STONE CREEK - Phillipsburg was founded in 1927 and in 1940 the name was changed to Stone Creek and has come a long way since that time. A magnetic spell has swooped down over this small community and it's not likely to release it's grip for many weeks to come. From the oldest resident right down to the totes who are able to comprehend everyone is charged...with proudness, that is.
Saturday night the village was left practically abandoned as villagers and farmers from the surrounding area, streamed to Memorial Hall, carrying the spark of hope that the town's basketball team would win not only its 1st county tournament trophy, but in addition, its 1st Championship of any sort. So complete was the crusade to Dover, the town's volunteer firemen drew straws to determine who would stay reluctantly, but dutifully at home in case of an emergency.
And out on the farms even the cows knew something was in the air. They were dished out their daily rations earlier than usual and many milking records were set. In numerous instances there wasn't even enough time for farm and town wives to prepare supper. So, many a meal was transported to Memorial Hall. Pork sandwiches, jars of pickles and small thermos bottles of coffee stilled the pangs of hunger.
And it was not all in vain!
After the roars, whistles and boos had subsided the village team...like Casey's revenge at Mudville...turned that spark of hope into the magnetic spell that prevails here today. The Golden Panthers had won, beating the Baltic Eagles 58-56 after the Tuscarrawas Broncos had whipped the Dundee Bulldogs 56-55 in the Consolation Division final. And so far the 1st time the proud banner of Champions whips gayly over Stone Creek High School. It truly was a historical night, one which was dismissed until the wee hours Sunday morning behind the warm glow streaming out from practically every house in town. Yes, the Panthers had made history not likely to be repeated for many a year to come...and there's why:
Residents say that the town's 5th-Year Head Coach, Kenneth Newlon, would have something to say to Physchologist Dr. George W. Crane. When he sounded the call for practice at the beginning of the season, he knew he had a potentially sound and high-scoring ball club. But there was one problem. Stone Creek did not carry the armor of Champions from the past. There was nothing to hang the old school spirit on. And not only that, the school had a long-standing cellar-dwelling status. At one time the Golden Panthers even sweltered humbly in the throes of more than 40 consecutive losses. But it was Coach Newlon's job...after many a long session with his Panthers in developing the fine arts of the game...to inspire his charges with the confidence of Champions. And he came through with a Championship job.
What his secret was is not important, but his confidence was absorbed by his players at every turn during Saturday night's tilt. And when his Panthers faltered briefly in the heat of the battle, Newlon remained staunch to the end. He was convinced and he convinced his team that "where there's a will, there's a way."
And so the Stone Creek team which won only 3 of 10 games in League play, but which had a season mark of 8-11 will long live in the memories of local sport fans as the team which set out to do the impossible and succeeded.
Yes, they'll long remember Freshman Bill Jones who soared to the heights during tournament play by collecting 31 points and they'll remember Sophomore Jim Lorenz and his deadly southpaw pivot shot as well as Junior Jerry Gasser who always seemed to come through with the clutch shot and Senior Willis Ridenour whose left-hand-push-shot from the corner was just about as certain as more taxes and then there is Junior Don Miller who kept the ball moving and substitutes Senior Jerry Billman, Senior Ken Heid, Junior Dave Gross, Junior Carl Poland and Junior Gary Grimm who waited on the bench just in case the regulars got in trouble with personal fouls.
Who knows? The village's Mayor Don Wherely, might even top the performance by proclaiming February 23rd as Panther Day.
Monday, February 25, 1952
Ray Stull, Sportswriter
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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