51 - Dundee Falls To Dennison 59-52 (3-3-51)

The 1951 Dennison High School Railroaders Basektball Team.  The Railroaders will launch play in the Class B District Tournament at Memorial Hall tonight against the Belmont Eagles.  The Walnut Creek Powerhouse Cardinals also won a berth in the Sectional.  FRONT:  Bill Hilliker - Dave Allensworth - Bill Barth - Willard Hill - Rich Rizor and Rich Polen.  BACK:  Head Coach John Harmon - Bill King - Dave O'Hara - Don Sudduth - Carl Dudgeon and  Ed Wagstaff.

The Big Three of the Dundee High School's Bulldogs who staged a terrific battle on Saturday night at Memorial Hall before bowing to the Dennison Railroaders 55-52 in the Sectional Tournament.  Loris Hostetler, Dick Kate, 5-3 forward and one of the tournament stars and Louis Hostetler twin brother of Loris.  Both Hostetler twins will be back in the Dundee lineup next year.


DOVER - The Walnut Creek Fabulous Cardinals and the Dennison Railroaders entered the Class B Eastern District Tournament play at Memorial Hall Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of this week as a result of victories Saturday night in the qualifying round of the Sectional Tournament.  Dennison will collide with Belmont on Wednesday and Walnut Creek clashes with Springfield Township Thursday.  The Championship battle will be played in Dover Saturday night at Memorial Hall.

Walnut Creek rode into the District Tournament on the basis of an easy 81-59 victory over the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves for their 23th victory, while Dennison (was forced to hang on in the final minutes to win 55-52 over the Dundee "Cinderella Kids" who came within seconds of forging one of the year's biggest upsets with a magnificent display of courage and fire.  The Springfield Township Tigers (21-3) gained a berth in the District Tournament by defeating the Hopedale Comets Saturday night of Steubenville, while the Belmont Eag;es (24-3) earned a District ticket by turning back the Freeport Raiders 59-54.

Head Coach Joe Storaa's Tigers are Jefferson County Champions, while the Eagles, tutored by Harry Baurnan, copped the Belmont County Crown.  Walnut Creek's "Whiz Kids," who have now won 22 in a row and have a 23-1 season mark, won going-away over a scrappy St. Mary's quintet, but Dennison needed all of the breaks to subdue Dundee, a team with an unquenchable fighting spirit.

Head Coach John Harmon's Dennison Railroaders (15-4), with Senior center Bill Barth and Senior guard Rich Rizor leading the attack, broke fast in the 1st quarter of play and raced to a 10-1 lead before the Dundee Bulldogs (6-2) (17-11) could unleash their offense.  The Railroaders held a 16-4 quarter margin, but that was the last safe margin they could build up as the Dogs came surging back in the 2nd frame with a brilliant attack that had the 1,300 fans on their feet roaring.

With the Junior Hostetler twins, forward Louis and center Loris and Junior guard Merlyn Immel hitting, Dundee closed the gap to 25-19 at intermission.  Barth, who becomes ineligible on March 14th following the District Tournament, was held to one free throw shot in the 2nd quarter as the Steamroller's attack faltered before the pressing zone tactics employed by the Bulldogs.

The Dogs rapidly cut down the Dennison lead at the start of the 3rd stanza with the Hostetler twins and Immel doing the offensive honors.  It was 5 foot 3 inch Senior forward Dick Kate; however, who poured in the field goal midway in the period which put the Bulldogs out in front 27-26 for the last time.  Kate, a superb little fellow with a fighting heart bigger than he is, flashed in under the nets and stole the ball from the rangy Railroaders to make the shot which sent the Dogs out front.

The Transporters, with its height and Class A schedule during the regular season paying off, managed to forge a 37-36 margin at the far turn.  At the close of the quarter, disaster struck Dundee when Loris Hostetler was whistled off on personal fouls.

The Bulldogs, playing without their ace for the entire 4th canto, gave it a splendid try.  Midway in the last period, Louis Hostetler sent the Bulldogs out in front 45-44, but that was the last lead they could muster; although, Dennison could not build more than a 4-point margin.  With one minute left, the Railroaders held a 54-50 lead, but Immel whose driving was outstanding, closed it to 54-52 and the Bulldogs again had the Railmen against the wall.

With seconds left, the Dogs missed a chance to tie the score with a layup shot and Dennison was in.  Immel and Loris Hostetler split scoring honors for the Bulldogs with 12 points each, while Louis Hostetler bagged 11.  Forward Dave Allensworth hit 18 markers leading the winners as Barth dropped in 14 and Rizor 11 points respectively.

It was the end of the tournament trail for the Cinderella Kids who had upset the Midvale Blue Devils and Tuscarawas Broncos, County League Co-Champions, along the trail.  Only one man, Kate, is a Senior and the little Dundee play-maker went out in a burst of glory last Saturday night.

DENNISON RAILROADERS - 55

Dave Allensworth F 7-4-18
Carl Dudgeon F 0-0-0
Rich Polen F 1-0-2
Bill Barth C 5-4-14
Don Sudduth C 1-0-2
Willard Hill G 0-0-0
Bill Hilliker G 3-2-8
Rich Rizor G 4-3-11

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 52

Dick Kate F 2-1-5
Weldon Flynn F 2-2-6
Louis Hostetler F 4-3-11
Loris Hostetler C 5-2-12
Slemmer C 1-0-2
Curt Beamer G 1-2-4
Merlyn Immel G 5-2-12


Monday, March 5, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  RIGHT DOWN THE LINE HIGHLIGHTS

THERE MAY BE BETTER basketball teams in the State than the Dundee Bulldogs, but there isn't a team that can match its fighting heart.  Head Coach Ike Wiseman's Bulldogs didn't quite make the grade to the District Tournament, but they gave it a try few of the 1,300 fans who saw their battle with the Dennison Railroaders on Saturday night will ever forget.

Sports writers are supposed to be an impartial breed (few are), but you couldn't help but want that magnificent little team to win Saturday night.  You knew the odds were overwhelming, but as you watched the Dogs give it that final try, you weren't so sure they wouldn't make it.  Even after they lost Junior Loris Hostetler, their ace, in the 3rd stanza, Dundee kept driving.  Never once did they let up on those tall, experienced Railroaders.

And it nearly worked!  The Bulldogs didn't get one break in that game and yet they actually played Dennison off its feet.  For a school which has only 33 students in the upper 4 grades, the Dogs have to make apologies to no one.  The story isn't yet finished.  For Dundee there will be another year.  Only Senior Dick Kate, a 5-3 bundle of fire and drive, graduated this spring.

Of Kate, brother of Paul Kate, former Bulldog star...if there were more of him there wouldn't be a better performer in the State.  That kid rates tops in our book.

