BOTTOM ROW

Bob Sherrell - Midvale Blue Devils
Ike Hostetler - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates
Ed Reiger - Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers
Dick Froman - Strasburg Tigers
Charles Cummings - Dennison Railroaders


DOVER - All 4 of the Tuscarawas County Class A schools are represented on The Daily Reporter's 1st All-County Basketball Team, while 5 of the 14 Class B schools, including the 11 County League quintets and the 3 Independents:  Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers and Dennison Railroaders, gained berths on the 1st String.  The Daily Reporter's All-Star Team was chosen with the help of an informal poll of the county's coaches, both Class A and Class B.  In addition to the 1st five in each division, 7 other cagers were named as alternates.

Some of the alternates possess ability nearly on a par with the 1st Team, but gave way to slightly superior offensive performances in most cases.  Dover's great pivot man, Ed Woods and the Tornadoes' brilliant forward, Bob France, were named to 1st Team berths.  Dave Leggett, New Philadelphia's fine pivot man, was placed on the 1st String along with Uhrichsville's prolific scorer, Ron Winrod and Newcomerstown's rangy ace, Harold Huffman.

This 1st Team packs scoring punch, speed, defensive ability and basketball know-how.  It has height in Woods, Leggett, Winrod and Huffman, all towering over the six-foot mark.  The offensive play of Woods and France has carried the Tornadoes to a State rating and 6 consecutive victories.  Leggett is the county's leading Class A scorer and the only veteran from last year's defending, District Championship Squad.  Winrod is one of the finest marksmen in Uhrichsville's history and easily gained his place with the 1st String.  Huffman, a rugged 6-4 performer, has been a consistent point-maker all year for Newcomersotwn which has one of its best teams in years.

The Tornadoes Jake Lengler, Al Evans and Dick Teglo were named as alternates along with Bob Meese of New Philadelphia, Don Silverthorne of Newcomerstown, John Haugh of Uhrichsville and Darrell Beiter of Newcomerstown.  Lengler, but for the fact that he is a Sophomore, might easily have made the 1st Team.  His youth ruled him out in a close vote, but the Dover set shot artist will be around for 2 years yet.

Dover St. Joseph's big pivot man, Ed Reiger, gained a berth on the 1st Class B Team along with Strasburg's Dick Froman, Midvale's Bob Sherrell, Charles Cummings of Dennison and Ike Hostetler of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates.  This entire team is offensive minded.  Reiger has been a Rambler standout for 2 years as has Sherrell at Midvale and Cummings at Dennison.  Hostetler is one of the brightest stars of the Pirate attack this season, while Froman is the play-maker in the Strasburg offensive.

Glen Zimmerman of Sugarcreek-Shanesville, Dick Lindsay of Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves, Carl Pissocra of Midvale, Jim Huffman of Strasburg, Harold Ridenour and Jim Pfeiffer of the Stone Creek Golden Panthers and Maurice Lundenberger of the Bolivar Cardinals were named as alternates on the Class B Squad.  Their margin of defeat for 1st Team berths was narrow.


Thursday, February 16, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - BOLIVAR Upsets Strasburg! 53-50 (2-15-50)

Opening night at the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament at Memorial Hall produced one upset.  Charles Burkhart (26) of Bolivar drives in toward the basket as Bolivar spilled the favored Strasburg Tigers 53-50.  Tigers in the photo are Dick Froman (55), Don Gepfert (33) and John Mizer (88).


DOVER - The Bolivar Cardinals contest winging out of the depths of County League mediocrity Wednesday night at Memorial Hall to hand the Mighty Strasburg Tigers a shocking 53-50 defeat in one of the wildest upsets in the 28-year history of the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament.

Head Coach Gerald Straley's blazing Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, back on the victory trail again after a brief slump near the end of the season, laced the Dundee Bulldogs 63-39, while the Port Washington Purple Riders remained in the running with a 54-35 drubbing of the Baltic Eagles .

In one of the most thrilling games of the tournament's long history, 2nd-Year Head Coach Warren Craigo's Bolivar Cardinals (1-0) (10-12) (43-36) reached for the heights and succeeded in humbling 2nd-Year Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers (0-1) (15-5) (74-20), one of the tournament favorites.  While 1,400 roaring fans looked on amazed and unbelieving, the Red Birds methodically cut the Bengals down with their floormanship and accurate shooting.

The inspired Cardinals, fired by the brilliant play of Senior forward Ed Grossenbacher, Senior center Maurice Lundenberger, Senior guard Carl McFeeders and Junior forward Bill Willard, clung to a slender lead throughout most of the torrid battle.  With 2 minutes remaining; however, the Tigers forged a 48-43 margin and when most Card followers had given up, the black-shirted team surged back to tally 10 points and complete what will probably be the tournament's biggest upset.

Bolivar had defeated 1st-Year Head Coach L.R. (Rich) Bonvechio's Mineral City Tigers twice this season and should they turn the trick again they will collide with either the Gnadenhutten Indians or the Stone Creek Golden Panthers in the semi-finals of the lower bracket next Wednesday.  It was Lundenberger and Willard who combined with sparkling performances in those electrifying final minutes to decide the battle in favor of the Cardinals, who entered the fray with a mediocre 5-5 League record.

Lundenberger, who also turned in a brilliant defensive job against the Corsairs' rangy center, Senior Jim Huffman, fired the Red Bird's lethal last-ditch surge when he netted a field goal to cut the losers' margin to 48-45 with less than 2 minutes remaining.  Willard then came through to knot the count at 48-all on a freak tip-in shot, which saw him go tumbling backward to the floor and a free throw toss.  Six foot 3 Lundenberger finished the job by pouring in the Cardinal's last 5 points.

With the score tied 10 times during the game, both clubs battled on even terms until baskets by Willard, Junior guard Bob Burkhart, McFeeders and Lundenberger gave the Bolivar cagers a 24-20 lead at the half after a 12-12 tie in the very 1st quarter of play.  After a nip-and-tuck 3rd stanza, which finished in a 37-37 tie, the Bengals, using a tight man-to-man defense which briefly unbalanced the Cardinals' attack, forged in front 45-43 at the automatic timeout on a field goal by Strasburg's Senior guard John Rieger.

Going into the final minutes, baskets rimmed by Senior guards Dick Froman (field goal) and Don Gepfert (free throw) upped the Tiger margin to 48-43.  From there on in Lundenberger and Willard stole the show.  Senior forward Tom Miller netted Strasburg's final basket in the closing seconds.  McFeeders of Bolivar  and Gefert of Strasburg shared scoring honors with 14 points each, while Willard, Lundenberger and Grossenbacher of the Cardinals were close behind with 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 53

Bill Willard F 5-2-12
Ed Grossenbacher F 2-6-10
Maurice Lundenberger C 5-1-11
Junior Geers C 0-0-0
Carl McFeeders G 4-6-14
Bob Burkhart G 2-2-6

STRASBURG TIGERS - 50

Don Gepfert F 5-4-14
Tom Miller F 3-0-6
Jim Huffman C 3-0-6
John Mizer C 3-2-8
Norman Couts G 2-3-7
Dick Froman G 1-3-5
John Rieger G 2-0-4


Thursday, February 16, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Wallops Dundee 63-39 (2-15-50)

Ike Hostetler (12) of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates attempts a field goal as his team routed the Dundee Bulldogs 63-39.  Hostetler was high point man for the Pirates.  Also shown are Loris Hostetler (45), Wayne Flynn (53 and Stan Immel (54) of the Bulldogs.


DOVER - First-Year Head Coach Gerald Straley's Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-0) (53-30) figured to have trouble with 3rd-Year Head Coach Fritz F. Jacobs' stubborn Dundee Bulldogs (0-1) (21-41), but had the game under control from the opening whistle in their 63-39 victory.

Exhibiting superb passing and shooting ability, the Corsairs raced to a 19-3 first quarter lead and shattered any chance the Dogs had of making it close.  By the time intermission arrived, the Bucs held a 40-22 lead due to the deadly marksmanship of forward Ike Hostetler, Seniors forward Jim Knox and center Wayne Schrock who proved too much for the Dundee defenses.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville wrapped up the game in the third stanza scoring 12 points, while the Bulldogs tried to strike back scoring 8 markers...Pirates 52-30.  When the Buc Reserves took over in the 4th canto, the results nearly mirrored the 3rd period.

Sugarcreek-Shanesville's pressing man-to-man barrier halted all but Loris Hostetler who broke through for 19 points.  Ike Hostetler paced both teams with 26 points as he ranged under the nets to score 11 field goals on pivot shots and drive-in attempts, while also swishing the nets for 4 free throws.  His fellow Pirate teammates followed-up with Knox netting 15 and Schrock getting another 12 points.

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 63

Glen Zimmerman F 3-0-6
Dan Hostetler F 0-0-0
Jim Knox F 6-3-15
K.B. Miller F 0-0-0
Wayne Schrock C 5-2-12
Dale Rehard C 1-0-2
Ike Hostetler G 11-4-26
Voris Stingel G 0-0-0
Glenn Miller G 0-1-1
John Lanzer G 0-1-1

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 39

Stan Immel F 1-0-2
Wayne Flynn F 4-3-11
Loris Hostetler C 7-5-19
Louis Hostetler G 2-0-4
Merlyn Immel G 1-1-3
Curt Beamer G 0-0-0
Dean Landis G 0-0-0


Thursday, February 16, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Port Washington Whacks Baltic 54-35 (2-15-50)

DOVER - The Port Washington Purple Riders (1-0) (15-38) won the 1st game of the 28th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament by a score of 54-35 over the Baltic Eagles (0-1) (24-41) as 4th-Year Head Coach Bray Toot's Purple Riders had little difficulty in subduing the Eagles as Senior forward Harold Weber, Junior center Bill Jones and Senior guard  Bob Jones staged a 3-quarter scoring spree.

The Riders charged out of the gate with a 13-point scoring margin 15-2 to closeout the 1st quarter of play.  By the end of the 2nd quarter, the Eagles closed that margin by 2 points 24-13 and looking ahead to the 2nd half battle.  But, Port Washington came roaring back ending the 3rd stanza and staring at a 17-point lead 39-22 and more-or-less wrapping up the game as the Port Reserves began checking in during the 4th canto.  Baltic scored 13 points in the final quarter, but the Port Washington Reserves closed out the game by scoring 15 points.

Hal Weber lead all scoring with 19 points, while his teammates Bill Jones and Bob Jones added 15 and 13 markers of their own.  Sophomore forward Dean Huprich, Freshman forward Jim Syler and guard Wallace all were high for Baltic with 7 points each.

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 54

Hal Weber F 7-5-19
Hal West F 1-0-2
John Hursey F 0-0-0
Bill Jones C 6-3-15
Bob Frank G 1-1-3
Jim Gallion G 1-0-2
Bob Jones G 6-1-13
Allen Corbett G 0-0-0

BALTIC EAGLES - 35

Sam Stauffer F 1-0-2
Jim Syler F 2-3-7
Dean Huprich F 3-1-7
Fred Huprich C 0-0-0
Wallace G 2-3-7
John Torgler G 2-2-6
Garland Burger G 2-2-6
Carl Everhart F 0-0-0


Thursday, February 16, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  JERRY BAIRD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE

School Superintendent Jerry Baird of Port Washington High School and President of the Tuscarawas County Teachers Associatioin, is a Republican candidate for nomination as State Representative in the May primary.  Mr. Baird had been a teacher at Gnadentten High School just a few years earlier.

50 - Right Down The Line

Tuesday, February 14, 1950
Dover, Ohio


ELEVEN TUSCARAWAS COUNTY BASKETBALL TEAMS will drag their heavy artillery into line this week at Memorial Hall in an attempt to dislodge the Midvale Blue Devils as the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Champions.  Two, possibly 3, quintets stand more than an even chance of success.

Strictly on the basis of the League Record, Midvale might be established as the tournament favorite.  The Blue Devils won the title with a 9-1 mark, their only defeat coming at the hands of the Strasburg Tigers 40-31.  For reasons which are perhaps indefinite, we are going to depart from the League Record and name either the Strasburg Tigers or the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates as the winner of The Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy.

Second-Year Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers have been showing steady improvement and although they dropped their last 2 games to non-county teams like the West Lafayette Generals and Dalton, we have a hunch they will be hard to beat at Memorial Hall.  First-Year Head Coach Gerald Straley's Pirates, after a slight relapse near the end of the season, seemed to find it again last week when they thumped West Lafayette 90-54.  This game, even though a home county battle, may have been the tip-off on the Bucs.

West Lafayette defeated both Strasburg and Midvale and added the Class A Newcomerstown Trojans to their record.  The Pirates trounced the Generals soundly on their own floor.  This is the same Pirate team which was picked to win the League title.  Midvale surged back after a slow start and nosed the Bucs out of this spot, but the tournament is another story.  Both the Tigers and Pirates have offensive ability.  The defensive edge probably goes to the Tigers, but the Bucs apparently possess more offensive punch when they get their guns unlimbered.

The Bucs are in the upper bracket with Midvale and will have to settle the issue with the Blue Devils before reaching the finals.  The Tuscarawas Broncos are also in that bracket, but the Broncos do not figure to have enough over the route.  Strasburg is in a bracket with the Bolivar Cardinals, Stone Creek Golden Panthers and the Gnadenhutten Indians, all teams capable of pulling an upset.

Stone Creek, the county's top offensive team, might find themselves again in this tournament after faltering in the stretch drive 2 weeks ago.  If 2nd-Year Head Coach Ken Newlon's Panthers do stage a comeback, they could make it very interesting for any team in their bracket, including Strasburg.

Bolivar has a team which, if defeated in the winner's bracket, might go through in the Consolation Division.  One thing is nearly certain.  The tournament will not be a breeze for the top seeded teams.  There is enough power in the lower divisions to keep the favorites moving at top speed.  Close, hard-fought battles are a safe prediction.

MIDVALE, STRASBURG AND SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE each placed 2 men on an All-League Team picked by the County League coaches this week.  Bob Sherrell and Carl Pissocra of Midvale were given births as were Dick Froman and Jim Huffman of Strasburg and Ike Hostetler and Glen Zimmerman of Sugarcreek-Shanesville.  Others named to the All-Star combine included Dale Adams of Mineral City, Harold Ridenour of Stone Creek, Maurice Lundenberger of Bolivar and Bill Tharp of Tuscarawas.