56 - 34th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Stats For 1956

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

1.  Midvale Blue Devils (Pete Hilliard-2) 3-0 1.000 (TC) 7th Title
2.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-10) 3-1 .750 (CC) 1st Title
3.  Strasburg Tigers (Ken Newlon-2) 2-1 .666 (T-RU)
4.  Dundee (Jack Reese-1) 2-2 .500
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Dick Scott-2) 2-2 .500
6.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Leo Gower-2) 2-2 .500
7.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Jim Stull-1) 2-2 .500
8.  Bolivar Cardinals (Ray Low-2) 1-2 .333
9.  Mineral City Tigers (Bob Penrod-3) 1-2 .333
10. Baltic Eagles (Jack Bellville-1) 0-2 .000
11. Tuscarawas Broncos (Ron Easton-1) 0-2 .000

TOURNAMENT SCORES

TUESDAY 2-14-56

Sugarcreek-Shanesville 76 - Stone Creek 66
Mineral City 57 - Tusky 53
Dundee 69 - Bolivar 66

THURSDAY 2-16-56

Stone Creek 77 - Tusky 61 (C)
Port 85 - Baltic 54

FRIDAY 2-17-56

Bolivar 77 - Baltic 73 (C)
Strasburg 77 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 70
Gnaden 78 - Mineral City 42

SATURDAY 2-18-56

Stone Creek 85 - Bolivar 63 (C)
Sugarcreek-Shanesville 60 - Mineral City 54 (C)
Midvale 97 - Dundee 55

TUESDAY 2-21-66

Dundee 67 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 64 (C)
Strasburg 76 - Gnaden 59
Midvale 71 - Port 69

THURSDAY 2-23-56

Port 94 - Dundee 54 (C)
Gnaden 79 - Stone Creek 72 (C)

SATURDAY 2-25-56

Port 61 - Gnaden 45 (CC)
Midvale 72 - Strasburg 63 (TC)

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

WEDNESDAY 2-29-56

Killbuck Bucks 80 - Port 73
Midvale 87 - Dover St. Joseph 68

THURSDAY 3-1-56

Strasburg 98 - Dennison St. Mary 37
Dennison 83 - Berlin 61

FRIDAY 3-2-56

Killbuck 79 - Malvern 50
Midvale 82 - Millersburg 58

SATURDAY 3-3-56

Strasburg 75 - Midvale 74
Killbuck 71 - Dennison 64

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

WEDNESDAY 3-7-56

Yorkville 84 - Strasburg 73

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES

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

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 35
2.  Don Levengood (D) 34
3.  Ron Deibel (SC) 30
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 29
5.  Ron Deibel (SC) 27
6.  Merle Clum (SS) 26
7.  4 tied with 24

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 15
2.  Ron Deibel (SC) 15
3.  Don Levengood (D) 14
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 13
5.  Ron Deibel (SC) 12
6.  Merle Clum (SS) 11
7.  5 tied with 10

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  George Regula (B) 12
2.  Don Levengood (C) 12
3.  Jim Uher (B) 11
4.  Ted Brown (SS) 10
5.  Glen Reidenbach (B) 10
6.  Bill Gerber (SS) 9
7.  5 tied with 8

MOST POINTS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ron Deibel (SC) 105
2.  Ed Bates (P) 95
3.  Don Levengood (D) 91
4.  Rod Reinhart (SC) 74
5.  Ted Brown (SS) 70
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 65
7.  Paul Lindsey (MC) 62
8.  Dick Leggett (M) 59
9.  Nick Frank (P) 56
10. 2 tied with 55

MOST FIELD GOALS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ron Deibel (SC) 46
2.  Ed Bates (P) 38
3.  Don Levengood (D) 34
4.  Rod Reinhart (SC) 27
5.  Ted Brown (SS) 27
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 26
7.  Larry Swinderman (M) 25
8.  Paul Lindsey (MC) 24
9.  Dick Legget (M) 23
10. 3 tied with 22

MOST FREE THROWS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Don Levengood (D) 23
2.  Nick Frank (P) 22
3.  Bill Gerber (SS) 21
4.  Rod Reinhart (SC) 20
5.  Ed Bates (P) 19
6.  Bob Walter (D) 17
7.  John Beans (M) 16
8.  Ben Wherley (SC) 16
9.  Ted Brown (SS) 16
10. 3 tied with 15

ALL-TOURNAMENTS

1923-33 See 1933 Tournament
1934-46 See 1946 Tournament
1947-54 See 1954 Tournament
1955 - Strasburg Tigers (14) (3) - Midvale Blue Devils (6) (7)
1956 - Midvale Blue Devils (7) (7) - Strasburg Tigers (13) (4)

ALL-CONSOLATION DIVISION TOURNAMENTS

1934-46 See 1946 Consolation Division Tournament
1947-54 See 1954 Consolation Division Tournament
1955 - Baltic Eagles (2) (1) - Gnadenhutten Indians (2) (5)
1956 - Port Washington (1) (0) - Gnadenhutten Indians  (2) (6)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 92-25 .786
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 66-30 .687
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 59-44 .573
4.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 53-48 .525
5.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1923) 46-44 .511
6.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923) 49-49 .500
7.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 35-51 .407
8.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 29-44) .397
9.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 33-53)
10. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 25-54 .316
11. Mineral City Tigers (1923) 13-53 .197

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1955) 43
2.  Bill Jones (SC) (1955) 37
3.  Terry Deems (T) (1955) 36
4.  Ed Bates (P) (1956) 35
5.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 34
6.  Don Levengood (D) 34
7.  5 tied with 32

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 20
2.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1955) 17
3.  Bill Lockett (G) (1943) 15
4.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 15
5.  Ed Bates (P) (1956) 15
6.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1956) 15
7.  8 tied with 14

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Jack Renner (BC) (1955) 16
2.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 12
3.  Bill Ridenour (SC) (1943) 12
4.  Ken Huston (P) (1953) 12
5.  George Regula (B) (1956) 12
6.  Don Levengood (D) (1956) 12
7.  5 tied with 11

TOTAL POINTS

1.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 295
2.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 256
3.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 247
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56) 245
5.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 224
6.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 220
7.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50-51) 218
8.  Dick Tolloti (M) (1951-52-53) 199
9.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 188
10. Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 183

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 112
2.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 111
3.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56) 100
4.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 93
5.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 89
6.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 87
7.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 81
8.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 79
9.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 79
10. 3 tied with 77

TOTAL FREE THROWS

1.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 73
2.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 61
3.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 58
4.  Jerry Gasser (SC) (1950-51-52-53) 48
5.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 46
6.  Dick Tolloti (M) (1951-52-53) 45
7.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56) 45
8.  Errol Jacobs (B) (1952-53-54-55) 44
9.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 41*
10. Don Levengood (D) (1954-55-56) 39

TEAM HIGH GAMES

102 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1946)
  97 - Midvale (1956) Port (1956)
  92 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1947)
  91 - Strasburg (1955) Tuscarawas (1955)
  87 - Strasburg Tigers (1955)
  85 - Port (1946) (1956) Stone Creek (1956) Strasburg (1955)
  84 - Gnadenhutten Indians (1955)
  82 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1949)
  81 - Stone Creek (1953) Strasburg (1954)
  80 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1954)

1000 CAREER POINT CLUB (League-Regular Season- All Tournaments

1.  Bill Jones - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1955) 1,792
2.  Jim Lorenz - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1954) 1,546
3.  Ron Deibel (Junior) - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1956) 1,385
4.  John Studer - Strasburg Tigers (1934) 1,061
5.  Frank Baumholtz - Midvale Blue Devils (1937) 997* (*Stats missing 1 game)

56 - Strasburg OUT! 84-73 (3-7-56)

The 1956 Strasburg Tigers...Sectional Co-Champion Team.  FRONT:  Shanon Hague - Bob Glasgow - Connie Kres - Shirley Gasser - Margaret Stanbarger - Beulah Lewis - Clyde Yackey and Nick Haswell.  BACK:  Head Coach Ken Newlon - Lloyd Deibel - Terry Zingery - Jerry Froman - Willie Rieger - Roy Gray - Jim Kuecher - Charles Burris - Don Weber - Woodie Norris - Bill Hensel Assistant Coach Dale McDonald.  (The Daily Reporter Photo)



BRILLIANT - A sizzling Yorkville Ductillites (21-3) scoring machine, with 6-5 Henry Josefczyk and flashy Ed Baran at the controls, went head on with a scrapping Strasburg Tigers (4-2) (21-2) outfit on the Brilliant High School Auditorium basketball court last night and when the final buzzer had sounded, the Riverfront crew had an 84-73 victory and a ticket to the Class B District Finals.  Yorkville's jet-propelled fast-break and uncanny marksmanship threatened to break the contest wide open more than once, but the Ductillites, despite a shooting average that bordered on a phenomenal 70 percent, had a battle right down to the wire.

Head Coach Ken Newlon's Strasburg crew turned in a top-notch performance in defeat and the loss of sparkplug Junior guard Jerry Froman shortly after the 2nd half began was a turning point in the clash.  The defeat marked the 1st time in 4 years that this Tiger team has not been in the District finals.  For the Ducks, the triumph avenged a 118-71 setback at the hands of the Bengals last year and gave Head Coach Earl Davis' charges the right to meet the Holloway Railroaders for the District Class B toga at Brilliant on Friday night.

According to shot charts kept by the Cats, the Yorkville Ductillites' shooting average for the night was near the 70 percent mark, an average that will figure to win ball games in any League.  The Strasburg Tigers themselves came through with a healthy 38 percent figure, despite a 1st-period "deepfreeze" that saw them able to connect only 5 times from the field.  Strasburg got more shots at the basket and for the entire 1st half held control of the backboards.  The Tigers went to the charity stripe the same number of times as Yorkville, but the Ductillites had on their scoring clothes last night and few shots went awry for them.

The Tintowners connected on 16 of 20 offerings at the free throw line with the Bengals only getting 7 of 20.  In field goals, the Ducks had 34, while the Cats had 33.  This statistical view shows that despite their red-hot shooting from the field, the victors amassed their big advantage with accuracy at the charity line.  Senior forward Willie Rieger turned in a tremendous game under the boards for the Strasburg Tigers throughout the contest and, while teaming with Froman and Senior center Ron Gray in the first 2 quarters, kept Strasburg rolling along with the speedy Yorkville Ductillites.

Froman's 2nd-period surge, when he picked up 12 of the 14 markers, helped carry Strasburg right back into contention, but the Tiger forward also picked up 3 quick personal fouls to add to one he was tagged with in the 1st quarter and put him on dangerous ground.  Forward Ralph Rungo, guard Don Di Napoli and Josefczyk rushed Yorkville off to an early lead in the opening minutes of the game and it appeared that the Tintowners had too much punch for the Bengals.  With the Ductillites leading 12-2 in the early minutes of the game, the Cats battled back and managed to hold its own through the remainder of the period with the Ducks holding a 22-13 lead at intermission.

The fireworks began popping in the 2nd frame as Senior forward Jim (Dandy) Kuecher,  scoreless in the opening quarter, Rieger and Froman began to connect for the Strasburg Tigers.  The Yorkville Ductillites' firewagon attack appeared to have lost its steam in the 2nd period and Strasburg slowly pared the deficit until with one minute to go in the half, the Tigers were but one point behind.

Head Coach Earl Davis called 4 time outs in the 2nd frame to give his team a needed break and the Yorkville Ductillites went into a stall in the last minutes of the 1st half with a 37-36 lead.  Froman fouled Di Napoli with 6 seconds left on the clock and the Yorkville guard dropped both shots to widen the gap to 39-36 at half time.  The Tigers roared back in the 3rd stanza and took their only lead of the game 44-43 when Kuecher stole the ball and canned a bunny shot, but the Ductillites grabbed the lead seconds later when Froman was charged with his 5th personal after only 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter.

Di Napoli's 2 free throw shots put the Ducks ahead to stay and Rungo quickly added 2 fielders at the throttle of a fast-break attack and the Yorkville Ductillites appeared on their way again.  Kuecher and Senior guard Lloyd Deibel sliced the margin to 50-48, but at this point guard Ed Baran began his shooting show and tossed in 5 field goals in 5 attempts as Yorkville pulled away 62-54 at the far turn, despite Senior Bill Hensel's sudden surge.

Gray and Kuecher cut the deficit to 4 points as the 4th canto got under way, but once again Baran took over for the Ductillites to carry the Ducks, 12 points ahead at one time, with Josefczyk chiming in to bulge the advantage to 15 markers before Sub center "Chuck" Burris netted 2 of his 3 action shots of the evening to cut down the final edge.  Josefczyk tallied 33 and Baran connected for 26, 20 of which came in the final 2 periods, as the Yorkville Ductillites scoring leaders connected on better than 60 percent of their shots.

Rieger totaled 19 to take scoring honors for the Bengals, with Kuecher collecting 18 after his slow start.

YORKVILLE DUCTILLITES - 84

Nick Gerolimus 1-0-2
Ralplh Rungo 6-2-12
Henry Josefezyk 12-9-33
Don Di Napoli 2-5-9
Ed Baran 13-0-26

STRASBURG TIGERS - 73

Jim (Dandy) Kuecher 9-0-18
Willie Rieger 9-1-19
Ron Gray 1-1-3
Lloyd Deibel 3-1-7
Jerry Froman 5-4-14
Charlie "Chuck" Burris 3-0-6
Bill Hensel 3-0-6

YORKVILLE  22-30-62-84
STRASBURG  13-36-54-73


Thursday, March 8, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  On Friday March 9th the Holloway Railroaders knocked off the Killbuck Bucks 94-87.  On Saturday the Yorkville Ductillites got the best of the Holloway Railroaders 89-81 for a berth at the Regional Tournament.  In the 1st Regional game, the Yorkville Ductillites (22-4) lost to the Chagrin Falls Tigers.  The Chagrin Falls Tigers lost out in the State Semi-Finals to Columbus St. Mary 71-51 and then Columbus St. Mary lost to Arcanum (27-1) 72-71for the State Basketball Class B Championship.

56 - Strasburg vs Yorkville RunDown

BRILLIANT - Henry Josefczyk and the Yorkville Ductillites stand between the Strasburg Tigers and a 4th straight engagement in the District finals of the Eastern Ohio Class B Basketball carnival.  For 3 straight seasons the roundball artists of Bengalville have roared into the District jousts and reached the finals, going on to the Regional Tournament finals before bowing out in 2 of those seasons.

Last year, the same Yorkville Ducks posed no problem for Head Coach Ken Newlon's powerful combination as the Orange and Black smashed past the River Rovers 118-71 to set 2 new records for the Dover Memorial Hall books.  This year, the Jefferson County Champions are figured to have a very slight edge, if any and that advantage will be in the persons of Josefczyk, leading scorer in the State this year and flashy Ed Baran.

The Tigers and Ductillies will meet at 8:00 Wednesday in the spacious Brilliant High School Auditorium-Gymnasium with the winner taking on the triumphant team emerging from tonight's struggle between the Killbuck Bucks of Holmes County (18-5) and the Holloway Railroaders of Belmont County (21-1).  Head Coach Ken Newlon sent his charges through a long scrimmage session in the Strasburg Gymnasium yesterday with Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel, star of last year's District Kings standing in as Josefezyk in the drill.  Today, the Tigers worked out on the Dennison High Court which is the same type as that which the Tigers will see at Brilliant Wednesday night.

Josefezyk has scored 993 points as Yorkville rolled along to an overall record of 20 victories and 3 defeats.  Baran, who stands 5-11, has averaged 20 points per contest to give the Ducks a potent one-two punch.  Both 6-5 Josefezyk and Baran are back from last year's squad which was humiliated here at Memorial Hall by the Strasburg Powerhouse.  They will probably line up with 6-0 Don D. Napoli 5-5 Nick Gerolimos and 5-10 Ralph Rungo as the 5 Yorkville starters.

Tom Alessl (5-5), brother of the high-scoring Ken Alessl of a few years ago, 5-5 Sam Vinci and 5-9 Jack Bigelow, will round out the Yorkville squad which will be most likely to see action in the contest.  Head Coach Earl Davis whose charges lost only 3 times this year with all 3 defeats coming at the hands of Class A teams.  Steubenville Central Catholic defeated the Ducks 62-55 in the 2nd game of the season and Bellaire St. John Central took Yorkville's measure twice by counts of 84-73 and 106-77.

STRASBURG TIGERS (21-1)

Bolivar 62-44 W
Dundee 84-50 W
Tuscarawas 64-42 W
Dalton 68-61 W
Mineral City 89-53 W
Midvale 69-58 W
Baltic 76-49 W
Gnadenhutten 73-65 W
Big Prairie 51-48 W
Bolivar 74-44 W
Stone Creek 79-57 W
Killbuck 67-53 W
Sugarcreek-Shanesville 66-30 W
Sandy Valley 63-58 W
Midvale 71-62 W
Navarre 78-53 W
Port Washington 64-46 W

COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Sugarcreek-Shanesville 77-70 W
Gnadenhutten 76-59 W
Midvale 63-72 L

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

Dennison St. Mary 98-37 W
Midvale 75-74 W

YORKVILLE DUCTILLITES (20-3)

Brilliant 63-38 W
Steubenville Central 55-62 L
Shadyside 84 - 82 W
Dillonvale 101-80 W
Bridgeport 109-55 W
Brilliant 97-46 W
Linsley Institute 97-73 W
Mt. Pleasant 87-69 W
Bellaire St. Johns 73-84L
Wayne Township 84-73W
Dillonvale 75-69W
Flushing 84-73W
Adena 70-53W
Mt. Pleasant 92-81W
Bridgeport 86-70W
Bellaire St. John 77-106L
Smithville 90-48W
Shadyside 90-70W

COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Adena 89-67W
Brilliant 85-53W
Irondale 105-74W
Springfield Township 55-53W

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

Freeport 44-21W


Tuesday, March 6, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Strasburg Squeaks Past Midvale 75-74 (3-3-56)

The Strasburg Tigers have a new addition for their well-filled trophy case after finishing as a co-winner of the Sectional Tournament staged at Dover's Memorial Hall here on Saturday night.  The Tigers are shown giving out a victory yell after nipping the Midvale Blue Devils in a 75-74 spine-tingler and thereby earning a berth, along with the Killbuck Bucks, in the District Tournament which opens Wednesday night at Brilliant.  The Bengals will face the touted Yorkville Ductillites.  (The Daily Reporter Photo)

BEDLAM.  Head Coach Ken Kenlon and his jubilant Strasburg Tigers rush towards the Referee to get the Game Ball after bouncing back to nip the Midvale Blue Devils and earn the right to advance to the District Tournament joust at Brilliant this week.  (The Daily Reporter Photo)

Senior Forward Larry Swinderman of the Midvale Blue Devils lets go with one of his jump shots in the 4th canto of Saturday night's hectic basketball contest at Memorial Hall in Dover as the Strasburg Tigers' Senior Forward Willie Rieger (77) attempts to block the shot.

The 1956 Midvale Blue Devils winners of the 34th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament.  FRONT:  John Beans - Dick Slano - Sandra Penick - Shirley Graber - Mary Varally - Wayne LeMasters and Tom Krocker.  BACK:  Assistant Coach Loren Beaber - Dave Belknap - Larry Swinderman - Dick (Dandy) Leggett - Dave De Mattio - Charles Seldennight - Loren Beans - Gary Haney - John Columbo - Jerry Benedum Lonnie Wolf and Head Coach Pete Hilliard.




DOVER - Those-Never-Say-Die Strasburg Tigers, who finished like Whirlaway to upend the Midvale Blue Devils in the co-finals of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall on Saturday night, will face the Yorkville Ductillites and the State's top "B" point-producer in the District Tournament at Brilliant on Wednesday evening.  Strasburg's, 75-74 victor over Midvale before a howling, sardine-packed turnout and Yorkville, boasting Henry Josefczyk who has averaged over 45 points a game, will clash at 8:00 Wednesday night.  The District eliminations open tomorrow night at 8:00 when 6-1 Ron "Butch" Arndt and his Killbuck mates do battle with once-beaten Holloway Railroaders.