The Whiz Kids of Walnut Creek's Sensational Cardinals who annexed 5 berths in the Class B District Tournament at Memorial Hall Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of this week by eliminating the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves 81-59 last Sasturday night.  FRONT:  Ike Hostetler - Maurice Hershsberger - Jim Jaberg - Bob Troyer and Keith Miller.  BACK:  Head Coach John Ridley - Dick Troyer - Loyal Gerber - Bob Bahler - Ted Norrisberger and Ken Machan.

NOTE:  THE REST OF THE STORY

The Dennison Railoraders (14-5) lost a thriller in their 1st game in the District Tournament to the Belmont Eagles 75-74.

The Walnut Creek Cardinals (26-2) (shown above) beat the Springfield Township Tigers in the District Tournament 68-46 and then slammed the Belmont Eagles 83-59 for the District Tournament Championship.  At the Regional Tournament, The Cardinals (26-2) won their 1st game 56-41 against the Orange Lions (19-7) and then losts to the Waynesburg Mohawks (25-0) 52-48 in the Regional Tournament Championship game.

51 - Dundee Upsets Midvale 58-51 (3-2-51)

DOVER - The 3rd time was the charm on Friday night at Memorial Hall...and what a charm it was!  Defeated twice previously this year by the Midvale Blue Devils, the little Dundee Bulldogs which upset the Blue and Gold 58-51 befoe 900 fans to gain a berth in tonight's qualifying round of the Class B Sectional Tournament.

First-Year Head Coach Ike Wiseman's Bulldogs, the only County League team remaining on the tournament trail, will collide with the Dennison Railroaders (14-4) of Head Coach John Harmon at 8:30PM for a berth in the Eastern District meet next week at Memorial Hall.  The Dennison St. Mary Blue Wavers (10-10), which uncorked a story book finish last night to squeeze by the Millersburg Knights (6-16) 44-43 in the final seconds, will clash at 7:30PM with Walnut Creek's sensational Cardinals (22-1) for the other District berth.

Drawings for the District Tournament will be held on Sunday at 1PM in Helmkamp's Restaurant here.  Don Campbell, Head Coach at Dover High School, is Tournament Manager.

Paced by the brilliant play of the Hostetler twins and pint-sized Senior forward Dick Kate, Head Coach Ike Wiseman's Dundee Bulldogs, playing in the Sectional Tournament for the 1st time in many years, forged their triumph in the final canto after the Midvale Blue Devils lost its 4th starter on personal fouls.  With Juniors center Louis and forward Loris Hostetler providing the spark, the Bulldogs swept to a 17-14 lead, but fell behind in the 2nd frame when Loris drew his 3rd personal foul and was benched by Coach Wiseman until the 3rd stanza.

But the determined Dogs trailing 32-27 at the half, came surging back and forged in front to stay when Loris dumped in a 2-pointer shortly before the 3rd quarter buzzer. The picture began turning dark for the Blue Devils when their fiery forward, Senior forward Carl Pissocra, was whistled out of the game midway in this frame after collecting his 5th personal.

With the diminutive Kate and the Hostetler twins leading the final drive, Dundee pushed its margin to 53-49 with 2 minutes left and then iced the game after 3 more Blue Devils were ejected.  The Bulldogs lost Junior guard Merlyn Immel, Junior guard Curt Beamer and Kate via the personal foul route in the late stages, but the Diablos fire already had been squelched.

In addition to Pissocra, Midvale lost Senior center Harry Renincker, Senior guard Darrel Davis and Junior guard Bill Marshall.  The Hostetler cagers were twins in more ways than one last night.  Each collected 19 points to share scoring honors, each was charged with 3 personal fouls.  Rennicker, Sophomore forward Rich Tolotti and Marshall paced the Blue Devils with 14, 13 and 12 points respectively.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 58

Loris Hostetler F 6-7-19
Rich Fruchey F 0-0-0
Dick Kate F 4-1-9
Louis Hostetler C 7-5-19
Curt Beamer G 3-1-7
Merlyn Immel G 1-0-2
Weldon Flynn G 0-2-2
Slemmer G 0-0-0

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 51

Rich Tolotti F 6-1-13
Carl Pissocra F 2-4-8
Harry Rennicker C 5-4-14
Bill Marshall G 4-4-12
Darrel Davis G 0-0-0
Don Graham F 2-0-4
John De Mattio G 0-0-0
Karl Mackey G 0-0-0
Dale Malone G 0-0-0


Saturday, March 2, 1951
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1951

Walnut Creek vs Dennison St. Mary 7:30PM
Dundee vs Dennison 8:30PM

NOTE:  DAVE LEGGETT SETS NEW OHIO CLASS A SCORING MARK

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Scoring Ace Dave Leggett (shown above) of the New Philadelphia Quakers established a new Ohio Class A Scholastic scoring mark last night in the District Tournament in Steubenville as his team bowed to the Martins Ferry Purple Riders 58-44.  Leggett poured in 24 points to give him a total  of 642 for the season.  That would be 14 more points than the former record of 628 set by Alex Groza, oddly enough, of Martins Ferry.

51 - Right Down The Line

Sports Editor
Friday, March 2, 1951
Dover, Ohio


THERE WASN'T MUCH BALM for the Stasburg Tigers (3-1) (17-7) in that defeat at the hands of the Walnut Creek Cardinals (22-1) last night.  The Tuscarawas County Champions gave it a try, a fine, heart-warming effort, but a blonde kid who stands only 5-9 staged an exhibition that shut the door tight.

We mean Bob (Bobby) Troyer, the Cardinals' superlative guard.  Troyer is the best there is.  He made the 1,800 perspiring fans who jammed into the hall last night forget about the controversy over Ike Hostetler, another fine cager.  Perhaps in the confusion which has attended the transfer of Hostetler from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School to Walnut Creek, strategists forgot about Troyer's ability to crack a game wide open with that deadly set shot.

The Red Bird's home-grown kid, who has had many college offers, took over last night and that was that.  Troyer's sensational performance; however, did not detract from the play of the other Creeker regulars:  forward Hostetler, center Moe Hershberger, forward Keith Miller and guard Jim Jaberg.

That team packs power in every department.  They can go and they can take it away from you, both on the floor and under the boards.  They may not win the District title, but right now, there isn't anything else in sight that has quite what the glittering Cards possess.  Just for the record, Walnut Creek hit 5 of 18 field goal attempts in the 1st period, 10 of 19 in the 2nd, 9 of 16 in the 3rd and 6 of 14 in the final canto.  Strasburg's best quarter was the last when the Tigers made 8 of 16 shots from the field.  Troyer shot 20 times last night and made 14 of them.

Fans who were forced to stay outside last night for the Walnut Creek-Strasburg battle, there were 1,500 of them at various times and were able to "hear" the game, thanks to Tournament Manager Don Campbell.  A public address system was rigged up and beamed outside so the luckless fans who came out late would at least know what was going on.

Five top Strasburg cagers ended a brilliant career last night:  forward John Zeigler, guard Dale Bayer, forward Dale Renner, center Jim Reiger and guard Rich Rentsch are Seniors and closed there last game for the Tigers.  Even in defeat at the hands of a team which had them out-gunned and out-manned, the Bengal quintet need not feel badly for them it has been a show well played.

Head Coach Don Martin lost 6 varsity performers last year.  He came along slowly this year, but surely and picked up the tournament title and tied for the League Crown.  That's about all of the mileage you can expect from a team which opened the campaign without a single letterman.

NOTE:  SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE HEAD COACH RESIGNS

SUGARCREEK - Gerald Straley, basketball and baseball Head Coach of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School Pirates for the past 2 years, has handed in his resignation and requested to be relieved of his duties at the close of the present school year, it was revealed by Straley and school officials today.

Straley, who came to Sugarcreek-Shanesville in 1949 from Warsaw High School gave no reason for his resignation and did not reveal any future plans.

During the basketball season just ended, the Pirates under Straley's guidance won 11 and lost 10 games.  Straley figured briefly in the transfer of Richard (Ike) Hostetler from Sugarcreek to Walnut Creek High School in mid-season.   Stralely told newsmen that Hostetler did not tell him he was transferring.

A successor has not been named to replace Straley.  The Pirate coach yesterday revealed his house in Sugarcreek was up for sale.

51 - Walnut Creek Rips Strasburg 69-53 (3-1-51)

The photo story of the Walnut Creek Cardinals' smashing 69-53 victory over the Strasburg Tigers in the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall last night.  LEFT:  Bob Troyer, the Cardinals' great guard, drives in for a lay-up shot, while Junior guard Dale Bayer (66) of the Tigers fails to halt him.  CENTER:  Senior Ike Hosttler, brilliant Cardinals forward, goes in for a field goal attempt with Senior forward John Zeigler (20) of Strasburg trying to block the shot.  RIGHT:  Senior Dale Renner (44) Tiger stickout, drives toward the basket with Jim Jaberg (6) Walnut Creek guard, in on the play.


DOVER - The Walnut Creek glittering Cardinals blasted their way into the qualifying round of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall Thursday night before a turn-away crowd of 1,800 fans who watched the Holmes County Champions take control in the early stages and go on to humble the Strasburg Tigers 69-53.  Head Coach John Ridley's fabulous Cardinals, whose victory string has now reached 21 consecutive games, meets the winner of tonight's Millersburg Knights-Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves game in the final round Saturday night.

In lower bracket play, the Dennison Railroaders (14-4) captured a listless 54-34 decision from the Augusta Blue Devils (14-9), Carroll County Champions.  The Midvale Blue Devils (18-5) and Dundee Bulldogs (16-10), arch Tuscarawas County rivals, clash tonight in the lower bracket for the right to meet the Railroaders in the Saturday payoff round.  The Knights and Blue Waves meet at 7:30PM with Midvale, county Runner-up and Dundee, Consolation Division winner, coming on at 8:30PM.

Before the largest crowd ever to witness a Sectional Tournament game in Memorial Hall, The Walnut Creek Cardinals (22-1), paced brilliantly by blazing guard Bob Troyer, Senior forward Ike Hostetler and Moe Hershberger, completely overwhelmed the Tuscarawas County Champion Strasburg Tigers (3-1) (17-7).  The epic battle, billed as the feature of the tournament, drew a jam-packed crowd which started lining up outside the hall at 5:30PM.  A total of 1,500 were turned away from the doors before the Cardinals and Tigers unleased their seige guns in what may well have been one of the decisive battles of the Eastern District.

Troyer, an All-Ohio guard last year, was never more brilliant than he was last night.  The 5-9 Cardinal play-maker and "quarterback" completely riddled the Strasburg zone defense as he poured in 29 points with a deadly accurate set shot and a driving lay-up (as shown above), a combination the Bengals could not cope with at any time in the contest.

When Troyer was sent to the showers in the 4th canto with 5 personal fouls against him, he received a standing ovation from the packed house.  From the outset, it was clearly visible that Head Coach Don Martin's Tigers, whose terrific effort last week wrested the County Tournament from the Midvale Blue Devils, were going to be over-shadowed by the Creekers' smooth-passing and rugged rebounding.

In addition to this offensive patter, the Walnut Creek set up a tight defense which blockcaded the Bengal aces, Senior forward John Zeigler, Senior forward Dale Renner and Junior guard Dale Bayer.  The Cardinals  swung into a 2-2 zone with Troyer roving out in front deployed against Strasburg set shooting tactics.  Of the 3 Bengal stickouts, only Renner could achieve any success.  He tallied 23 points, 8 of them in the final period with 3 Red Bird regulars, including Troyer and Hostetler, on the bench.  Zeigler was held scoreless by the superlative defensive play of Troyer.

Walnut Creek grabbed a quick 4-0 lead on a free throw shot and set shot by Troyer and a charity toss by guard Jim Jaberg.  From that point on, Strasburg, despite courageous attempts, could not overhaul the glistening Cardinals.  Backing up Troyer's set shooting in this 1st quarter was Hershberger, a great pivot man and powerful rebounder in his own right.  Troyer netted 7 points and Hershberger 7 to stake the Red Birds to a 15-8 margin.

They kept going in the 2nd frame with 5 men giving impetus to the blistering attack which saw the Tigers trailing 36-24 at intermission.  Hostetler, a knifing offensive threat and another great board man, led Walnut Creek's attack in this period with 7 points, Troyer bagged 6, Jaberg 4 and forward Keith Miller and Hersberger collecting 2 each.

Junior Guard Bill Von Kaenel aided the Bengal cause with 6 more points, but it wasn't nearly enough.  In the 3rd stanza, with Hershberger, Hostetler, Jaberg and Miller out-boarding Strasburg and controlling the ball at every turn, Troyer unlocked both barrels.  Troyer literally slammed the door shut on the Tigers as he scorched the nets for 12 points, all from the field.  That was all for the Bengals who went into the far turn trailing 55-36.  From there on, the best the Tuscarawas countians could do was attempt to reduce the margin.

At one stage in the last canto, the Cardinals held a 24-point 60-36 lead.  After Troyer and Hostetler left the game, Strasburg reduced the lead, but it was anti-climatical.

The fabulous Troyer led all scorers with 29 points, while Hershberger and Hostetler came through with 14 and 12 respectively for Walnut Creek.  Strasburg was led by Renner with 23 points and Von Kaenel dropped in 15 markers as well in a losing cause.

WALNUT CREEK CARDINALS - 69

Ike Hostetler F 5-2-12
Machan F 0-0-0
Keith Miller F 2-1-5
Gerber F 0-0-0
Moe Hershberger C 6-2-14
Bob Troyer G 14-1 29
L. Miller G 0-0-0
Jim Jaberg G 4-1-9

STRASBURG TIGERS - 53

John Zeigler F 0-0-0
Dale Renner F 10-3-23
Jim Reiger C 3-2-8
Tom Mizer G 0-1-1
Dale Bayer G 2-0-4
Bill Von Kaenel G 7-1-15
Rich Rentsch G 1-0-2


Friday, March 2, 1951
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

51 - Dundee Whips Lakeville 68-52 (2-28-51)

DOVER - A capacity crowd of frenzied fans is expected to elbow into Memorial Hall tonight to see the battle of battles when the Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1) and Strasburg Tigers (17-6), County Champions, clash at 7:30PM in 2nd round firing of the Class B Sectional Tournament.  In the other big test, the Dennison Railroaders (13-4) will be putting in their 1st tournament appearance when they collide with the Augusta Blue Devils (14-8), Carroll County Champs at 8:30PM.

Head Coach John Harmon's Railroaders, who play mostly Class A teams during the season, have not been defeated by a Class B combine this year.  In last night's action-packed opening round, which saw referees McCoy Maringer of New Concord and Allen Veigel of Coshocton, whistled 10 cagers to the showers.  The Millersburg Knights (6-15) edged Head Coach Joe Drotovick's Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-7) 61-56 and the Dundee Bulldogs turned back a stubborn Lakeville Bulldogs crew 68-52.  Both games were nip-and-tuck right down to the final buzzer, but many a cage discussion will be decided tonight.

Prediction of the closeness of the game might be found in the fact that Strasburg pushed Head Coach John Ridley's Cardinals into an overtime during the Christmas vacation before the Cardinals notched the triumph largely on the sensational play of their All-Ohio guard, Bob Troyer.  In addition, only one point separated the 2 teams this week in the final State-wide poll of the Associated Press.  The Red Birds were ranked 16th, while the Bengals were rated 17th.

And to add a bit of interest to the struggle is the fact that the County Coach's Association has protested the "conditions" under which Walnut Creek's stickout Senior forward, Ike Hostetler, transfered late in the season from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School.  Whether the set shooting artistry of Junior Dale Renner, Senior Dale Bayer and Senior John Zeiglar will be a match in the tournament drive for the deadly marksmanship of the Cardinals, Bob Troyer, Senior Ike Hostetler and Maurice Hershberger will have been decided by 8:30PM tonight.

In the battle of the Bulldogs, despite the fact that their high-scoring Junior guard Loris Hostetler was benched in the 2nd frame after drawing his 4th personal foul, the Dundee Bulldogs (16-10) turned back a rangy Lakeville Bulldogs (18-6) team by combining a clever passing game with a stiff zone defense.  Sparked by the play-making of pint-sized Senior forward Dick Kate and the firing of Junior guard Louis Hostetler, the Bulldogs of Dundee held a 33-30 lead at the half and 47-44 going into the final quarter after the fast-breaking Holmes County Consolation Division winners broke on top 18-16 at the 1st quarter close.

Paced by forwards Don Gindlesberger and Cayhoe, Lakeville came within one point of the Dundee lead in the final canto, but fell apart after these 2 stickouts left the game on personal fouls.  The Bulldogs of Dundee lost the Hostetler twins on fouls, while the Bulldogs of Lakeville, which had its last player on the floor when the game ended, lost forward Morris, center Wachtel and guard Mosher in addition to Gindlesberger and Cayhoe.

Louis Hostetler collected 21 points while his brother Loris dropped in 18 markers.  Their teammate Junior guard Merlyn Immel also hit the nets for 10 points, all for Dundee.  Lakeville was led by forwards Gindlesberger and Cayhoe who gathered 10 points each.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 68

Dick Kate F 3-0-6
Weldon Flynn F 2-0-6
Curt Beamer F 1-2-4
Louis Hostetler C 7-7-21
Loris Hostetler G 7-4-18
Gene Muster G 0-1-1
Merlyn Immel G 3-4-10
Slemmer G 1-0-2

LAKEVILLE BULLDOGS - 52

Cayhoe F 4-2-10
Morris F 3-2-8
Wachtel C 2-3-7
Don Gindlesberger F 3-4-10
Campbell G 4-1-9
Albertson G 1-0-2
Mosher G 3-0-6
Young G 0-0-0


Thursday, March 1, 1951
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  MILLERSBURG-DOVER ST. JOSEPH ACTION

Dover St. Joseph bowed out of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall in Dover Wednesday night despite the efforts, as shown above, of Bob Contini (12) who is shown driving in for a shot against the Millersburg Knights.  The Knights won 61-56.  Ramblers center Don Yosick (13) is shown along with Millersburg's R. Miller (14), Stafford (11), Levengood (10) and Weiss (13).

NOTE:  COUNTY TOURNAMENT ATTENDANCE DROPS

The Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament at Memorial Hall this year drew the smallest over-all paid attendance since the 1943 season, Supt. W.E. Laws, Tournament Manager announced today.  Paid attendance totaled 5,810 for the 7 sessions this season and grossed a total of $3,447.85.  In 1943 the tournament drew 3,112 paid.

Each of the 11 schools will receive $170, Laws stated.  Expenses totaled $1,934.93, including $567.25 for federal taxes and $57.80 for city taxes.

The largest tournament crowd at a single session was recorded at the semi-final session when 1,343 paid admissions were counted.  The smallest paid admission was 315.  A total of 424 passes were issued this year, Laws said.

THURSDAY 3-1-51

Strasburg vs Walnut Creek 7:30PM
Dennison vs Augusta 8:30PM

51 - Right Down The Line

Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio


THE CLASS B TEAMS, the Strasburg Tigers (17-6), Midvale Blue Devils (18-5), Dennison Railroaders (13-4), Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-6), Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (9-10) and the Dundee Bulldogs (15-10), meet rugged competition at Memorial Hall in the Class B Sectional Tournament.  Strasburg, the county tournament Champ, must clash with the powerized Walnut Creek Cardinals. the first time out.

The high-geared Cardinals already hold a 65-57 overtime decision over the Bengals and do not figure to be any weaker now that they have Ike Hostetler, former Sugarcreek-Shanesville star, in their lineup.  Head Coach Don Martin's Tigers; however, have a habit of making it rough on the favorites.  They upset the unbeaten Scio Panthers (24-1) 66-59 last spring in the District Tournament meet.  Strasburg; however, will be forced to fight an uphill battle against the Creekers who are gunning for a District title with a powerfully-balanced, fluid, smooth quintet.

Strictly on the basis of records again, the Ramblers should ride into the qualifying round in the top bracket.  Head Coach Joe Drotovick's Dover St. Joseph team play the Millersburg Knights on Wednesday and if victorious, Dennison St. Mary on Friday.  The Ramblers hold decisions over both teams this year.

The Railroaders and Blue Devils are the top teams in the lower bracket; however, and have met once this year with the Dennison grinding out a 51-47 win at Midvale.  The Railroaders play a predominately Class A schedule with all 4 of its losses coming in that division to the New Philadelphia Quakers, Dover Tornadoes, Uhrichsville Tigers and the Carrollton Warriors.  Dennison; however, has been battling a "jinx" at Memorial Hall for years and it may stop them again this year.

NOTE:  WALNUT CREEK MEN DENY CHARGE IN IKE HOSTETLER CONTROVERSY

DOVER - Four Walnut Creek men, allegedly involved in the controversy over the transfer of Richard (Ike) Hostetler (shown above) from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School to Walnut Creek High School, emphatically denied today that they had anything to do with Hostetler's transfer.  The men making the denial include Tom Miller, Dutch Horrisberger, Herman Mast and Moses Hostetler.

The four men were involved in the controversy last week when Ohio High School Athletic Commissioner H. W. Emswiler made public a letter he had allegedly received from Charles Voltz of Berlin.  In his letter to the Tuscarawas County Coaches Association, which made a mass protest, Emswiler wrote:  "A Charles Voltz of Berlin states that it has been reported that Mr. Moses Hostetler, Tom Miller, Dutch Horrisberger and a Mr. Mr. Mast made a special trip to Ike's and stayed 2 hours, according to neighbors.  Shortly after that, Hostetler pulled out for Walnut Creek."

All four men denied today that they had ever talked to Hostetler as alleged in Voltz' report to Emswiler.  Hostetler has been ruled eligible by Emswiler.

51 - Right Down The Line

Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Monday, February 26, 1951


THE CLASS B SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT at Memorial Hall in Dover promises to be another of those thrillers.  It could be anybody's tournament what with the Strasburg Tigers (17-6) and Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1) in the same bracket and the Midvale Blue Devils (18-5) and Dennison Railroaders (13-4) paired in the lower bracket.

That Strasburg-Walnut Creek battle on Thursday night shapes up as a classic.  The Tuscarawas County Tigers dropped an overtime decision to the Cardinals in the invitational at Christmas time, but Head Coach Don Martin has his Bengals geared a littler higher now.

On the other hand, the Creekers now have Richard (Ike) Hostetler to add to an already powerful attack which includes Bob Troyer, All-Ohio guard and the outstanding player in the Holmes County Tournament last week.  Spice was added to the meet by the entry of the Lakeville Bulldogs, conqueror of the Berlin Panthers, in the Holmes County Consolation Division title battle Saturday night.  Lakeville is a small school with only 29 students enrolled, including only 14 boys all on the squad.

Walnut Creek and Strasburg look like the class of the upper bracket with Dover St. Joseph (13-6) a competent "dark horse."  In the lower bracket, the Dennison and Midvale have the power with the Dundee Bulldogs (15-10) in the "dark horse" role.

WEDNESDAY 2-28-51

Dover St. Joseph vs Millersburg 7:30PM
Dundee vs Lakeville 8:30PM

THURSDAY 3-1-51

Strasburg vs Walnut Creek 7:30PM
Dennison vs Augusta 8:30PM

51 - The Dover Class B Sectional BasketballTournament

DOVER - Ten Class B basketball teams, 6 of them survivors of 3 county tournaments, launch firing on Wednesday night at Memorial Hall in the Dover Sectional Class B Basketball Tournament.  The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-6), one of the 3 Tuscarawas Independents in the meet, open play Wednesday at 7:30PM when they collide with the Holmes County Independent, Millersburg Knights (5-15), in the 1st round.

In a 2nd round feature, the Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1), Holmes County winner and League Champion, clashes with the Tuscarawas County Champion Strasburg Tigers (17-6) Thursday night in what will be one of the meet's top battles.  Four teams, Walnut Creek, the Dennison Railroaders (13-4), Midvale Blue Devils (18-5) and the Lakeville Bulldogs (8-5), conqueror of the Berlin Panthers on Saturday night in a Holmes County Consolation Division battle, were seeded Sunday at the drawings at the Dover High School building under the direction of tournament Manager Don Campbell, Dover High School coach.

Walnut Creek drew the No. 1 position among the seeded teams and chose the upper bracket.  The remaining 6 teams not seeded drew on the basis of a preferential draw with the Dover St. Joseph, Millersburg, Dennison, Dennison St. Mary Waves and Strasburg winding up the Walnut Creek bracket.  Head Coach Don Martin of the Tigers had last position in the preferential draw and had no choice but to meet the Holmes County Cardinals Thursday night.

In the lower bracket are Midvale, county Runner-up and Co-Champion with Strasburg and the Tuscarawas Broncos (11-7), Dennison, the Augusta Blue Devils (14-8), Carroll County Champion, Lakeville and the Dundee Bulldogs (15-10), Tuscarawas County Consolation Division winner over Tuscarawas 72-68.  Finals in both brackets will be played Saturday night with the 2 winners advancing to the Class B Eastern District Tournament at Memorial Hall the next week, March 8, 9 and 10.

In addition to the Dover St. Joseph-Millersburg upper bracket game Wednesday night, Lakeville and Dundee clash in the lower bracket at 8:30.  In the upper bracket, Dennison St. Mary (9-10) plays the winner of the Dover St. Joseph (13-6)-Millersburg (5-15) game Friday at 7:30PM.  The winner of this Friday game advances to the qualifying round Saturday night against the winner of the Thursday night Walnut Creek-Strasburg battle.

In the lower bracket, Dennison's Railroaders see action for the 1st time Thursday night against the Augusta Blue Devils which upset the Malvern Green Hornets in Carroll County.  Midvale will play the winner of the Lakeville-Dundee game on Friday night and on Saturday night the survivors will clash in the lower bracket qualifying round.

It was necessary to seed 2 teams with a stipulation that teams from the same county tournament could not meet in the 1st round.  The 10 coaches present voted to seed the 4 top record quintets.  It was a choice between this method or seeding the tournament winners who's method met the disapproval of the 3 Independent teams from Tuscarawas County which play in no county tournament.  A vote revealed the coaches in favor of seeding the 4 top record teams.

Mac Mariner of Muskingum College and Allan Viegel of Coshocton will be the tournament officials.  Admission will be 65 cents for adults and 40 cents to students for all 4 sessions.  No trophies will be awarded, but the 2 winners will receive basketballs.  Doors will open at 6:30PM for each session.


Monday, February 26, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

51 - 29th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Stats

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (Don Martin-3) 3-0 1.000 (TC) 13th Title
2.  Dundee Bulldogs (Ike Wiseman-1) 4-1 .800 (CC) 1st Title
3.  Midvale Blue Devils (Chuck Stocker-1) 2-1 .666 (T-RU)
4.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Chuck Lorenz-1) 3-2 .600
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Fritz Jacobs-1) 2-2 .500
6.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ken Newlon-4) 2-2 .500
7.  Bolivar (Warren Craigo-3) 1-2 .333
8.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-5) 1-2 .333
9.  Baltic Eagles (Doyle Shumaker-?) 0-2 .000
10. Mineral City Tigers (Al Prazniak-1) 0-2 .000
11. Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Gerald Staley-2) 0-2 .000

TOURNAMENT SCORES

TUESDAY 2-13-51

Dundee 60 - Mineral City 37
Gnaden 56 - Stone Creek 49
Tusky 55 - Sugarcreek 43

WEDNESDAY 2-14-51

Strasburg 57 - Port 46
Dundee 66 - Baltic 64

THURSDAY 2-15-51

Port 44 - Sugarcreek 38 (C)
Stone Creek 68 - Mineral City (C)
Midvale 61 - Gnaden 59 OT

SATURDAY 2-17-51

Gnaden 56 - Baltic 52 (C)
Stone Creek 47 - Port 43 OT (C)
Tusky 74 - Bolivar 50

WEDNESDAY 2-21-51

Bolivar 47 - Gnaden 45 (C)
Midvale 46 - Dundee 42
Strasburg 62 - Tusky 50

THURSDAY 2-22-51

Dundee 68 - Stone Creek 51 (C)
Tusky 68 - Bolivar 57 (C)

FRIDAY 2-23-51

Dundee 72 - Tusky 68 (CC)
Strasburg 61 - Midvale 60 (TC)

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE

Strasburg Tigers 1928
Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 1932
Strasburg Tigers 1935
Midvale Blue Devils 1937
Strasburg Tigers 1938
Midvale Blue Devils 1940
Midvale Blue Devils 1941
Gnadenhutten Indians 1942

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 32
2.  Rich Tolloti (M) 30
3.  Jerry Rausch (T) 27
4.  Ron Kohl (G) 26
5.  Loris Hostetler (D) 25
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) 23
7.  5 tied with 22

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 15
2.  Loris Hostetler (D) 12
3.  Jerry Rausch (T) 12
4.  Rich Tolloti (M) 12
5.  Loris Hostetler (D) 10
6.  Ron Kohl (G) 10
7.  Jerry Rausch (T) 10
8.  Bill Tharp (T) 10
9.  9 tied with 9

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 8
2.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 8
3.  Ron Kohl (G) 7
4.  Junior Geers (BC) 6
5.  Ron Kuhl (G) 6
6.  Bob McPeek (T) 6
7.  Carl Pissocra (M) 6
8.  John Zeigler (S) 6
9.  Rich Tolloti (M) 6
10. John Torgler (B) 6

MOST POINTS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 112
2.  Jerry Rausch (T) 85
3.  Ron Kohl (G) 76
4.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 68
5.  Louis Hostetler (D) 60
6.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 59
7.  Bill Tharp (T) 59
8.  Rich Tolloti (M) 54
9.  Junior Geers (BC) 53
10. Bob McPeek (T) 52

MOST FIELD GOALS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 51
2.  Jerry Rausch (T) 46
3.  Ron Kohl (G) 29
4.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 25
5.  Bill Tharp (T) 25
6.  Louis Hostetler (D) 24
7.  Merlyn Immel (D) 23
8.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 23
9.  Rich Tolloti (M) 23
10. Dale Renner (S) 22

MOST FREE THROWS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 18
2.  Ron Kohl (G) 18
3.  Bob McPeek (T) 14
4.  Jerry Rausch (T) 13
5.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 13
6.  Louis Hostetler (D) 12
7.  Junior Geers (BC) 11
8.  Jerry (Ike) Martin (G) 11
9. John Torgler (B) 11
10. 2 tied with 10

ALL-TOURNAMENTS

1923-33 See 1933 Tournament
1934-46 See 1946 Tournament
1947 - Strasburg Tigers (11) (2) - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (4) (5)
1948 - Strasburg Tigers (12) (2) - Midvale Blue Devils (3) (5)
1949 - Midvale Blue Devils (4) (5) - Mineral City Tigers (0) (1)
1950 - Midvale Blue Devils (5) (5) - Bolivar Cardinals (2) (5)
1951 - Strasburg Tigers (13) (2) - Midvale Blue Devils (5) (6)

ALL-CONSOLATION DIVISION TOURNAMENTS

1934-46 See 1946 Consolation Division Tournament
1947- Tuscarawas Broncos (4) (0) - Bolivar Cardinals (1) (1)
1948 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (2) (2) - Dundee Bulldogs (0) (1)
1949 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (3) (2) - Gnadenhutten Indians (2) (4)
1950 - Strasburg Tigers (4) (1) - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (0) (1)
1951 - Dundee Bulldogs (1) (1) - Tuscarawas Broncos (4) (1)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 81-20 .802
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 52-25) .675
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 54-34) .614
4.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923) 46-39 .541
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 45-39 .536
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1923) 37-37 .500
7.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 26-43) .377
8.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 24-44) .353
9.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 18-36 .333
10. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 16-45 .262
11. Mineral City Tigers (1923) 12-43 .197

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 34
2.  Elmer Linard (P) (1945) 32
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 32
4.  Fred Walton (T) (1946) 31
5.  Harland Stiffe (SS) (1927) 30
6.  Rich Tolloti (M) (1951) 30
7.  Max Regula (B) (1944) 29
8.  Maurice Lundenberger (BC) (1950) 29
9.  Paul Kate (D) (1947) 28
10. Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1949) 28

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 20
2.  Bill Lockett (G) (1943) 15
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 15
4.  Harland Shiffe (SS) (1927) 14
5.  Bill Ridenour (SC) (1943) 14
6.  Max Regula (B) (1944) 14
7.  Elmer Linard (P) (1945) 14
8.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 14
9.  Fred Walton (T) (1946) 14
10. 6 tied with 13

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 12
2.  Bill Ridenour (SC) (1943) 12
3.  Lester Veigel (T) (1937) 11*
4.  Ernie Raber (SS) (1940) 11
5.  Paul Class (BC) (1936) 10
6.  Paul Kate (D) (1947) 10
7.  Junior Murray (BC) (1947) 10
8.  5 tied with 9

TOTAL POINTS

1.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 220
2.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 218
3.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 188
4.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 183
5.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 177
6.  Jerry Rausch (T) (1950-51) 173
7.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 169
8.  Gene Montague (G) (1946-47-48-49) 166
9.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51) 164
10. Rich Bonvechio (T) (1942-43-44-45) 158

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 87
2.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 81
3.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 79
4.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 79
5.  Jerry Rausch (T) (1950-51) 75
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51) 72
7. Tom Haswell (S) (1945-46-47-48) 70
8.  Gene Montague (G) (1946-47-48-49) 69
9.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 68
10. Rich Bonvechio (T) (1942-43-44-45) 66

TOTAL FREE THROWS

1.  Charence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 58
2.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 44
3.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 41*
4.  Verle Buchler (SC) (1946-47-48-49) 38
5.  Jack Ford (M) (1946-47-48-49) 38
6.  Paul Kate (D) (1946-47-48) 37
7.  Paul Day (P) (1946-47-48-49) 33
8.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 33
9.  John Harmon (SC) (1947-48-49-50) 32
10. Hal Ridenour (SC) (1947-48-49-50) 32

TEAM HIGH GAME

1.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1946) 102
2.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1947) 92
3.  Port Washington Purple Riders (1946) 85
4.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1949) 82
5.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1944) 77
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1950) 76
7.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1951) 74
8.  Dundee Bulldogs (1951) 72
9.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1945) 70
10. Strasburg Tigers (1947) 70

1,000 CAREER POINT CLUB (League-Regular Season-All Tournaments)

John Studer (1934) 1,050

NEAR MISSES:  Frank Baumholtz (1937) 997

*Stats missing 1 game

51 - Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball All-Stars

*Senior Dale Renner (Strasburg) - Senior John Zeigler (Strasburg) - Senior Carl Passocra (Midvale)*

*Sophomore Rich Tolotti (Midvale) - Junior Loris Hostetler (Dundee) - Junior Dean Huprich (Baltic)*

*********Senior Jerry Rausch (Tuscarawas) - Senior Ron Kohl (Gnadenhutten)*********


DOVER - The Strasburg Tigers, county tournament Champions and Co-Champions of the County League and the Midvale Blue Devils tournament Runner-up and another League Co-Champiion dominated The Daily Reporter's All-Star Basketball Team.  Each gained 2-berths on the mythical team.  The 8 men who made the All-Star Roster this year, Reporter sports writers considered season play in addition to tournament play.

Although tournament performance outweighed season records in the final choice, 2 of the men chosen made the select list partly on the basis of play in the League campaign.  With so many outstanding individual performances to consider, it was decided to draw a line and choose only 8 players for the All-Star Team, this year.

Strasburg's John Zeigler and Dale Renner were given berths.  Zeigler because of a sparkling tournament performance with the Champions and Renner both on the basis of tourney and season play.  It was Zeigler's offense power in the title game with Midvale which opened the way for the Champions.  Renner had a fine tournament record and was outstanding in the Tigers' drive for a share of the League title.

The Midvale Blue Devils placed Rich Tolotti, a sensational Sophomore and the veteran Carl Pissocra, on the All-Star Team.  It was Tolotti's performance in the Gnadenhutten Indians and Strasburg game which won his berth.  He was an offensive stickout.  The steady Pissocra was the backbone of Midvale's attack and defense; although, he did not score in high figures.

Baltic's brilliant forward, Dean Huprich, was given a berth, largely on the basis of season play.  It was Ruprich's sparkling play which led the Eagles to 6 straight County League victories.  Although Huprich and the Eagles did not pick up any blue chips in the tournament, the Baltic spark-plug could not be overlooked in the final selections.

Loris Hostetler of Dundee richly deserves a berth with the Stars and was awarded that berth.  It was mostly on the basis of Hostetler's offensive ability that the Bulldogs annexed their 1st Championship Trophy and gained a spot in the Sectional Tournament.  His 32 points against the favored Tuscarawas Broncos in the pay-off round last week was about the best in the county meet.  Jerry Rausch, Tusky marksman, won his berth solely on the basis of offensive ability.  His team was eliminated, but Rausch caught on with that push shot and was a deadly weapon.

Gnadenhutten's Ron Kohl is the 8th member of the squad.  Kohl rated high because of his performance against Midvale.  Many fine players were regulated to Honorable Mention berths, but competition was so close and keen that some were necessarily forced to accept a 2nd position.

HONORABLE MENTION

Sophomore Jim Syler (Baltic Eagles)
Senior Junior Geers (Bolivar Cardinals)
Sophomore Delvin Haut (Bolivar Cardinals)
Junior Louis Hostetler (Dundee Bulldogs)
Junior Curtis Beamer (Dundee Bulldogs)
Junior Jerry (Ted) Martin (Gnadenhutten Indians)
Junior Bill Marshall (Midvale Blue Devils)
Sophomore Ellsworth Tope (Mineral City Tigers)
Freshman Ken Huston (Port Washington Purple Riders)
Junior Delano Kees (Port Washington Purple Riders)
Junior Willis Ridenour (Stone Creek Golden Panthers)
Sophomore Jerry Gasser (Stone Creek Golden Panthers)
Senior Jim Reiger (Strasburg Tigers)
Junior Dale Bayer (Strasburg Tigers)
Senior John Lanzer (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates)
Senior Dale Rehard (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates)
Senior Bill Tharp (Tuscarawas Broncos)


Monday, February 26, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

51 - Strasburg Wins Their 13th Tuscarawas County Tournament 61-60 (2-23-51)

The Champion Strasburg Tigers, who won The Daily Reporter County Tournament Trophy at Memorial Hall Friday night with a thrilling 61-60 victory over the defending Champions Midvale Blue Devils.  KNEELING:  Dale Boyer and John Zeigler.  FRONT:  Bill Von Kaenel - Jim Rieger - Head Coach Don Martin - Dale Renner and Dick Rentsch.  BACK:  Max Bonifaut - Tom Mizer - Ben Limbacher - Dale Helwick - Jim Weinmann and Dean Rousch.

The Midvale Blue Devils who annexed the County Tournament Runner-up Trophy.  FRONT:  Don Grahm - Bill Marshall - Carl Pissocra (with League Consolation Division Trophy) - Harry Rennicker - Dick Tolotti and Darrel Davis.  BACK:  Bill Anderson, Dale Malone - Karl MacKay and Ronald Harmon - Bill Cunningham and John De Mattio.

The Consolation Division Tournament winners...Dundee Bulldogs.  The only players identified in the photo are in the front row except for the individual wearing the tie.  They are 1st-Year Head Coach Ike Wiseman - Dick Kate - Merlyn Immel - Bud Beamer - Loris Hostetler and Louis Hostetler.

Captains and Co-Captains whose teams won trophies during League and tournament play, Dundee's Merlyn Immel, Consolation Division Trophy, Carl Pissocra of Midvale, Supt. W.E. Laws and Strasburg's John Ziegler, all share the Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy (it was halftime and Strasburg had not yet won it) and further down the line, Bill Tharp and Jerry Rausch Tuscarawas Co-Captains, who accepted one of the 3 County League trophies for the Tuscarawas Broncos.


DOVER - The Strasburg Tigers won their 13th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament since their very 1st win in 1923 which would be 29 years ago.  The Strasburg Tigers, Midvale Blue Devils and Dundee Bulldogs (who won their 1st Consolation Division Championship) today owned berths in the Class B Sectional Tournament eliminations next week after winning their laurels on Friday night at Memorial Hall by providing 1,500 fans with a thrill-swept finish to a Tuscarawas County Tournament which had already been saturated with glittering performances.  Last night's battling came as classic and ended in a spectacular blaze of action.

Third-Year Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers and the Midvale Blue Devils, Co-Champions with the Tuscarawas Broncos in the torrid County League race collided head on in the Championship battle last night.  When it was over, the white-clad Tigers walked off with The Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy and a 61-60 sqeaker last night with a decision over the Blue Devils.

The Bengals victory, one of the most bitterly contested in the 29-year history of the county tournament, also ended the Diablos 2-year reign as Tournament Champions.  It was the 1st Strasburg title-winning effort since 1948.

First-Year Head Coach Ike Wiseman's glistening, sharp-breaking Dundee Bulldogs clawed their way into the Sectional Tournament meet as the Consolation Division winner by upsetting the Tuscarawas Broncos 72-69 in another slam-bang duel which saw the Broncos, a member of the County League "Big Three" falter before the rapier thrusts of a Bulldog team which would not be denied when the blue chips were down in the closing seconds.  It was the 1st Championship Trophy Dundee had won in the Consolation Division.

Dundee, Strasburg and Midvale, along with the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-6), Dennison Railroaders (13-4) and Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (?) from Tuscarawas County, the Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1), Berlin Blue Jays (?) now Panthers or Lakeville (18-5) and the Millersburg Knights (5-15) from Holmes County and the Carroll County co-winner, will compete in the Sectional Tournament next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Memorial Hall in Dover.  Drawings for this tournament will be held on Sunday at 2PM in room 114 of the Dover High School building with Tournament Manager Don Campbell in charge.

The Strasburg Tigers (3-0) (17-6) (81-20) parlayed brilliant set-shooting by Junior guard Dale Bayer, Senior foward Dale Renner and Senior forward John Zeigler and a masterful zone defense into a victory over the Midvale Blue Devils (2-1) (18-5) (52-25) which battled desperately right down to the final 3 seconds to salvage their title which slipped away before the uncanny marksmanship of the Tigers trio.  The grueling title battle was wide open at only one stage in the 4 quarters.

Strasburg, tense and jittery, was in trouble midway in the 1st quarter when Midvale's great Sophomore forward, Rich Tolotti, poured in 4 consecutive field goals to give the Blue Devils a 14-3 edge.  The Tigers, with Zeigler supplying the spark, closed the gap 20-13 at the close of the 1st quarter.

From then on until the final 3 seconds, when a Diablo drove in for a lay-up shot which would have given Midvale the victory had he made it as the raging battle held the crowd breathless.  In a blistering 2nd frame, the Blue Devils held their slim lead, but watched it steadily melt away before the sensational shooting of Renner who bagged 5 field goals in this period.  Renner's effort pulled Strasburg to within 2 points, 32-30, of the Diablos.

Throughout the battle, Midvale stayed with its planned attack of working in close to the basket before firing, while the Tigers, stymied under the nets by the Blue Devils sliding zone defense, switched to an over-head barrage.  With the din in the hall reaching a roaring crescendo, the lead changed hands 10 times and was tied once in the 3rd stanza.

At the outset of the 3rd quarter, Zeigler blazed into the corner and hit 3 consecutive field goals to give Strasburg a 36-34 lead which was erased immediately by Sophomore guard Don Graham's set shot.  That set the pattern for the remainder of the epic struggle.  The Diablos, on the basis of a pivot shot by Senior center Harry Rennicker, forged a 46-45 third frame lead.  But, Renner sent the Tigers out in front again in the 1st minute of the 4th canto, 47-46.

That was the beginning of the end for the defending Champion Midvale team.  The Blue Devils could never recaptue the lead as Strasburg, working easily and smoothly, took command.  The Tigers held a 4-point lead 4 times in the last quarter, once with 3 minutes remaining when Zeigler fired from  the corner to send the count to 58-54.

Senior forward Carl Pissocra, the work-horse of the Diablo attack and defense, put Midvale back in the game with a field goal, but again Zeigler hit from  the corner, giving the Bengals a 60-56 edge.  The Blue Devils were not done yet; however, Senior guard Darrel Davis, a sub poured in a field goal through the nets making the count 60-58 with 1:40 remaining.  Junior center Bill Von Kaenel, in for Reiger who had fouled out, gave Strasburg a 61-58 edge and they needed every bit of it as Rennicker was fouled and with the house on its feet waiting tensely, the lanky Diablo center missed the toss from  the free throw line and a chance to tie the count.

Another missed field goal in the last 3 seconds ended Midvale's bid for a 3rd consecutive title.  The Blue Devils, traditionally a team which comes from behind to win in the closing seconds, had let the Tigers forge too much of an edge.  Individual performances in the title battle were sparkling.   Zeigler, Renner and Bayer paced a Bengal offensive which was as brilliant as any in the tournament.

But, Strasburg needed the rebounding of Reiger and Senior guard Rich Rentsch and Von Kaenel to succeed.  These 3 men did a tremendous job under the nets.  For the Diablos, Tolotti, Pissocra and Rennicker were the offensive stars with Pissocra and Rennicker handling the bulk of the rebounding for Midvale.

Last night's total of 1,119 paid admissions brought the total for 7 sessions to 5,811, a decrease of 961 from last year.  Supt. W.E. Laws, Tournament Manager, made trophy presentations at intermission of the title game.

Three county business concerns, The Daily Times, Bretzius Pontiac of New Philadelphia and Wallick Coal Company of Strasburg, awarded trophies to the 3 County League winners, Midvale, Strasburg and Tuscarawas.  The S. Tommey Company of Dover awarded the Runner-up Trophy to Midvale, while the Sanitary Milk Company of Dover and Canton gave the Consolation Division Trophy to Dundee.

Strasburg, in addition to getting The Daily Reporter winners trophy, received individual gold basketballs from Marsh Wall Tile and Fairfield Brick Company of Zoar.  Midvale silver basketballs from the Stone Creek Brick Company and Strasburg the tournament basketball from Godfrey Electric of Dover and New Philadelphia.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 61

John Zeigler F 8-3-19
Dale Renner F 9-0-18
Jim Reiger C 1-0-2
Bill Von Kaenel C 0-3-3
Dale Bayer G 8-3-19
Rich Rentsch G 0-0-0

Rich Tolotti F 8-0-16
Carl Pissocra F 6-3-15
Harry Rennicker C 7-0-14
John De Mattio C 0-0-0
Don Graham G 4-1-9
Darrel Davis G 2-0-4
Bill Marshall G 0-2-2


Saturday, February 24, 1951
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio