54 - Right Down The Line

RIGHT DOWN THE LINE
With Art Cicconetti, Sports Editor
Wednesday, February 17, 1954
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio


EVERYTHING WENT ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPT in the first round of the 32nd Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament last night.  The underdogs put up a lot of scrap, but the favorites had too many guns.  The Strasburg Tigers (1-0) (22-0), rated the 4th best Class B Team in the State, didn't show as much finesse as expected, but the Tigers still had plenty of punch left to win handily.

Head Coach Don Martin's crew was tight and this can be expected since the Bengals have survived the opening round only a few times in recent years.  Strasburg usually comes up with a top team, the underdog whips into an upset frenzy and that's the story.  The Port Washington Purple Riders almost pulled the trick in 1949 losing 42-39.  Bolivar did it in 1950 winning 53-50 when the Tigers went on to the District finals after winning the Consolation Title.  Last year the Stone Creek Golden Panthers came up with a 62-53 upset and almost did it twice with the Panthers losing 76-62, but the Bengals won the Consolation Crown and went on to the Regional finals.

NOW THAT THE 1ST ROUND IS OVER, Strasburg will still have plenty of opposition with that 22-0 record making a huge target for any underdog that sets it sites on the right night.  But, it  is doubtful that the Tigers will be as tight the next time out as they were last night.  The Midvale Blue Devils (0-1) outplayed the Bengals in the last half with a good shooting percentage helping its cause.

Control of the boards spelled defeat for the Blue Devils; however, with Seniors, Elden (Zeke) Mullett and John Shetler, coming in to fill the gap when Junior Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel was out.  This trio makes a formidable inner offense or defense, whichever the case may be and they shouldn't encounter too much difficulty until they run into a team with as tall an inner guard.

TONIGHT'S SLATE promises to provide more fireworks with the Purple Riders-Mineral City Tiger tussle looming as a nip and tuck fight all the way.  The 2 teams staged such a battle in the Tigers' den last Friday night.  It took a last-period splurge for the Riders to come through with a victory in that one and both teams are gunning for a spot in the winners' circle.  Port has never been up there and this year is one of their best for the attempt.

Senior Ken  Huston's injury in the 2nd game of the season slowed down the Purple Riders somewhat, but they picked up fast and zipped up through the standings to finish in a 3rd -place tie with the Baltic Eagles.  The Tigers of Mineral City have been threatening all season and could reach a peak during the tournament.  Mineral City has all-around height and a pair of marksmen in Seniors, Gene Argento and Bill Crilley.  It should be an interesting tussle.

THE DUNDEE BULLDOGS might just come through with that 1st big upset.  The Tuscarawas Broncos handled the Bulldogs easily in their meeting a couple of weeks ago and the Broncos will no doubt throw up their familiar and effective press.  The Pups do have some rebound strength and should give the tall Tusky crew a good battle regardless of who comes through with the victory.

OVER IN STARK COUNTY, the Waynesburg Mohawks and East Sparta don't see action until Friday and Saturday respectively.  The fans will be watching the progress of these 2 teams and will be hoping for another meeting between the 2 Co-Champions.  If the 2 top teams do slide through the rest of the field and end up in the finals, that will really be a dog fight for the tourney title.  The Spartans have set their sights on a revenge win.

The Beach City Pirates, a team which showed improvement towards the end of the campaign, will get a crack at proving it has come a long way from the opening of the season when they tangle with the East Canton Hornets tonight.