The Killbuck Bucks earned a District Tournament berth in the Saturday night opener.  With Arndt showing the way the Bucks (18-5) outlasted the spunky Dennison Railroaders 71-64.  The Yorkville Ductillites (20-3) and Holloway Railroaders (21-1) were Co-Champions of the Sectional Tournament at St. Clairsville where the Yorks toppled the Freeport Red Raiders 41-21 as the Red Raiders tried a "freeze act" and the Railroaders spilled the Powhatan Point Indians 81-80.

The Ductillites, sparked by the 6-5 Josefezyk, have lost only to a pair of Class A schools. Steubenville Central whipped them twice and the other setback came at the hands of the Bellaire St. John Central Fighting Irish.  Yorkville has Josefczyk, Ed Baran and Nick Gerolimos back from the club which was beaten by the Strasburg Tigers 118-71 in last year's District Tournament at Memorial Hall in Dover.  The Tigers will enter the Wednesday setup with a record of 21 victories against the County Tournament final loss to the Midvale Blue Devils.

Holloway probably has the tallest team in the tournament.  The Railroaders lost to Freeport 88-69 in a regular season fracas in which Holloway was without its wheel-horse and 2nd leading scorer, Al Helter.  Leroy Bell, Holloway point leader, is averaging almost 35 points a game.  The winners of the Tuesday and Wednesday contest will clash for a Regional Tournament berth at 8:00 on Friday night.  The doors to the Brilliant Gym will open at 7:00, all 3 nights.

Strasburg fans may purchase tickets at the high school tomorrow and Wednesday.  Five hundred tickets are available at the school.  The 2 games at Memorial Hall Saturday night drew 1,306 paid admissions with the crowd being estimated at over 1,900.  According to Tournament Manager W. E. Laws, the total attendance for the Sectional Tournament was 3,587, an increase of 73 over last year.

Just about everybody is saying it..."It's too bad the county can't send both teams to the District Tournament."  But somebody had to lose and this time it was the fighting Midvale Blue Devils (5-1) (20-6) which came out on the short end of the deal...only because of a Strasburg Tigers (4-1) (21-1) aggregation which does not know the meaning of the word "quit."

In one of the greatest finishes ever witnessed on a local floor, the blazing Tigers coached by Ken Newlon came through in scintillating fashion as they moved into the District eliminations for a 3rd straight year.  Strasburg trailed the hustling Blue Devils for the most part of the 1st half, once by as much as 10 points.  The Bengals fought back to battle Midvale tooth and nail in the 3rd stanza and went into the final round on the long end of a 55-52 count.

But, the Diablos climbed back into the driver's seat at the 3:15 mark and a minute later was front-running by 5 points.  A set shot by slight-built Junior forward John Columbo whittled the difference to 65-64 and a pair of fouls by sub Junior Dave De Mattio put the Devils ahead 66-65.  De Mattio was fouled by Senior forward Jim (Lefty) Kuecher, the Strasburg basketbomber and it was Kuecher's 5th.  With 3 minutes left little Senior forward Larry Swinderman hit on 2 free throws and 2 more by Columbo which gave the Midvale Blue Devils a 70-65 command.

The situation was anything but bright for the Tigers.  But the irrepressible Junior Jerry Froman, Bengal guard, took over.  Froman socked in a jump shot and was fouled as Midvale moved into a freeze act.  He made one shot and the Tigers lagged by only 2.  The Cats forced a jump ball, then got the sphere out of bounds and again Froman was fouled.  This time he converted both tosses and it was all tied up with a minute and 34 seconds to go.  The Blue Devils missed a shot from up close and the Strasburg Tigers were on the attack again.  And in a matter of seconds, thanks to Froman, Strasburg was in front.  He hit on another jumper and the place was going wild.

However, De Mattio was fouled.  Again he sank 2 free throws, the scoreboard showed a 72-72 deadlock with 1:04 remaining.  After one shot was blocked by Columbo, Froman got his hooks on the leather again and the Strasburg Bearcat, with only 16 seconds left and the house in bedlam, flipped in another jump shot.  He was fouled, converted and there was the Tiger edge.

At the buzzer red-haired Junior guard Dick (Dandy) Leggett was fouled, but the Tiger fans rushed onto the floor and Leggett never had a chance to toe the penalty line.  Consequently, he was awarded 2 free points.  The Bengal stars were hoisted onto the shoulders of celebrating rooters and after considerable shouting, back-pounding and tear-spilling, the Cats and Killbuck were presented the Co-Championship trophies.

It was a mighty cruel blow for Head Coach Pete Hilliard's gang.  But, they can look back to many happy moments and can be especially proud of their conquests which gave the Blue Devils the County Tournament Crown.  Both Kuecher and Swinderman, point leaders for their teams, failed to reach their average, but turned in fine games.  It was Froman and Columbo who took honors for the night.

Froman wound up with 29 points, despite the fact he made only 3 field goals in 13 tries during the 1st half.  Kuecher pitched in 12 and "Chuck" Burris, a Sophomore who moved into the pivot after the Tiger offense sputtered in the 2nd session, proved a pleasant surprise as he bagged 11.  Mite Senior Bill Hensel was terrific in a relief role.  He took over the guard spot when Senior guard Lloyd Deibel became loaded with personal fouls before the 1st quarter was over.  Senior forward Willie Rieger was again a rugged customer on the boards as was Senior center Ron Gray when he was in action.  It was strictly a united effort and one which followers of the Orange and Black will long remember.

Columbo, shining especially as the Diablos barged ahead in the 1st half, canned 27 points on 10 field goals in 18 shots and 7 for 8 at the free throw line.  He tossed in 14 markers during the initial quarter, 10 of them on 5 action shots in 6 attempts.  Swinderman, who had nightmarish luck on his shots in the 2nd half, contributed 14, while Leggett and Junior guard John Beans finished with 13 apiece.  Both teams made 36 percent of their shots.  Strasburg had the greater amount of opportunities, 80, while Midvale shot 61 times.

The talented Tigers unleased a 29-goal attack and made 17 of 35 free throws, while the Blue and Gold hit for 22 doubledeckers and was sensational at the white stripe.  Hilliard's team had 40 free throw shots and missed only 10 times.  The score was tied 3 times before a jump shot by Swinderman sent Midvale in front 9-7 in the opening quarter.  With Columbo hotter than a giant firecracker the Blue Devils moved on to a 25-19 advantage going into the 2nd frame and goals by Leggett and Beans hiked the count to 10 points.  The Newlon-coached bunch battled back to knot the count at 33-all on a set by Hensel, but a layup by Leggett and 2 free throws by Leggett gave Midvale a 4-point spread at intermission.

The 3rd stanza was action packed.  Strasburg tied the score 4 times before taking a 49-48 margin at 2:44, but 2 free throw tosses by Beans made it 50-49.  A rebound bucket by Froman regained the lead for the Bengals before a jumper by Columbo put Midvale in the van once more.  However, 2 gratis pegs by Froman with 58 seconds left in the session sent Strasburg on top and Jerry came back with a posher to make it 55-52 entering the final round.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 75

Jim Kuecher 6-0-12
Willie Rieger 1-4-6
Ron Gray 3-2-8
Jerry Froman 10-9-29
Lloyd Deibel 1-0-2
Bill Hensel 3-1-7
Chuck Burris 5-1-11

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 74

Larry Swinderman 4-6-14 (562)
John Columbo 10-7-27) (304)
Chuck Seldenright 0-1-1 (115)
John Beans 4-5-13 (261)
Dick (Dandy) Leggett 3-7-13 (477)
Loren Beans 0-0-0
Dave De Mattio 1-4-6

STRASBURG  19-33-55-75
MIDVALE        25-37-52-74


Monday, March 5, 1956
Charlie Powell, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Midvale Rocks Millersburg 82-58 (3-2-56)

DOVER - The stage is set.  Upwards of 1900 fans will be jammed into Dover's Memorial Hall.  Tonight is THE night as far as the Strasburg Tigers and Midvale Blue Devils are concerned.  When they clash for the 4th time this season and 2nd in tournament battling, a berth in next week's District Class B dribble derby will be the prize.  The Blue Devils from Midvale, zooming to an 82-58 conquest of the Millersburg Knights and the Bucks of Killbuck, beating the Malvern Green Hornets 79-50 as Ron (Butch) Arndt equaled a Sectional Tournament and Memorial Hall scoring record (45 points) last night joined the Tigers of Strasburg and a 3rd county outfit, the Railroaders of Dennison, in tonight's co-finals.

The Railroaders and Bucks square off at 7:30 with the expected struggle between the County Champions and Runnerup slated to get under way at about 8:45.  Twice during the regular campaign the Bengals and Diablos met on the polished planks.  Twice Strasburg, en route to an unsullied record of 17 victories, took Midvale into camp.  But, in the county finals the Blue Devils prevailed 72-68 as they ended a Tiger skein that had reached 19 games.

Tonight the 2 long-time rivals do battle again with a bigger honor at stake.  There will be a trophy and a chance for further triumphs along the tournament trail.  The District Tournament is to be held at the Brilliant High School Gymnasium next Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  Head Coach Ken Newlon of Strasburg will go with the usual lineup of Jim Kuecher and Willie Rieger at the forwards, Ron Gray at center and Jerry Froman and Lloyd Deibel at the guards.  The Tigers whipped the Dennison St. Mary Ramblers in their only Sectional Tournament start.  Meanwhile, Head Coach Pete Hilliard will stand pat with Larry Swinderman and John Columbo at the forwards, Chuck Seldenright in the pivot and Dick Leggett and John Beans at the guard positions.

Dennison may be faced with a tough task in stopping Arndt, the Killbuck shooting star, who looks like he has springs in his legs.  Of course the Railroaders have size, especially in 6-3 Jerry Hill and a point duel between the 2 pivots may be the feature of the opener.  Dennison which has won 6 and lost 13, beat the Berlin Panthers, while the Killbuck Bucks, now at 17-5, also spilled the Port Washington Purple Riders out of the Sectional Tournament.

Doors to the gym will open at 6:30 this evening with all tickets being sold at the door.  Trophies will be presented to both winners.  The drawing for the District Tournament will be held at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon at Brilliant High School.

The score was tied 4 times and the Millersburg Knights (5-13) led by a point midway in the opening quarter, but the Midvale Blue Devils (5-0) (20-5) rode on top 22-12 at the end of the first 8 minutes and from then on it was only a matter of a final spread.  A fast break layup by Junior guard Dick (Dandy) Leggett sent the Blue Devils on top 12-11 and after a rebound goal by 6-3 Senior center Chuck Seldenright and a free throw by the Knights' Jim Shonk the Diablos closed out the quarter with 4 straight field goals, 2 of them by Leggett.

The Spartans, although trying desperately, couldn't withstand Midvale's potent attack and fine defense in the 2nd session when Head Coach Harry Weckesser's combine scored only 6 points, 4 of them on free throw tosses.  Meanwhile, Head Coach Pete Hilliard's forces, with little Senior forward Larry Swinderman bagging 4 action shots and 2 charity heaves, jacked the count to 38-18 by halftime.  Coach Hilliard inserted his 2nd stringers with 3 minutes remaining in the 3rd stanza and they finished up.

The Diablo regulars hit at almost 41 percent as they made 27 field goals in 66 attempts.  Swinderman, who canned 3 more doubledeckers as the Blue and Gold outscored lhe Green and White by 30-17 in the 3rd period, would up with 11 field goals and 2 free throws for 24 points, while Leggett meshed 17 markers and John Columbo, getting 9 points in the 3rd period alone, made 15.  The Millersburg Knights, which finished the season with a record of 4 wins against 14 setbacks was led by Shonk who scored 15, followed by Jim Ludman with 10.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 82

Larry Swinderman 11-2-24 (548)
John Columbo 7-1-15 (277)
Chuck Seldenright 2-4-8 (114)
John Beans 0-0-0 (248)
Dick (Dandy) Leggett 7-3-17 (464)
Gary Haney 0-2-2 (69)
Dave Belknap 0-3-3
Tom Krocker 2-1-5
Dave De Mattio 1-2-4
Jerry Benedum 0-0-0
Lonnie Wolfe 0-0-0

MILLERSBURG KNIGHTS - 58

Hall 2-0-4
Maxwell 2-2-6
R. Meeks 2-1-5
Jim Shonk 5-5-15
Money 4-1-9
Rottman 0-0-0
Jim Ludman 3-4-10
I. Meeks 2-0-4
Tennant 0-1-1
Anderson 1-0-2
Hostutler 1-0-2

MIDVALE             22-38-68-82
MILLERSBURG  12-18-37-58


Saturday, March 3, 1956
Charlie Powell, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Strasburg Slams Dennison St. Mary 98-37 (3-1-56)

Senior Forward Jim (Lefty) Kuecher of the Strasburg Tigers and leading tally-maker flips the ball goal-ward against the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves.  Junior Forward Bob Beamer was too late as Kuecher hits another 2 points for the Tigers.  (The Daily Reporter Photo by Ralph McKee)

Senior Forward Willie Rieger of the Strasburg Tigers is their ace rebounder and here drops in 2 points despite the efforts of Freshman Forward Paul Smolak of the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves.  Wilmer Bland (72) looks on, while partially visible behind him is Strasburg's Senior Center Ron Gray as the Bengals enter the Sectional Tournament co-finals.  (The Daily Reporter Photo by Ralph McKee)



DOVER - Barring a major upset. the Midvale Blue Devils will join 2 other Tuscarawas County teams in the co-finals of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall tonight.  The Strasburg Tigers, 5th-ranked team in the State, was entrenched in the Sectional Tournament finale for a 3rd straight year after the defending District Tournament Champs blasted the out-manned Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves 98-37 last night as the 1st string played only 19 minutes.

In the opener at the Dover gymnasium, the Dennison Railroaders advanced to one of the 2 Saturday night scraps as big 6-3 center Jerry Hill paved the way for an 83-61 conquest of a smaller, outclassed Berlin Panthers team.  The bucket-bombing resumes tonight at 7:30 with the Malvern Green Hornets (6-13) the Carroll County standard-bearer, facing the Killbuck Bucks (16-5) the Holmes County titlist and Tuscarawas County Champion Midvale Blue Devils (19-5) going against the Millersburg Knights (5-13).  Malvern and Millersburg drew byes, while in 1st round action, Midvale ousted the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers and the Bucks eliminated the Port Washington Purple Riders.

If the Blue Devils win tonight and it should get by the Knights, the Diablos and Tigers will be paired again.  The game involving the Bengals will begin at about 8:45 following the 7:30 opener between the Railroaders and the Killbuck-Malvern victor.  In the Tuscarawas County titular fuss, The Midvale Blue Devils ended Strasburg's 19-game winning streak.  Last night a goodly crowd was on hand, but only a handful remained after Strasburg roared to a 43-13 intermission advantage over the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves.  Neither the Tigers nor the Railroaders had much trouble and both had identical shooting marks as each hit the hoop at a 46 percent clip.

With his team leading 53-15, Head Coach Ken Newlon of the Strasburg Tigers (3-1) (20-1) yanked his starters early in the 3rd stanza, but the 2nd stringers were a torrid-shooting bunch too as the Tigers clawed the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (4-15) in the nightcap.  The "bench warmers," sparked by center Chuck Burris, added 45 points to the Strasburg total as they hit on 19 fielders in 37 shots.  By the end of the 3rd quarter they were coasting 71-25 and probably would have reached the century mark if the Blue Waves had not slowed up the action in the fading moments of play.

Burris wound up with 19 points for game honors, while Senior Jim (Lefty) Kuecher, regular forward, was next with 16.  Senior forward Willie Rieger and Junior guard Jerry Froman also scored in double digits, while Senior Bill Hensel of the 2nd Five bagged 12 markers.  A set shot by Junior forward Bob Beamer sent St. Mary on top 2-0 as the game got under way, but Kuecher hit on a set from the corner and a one-hander by Senior guard Lloyd Deibel gave the Bengals a lead they never relinquished.  It was 20-10 at the end of the 1st quarter and the Striped Cats padded their advantage by 21 points in the 2nd frame when the Dennison Saints garnered only 2 markers, those on a field goal by Sophomore Sub Charles (Pat) Hayes with 57 seconds left in the period.

The score was 43-12 at intermission and after the regulars showed they weren't about to be stopped, Coach Newlon sent in his 2nd team.  With the starters making 23 goals in 51 shots, the Strasburg Tigers ended with 42 goals in 91 attempts for 46 percent.  The Waves, with 12 action shots in only 30 shots, hit at 30 percent.  High for the losers was Sophomore forward Jim Guida with 11 markers.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 98

Jim (Lefty) Kuecher 8-0-16
Willie Rieger 4-3-11
Ron Gray 3-3-9
Lloyd Deibel 3-0-6
Jerry Froman 5-1-11
Chuck Burris 7-5-19
Woody Norris 3-0-6
Bill Hensel 5-2-12
Bob Haswell 1-0-2
Hague 1-0-2
Don Weber 2-6-10
George Gessner 0-0-0

DENNISON ST. MARY BLUE WAVES - 37

Bob Beamer 4-1-9
Paul Smolak 1-0-2
Jim Guida 3-5-11
Ken Beamer 0-0-0
Still 1-0-2
Varcollo 0-0-0
Geary Bradley 1-4-6
Wilmer Bland 0-0-0
Charles Hayes 2-3-7

STRASBURG  20-43-71-98
ST. MARY       10-12-25-37


Friday, March 2, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Midvale Whips Dover St. Joseph Ramblers 87-68 (2-29-56)

Senior forward Mike Seibold of the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers seems to be roped in by 3 Midvale Blue Devils, as Mike was only battling for possession of the ball when this photo was taken by Ralph McKee of the Daily Reporter.  From left to right the Blue Devil hoopsters trying to grab the leather are Junior guard John Beans, Senior center Chuck Seldenright, and Junior forward John Colombo, while at the right is the Ramblers Junior guard Bill Reiger.  Columbo popped in 29 points as the Diablos downed the Saints handily.



DOVER - The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers were ready to put its basketball equipment in mothballs for another year after the Midvale Blue Devils, the Tuscarawas County Tournament standard-bearer, eliminated the Ramblers from the Class B Sectional Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall last night.  Down by only 6 points at intermission, the Saints couldn't keep up with Johnny Columbo and his radar-eyed Blue Devil mates in the 2nd half and they went down to defeat 87-68.

The Port Washington Purple Riders, surprise team of the county tournament, was the 1st to leave  Memorial Hall battling as the Purple Riders fell victim to the tough Killbuck Bucks by an 80-73 count after a stirring struggle which marked the opening of the lose-and-out warfare.  At least one more county team is destined to be on the sidelines after tonight.  The winners will advance to the co-finals.

The Berlin Panthers , Runnerup to the Bucks in Holmes County, takes its 18-5 record against the Dennison Railroaders (5-13) at 7:30, while in the nightcap the once-beaten Strasburg Tigers do battle with the other Dennison team, the St. Mary Blue Waves (4-14).  Strasburg must be rated a strong favorite over St. Mary's which hasn't played as rugged a schedule as the Tigers who won 19 in a row before being clipped by Midvale in the county finale.

Dennison St. Mary's, with only one 6-footer in Freshman Paul Smolak, will be out-reached as the Bengals boast a lot of rebound power in Ron Gray, Willie Rieger and Jerry Froman.  Froman and Jim Kuecher, All-County stars, are the club's ace point-makers.  Berlin has the 2nd best record in the Sectional and a standout scorer in Wilford Conn, but Dennison, which has been the county's hard luck team...the Railroaders lost a half-dozen games by only a few points...may carry too many guns.  "Chick" Maurer's club has scoring balance in 6-3 Jerry Hill who has scored 292 points.  Allan Kennedy who has canned 210 and Tom Maitland who has made 222.

Killbuck returns to action against the Malvern Green Hornets and Midvale will meet the Millersburg Knights in semi-final jousts on Friday night.  The winners of these 2 games will meet the victors in tonight's skirmishes for berths in next week's District competition at Brilliant.

Little Junior forward John Columbo took over the spark-plugging chores for the Midvale Blue Devils (4-0) (19-5) as the county tournament titlists raced to their impressive triumph over a dangerous Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (10-9) aggregation.  With Senior forward Larry Swinderman and Junior guard Dick (Dandy) Leggett unable to hit with their usual consistency, Columbo burned the nets for 13 actions shots and 9 free throws for a total of 35 points, with 22 coming in the 2nd half, to cop individual laurels for the 1st night of Sectional Tournament activity.

Swinderman, who fouled out in the 3rd stanza, and Leggett turned in commendable performances and came through with points at crucial moments, each finishing the contest with 17 points.  Junior guard Bill Reiger, who sat out part of the 3rd period with 4 personals and then fouled out in the final canto, topped St. Joseph's with 18 points, followed by 6-2 Senior center George Milyiori and Senior Sub Bob Barkett with 16 and 11 respectively.

Although never able to catch up to Midvale, the Ramblers threatened throughout the 1st half and the Blue Devils were in constant danger of being overtaken until cutting loose with a 28 points spurt in the 3rd quarter.  In an opening period, marked with numerous personal fouls the Diablos outscored the Saints 21-15 as Swinderman led the way with 9 points...5 at the charity stripe.

The Devils had a 10-point lead early in the 2nd frame, but the scrappy Dover St. Joseph Ramblers, with Reiger starring, narrowed the gap to 38-32 at intermission as 6-3 Senior center Chuck Seldenright and Junior guard John Beans sat part of the period on the bench.  With Reiger and Junior forward George "Sonny" Zifer sidelined temporarily on 4 personal fouls, Columbo spurred the Blue and Gold with 11 points in the 3rd stanza and with help from Swinderman and Junior Sub Dave De Mattio, the Midvale Blue Devils took a commanding 66-51 advantage into the closing chapter.

Zifer and Reiger fouled out for St. Joseph early in the last quarter and with Columbo continuing his hot pace with 11 more markers, Midvale contented themselves with matching points with the Ramblers.  Milyiori was ejected from the game with 1:10 remaining for intentional fouling Columbo.  A total of 44 personals were assessed with 23 against the Saints.  The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers made good on 16 of 35 free throws, while the Blue Devils made 27 of 42.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 87

John Columbo 13-9-35 (262))
Larry Swinderman 6-5-17 (520)
Chuck Seldenright 2-4-8 (106)
John Beans 0-1-1 (248)
Dick (Dandy) Leggett 6-5-17 (447)
Lonnie Wolfe 0-2-2
Gary Haney 0-0-0 (67)
Dave De Mattio 3-1-7

DOVER ST. JOSEPH RAMBLERS - 68

Mike Seibold 0-1-1
George Zifer 4-1-9 (327)
George Milyiori 7-2-16 (315)
Don Pace 3-1-7 (149)
Bill Reiger 7-4-18
Bob Barkett 3-5-11 (132)
Joel Spiker 2-2-6 (154)
Ed Young 0-0-0
Leonard Zuchegao 0-0-0
Leonard Marglotta 0-0-0
Tom Contini 0-0-0
Ron Contini 0-0-0

MIDVALE                    21-38-66-87
DOVER ST. JOSEPH  15-32-51-68


Thursday, March 1, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Port Falls To Killbuck 80-73 (2-29-56)

The 1956 Port Washington Purple Riders Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Ron Phillips - Dick Quillin (Manager) - Betty Eckleberry - Karen Veley - Connie Dichler - Dan Decker (Manager) and Bob Welsch.  BACK:  Head Coach Bray Toot - Tom Gardner - Jerry Hannahs - Bill McConnell - Nick Frank - Tom Jones - Ed Bates - Doyle Galbraith - Denver Glazer and Don Ferrell.  (The Daily Reporter Photo)



DOVER - The one-two scoring punch supplied by forward Jack Niehart and 6-1 center Ron "Butch" Arndt of the Killbuck Bucks (16-5) proved too much for the Port Washington Purple Riders (3-2) (15-8) as the Purple Riders put up a gallant battle before bowing to the Holmes County Tournament Champs.  Niehart rattled the rims for 12 field goals and 5 free throws for 29 points, while Arndt was close behind with an even dozen action shots for 24 markers.  Senior forward Tom Jones (6-1) and 6-1 Junior forward Ed Bates gave the Riders a doublebarreled attack of their own with 26 and 22 points, respectively, but Head Coach Bray Toot's cagers just couldn't snuff out the Bucks' offense at opportune times.

With Niehart and Arndt doing most of the scoring, the Yellow and Black raced to a 20-15 first quarter lead before Bates began finding the range, as the Port ace dunked 4 long shots in the 2nd frame to move the Purple and White to within 2 points, 36-34 at the long intermission.  Although Killbuck controlled the ball most of the time and capitalized on Arndt's rebounding ability, the Port Washington Purple Riders made good use of the ball once it was gained.  Sub Junior Jerry Hannahs entered the fray and did a good job under the boards in the 2nd period.

Niehart broke loose for 4 action shots in the thick of the fight before the Killbuck Bucks managed their longest lead of 6 points, 56-50, at the last stop.  Jones, Junior guard Denver Glazer and Bates each potted field goals as the final canto got under way to knot the count at 56-56, but Arndt broke the tie with a tip-in and guard Lee Tidball of the Bucks drove in for a bunny.

Jones tallied 9 points and Bates 8 during the last quarter rally, but Killbuck steadily increased the margin as Arndt netted 10 points and Niehart added 7.

KILLBUCK BUCKS - 80

Jack Niehart 12-5-29
Larry Haun 4-4-12
Ron "Butch" Arudt 12-0-24
Ken Spurgeon 1-0-2
Lee Tidball 4-0-8
Glassford 1-3-5

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 73

Ed Bates 10-2-22 (490)
Tom Jones 10-6-26 (324)
Nick Frank 4-3-11 (334)
Denver Glazer 2-0-4 (200)
Bob Welsch 4-0-8 (208)
Jerry Hannahs 1-0-2 (?)
Bill McConnell 0-0-0 (165)

KILLBUCK  20-36-56-80
PORT            15-34-50-73


Thursday, March 1, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Sectional Tournament Game Night

DOVER - Three Tuscarawas County teams will be shooting basketballs at the Dover Memorial Hall hoops tonight and when the smoke clears at least one of the 6 county schools in the Class B Sectional Tournament will be on the wayside.  The Sectional joust, which will send 2 survivors to the District Tournament next week at Brilliant, opens at 7:30 with the Port Washington Purple Riders, the "Cinderella" team of the county dribble derby, taking on the Holmes County Champion Killbuck Bucks.  In the nightcap, at about 8:45, the County Tournament Champion Midvale Blue Devils will vie with the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers.

The doors to the gym will open at 6:30.  All tickets will be sold at the door.  They are priced at 50 cents for students and 75 cents for adults.  Both games tonight may be battles all the way because a look at comparative scores indicates such and because tournament gold will be at stake.  The Purple Riders, which took home its 1st County Tournament Trophy when it beat the Gnadenhutten Indians for Consolation Division honors last Saturday night, will have an edge in size on the Bucks from Holmes County, but the Blue Devils and Ramblers are about even when it comes to height.  All 4 clubs are blessed with excellent shot-makers and high scoring affairs may be in the offing.

Both St. Joseph and the Diablos have trounced 2 Carroll County teams, the Malvern Green Hornets and Augusta Blue Devils, while both Killbuck and Port lost to the County League Champions Strasburg Tiger, but topped the Baltic Eagles handily.  Dover St. Joseph, which has the poorest record of the teams in action tonight, trounced Augusta 77-42, while Midvale rocked the same club 83-20.  The Ramblers from Dover; however, were upset in their tussle at Malvern 74-52, but later gained revenge by a 64-39 count at Memorial Hall.  The Blue Devils played the Green Hornets once and whipped them easily 80-44.

All-Countians Larry Swinderman and Dick Leggett are the shining lights for the Diablos, while George (Sonny) Zifer and big George Milylori are the scoring standouts for the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers.  Swinderman has scored 503 points and Leggett 430 as the Midvale Blue Devils won 18 of 23.  St. Joseph has played 18 contests with Zifer getting 318 in 18 and Milyiori tossing in 299 in 16.  The other starters for Midvale and points scored include "Chuck" Seldenright at center 98, John Columbo at forward 227 and John Beans at guard 247.  For additional rebound strength Head coach Pete Hilliard can call on Gary Haney, who has tallied 67 points.  Seldenright goes 6-3 and Haney 6-0, but the others are under the 72-inch mark.

For the Ramblers, coach by Charley Lucas forward Don Pace has tallied 142 points and guard Joel Spiker 148 and Bob Barker 121.  Their rebound power lies in the 6-2 Milyiori and the 5-11 Spiker, 5-11 Bill Rieger who has scored 41 points in 5 games after becoming eligible the 2nd semester is the 6th man, while Mike Seibold, 5-10, who has tallied 30 markers, is usded for added board strength.  Head Coach Bray Toot of the Port Washington Purple Riders will likely go with his regular lineup of 6-1 Tom Jones and 6-1 Ed Bates at the forwards, 6-2 Nick Frank in the pivot and 5-9 Bob Welsch and 5-10 Denver Glazer at the guards.  Bates has scored 468 points as the Purple Riders have won 15 of 22.  Frank has accounted for 323, Jones 298, Welsch 200 and Glazer 196.  6-1 Bill McConnell who also scored 165 is the 6th man.

Killbuck Head coach Virgil Allison will start 5-10 Jack Niehart and 5-10 Larry Haun at forwards, 6-1 Ron (Butch) Arudt at center and 5-11 Lee Tidball and 5-10 Ken Spurgeon at the guards.  Tidball is a Junior land Spurgeon a Sophomore, while the other 3 starters are Seniors.  Arndt, an all-county choice, is averaging about 29 points per game.  The Yellow and Black won 13 of 18 regular season outings and then beat Big Prairie-Lakeville and Berlin for the county tournament title.  The Bucks gave Strasburg a battle before bowing 67-53, while Port fell to the Tigers 64-46.  Killbuck whipped Baltic 81-62 and Port trounced the Eagles 103-73.  The victor in the opener will play Malvern and the Ramblers-Blue Devils winner will meet the Tigers-Blue Waves winner.  Tomorrow night at 7:30 the Berlin Panthers opposes the Dennison Railroaders, while the nightcap sends the Bengals against the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves.


Wednesday, February 29, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

56 - Sectional Tournament RunDown

DOVER - The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers, an on-and-off team during the regular season, will hit the tournament trail against the Tuscarawas County Tournament Champion Midvale Blue Devils when the Class B Sectional Tournament embracing 10 teams, opens at Dover's Memorial Hall on Wednesday night.  The Ramblers, who have won 10 and dropped 8 and the Blue Devils, who have emerged triumphant 18 times in 23 outings, will square off in an 8:45 nightcap.

Action opens at 7:30 that night with Port Washington's tall Purple Riders, who shot their way to the Tuscarawas Consolation Division toga, going against the Killbuck Bucks, the Holmes County Champion which features a one-man scoring machine in Ron "Butch" Arndt.  Port has a 15-7 record, while the Bucks have the same number of victories, but 2 less setbacks.  When pairings for the 4-night cage carnival were conducted at a dinner meeting at Helmkamp's Restaurant Sunday evening once-beaten Strasburg Tigers and Berlin Hawks, the Holmes County League kingpin, were accorded seeded positions.

The Tigers from Strasburg picked a lower bracket bye and were paired with the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (4-14) as the Blue Waves Head Coach Paul Drotovick, last mentor to draw for a position, had no other choice.  These 2 clubs will vie at 8:45 on Thursday night.  The Berlin Panthers (18-5) picked a bye in the upper bracket and the Panthers were slated to take on the Dennison Railroaders (5-13) at 7:30 Thursday after Head Coach "Chick" Maurer of the county club decided to stay out of the lower bracket of a 1st round meeting with the Bucks which had 1st pick after Strasburg and Berlin were seeded.

The Malvern Green Hornets (6-13) took a bye in the upper bracket on 3rd pick and the Millersburg Knights, 5th team to choose a position, took a lower bracket bye.  The Killlbuck-Port winner will meet the Green Hornets at 7:30 Friday, while in the nightcap the Knights (4-13) will do battle with the St. Joe-Midvale victor.  Carroll County did not stage a tournament and Malvern, by virtue of 2 regular season wins over the Augusta Blue Devils, rated the Sectional Tournament berth.

The semi-finals will be played at 7:30 and 8:35 Saturday night with the Co-Champions moving to "B" District Tournament play at Brilliant on March 6,7 and 9.  Following the seeding of Strasburg and Berlin, the other 8 teams drew for position.  Then they re-drew for bracket spots and Killbuck got 1st choice, Dennison 2nd, Malvern 3rd, Port Washington 4th, Millersburg 5th, St. Joe 6th, Midvale 7th and St. Mary's 8th.

Coaches voted to provide trophies for the Co-Champions with the awards to be presented out of tournament proceeds.  Runnerup in each bracket will be given the game basketballs.  Each school was allotted 26 passes and executive heads of competing schools were given 2 each.  Radio Broadcasts were approved.  According to District Board Regulations the stations pay $25.00 per session.  The Dover High Stadium Club will sell programs.  Tickets will cost 75 cents for adults and 50 cents for students.


Monday, February 27, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio