53 - Port Stings Sugarcreek-Shanesville 75-74 (2-13-53)

DOVER - Seventh-Year Head Coach Bray Toot's Port Washington Purple Riders (2-1) (14-8) (18-48) started the upset proceedings off by refusing to give up after trailing by 14 points at one time in the 1st half.  The Purple Riders trailed all the way until Senior forward Bob Gray put them ahead with 2:20 left in the contest.  The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (0-2) (55-38) started off fast and after exchanging a brief flurry with the Riders in the 1st quarter, took an 18-12 edge and rolled along in the saddle with Junior forward Max Miller providing the spur.

Junior forward Jim Spahr picked up the pace in the 3rd quarter for the Pirates who had gone out at the half leading 36-29 and despite the comeback of Port's Junior center Ken Huston, the Corsairs were far out in front 58-47 going into the final quarter.  After Gray put Port ahead 67-65, he added a free throw shot, but Junior guard Loris Troyer of the Bucs deadlocked the count at 68-68 with 1:50 remaining in the game.  Miller then shot Sugarcreek-Shanesville ahead with a pair of charity tosses and Gray deadlocked it again 70-70 at 1:10.

Junior center Bill Ray brought the Pirates back out on top with a pair of free throws and Miller added a drive-in shot that almost spelled curtains for Port Washington with only 45 seconds left to play.  But the action became thick and heavy and Huston was fouled twice and made all 4 attempts to tie the score again, this time at 74-74 with 30 seconds to go.  The winning toss was made by Senior forward John Hursey, who missed his 1st try at the free throw line and made the 2nd with 5 seconds remaining in the battle.

Gray led  Port with 21 points and Huston came in with another 20 points, while Miller and Spahr paced the Buccaneers with 22 and 20 respectively.

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 75

Bob Frank F 5-1-11
John Kochner F 3-1-7
Ken Huston C 6-8-20
Larry Combs C 1-0-2
John Hursey G 4-4-12
Bob Gray G 9-3-21
Jim Landon G 1-0-2

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 74

Jim Spahr F 7-6-20
Paul Snyder F 0-0-0
Max Miller F 7-8-22
Bill Ray C 5-3-13
Loris Troyer G 4-5-13
Bill Pfister G 1-4-6


Saturday, February 14, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Midvale With Easy Victory Over Sugarcreek-Shanesville 70-53) (2-12-53)

Senior Guard Don Graham of the 1953 Midvale Blue Devils led his team to a 70-53 smooth win over the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates with 23 points at Memorial Hall last night.  Graham has 36 markers during his 2 games in the tournament for an average of 18 points per game.  He is described as one of the best front men in the area, an excellent long shot and a ball hawk on defense.

The 1953 Midvale Blue Devils.  FRONT:  Don Draher (Manager) - Ron Harmon - Bill anderson - Dick Tolloti - Dave Martin and Don Graham.  BACK:  Head Coach Bob Singerman - Web De Genova - Ed Krocker - Frank Davis - Ron Weaver - Larry Mathias - Junior Davis and Bob Zontini.


DOVER - A red-hot Midvale Blue Devils team showed  its class last night at Memorial Hall and advanced to the upper-bracket semi-finals in the Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament by burning the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 70-53.  The Bolivar Cardinals and Mineral City Tigers were ushered out of the festival by it's 2nd defeats.  The Dundee Bulldogs took care of the Cardinals 68-60 and the Strasburg Tigers waltzed over Mineral City 58-33 with its 1st five playing but one quarter of the tilt.

Tonight the Port Washington Purple Riders return to action against the Pirates in the opening game at 6:30 with Strasburg and the Bulldogs slated to tangle in the 2nd Consolation Division contest.  The top morsel on the menu tonight pits the Tuscarawas Broncos against the Gnadenhutten Indians.

With an offensive display that could not be halted, 1st-Year Head Coach Bob Singerman's Midvale Blue Devils (2-0) (17-6) (56-27) continued their march through the upper bracket in a game delayed by an attempted repair job on the twin scoreboards in Memorial Hall.  A short circuit developed in the Strasburg-Mineral City contest and the feature tilt was played with only one scoreboard working and with time kept on a stopwatch.  The Blue Devils not bothered by the delay, went to work on the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (0-1) (55-37) and zipped to a 20-8 lead in the 1st 7 minutes of the opening minutes with the twin-powered attack led by Seniors, center Dick Tolloti and guard Don Graham.

Graham put on a beautiful display of accuracy as he caged 11 of his 23 points in that 1st quarter, while Tolloti tallied 9 of his 15.  This display was the big stroke in the triumph; although, Junior guard Wil De Genova and Senior guard Ron Harmon took up the load in the 2nd frame and went far ahead.  Junior center Bill Ray was the spark in the 2nd period for the losing Pirates, while Junior guard Loris Troyer carried the Maroon and Gray's fight with his spirited playing in the 1st quarter.

The Blue Devils led 20-11 at the end of the 1st quarter and were still far ahead 35-23 at the half, even though Graham and Tolloti were out with 3 personal fouls.  Senior forward Bill Anderson carried the Diablos' jet-propelled offense in the 3rd stanza and Midvale led 53-35 going into the final 8 minutes.  Junior forwards, Jim Spahr and Max Miller took the scoring load off Junior center Bill Ray and forward Paul Snyder in the final canto, but could not overcome the big Midvale lead.  Ray led the Corsairs with 15 points, Troyer got 11, and Spahr 10 for Sugarcreek-Shanesville.

Earlier in the season, Midvale ran over the Pirates 61-49 when Dick Tolloti unloaded with 40 points in the game.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 70

Dave Martin F 0-1-1
Ron Weaver F 0-1-1
Frank Davis F 0-0-0
Bill Anderson F 3-5-11
Larry Mathias F 0-0-0
Dick Tolloti C 5-5-15
Ed Krocker C 1-1-3
Ron Harmon G 4-0-8
Wil Di Genova G 3-0-6
Don Graham G 8-7-23
Junior Davis G 1-0-2
Ron Mathias G 0-0-0

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 53

Jim Spahr F 4-2-10
Paul Snyder F 3-1-7
Max Miller F 4-0-8
Bill Ray C 5-3-13
Bill Pfister G 1-2-4
Loris Troyer G 2-7-11


Friday, February 13, 1959
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Strasburg Ejects Mineral City 58-33 (2-12-53)

Senior Forward Max Bonifant of the Strasburg Tigers led his team to a 58-33 victory over the Mineral City Tigers with 10 points last night at Memorial Hall.  He was the only Strasburg player to hit double figures, but when Head Coach Don Martin cleared the bench it was still enough for a comeback and a comfortable win.

The Mineral City Tigers of 1953.  FRONT:  Murvel Burton (Manager) - Walter Burton - Bill Crilley - Paul Lindsay - Bob Souers - Carl Ickes and Frank Abel (Manager).  BACK:  Head Coach Bob Heacock - Dick McNutt - Jim Lindsay - Gene Argento - Lorin Shroyer - Frank Price and Dwight Ickes.  NOT PICTURED:  J.C. Burton.


DOVER - The Strasburg Tigers (1-1) (18-4) (82-23) bounced back with a vengence in a cat fight against the ineffective Mineral City Tigers (0-2) (2-17) (12-47) and were leading 24-3 at the end of the 1st quarter with each of the 5 starters contributing mightily to the total performance.  But a note of bad luck marred the victory.  Forward Jerry Haswell suffered a sprained ankle while driving in under the basket in the 1st period.  Fifth-Year Head Coach Don Martin's Sophomore attempted to break his speed nearing the basket and landed in the crowd, painfully twisting his ankle.

Coach Martin sent in his Reserves in the 2nd frame and these worthies held the fort the rest of the way, posting leads of 35-14 at intermission and 47-23 at the 3rd stanza mark.  Senior forward Max Bonifant led the Strasburg crew with 10 points, while Senior forward Dean Roush added 9.  Junior center John Shetler scored 8, as did Sophomore center big Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel in his brief appearance with Senior forward Jim Weinman getting 7 in the 1st period.  Senior center Lorin Shroyer led Mineral City with 8 markers.

During the regular season, Strasburg beat Mineral City with a similar score 67-37.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 58

Jerry Haswell F 1-1-3
Max Bonifant F 5-0-10
Jim Weinman F 3-1-7
Dean Roush F 3-3-9
Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel C 3-2-8
John Shetler C 1-6-8
Fred Peters G 2-0-4
Kuecher G 1-0-2
Eldon (Zeke) Mullett G 1-0-2
Dale Helwick G 1-1-3
Chuck Garber G 0-0-0
Gale Huffman F 1-0-2

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 33

Gene Argento F 1-3-5
Jim Lindsey F 0-0-0
Frank Price F 0-0-0
Dwight Ickes F 0-1-1
Paul Lindsey F 1-0-2
Lorin Shroyer C 3-2-8
Carl Ickes C 0-1-1
Bob Souers G 0-0-0
Walter Burton G 1-1-3
J.C. Burton G 2-1-5
Dick McNutt G 0-2-2
Bill Crilley G 3-0-6


Friday, February 13, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Dundee Sends Bolivar Home 68-60 (2-12-53)

The Dundee Bulldogs Junior Center Dick Slemmer scored 19 points leading his team to a victorious 68-60 Consolation Division game at Memorial Hall last night.  With his 8 points in his 1st contest, he now has 27 points for a 13.5 points per game average.

The 1953 Dundee Bulldogs Basketball Team.  Team members are:  Gary Slemmer - Duane Immel - Bob Baker - Wayne Bauders - Weldon Flynn - Dale Hostetler - Lester Marino - Dick Fruchey and Don Levengood.


DOVER - First-Year Head Coach Woody Gephart's Dundee Bulldogs (1-1) (7-16) (30-47) added a little bit to their bark last night and nipped the Bolivar Cardinals (0-2) (12-9) (47-43) and the contest proved to be a close and exciting one during the evening.  The Bulldogs, well-known for "almost" winning games, just about blew another one as they had a 9-point lead get away in the closing minutes of the 3rd stanza and then had to scratch to pull the triumph out of the fire in the closing seconds in the 1st game of the 19th Tuscarawas County Consolation Division Basketball Tournament.

The Pups took a 1st quarter lead of 18-10 on the sharp-shooting of Senior forward Dick Fruchey and Sophomore guard Bob Baker.  Junior center Dick Slemmer moved into the picture in the 2nd frame and offset the rally sparked by Senior forward Del Haut and Junior center Bob Cramer of the Cardinals to give Dundee a 32-24 lead at intermission.  The Red Birds lost Freshman guard Dick Studer in the 3rd period on personal fouls with forward Larry Gram and Cramer following early and midway in the final canto and Del Haut went out in the hotly-contested last few minutes.  The Bulldogs lost Junior forward Dale Hostetler and Slemmer, both in the last quarter.

With the score 62-60 and one minute and 45 seconds left to go, the Pups began pulling ahead on free throw shots by Junior guard Duane Immel and Senior guard Weldon Flynn, who clinched the victory with a jump shot at the 30-second mark.  Del Haut led the scoring with the highest individual mark thus far in the tournament with 27 points.  Cramer follwed Haut up with 18 points of his own, while Slemmer dropped in 19, Flynn 15, and Baker 12 for Dundee.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 68

Dale Hostetler F 3-2-8
Dick Fruchey F 2-5-9
Lester Marino F 0-1-1
Dick Slemmer C 7-5-19
Bob Baker G 5-0-10
Weldon Flynn G 5-5-15
Duane Immel G 2-2-6

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 60

Del Haut 9-9-27
Melvin Haut F 1-1-3
Larry Gram F 1-0-2
Bob Cramer C 6-6-18
Dick Studer G 1-0-2
Andrew Moriarty G 0-0-0
Jack Renner G 2-2-6
Ferren G 1-0-2
Roy Burfield G 0-0-0


Friday, Febrary 13, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Right Down The Line

RIGHT DOWN THE LINE
With Art Cicconetti
Thursday, February 12, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio


LITTLE STONE CREEK did it again last night.  The Stone Creek Golden Panthers just wouldn't be beaten and they went out and played themselves a ball game.  Much to the satisfaction of their fans who cascaded onto the floor after the game like Niagara Falls onto the rocks.  A Strasburg player was trapped in the tight noose that the Golden Panthers fans ringed around their heroes, much to his disgust.  But the Panthers had it last night and even if they don't get into the top bracket again, they will have carried on from last year's destination.

Stone Creek must still face that band of Tuscarawas Broncos, if the chargers of Head Coach Chuck Lorenz can get by the Gnadenhutten Indians on Friday night.  That "if" could prove to be big if the Indians have their war-paint smeared.

THE TURNING POINT in last night's battle, from where we sat, was the fact that Sophomore center Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel had to be taken out with 4 personal fouls.  The big lad did a real job of working under the backboard against Junior forward Jim Lorenz and Senior forward Jerry Gasser until he drew his 4th personal.  Head Coach Don Martin had to take him out lest he foul out early in the 4th canto and be lost for a last minute drive.  But when he did get back into the game with still 4 minutes to play and the game far from lost, Stone Creek had sniffed that sweet smell of victory and they couldn't be denied.

That old "omen" of having the Baltic Eagles and Golden Panthers back in the same brackets could prove to be a forecast since the Eagles looked like world beaters in their conquest of the Port Washington Purple Riders (71-46) and have a full week's rest before going into the stretch drive.

THE PANTHERS also have a week's rest, but they must meet either Gnaden or Tusky and the Broncos were the only team in the League to defeat Head Coach Ken Newlon's chargers anywhere near convincingly.  That pressing defense used the full length of the court has served to upset many a team on the Colts schedule and there isn't any doubt that it is a potent weapon for Tuscarawas.  A team without ball-handling ability will have a rough time getting through that press and the Broncos have a crew that can clamp the lid on almost airtight.

THE MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS will have a tough time with the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates tonight.  The Corsairs have won 7 straight games in the League, losing only to the Diablos, Tusky and Strasburg with the latter in overtime.  They have improved immensely, but the Blue Devils depth may prove to be the deciding factor as it did against the spunky Bolivar Cardinals on opening night.

53 - Baltic Destroys Port 71-46 (2-11-53)

Doyle Shumaker has been the Head Coach of the Baltic Eagles for the last 3 years and feels he has another team that will be one of the front runners to compete for the 31st Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Crown.


DOVER - Last year's 2 finalists advanced to the semi-final round in the 31st Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament last night in vastly different games.  While the Baltic Eagles had things all their own way in defeating the Port Washington Purple Riders 71-46, the Stone Creek Golden Panthers, just as they did last year when they won their 1st Trophy in the history of the school, won the hearts of the crowd in Memorial Hall last night and came through with a 52-43 victory in a tight ball game that broke into pieces in the final canto.

The Strasburg Tigers will be back on deck tonight when they meet the Mineral City Tigers in the 2nd game of the evening.  The 1st Consolation Division tilt will get under way at 6:30 with the Dundee Bulldogs and Bolivar Cardinals battling it out to stay in the tournament.  The feature game of the evening will pit the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates up against the Midvale Blue Devils.

Third-Year Head Coach Doyle Shumaker's Baltic Eagles (1-0) (27-45) outclassed the Port Washington Purple Riders (1-1) (13-8) (17-48) just about all the way after a slow 1st quarter which saw the losers clinging on to a 4-point chance behind only 12-8.  But with Senior forward Paul Reidenbach and Senior center Jim Syler clipping off a fast pace on the points, the Eagles pulled far ahead in the 2nd frame.  Seventh-Year Head Coach Bray Toot of the Purple Riders put in a complete new lineup in an effort to get his chargers out of the doldrums as they trailed 33-20 at intermission.

But nothing worked for the Riders last night and they saw their chances go up in smoke as Baltic weathered a Port rally early in the 3rd stanza to keep the nets sizzling and go into the final canto leading 47-31. The roof fell in on Port Washington in the final canto and the Eagles easily won going away before a thin crowd of people remaining.  All 5 of Baltic's starters were in double figures with Reidenbach leading the scoring with 17 points, Sophomore guard Errol Jacobs with 14, Junior forward Tom Ott and Syler with 13 each and Senior guard John Torgler with 11.  The Purple Riders's were led by Juniors, guard Jim Landon and center Ken Huston, with 9 points apiece.

BALTIC EAGLES - 71

Paul Reidenbach F 7-3-17
John Schlegel F 0-0-0
Tom Ott F 6-1-13
Earl Wallace F 0-3-3
Jim Syler C 6-1-13
Andy Hoffman C 0-0-0
John Torgler G 2-7-11
Errol Jacobs G 5-4-14
Wayne Everhart G 0-0-0
Fred Syler G 0-0-0
Noah Beachy G 0-0-0

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 46

Paul Frank F 1-0-2
Jim Parker F 0-0-0
John Kochner F 0-0-0
Larry Combs F 2-1-5
Ken Huston C 4-1-9
Homer Schwab C 1-2-4
Vernon Glazer C 0-0-0
Bob Gray G 3-0-6
Fred Welsch G 2-0-4
John Hursey G 3-1-7
Jim Landon G 3-3-9
Everett Matthews G 0-0-0


Thursday, February 12, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - OOPs! Strasburg Falls To Stone Creek In Cat-Fight 62-53 (2-11-53)

DOVER - Sixth-Year Head Coach Ken Newlon's "Cinderella" team, the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1-0) (22-36), climbed back into their pumpkin last night and rode away to victory with a stunning upset win that was engineered in the 4th Canto.  The Strasburg Tigers (0-1) (17-4) (81-23) took the lead late in the 1st quarter and with one exception, when the Golden Panthers deadlocked the count at 30-30 shortly before the 1st half was over, were in command of the situation all the way into the final period.

With Sophomore Center Big Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel doing a great  job on the backboards and the remainder of the Tigers coming in with timely baskets, the Bengals managed to stay on top.  But the Panthers were not to be denied and Stone Creek, trailing by 8 points midway in the 3rd stanza, went on to score 13 points before Strasburg could dent the cords.  Junior forward Jim Lorenz, Senior forward Jerry Gasser and Senior guard Ken Heid were the culprits in the assault that stunned the Tigers into what seemed confused submittence.  The contest was a see-saw battle all the way with upset tremors showing up along the route.  The Bengals pulled ahead with a late rally in the 1st quarter to take a 17-13 lead on Von Kaenel's terrific rebounding and shooting from close in and Senior forward Jim Weinman's accuracy from out front.

Going into the 2nd frame leading by 4 points, Strasburg held on to that edge at the half 35-31, after Gasser had tied the count at 30-30 with 50 seconds left to play in the period.  With Von Kaenel leading the attack in the 3rd quarter, the Tigers moved far ahead, but the storm warnings stayed up and the Golden Panthers sent a gust of the upset blowing breeze into the air with a 6-point splurge and carried them within 2 points, 48-46, at the far turn.

Van Kaenel, with 4 personal fouls, sat out the 1st 4 minutes of the final canto and the Panthers went to town to take a 53-48 lead before Strasburg's Sophomore forward Jerry Haswell could dent the cords with 2 quick layups.  Heid pulled Stone Creek back out of danger and Junior guard Fred Peters counted on a free throw shot for the Tigers with 3 minutes left to make the score 55-53.  The Golden Panthers than started a stall with Strasburg desperately clutching for the ball, but they failed to capitalize on those chances and the Panthers poured in 3 quick baskets and it was curtains as they held the ball through the last minute of play.

Gasser led Stone Creek with 22 points and Lorenz' last half spurt netting him 14 with Sophomore center Bill Jones getting 13.  Von Kaenel was high for the Tigers with 15 markers, Haswell 11, Peters 10 and Weinman 9 respectively.

Strasburg had beaten Stone Creek earlier in the season by a score of 61-55.

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 62

Jim Lorenz F 5-4-14
Jerry Gasser F 7-8-22
Bill Jones C 6-1-13
Ken Heid G 3-2-8
Carl Poland G 2-1-5
Stan Phillippi G 0-0-0

STRASBURG TIGERS - 53

Jerry Haswell F 4-1-9
Jim Weinman F 4-1-9
Max Bonifant F 0-0-0
Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel C 6-3-15
John Shetler C 0-0-0
Eldon (Zeke) Mullett G 3-1-7
Fred Peters G 4-2-10


Thursday, February 12, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Tusky Slams Mineral City 71-49 (2-10-53)

The 1953 Mineral City Cheeleaders Team:  Senior Ruth Shroyer - Junior Marie Gribi and Junior Janet Davidson.


DOVER - With Junior guard Ralph Vesco and Senior forward Don (Red) Tharp waxing hot, the Mineral City Tigers (0-1) (2-16) (12-46) was no match for the Tuscarawas Broncos (1-0) (14-4) (42-38).  Vesco tallied 21 points and did not play in the 4th quarter and parts of the 2nd and 3rd periods.  Tharp played just about all the way and scored 22, of which, 12 of these coming in the 2nd frame.

The Broncos started out with a 20-7 lead and were way ahead 43-20 by halftime.  The Tigers fought them on even terms in the 3rd stanza with the score 57-33 at the close and Vesco accounting for 7 of the Broncos' points.  Both teams had their substitutes in at the close with few fans left to witness the proceedings.  Senior center Lorin Shroyer led the Bengals with 13 points and Junior forward Gene Argento gobbled up another 12 markers.

During the regular season, Tuscarawas handed Mineral City a 76-62 defeat.

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 71

Don (Red) Tharp F 9-4-22
Dave Myers F 0-2-2
Harry Thompson F 4-1-9
Jerry Briggs F 0-0-0
Larry Myers C 2-3-7
Dave McGrew C 3-0-6
John Adams C 0-0-0
Ralph Vesco 9-3-21
Rich Hill G 0-0-0
Jim Henry G 1-2-4
Dick Lentz G 0-0-0
Rich Davis G 0-0-0

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 49

Gene Argento F 3-6-12
Paul Lindsey F 0-2-2
Dwight Ickes F 0-3-3
Jim Lindsey F 0-0-0
Lorin Shroyer C 5-3-13
Frank Price C 1-0-2
Carl Ickes C 0-0-0
Bob Souers G 2-0-4
J. C. Burton G 0-0-0
Walter Burton G 0-0-0
Dick McNutt G 3-0-6
Bill Crilley G 3-1-7

Wednesday, February 11, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Midvale Knocks-Off Bolivar 60-45 (2-10-53)

Senior Center Dick Tolloti of the Midvale Blue Devils led his team to a 60-45 victory over the Bolivar Cardinals, leading his team in scoring with 15 points in his 1st tournament game of the year.

The Midvale Blue Devils 1953 Cheerleader Team:  Junior Sally Rausch - Freshman Shirley Graber - Sophomore Margie Carlisle and Senior Sally Ford.


DOVER - Seniors, center Dick Tolloti and guard Don Graham, led the Midvale Blue Devils (1-0) (16-6) (55-27) with 15 and 13 points respectively, but the Blue Devils of 1st-Year Head Coach Bob Singerman showed some real team play with Sophomore forward Ron Weaver, Senior forward Ron Harmon, Junior forward Dave Martin and Bill (Willie) Anderson all coming in at opportune moments to help in the victory.  Tolloti put on a burst in the 1st quarter and cashed in on his 4 attempts from the field to put the Diablos ahead 12-3.  But, the Bolivar Cardinals (0-1) (12-8) (47-42) roared back with Junior center Bob Cramer and Senior forward Del Haut leading the rally and pulled within 3 points 14-11 at the end of the 1st period.

The game was close throughout the 2nd frame as Sophomore guard Jack Renner of the Cardinals tied the score in the 1st two minutes at 14-14 and Cramer zipped down the floor 3 minutes later, after stealing the ball, caging a bunny shot to deadlock the score at 18-18.  Midvale moved back out in front to take a 25-22 lead at intermission.  With a pressing defense and fast break, the Blue Devils turned the game into a near rout in the next 2 quarters, leading 44-30 going into the last canto.

The Diablos were leading 60-38 when Coach Singerman swept his bench.  Cramer played a bang-up game for the Red Birds leading all scoring with 19 points and his outstanding work under the boards was awesome, while Del Haut scored 13 points in a losing cause.

When the Bolivar Cardinals visited Midvale during the regular season, they left town on the short end of a 60-48 score as Dick Tolloti and Don Graham hit the nets for 25 and 19 points respectively.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 60

Dave Martin F 3-2-8
Frank Davis F 0-0-0
Ron Weaver F 2-3-7
Bill (Willie) Anderson F 2-0-4
Dick Tolloti C 6-3-15
Eddie Krocker C 1-0-2
Ron Harmon G 3-1-7
Web Di Genova G 1-2-4
Don Graham G 6-1-13
Junior Davis G 0-0-0
Larry Mathias G 0-0-0

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 45

Del Haut F 5-3-13
Melvin Haut F 0-1-1
Larry Gram F 0-0-0
Andrew Moriarty F 0-0-0
Bob Cramer C 7-5-19
Dick Studer G 3-3-9
Jack Renner G 0-3-3


Wednesday, February 11, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Port Shakes-Loose Dundee 53-45 (2-10-53)

The 1953 Dundee Bulldogs Cheerleaders.  Freshman Sandra Bose - Sophomore Irene Sliffe and Junior Vada Snyder.


DOVER - First-Year Head Coach Woody Gephart's Dundee Bulldogs (0-1) (6-16) (29-46) and the Port Washington Purple Riders' 7th-Year Head Coach Bray Toot (1-0) (13-7) (17-47) put on a cautious exhibition of basketball in the 1st two quarters and the game close all the way with Bulldog Senior guard Weldon Flynn dead-locking the count at 21-21 just as the 1st half ended.  With forward John Kochner and Junior center Ken Huston denting the cords regularly in the 3rd stanza, the Purple Riders pulled ahead and rode out the stanza to pull into a 37-29 lead at the far turn.

The excitement piled up in the final canto with Junior forward Dale Hostetler driving in 3 straight from the field and Junior center Dick Slemmer bringing Dundee up to within 2 points 44-42 with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left to play.  Huston and Sophomore forward Paul Frank pulled Port away on free throw shots and the Riders went into a partial stall to keep the lead.

Huston poured in 8 field goals and 7 free throws to lead the scoring pace with 23 points, while Frank added 12 and Kochner 10 markers respectively for Port.  Flynn was high for the Bulldogs with 14 points and Hostetler tallied another 12 markers

Port visited the Dundee gymnasium during the season and came away with a 54-50 victory.

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 53

Paul Frank F 2-8-12
John Kochner F 4-2-10
Fred Welsch F 0-0-0
Ken Huston C 8-7-23
Jim Parker C 0-0-0
John Hursey G 1-1-3
Bob Gray G 1-3-5

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 45

Dale Hostetler F 6-0-12
Dick Fruchey F 3-3-9
Dick Slemmer C 2-4-8
Bob Baker G 0-1-1
Weldon Flynn G 4-6-14
Duane Immel G 0-1-1
Lester Marino C 0-0-0


Wednesday, February 11, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - The 31st Tuscarawas County Tournament and All-County League Teams

The Midvale Blue Devils' Dick Tolloti was chosen as the "1953 Most Most Valuable Player."


TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL LEAGUE (1952-53)

1.  Strasburg Tigers (Don Martin-5) 10-0 1.000 (15th Title)
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (Bob Singerman-1) 8-2 .800
3.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Chuck Lorenz-3) 8-2 .800
4.  Baltic Eagles (Doyle Shumaker-3) 7-3 .700
5.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Bob Wise-1) 7-3 .700
6.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-7) 5-5 .500
7.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ken Newlon-6) 4-6 .400
8.  Bolivar Cardinals (Chuck Warren-1) 3-7 .300
9.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Fritz Jaacobs-3) 2-8 .200
10. Dundee Bulldogs (Woody Gephart-1) 1-9 .100
11. Mineral City Tigers (Bob Heacock-1) 0-10 .000


DOVER - Scoring power, speed, defensive prowess and plenty of rebounding ability was incorporated into the 1953 "All-County League Team" chosen by the "Coaches Association" of the Tuscarawas County circuit.  The coaches picked 2 Seniors, 2 Juniors and a Sophomore on the 1st Five with 3 Seniors, a Junior and a Sophomore being named to the 2nd Five.

Five different teams were represented on the 1st Five selections with the Strasburg Tigers, Midvale Blue Devils and Stone Creek Golden Panthers each placing another player on the 2nd Five to dominate the voting.  Dick Tolloti, named "Most Valuable Player" in the circuit last year, barely edged out Ken Huston of the Port Washington Purple Riders for the top spot in the poll with the Midvale Senior collecting 84 points on a 10-9-8 etc. basis in the voting.  Huston came in with 83 points with each being named as the top player on 4 ballots.

Rounding out the 1st Five in the order of their finish in the balloting are Leo Porter of the Gnadenhutten Indians, Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel of Strasburg and Jim Lorenz of Stone Creek.  The 2nd Team holds an equal array of talent in Jerry Gasser of Stone Creek, Harry Thompson of the Tuscarawas Broncos, Don Graham of Midvale, Jerry Haswell of Strasburg and Del Haut of the Bolivar Cardinals.

Tolloti was chosen because of his consistently high scoring, great rebounding and his display of the highest form of sportsmanship.  The 6-1 Midvale whirlwind is described as "a team player."

Huston was also honored for his sportsmanship and was tagged as a great competitor, good shot and an outstanding rebounder as well as a play-maker, while Porter, who is currently leading the Class B scorers, was picked because of his offensive prowess, chiefly.  Porter was picked as a greatly improved player over last year.

Von Kaenel and Lorenz were also cited for their rebounding ability as well as sportsmanship and offensive ability.  The Strasburg Sophomore, the tallest man on the squad at 6-3, was paid tribute by opposing coaches as an outstanding performer, while Lorenz came in for honors in "seeming to be at the right spot at the right time" in addition to his "amazing jumping powers."

Gasser, as a member of Stone Creek's "Big Three," gave a smooth exhibition of basketball all season as well as coming through offensively.  Thompson was a main-stay of an always dangerous Tuscarawas team and his ability and rebounding came in for mention.

Don Graham, Midvale's 2nd half of the one-two offensive punch, also rated high in the coaches' opinion as did Sophomore John Haswell of Strasburg.  Del Haut, Bolivar's chief threat and the big reason for many of the Cardinals high praise this season, also won plenty of acclaim from the coaches.

1ST TEAM

Dick Tolloti (Midvale Blue Devils) 6-1 Senior
Ken Huston (Port Washington Purple Riders) 5-11 Junior
Leo Porter (Gnadenhutten Indians) 5-10 Senior
Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (Strasburg Tigers) 6-3 Sophomore
Jim Lorenz (Stone Creek Golden Panthers) 5-10 Junior

2ND TEAM

Jerry Gasser (Stone Creek Golden Panthers) 5-11 Senior
Harry Thompson (Tuscarawas Broncos) 6-1 Junior
Don Graham (Midvale Blue Devils) 5-11 Senior
Jerry Haswell (Strasburg Tigers) 6-0 Sophomore
Del Haut (Bolivar Cardinals) 6-0 Senior

HONORABLE MENTION

John Torgler - Jim Syler and Tom Ott (Baltic Eagles)
Dick Slemmer (Dundee Bulldogs)
Carl Gilmore (Gnadenhutten Indians)
Jim Weinman (Strasburg Tigers)
Gene Argento (Mineral City Tigers)
Bill Jones (Stone Creek Golden Panthers)
Max Miller and Bill Ray (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates)
Don Tharp - Ralph Vesco and Larry Myers (Tuscarawas Broncos)


Friday, February 6, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio