50 - Midvale Forced Out 52-44 By Yorkville (3-9-50)

Junior Carl Pissocra, Blue Devils' guard (9), nets a shot after taking a rebound in the Yorkville Ductillities-Midvale Blue Devils District Tournament game at Steubenville Thursday night.  The Ductillities dethroned the defending District Champions 52-44.  Other players shown are Al Gaudio, who is trying to stop Pissocra's shot, Midvale's Harry Rennicker (12) and Yorkville's Artie Rungo (16).


STEUBENVILLE - The Midvale Blue Devils (5-1) (18-8) was excited, baffled and beaten, and in that order, last night at Steubenville's Class B District finals.  The Yorkville Ductillities (23-4) was the cause in every instance.  The result:  52-44.  Third-Year Head Coach Bill French's quint lost hope early for the District Championship clash on Saturday night with the Strasburg Tigers.  The Blue Devils were far more accurate in its shooting department.  The team just didn't get any shots.  The Ductillities put 3 men out front on the defense to press the return.

Senior center Bob Sherrell's pivot work could have done the trick...if he'd have gotten the ball.  But, he didn't.  Midvale was unnerved by the relentless press and threw the ball away with ease.  They were faster and Sherrill was the best rebound man on the court.  All Yorkville had was height...6-3 center Lou Fior...and its pressing defense, but it worked well enough to throw the countians and draw a shot at another county five.  Strasburg's aggressiveness and sliding zone defense will go against the Yorks Saturday night in the same Grant Gymnasiyn for the District Championship with the winner gaining a berth in next week's Regional Tournament at Youngstown.

From the moment Sherrell tipped the initial jump into the waiting hands of Junior guard Carl Pissocra and the Yorkville players bore down with an immediate man-to-man pressing defense, Midvale was fighting a defensive battle.  In that 1st, pitiful period, the smooth center had the ball under the bucket once, made a field goal and dropped in a free throw shot.  Senior guard Kay Ford sifted past for a field goal and another free throw.  That ended the scoring for Midvale.  The quarter rang down on 11-6...Yorkville.  The 2nd period was worse as the Blue Devils dribbled, passed and lost the ball...all down court...without getting a crack at the inside.  The Ductillites' attack was its defense.

Near the end of the 2nd quarter, Sherrell left the game with 4 personals.  He was not used again until midway in the 3rd stanza when Pissocra was tripped up by York's forward, Dick Lewis, who played with a hurt leg.  Midvale got its 1st real spark and the fans howled.  A sputtering revival and the Blue Devils pulled to within 8 points at the quarter mark.  Sherrell kept feeding to Junior forward Harry Rennicker, who ended the tilt with 15 points and the tally climbed to 39-33 before the automatic time out.  Tuscarawas County fans looked for another of those startling finishes.

But, the count stood 44-37 at the last intermission and Sherrell left the game via the personal route on the 1st play after the automatic.  Rungo broke through for the Orange Clads to make the score 46-38 following Wilson's free throw.  Pissocra looped one from the side court to bring Midvale to their closest margin, 5 points, at 46-41.

Another lay-up from forward Al Gaudio and the county attack fizzled, then died.  It was all a matter of waiting for the end after that.

Gaudio led all scorers with 19 points for Yorkville.  Midvale had 2 players in double-figures with Rennicker netting 15 and Sherrell nailing down 10 points.

YORKVILLE DUCTILLITES - 52

Al Gaudio F 8-3-19
Atsatis F 2-1-5
Lewis F 4-0-8
Hood C 2-1-5
Lou Fior C 0-3-3
Orban G 2-2-6
Kebey G 0-0-0
Artie Rungo G 2-2-6

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 44

Harry Rennicker F 4-7-15
Rudy Ruffini F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 4-2-10
George Wilson G 1-3-5
Kay Ford G 3-1-7
Carl Pissocra G 2-1-5
Darrell Davis G 0-2-2


Friday, March 10, 1950
Jim Gatten, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Right Down The Line

Thursday, March 9, 1950
Dover, Ohio


THEY DIDN'T GAIN STATE-WIDE RECOGNITION and they weren't photographed and lauded by big city sports writers, but the Strasburg Tigers (22-5) trotted out on the Steubenville High school basketball court last night and completely wrecked a team which had been mentioned several times as a State Tournament possibility.  That Strasburg story last night was a brilliant one.  It represented a lot of sweat and hard work by 2nd-Year Head Coach Don Martin and his proteges.  Never was a victory more deserved than that one.  Never was a victory more appreciated by the fans.

A Consolation Division winner in the county tournament after being upset by the Bolivar Cardinals (14-13) in the 1st round of play, the Tigers buckled down and came through the hard way.  Last night this hard work paid off.  It may pay off again before the tournaments come to a close.  Strasburg had a great ball club on Wednesday night.

Much credit for that sweeping victory over the unbeaten Scio Panthers (24-1) must go to  Coach Martin's "sliding zone" defense and a continuously pressing offense which never gave the fabled Panthers a second's rest.  The zone defense employed by the Tigers shifted incessantly, hurrying Scio's marksman so much that they were throwing the ball away before the game was over.

The Panther's storied All-County forward Bob (The Colonel) Hugh was great, but he was not great enough.  Strasburg permitted him 25 hard-earned points and simply outscored him.  Last night's performance deserves to rank with the best of them in the successful history of Strasburg basketball.

WE SAT ON THE STRASBURG BENCH last night and witnessed the demise of an unbeaten team.  (for some reason, T.W. Casky, District Tournament Manager, seemed to feel that Tuscarawas County newsmen were not accustomed to sitting down to do their writing and they had to request permission to use the Strasburg bench.  Two other county sports editors were not as fortunate...they stood up).

THE STRASBURG STRATEGIST, DON MARTIN "sweat" it out with his boys, but only once did he get excited.  Senior guard John Rieger fired a set shot at the nets and the ball bounced out, apparently because the net was caught on the rim of the basket.  Martin came to his feet and pointed the error out to officials Bill Jenkins and Valli Dirodis, but play continued without any thinking being done about the shot.  Jenkins said later he did not see the net.

REFEREE DIRODIS, a veteran official and a familiar face to Tuscarawas County fans, may not be able to finish the tournament.  His mother was stricken by a heart attack Tuesday night in Revenna and Valli indicated he didn't expect her to recover.

50 - Strasburg Upsets Unbeaten Scio 66-59 (3-8-50)

Senior Don Gepfert, Strasburg Tigers forward (33) blazes through the Scio Panthers defenses for a shot on Wednesday night as the Tigers upset the Powerhouse Panthers 66-59 in the Class B District Tournament at Steubenville.  The defeat tumbled the Cats from the State's unbeaten class and eliminated them from further tournament play.  Senior Jim Huffman (99), great Strasburg center, is also in on the play as are Scio's scoring ace, forward Bob Hugh (24), center Jerry Thompson (31) and guard Gordon Bower (30).  PHOTO BY THE DAILY REPORTER PHOTOGRAPHER RALPH MCKEE.


STEUBENVILLE - The Strasburg Tigers (7-1) (22-5), an outsider when the Class B District basketball parings were announced last Sunday, came snarling out in their role as underdogs on Wednesday night in the Big Red gym at Steubenville to mount a mighty offensive which toppled the unbeaten Scio Panthers (24-1) 66-59 and landed the Tigers a berth in the finals Saturday night.  It was a brilliant victory for 2nd-Year Head Coach Don Martin and his Bengals.  It ended a 24-game Panthers' hopes of a State title crashing to the floor together with the myth of invincibility which has surrounded the Harrison countians this year.

Strasburg will collide with the winner of tonight's Midvale Blue Devils-Yorkville Ductillites game in the District Tournament finals Saturday night at 7:45PM.  The District winner will advance to the Youngstown Regional Tournament next week.  So decisive was the Strasburg triump last night, so thoroughly did the sleek Tigers dominate play that Scio was only able to forge 2 leads, both in the 3rd stanza.

It was a team victory for Strasburg, but the brilliance of Seniors, guard John Reiger, center Jim Huffman and guard Dick Froman, stood out a little above the rest.  Scio, possessing a tremendous height advantage, was unable to employ this advantage as the Tiger's sliding zone defenses kept the Panthers' fast break throttled down in the scoring zones.

All-Ohio Bob (The Colonel) Hugh, the 6-3 forward and Gordon Bower, 6-2 guard, posted 45 points between them, but were no match for the marksmanship of Huffman, Reiger, Froman, Senior forward Norman Couts and Gepfert.

Strasburg grabbed a 5-0 lead in the 1st quarter before the amazed Panthers could notch their 1st point.  Pressing this advantage, the Tigers moving the ball rapidly, riddled the Scio defenses and rolled up a 20-13 first period lead.

Huffman, a great pivot man last night, poured in 9 points as he ranged under the Strasburg nets.  Couts and Froman, set shooting from the front and side, added further to Scio's confusion.  The Panthers, a great team even though beaten, rallied in the 2nd period to pull even at 26-26 on a fast break shot by forward Lowell Bandy near the end of the 2nd quarter.  A set shot from the side by Froman placed the lead back in the Tigers hands 28-26 as the half ended.

In the 3rd quarter, Scio made its greatest bid for victory, but failed as Strasburg, brilliant when the chips were down, fought off the threat and held its lead.  Midway in the 3rd period, Scio took the lead for the 1st time in the game on a pivot shot by Bower 32-31.  For 3 minutes, the advantage swung back and forth until Reiger, with the score knotted 35-35, meshed a set shot from out front.  Bower matched this with a pivot shot, but Huffman sent the Tigers back into the lead to stay with a layup under the nets.

With Couts, Gepfert, Froman and Huffman unleashing an offensive which bewildered the Panthers, Strasburg nearly made a rout of the battle near the end of the 3rd stanza.  The cutting and driving of the Tigers produced a 51-41 lead as the last period opened.

It became apparent that Scio's string had ended before the 4th canto was 3 minutes old.  Couts, Huffman and Froman continued their deadly assault on the nets and a last ditch effort by Hugh and Bower only reduced the Strasburg margin, but never threatened to overhaul it.  Strasburg led 63-52 at the automatic timeout period and stalled a greater share of the last 3 minutes.

Huffman's 21 points led the Strasburg scoring, while Froman netted 15, Couts 11, and Gepfert and Reiger 8 each.  The losing Scio team was led by the one-two punch of Hugh and Bower with 25 and 20 points.

The victory was the 22nd in 27 starts for the Tigers this season.  Midvale's Blue Devils, Tuscarawas County Champions and the defending District kings, meet their 1st test tonight in the Steubenville Gymnasium.

Yorkville's Ductillites already hold one decision over Head Coach Bill French's quintet this year and will be gunning for a berth in the finals against Strasburg.  The Ductillites possess a slight height advantage over the Blue Devils.  The starting Yorkville forwards are both over the 6-foot mark.  Al Gaudio is 6-0 and Dick Lewis is 6-2.  Don Fior, at center, 6-3, while the guards, Vince Orban and Artie Runge, are 6-0 and 5-7.

A total of 475 tickets will be sold in Strasburg for the District finals Saturday night for 75 cents each.  Tickets were placed on sale today at Houglan's Drug Store, Garver Bros. and the high school building.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 66

Norman Couts F 4-3-11
Don Gepfert F 2-4-8
Jim Huffman C 10-1-21
John Reiger G 4-0-8
Dick Froman G 7-1-15
Tom Miller G 1-1-3

SCIO PANTHERS - 59

Bob Hugh 11-3-25
Lowell Bundy F 1-0-2
Tom McGinnis F 0-0-0
Hilbert F 2-1-5
Jerry Thompson C 1-0-2
Gordon Bower G 8-4-20
Floyd Bonnell G 2-1-5


Thursday, March 9, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Right Down The Line

Tuesday, March 7, 1950
Dover, Ohio


HEAD COACH DON MARTIN and his Strasburg Tigers get their big chance Wednesday night.  The Tigers will be the 25th team this year to attempt to derail the unbeaten Scio Panthers.  The 24 others have failed, some by the margin of only one.  The Dennison Railroaders were beaten twice by the Panthers...both times by one point.

The Bengals soundly trounced the Railroaders 64-44 in the Sectional Tournament last week.  This does not mean; however, that Strasburg is the District Tournament favorites.  It does mean, that, if the Tigers are clicking as they have in the recent past, they will give Scio a terrific battle.

All-Ohio forward Bob (The Colonel) Hugh is the key to the Panther system.  Teams which have slowed the high-scoring Hugh down have nearly been upset.  Should the Bengal defense, an elastic, well-organized barrier when it is right, shackle Hugh, Strasburg could ride into the Regional Tournament finals.

THE MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS also has it work cut out Thursday night against the Yorkville Ductillites, but the Blue Devils rate at least an even chance.  In an early season game on December 17th at Yorkville, the Ductillites decisioned Midvale 43-35, but since that time the Blue Devils have gone on to win the County League title and gained a berth in the District Tournament meet.

There is a definite possibility that Midvale and Strasburg will meet in the District finals on Saturday night.

50 - Midvale By A Point 39-38 Against St. Joseph (3-4-50)

The Ramblers attempt to upset the defending District Champion Midvale Blue Devils at Memorial Hall on Saturday night as Junior forward Joe "Whiz" Conidi (7), St. Joseph cager, takes a shot at the nets in a torrid qualifying contest.  The Blue Devils' Senior forward Kay Ford (10) and Senior center Bob Sherrell watch Conidi as does the Ramblers' Junior forward Lee Dues (3) and Senior guard Lou Contini (6).  Midvale was victorious 39-38.


DOVER - Two familiar Tuscarawas County names, the Midvale Blue Devils and Strasburg Tigers, were entered in the Class B District Basketball Tournament which opens at Steubenville Wednesday night and continues Thursday and Saturday nights.  The Tigers (21-5) opens District play at 7:45PM Wednesday when the Bengals collide with the unbeaten Scio Panthers (24-0), in Steubenville High School's Grant Gymnasium.  The Blue Devils (18-7) clashes with the Yorkville Ductillites (22-4) on Thursday at 7:45PM with the 2 winners meeting Saturday night in the District Tournament finals.  The District Champions will advance to the Youngstown Regional Tournament next week.

At the drawings, held Sunday in the Steubenville High School building, Head Coach Frank Samuel's Express (24-0) was given the 1st choice because of their spotless record.  The Panthers chose the No. 1 spot in the upper bracket and Midvale drew into the lower bracket against Yorkville.  All seats for the Steubenville District Tournament will sell for 75 cents and all will be reserved, T. W. Caskey, Tournament Manager stated.

Midvale, the defending District Champion, blazed into the District meet again this year with a gruelling 39-38 victory over Head Coach Jack Castignola's Dover St. Joseph Ramblers and Strasburg overpowered the Dennison Railroaders 64-44 in the qualifying rounds of the Dover Sectional played before 1,600 fans at Memorial Hall Saturday night.  Head Coach Bill French's Blue Devils have dominated the District Tournament picture for 2 consecutive years, winning the event both times.

Prior to that time, Strasburg enjoyed a 2-year reign as District Champions under the tutelage of Emmett Riley.  This year's Tiger quintet is coached by Don Martin and has been blasting a path through the tournaments following a setback at the hands of the Bolivar Cardinals in the county meet 3 weeks ago.  The Bengals won the Consolation Division spot in the county tournament, Midvale won the title.  Midvale earned a berth this year by squeezing out a 1-point victory over a determined and efficient Rambler machine at Memorial Hall in another one of the thrillers which have made the Dover Sectional tournament one of the best in years.

Fired up by Senior Ed Rieger, an All-County center, the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (10-10) battled the Champions on even terms throughout a torrid game and losing in the final 20 seconds of play when the Midvale Blue Devils (5-0) (18-7) whose Senior Bob Sherrell, 6-4 pivot man, pumped in a field goal which broke a 37-37 deadlock.  The Ramblers, who had defeated the Bolivar Cardinals, the Giant Killing Cinderella team on Friday night, still had one chance left in those last tense seconds.  Reiger was fouled going under the nets and missed the toss and what would have been the tying point as little Sophomore forward Sam Mascotti dropped a free throw shot through with 10 seconds remaining.

The Ramblers took the ball out of bounds after the foul had been made, drove in under their nets, but missed 2 shots at the hoop as the game ended.  St. Joseph had another unfortunate break when the score was deadlocked at 37-37.  Reiger broke out in front of the Rambler basket and rimmed a field goal, but Referee Nick Frascella called the brilliant pivot man for traveling, erasing the tally.

The 2 teams battled through 4 action-packed quarters with never more than 6 points separating them.  The Saints forged the longest lead of the game, a 25-19 margin midway in the 3rd stanza, on baskets by Mascotti, Junior forward Lee Dues and Reiger, who scored twice from the pivot slot.  Sherrell, Senior forward Kay Ford and Junior guard Carl Pissocra; however, closed the gap and the count was tied 31-31 going into the last canto.

That last period was a battle between Reiger and Sherrell with Reiger collecting 5 points and Sherrell six.  Mascotti and Ford each added 2 points from the free throw line, but it was Sherrell's filed goal in those last seconds which broke the back of a great Rambler effort.

Sherrell collected 20 points in his effort outscoring Reiger who netted 16.  Dover St. Joseph employed a rushing game which nearly unhinged the Midvale attack, but were unable to halt Sherrell when the chips were down.  Midvale and the Strasburg Tigers move on to the District Tournament.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 39

Harry Rennicker F 2-1-5
Kay Ford F 1-3-5
Darrel Davis F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 8-4-20
George Wilson G 1-1-3
Carl Pissocra G 2-2-6
Rudy Ruffini F 0-0-0

DOVER ST. JOSEPH RAMBLERS - 38

Sam Mascotti F 2-3-7
Bob Contini F 0-0-0
Joe Conidi F 1-4-6
Lee Dues F 2-1-5
Ed Reiger C 7-2-16
Tom Lawless C 1-0-2
Ed Streb G 0-0-0
Lou Contini G 0-0-0
Ross Rodinella G 0-2-2


Monday, March 6, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  HIGHLIGHTS FROM "RIGHT DOWN THE LINE" WITH REX RIDENOUR

HEAD COACH JACK CASTIGRIOLA will not have to apologize for that performance his Dover St. Joseph Ramblers turned in against the Midvale Blue Devils on Saturday night.  With a break or two in the right place, the Saints would have halted The Blue Devils.  This year's team was a good quintet, one of the best that school has had, a team which battled it's heart out against Midvale only to see victory taken away in the final seconds.

THE MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS, on the other hand, has won 3 tournament games by the margin of one or 2 points.  The Blue Devils edged the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates in the fading seconds of a blazing battle and repeated the process against the Berlin Blue Jays.  Then, Saturday night, Dover St. Joseph.  Head Coach Bill French has instilled 2 things into a team which lost 3 bright stars last year...hustle and courage.  Midvale keeps trying until the final buzzer and it has paid off, so far.

THE BOLIVAR CARDINALS' GREAT PLAY-MAKER, Senior guard Carl McFeeders, played against the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers last Friday night with an ankle swollen so badly he could hardly stand the pain.  This was in keeping; however, with the Giant Killing Cinderella Story enacted by the Cardinals throughout the county and Sectional tournaments.  Another team with drive and courage, a team which knew it had to stop sometime, but was unwilling to do so without a terrific battle.

50 - Strasburg Rips Dennison 64-44 (3-4-50)

Senior Guard John Reiger of the Strasburg Tigers (44) drives in toward the Tigers basket to score a field goal Saturday night at Memorial Hall in the qualifying round of the Class B Sectional Tournament as the Bengals whipped the Dennison Railroaders 64-44 to gain a berth in the Steubenville District Tournament Wednesday against the Scio Panthers.  Forward Dick Polen (27) and Guard Dick Rizor (28) of Dennison fail to halt Reiger.


DOVER - After holding a 15-11 first quarter lead and a 29-24 halftime margin the Strasburg Tigers (6-1) (21-5) unleased an offensive which completely overwhelmed a highly regarded Dennison Railroaders team (11-9).  With Senior forward Don Gepfert and Senior center Jim Huffman leading the way, the Cats raced to a 46-32 third stanza margin and all but cinched the decision.  Huffman poured in 4 pivot shots in the 4th canto and the Railroaders' drive faded out.

Strasburg used a tight zone defense which successfully bottled up Chuck Cummings, Dennison center.  Senior Guard Ross Fausto's set shooting over the Tigers zone netted the little Railroader 6 field goals, but this was not enough to match the blazing Bengal offensive.  Four Strasburg players scored in double figures:  Huffman, Gepfert, Reiger and Senior forward Norman Couts hitting 15, 12, 12, and 11, respectively.  Fausto was lead his team with 19 points, while his teammate Cummings layed in 14 in a losing cause.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 64

Nortman Couts F 5-1-11
Tom Miller F 0-0-0
John Jeandrevin F 0-0-0
Don Gepfert F 4-4-12
John Mizer F 1-2-4
Jim Huffman C 6-3-15
Jim Reiger C 1-1-3
John Reiger G 5-2-12
Dick Froman G 2-1-5
Dale Bayer G 1-0-2

DENNISON RAILROADERS - 44

Lee Custer F 1-0-2
Don Sudduth F 0-0-0
Ed Wagstaff F 0-0-0
Dick Polen F 1-0-2
Bill Barth F 0-2-2
chuck Cummings C 6-2-14
Ross Fausto G 6-7-19
Will Hill G 0-1-1
Dick Rizor G 1-1-3
Allensworth G 1-1-3


Monday, March 6, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - The Bolivar Giant Killers Fall To The Ramblers Of St Joseph's 57-52 (3-3-50)

Forward Sam Mascotti of the Ramblers breaks into the clear for a push shot in the Dover St. Joseph's-Bolivar battle in Memorial Hall last night.  Teammate center Ed Rieger (11) gets set for a rebound.


DOVER - The Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers and Dennison's Railroaders roared down the Sectional Class B Tournament track to land berths in the qualifying round tonight that could explode them right into the middle of the District Tournament next week at Steubenville.  Head Coach Jack Castigriola's white-clad Ramblers clipped the high-flying Cardinals 57-52 in the finals, while Head Coach John Harmon's steaming Railroad crew (11-8) defeated the Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves (11-9) 54-42.

Tonight's qualifying battles will pit Dennison against the Strasburg Tigers at 7:30PM and Midvale's Champion Blue Devils against Dover St. Joseph's at 8:30PM.

The Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers (10-9) making their 1st appearance in this year's tournament warfare, led the Bolivar Cardinals (4-2) (14-13) by a slim margin most of the game and forged their biggest lead immediately following the automatic timeout period when center Ed Rieger whipped in a hook shot to push the count to 54-43.  With the game apparently chalked up in the victory column and Reiger on the bench after drawing his 5th personal midway in the 3rd stanza, St. Joseph's nearly gave a repeat performance of the fate that sent the Berlin Blue Jays into the vanquished ranks on Thursday night.

The Red Birds' hard-working, rugged Junior guard, Bob Burhart, pumped in a shot from the center circle.  Teammatte Ed Grossenbacher followed with a free throw and a shot from the side to whittle the deficit to 54-48.  The Ramblers' Bob Conidi then added a free throw toss, but with time running out, Bolivar's Senior guard Carl McFeeders came back with 2 free throws and a drive-in shot to put the Cardinals within striking distance.  But, that was all.

With whiz Conidi firing the Rambler offensive and playing a bang-up game on defense, the Ramblers forged an 11-6 first quarter margin and methodically increased their total in the 2nd round to lead 23-20 at the half.  After watching Bolivar pump 6 successive points early in the 3rd stanza on baskets by McFeeders, Junior forward Bill Willard and Burhart, the Ramblers' forward Sam Mascotti meshed a drive-in shot to put the Blue and Gold in front to stay.

It was the tight aggressive zone defense of the St. Joseph's combine and periodic sloppy ball-handling at crucial moments that spelled doom for the Cardinals.  It was 6-3 Maurice Lundenberger who kept the Red Birds of Head Coach Warren Craigo in the game with his sharp rebounding and hard-to-stop hook shot, which netted him 12 points.

Conidi, who turned in his best performance of the year, whipped the cords for 23 points, while his mate, Reiger, was next with 12 markers.  Lundenberger led the charge for Bolivar with 12 points and Burkhart contributed another 11 markers.

DOVER ST. JOSEPH'S RAMBLERS - 57

Bob Conidi F 11-1-23
Sam Mascotti F 3-2-8
L. Contini F 3-2-8
Ed Rieger C 6-0-12
B. Contini G 0-1-1
Strab G 1-1-3
Rodinella G 1-0-2

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 52

Bill Willard F 4-1-9
Ed Grossenbacher F 2-2-6
Junior Geers F 2-2-6
Maurice Lundenberger C 4-4-12
Carl McFeeders G 2-4-8
Bob Burkhart G 5-1-11


Saturday, March 4, 1950
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  DISTRICT TOURNAMENT DRAWINGS

Drawings for the Class B District Tournament in Steubenville will be held Sunday afternoon in that city.  The tournament will be played on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights in the Grant Gymnasium.  Four teams, 2 from the Dover Sectional Tournament, one from the Powhatan Point Sectional Tournament and another from the Steubenville Sectional Tournament, will participate.  Officials will be Jim Galbraith of Jewett and Valley Dirodis of Akron.  All seats will be RESERVED and will sell for 75 cents.

50 - Right Down The Line

Friday, March 3, 1950
Dover, Ohio


TUSCARAWAS COUNTY is certain to have 2 Class B teams in the District Tournament at Steubenville  next week.  Last night's thrill-packed session of the Dover Sectional decided that much, at least, even if it did not definitely establish the supremacy of county quintets.

Three teams now remain in the upper bracket, 3 in the lower.  In the top bracket, the Dennison Railroaders, Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves and the Strasburg Tigers are still in the running, while the county has a clean sweep in the lower bracket in the Midvale Blue Devils, Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers and the Bolivar Cardinals.  Top performance of the tournament to date was given by Head Coach Wilbur Yoder's Berlin Blue Jays last night.  For 3 quarters the Holmes County quintet mastered the Midvale Blue Devils and just when it seemed a new District Champion would be needed, the Tuscarawas countians staged that blistering rally.

What happened to Berlin in that last 3 minutes is not quite clear.  Perhaps they started coasting too soon, forgetting the fact that they were playing a team that specialized in last ditch stands.  Regardless of which team you feel should have won, you cannot deny Midvale its courage and fight.  The Blue Devils didn't quit.  That type of drive might carry them further along the tournament trail than was first thought.

Twice now, the Diablos have met and defeated a team with more polish and class.  Berlin was, without doubt, even more polished and sparkling than the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates.  Yet the Blue Jays let a victory slip away in the fading seconds as the Bucs did.  What the story might have been had captain Wayne Yoder, Berlin's top passer and key floor man, not been in bed with the mumps will never be known.  Head Coach Bill French; however, can be justly proud of his Midvale cagers today.  They were tottering on the brink of disaster again last night and again they steadied and will play yet another day.

EXCITEMENT RAN HIGH in that Midvale-Berlin battle and so did the temper of the fans.  Referee Vally Dirodis had to warn someone on the sidelines several times not to use the type of language he was using.  Dirodis and Nick Frascella, both veteran officials, did not draw much abuse from the fans, however.  The reason...they call a fair, well-worked game.  There were some boos from the gallery several times, but most of this resulted from over excited fans who were not outraged with the decision as much as they were dismayed at the turn of events.

HEAD COACH JACK CASTIGRIOLA of the Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers can sympathize with Head Coach Wilbur Yoder of Berlin.  Castigriola had a star down with the mumps.  Center Ed Reiger was the victim and although he is scheduled to start against the Bolivar Cinderella Cardinals tonight, his tenure is uncertain.

If Head Coach Warren Craigo's Red Birds maintain their present pace, the Ramblers will need all they have to notch a victory.

50 - Midvale Survives Berlin Attack 55-54 (3-2-50)

A Midvale cager drives in toward the Blue Devils goal last night at Memorial Hall where the defending District Champions edged the Berlin Blue Jays 55-54 in a thriller.  Berlin players on the defensive are center Gene Oswald (28), 6 foot guard Art Rottman (22) and guard Gene Yoder (23).  The Diablos will collide with the winner of the Dover St. Joseph's and Bolivar Cardinals game on Saturday night in the lower bracket qualifying round.


DOVER - The Midvale Blue Devils and Strasburg Tigers, 2 Tuscarawas County represenatives advanced into the Saturday qualifying round of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall Thursday night.  But, both teams had to come from behind to win stirring battles which had a crowd of 1,300 on its feet and roaring in the final minutes.  Midvale's deliberate Blue Devils, defending District Champions, edged a great Berlin team 55-54 in the final 5 seconds of play and Strasburg rallied to defeat a smooth working Malvern Green Hornet quintet 47-41.

In tonight's round, the Dennison Railroaders and Dennison St. Mary's Blue Waves collide in the upper bracket at 7:30PM and the Dover St. Joseph's Ramblers clash with the Bolivar Cardinals Cinderella team at 8:30PM in a lower bracket battle.  The winner of the Dennison-Dennison St. Mary's contest will meet Strasburg  in the qualifying round Saturday night and the winner of the St. Joseph's-Bolivar game will take on Midvale in a lower bracket qualifier.  Both Saturday winners will advance to the District meet in Steubenville next week.

Tonight's games promises to be as torrid as last night's thrillers since Bolivar, a big surprise on the tournament trail, will be seeking to avenge a former defeat at the hands of St. Joseph's and Dennison and St. Mary's will settle an inter-city feud.

Anything that happens tonight; however, will be anti-climatic to that Midvale-Berlin story-book finish last night.  Head Coach Wilbur Yoder's Berlin Blue Jays (15-9), Holmes County Champions and conquerors of the Walnut Creek Cardinals, entered the classic battle as underdog to the Champion Midvale Blue Devils (4-0) (17-7).

The Blue Jays, brilliantly clad in their uniforms and exhibiting an offense as flashy as their attire, dumbfounded the odds-makers as they played the Champion Blue Devils off their feet in the 1st three quarters and held a lead at the close of each one of the 1st three periods.  Deep in the final canto; however, Midvale, their backers silently pleading for a rally, launched a last-ditch drive for which Head Coach Bill French's teams have become famous.

Berlin was out in front 51-43 and already attempting to coast when the lightning struck just after the automatic timeout period.  When play was resumed, Senior center Bob Sherrell, 6-4 Blue Devil pivot man, scored from  the free throw line to make it 51-44 and forward Dwight Voltz of Belin matched this point, making it 52-44.

Before any more scoring was possible, Sherrell left the game via the personal foul route and Midvale fans all but gave up.  Not the Blue Devils, however.  Junior forward Harry Rennicker, who had watched most of the game from the bench after the 1st quarter, came in and fired an attack which may not be equalled for some time at Memorial Hall.

Twice Rennicker drove down under the Midvale boards through a relaxed Blue Jays' defense and twice he scored on layups to make the count 52-48.  He tallied 2 points from the free throw line and the Blue Devils were down 2-points with the seconds ticking away and the fans on their feet screaming.

It was Rennicker again who sent the stands in complete uproar with another layup shot which knotted the score at 52-52.  Berlin revived its hopes for a second as guard Gene Yoder sent the Blue Jays back into the lead with a field goal 54-52, but Rennicker, playing the greatest game of his scholastic career, tied it up 54-54 for the 2nd time on a fast break shot.

It remained for Junior guard Carl Pissocra to put the clincher in with a free throw that fell through the nets with just 5 seconds left 55-54.  Midvale took the ball out of bounds and stalled successfully; although, Berlin raged through and grabbed the ball twice, missing both attempts at the nets.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Blue Devils' fans, restrained on the sidelines in those last breathless seconds, came pouring out onto the court to stage one of the wildest celebrations seen at Memorial Hall this year.

The smooth-working, sharp passing Berlin Blue Jays, handicapped by the illness of their captain, Wayne Yoder, home in bed with the mumps, controlled the battle all through the 1st three quarters.  They riddled the Midvale zone defense with the side court shooting of Dwight Voltz, Oswald and Gene Yoder, 3 fine performers.  Forward Orlin Voltz further added to the Blue Devil defensive problems as he hooked in 8 field goals cutting across the keyhole in front of the Diablo defenses.

Midvale trailed 12-10 at the close of the 1st quarter and 32-25 at intermission.  They were down 8 points, 47-38, going into the payoff period.  Sherrell poured in 21 points for the Blue Devils, 9 of them coming from the free throw line.  Rennicker's game breaking effort in the final quarter brought his total to 16 points.  Pissocra also hit double-figures with 15 markers, all for Midvale.  Dwight Voltz and Gene Oswald each had 10 points for the losing Berlin team, while Orlin Voltz was high for the team with 16 markers.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 55

Harry Rennicker F 7-2-16
Rudy Ruffini F 1-0-2
Kay Ford F 0-0-0
Bob Sherrell C 6-9-21
Carl Pissocra G 6-3-15
George Wilson G 0-1-1
Darrel Davis G 0-0-0

BERLIN BLUE JAYS - 54

Wayne Engel F 1-2-4
Orlin Voltz F 8-0-16
Dwight Voltz F 2-6-10
Gene Oswald C 3-4-10
Art Rottman G 2-1-5
Gene Yoder G 4-1-9


Friday, March 3, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Strasburg 47-41 In 4th Canto Surge Over Malvern (3-2-50)

Senior Forward Norman Couts (22) of the Strasburg Tigers sparks a Tigers rally which produced a hard-earned 47-41 victory over the Malvern Green Hornets in the Class B Sectional Tournament contest at Memorial Hall last night.  Couts' 11 points aided the Bengals in overcoming a Green Hornet lead.  The Hornets around Couts are center Joe Musteric (99) and guard Chuck Crawford (11).


DOVER - Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers (5-1) (20-5) trailed the Malvern Green Hornets (14-7) for nearly 3 quarters before finally overhauling them at the close of the 3rd stanza.  The Carroll County Champions, using a very effective zone defense, completely shackled the Tigers in the 1st half and held a lead of 24-14 going into the 3rd stanza.

The Tuscarawas County Consolation Division winner could not solve the defenses thrown up by the green-shirted Hornets and were forced to fire from outside.  The effort was unsuccessful in the 1st half with quarter leads by Malvern of 11-8 and 24-14.  With center Joe Musteric, forward Cyril Ebner and guard Joel Deckman keying the Green Hornets' methodical offense, the Hornets moved steadily over the Bengals.

Seniors forward Norman Couts and guard Dick Froman, plus a pressing defense thrown on Malvern play makers, proved the difference in the 2nd half.  Couts and Froman found the range from out front in the 3rd stanza and near the end of the quarter Froman sent Strasburg into their 1st lead of the game, 32-31 with a drive-in shot. Forward Jeff Miles of Malvern tied the score with a free throw, ending the 3rd quarter 32-32. With Froman and Couts again leading the way in the final canto, the Bengals clung to their slender lead to victory.

Froman's 13 points and Couts' 11 markers led Strasburg, while Deckman led Malvern with 15 points and his teammate Musteric followed that up with 12 points of his own.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 47

Tom Miller F 1-3-5
Norman Couts F 5-1-11
John Mizer F 2-1-5
Don Gepfert C 2-5-9
Jim Huffman C 1-0-2
John Rieger G 1-0-2
Dick Froman G 5-3-13

MALVERN GREEN HORNETS - 41

Cyril Ebner F 4-1-9
Crow F 0-0-0
Jeff Miles F 1-1-3
Joe Musteric C 4-4-12
Joel Deckman G 5-5-15
Chuck Crawford G 1-0-2


Friday, March 3, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio