57 - 35th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament Stats For 1957

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

1.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Dick Scott-3) 3-0 1.000 (TC) 4th Title
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (Pete Hilliard-3) 4-1 .800 (CC) 8th Title
3.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ed McGlumphy-1) 2-1 .666 (T-RU)
4.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Jim Pfeiffer-1) 2-2 .500
5.  Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (Raymond (Sucker) Low-1) 2-2 .500
6.  Baltic Eagles (Jack Bellville-2) 1-2 .333
7.  Strasburg Tigers (Chuck Caniford-1) 1-2 .333
8.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Stan Culp-1) 1-2 .333
9.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Jim Stall-2) 0-2 .000
10. Dundee Bulldogs (Jack Reese-2) 0-2 .000

COUNTY TOURNAMENT SCORES

MONDAY 2-11-57

Midvale 97 - Tusky 55
Port 85 - Dundee 53

WEDNESDAY 2-13-57

Strasburg 77 - Baltic 52
Gnaden 81 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 63
Tuscarawas 97 - Dundee 44 (C)

THURSDAY 2-14-57

Baltic 78 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 66 (C)
Stone Creek 70 - Midvale 67
Tusky Valley 88 - Port 63

SATURDAY 2-16-57

Midvale 89 - Tusky 69 (C)
Port 106 - Baltic 74 (C)

THURSDAY 2-21-57

Stone Creek 69 - Strasburg 52
Gnaden 79 - Tusky Valley 74

FRIDAY 2-22-57

Midvale 62 - Strasburg 54 (C)
Tusky Valley 73 - Port 66 (C)

SATURDAY 2-23-57

Midvale 96 - Tusky Valley 58 (CC)
Gnaden 75 - Stone Creek 66 (TC)

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT SCORES

WEDNESDAY 2-27-57

Midvale 91 - Killbuck 52

FRIDAY 3-1-57

Gnaden 78 - Dennison 61
Midvale 76 - Stone Creek 71

SATURDAY 3-2-57

Gnaden 86 - Augusta 71 (SC)
Midvale 77 - Walnut Creek 58 (SC)

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT SCORES

WEDNESDAY 3-6-57

Gnaden 67 - Springfield Local 58

THURSDAY 3-7-57

Midvale 94 - Adena 68

SATURDAY 3-9-57

Midvale 73 - Gnaden 59 (DC)

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT SCORES

FRIDAY 3-15-57

Midvale 64 - Vienna 62

SATURDAY 3-16-57

Midvale 61 - Savannah 60 (RC)

STATE TOURNAMENT SCORES

Ayersville 71 - Midvale 57

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES

1928 - Strasburg Tigers
1932 - SugarcreekShanesville Pirates
1935 - Strasburg Tigers
1937 - Midvale Blue Devils
1938 - Strasburg Tigers
1940 - Midvale Blue Devils
1941 - Midvale Blue Devils
1942 - Gnadenhutten Indians
1957 - Midvale Blue Devils

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 50
2.  Ron Deibel (SC) 36
3.  Ed Bates (P) 32
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 31
5.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 31
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 31
7.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) 30
8.  Tom Vesco (T) 30
9.  John Colombo (M) 30
10. John Colombo (M) 29 (2)

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 21
2.  Ron Deibel (SC) 16
3.  Ed Bates (P) 14
4.  John Colombo (M) 13
5.  Ron Deibel (SC) 13
6.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 13
7.  Eldon Miller (G) 12
8.  Eldon Miller (G) 12
9.  7 tied with 11

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  John Colombo (M) 12
2.  Larry Biggs (G) 10
3.  Charles Stingel (SS) 10
4.  John Colombo (M) 9
5.  9 tied with 8

MOST POINTS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 136
2.  John Colombo (M) 128
3.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) 118
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 90
5.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 90
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 75
7.  Tom Vesco (T) 68
8.  Denver Glazer (P) 66
9.  Ben Price (TV) 58
10. Jerry Froman (S) 57

MOST FIELD GOALS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 57
2.  John Colombo (M) 49
3.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) 47
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 40
5.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 37
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 30
7.  Tom Vesco (T) 28
8.  Denver Glazer (P) 24
9.  Ben Price (TV) 24
10. Gary Caviness (T) 23

MOST FREE THROWS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  John Colombo (M) 30
2.  Dick (Dandy) (M) 24
3.  Ed Bates (P) 22
4.  Wayne Rouf (TV) 21
5.  Larry Clark (G) 18
6.  Denver Glazer (P) 18
7.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 16
8.  Rod Reinhart (SC) 16
9.  Dave Wolf (TV) 16
10. 2 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)
1957 - Gnaden Indians (3) (6) - Stone Creek Panthers (1) (1)

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)
1957 - Midvale Blue Devils (4) (2) - Tusky Valley Trojans (0) (1)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 93-27 .775
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 70-31 .693
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 59-46 .562
4.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 56-48 .538
5.  Tuscarawas (1923) 47-46 .505
6.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 36-53 .404
7.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 31-45 .408
8.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 33-55 .375
9. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 27-56) .325
10. Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (1957) 2-2 .500

OTHER PARTICIPANTS

1.  Dennison Railroaders (1924) 3-0 1.000
2.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923-56) 49-49 .500
3.  Mineral City Tigers (1923-56) 13-53 ,197
4.  Newcomerstown Trojans (1924) 0-1 .000
5.  Winfield High School (1925) 0-1 .000
6.  Ragersville Pirates (1935) 0-2 .000
7.  New Cumberland Trojans (1927- 1933 and 1934) 0-4 .000

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Ed Bates (P) (1957) 50
2.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1955) 43
3.  Bill Jones (SC) (1955) 37
4.  Terry Deems (T) (1955) 36
5.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1957) 36
6.  Ed Bates (P) (1956) 35
7.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 34
8.  Don Levengood (D) 34
9.  6 tied with 32

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1,  Ed Bates (P) (1957) 21
2.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 20
3.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1955) 17
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1957) 16
5.  Bill Lockett (G) (1943) 15
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 15
7.  Ed Bates (P) (1956) 15
8.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1956) 15
9.  9 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.  John Colombo (M) (1957) 12
8.  3 tied with 11

TOTAL FIELD POINTS

1.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 335
2.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 295
3.  Ed Bates (P) (1955-56-57) 281
4.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 256
5.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 247
6.  Jerry (Goose) (S) (1952-53-54-55) 224
7.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 220
8.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50-51) 218
9.  Dick Tolloti (M) (1951-52-53) 199
10. Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 188

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 140
2.  Ed Bates (P) (1955-56-57) 116
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 112
4.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 111
5.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 93
6.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 89
7.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 87
8.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48)
9.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 79
10. Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 79

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.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 55
5.  Ed Bates (P) (1955-56-57) 49
6.  Jerry Gasser (SC) (1950-51-52-53) 48
7.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) (1954-55-56-57) 48
8.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 46
9.  Dick Tolloti (M) (1951-52-53) 45
10. Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 45

TEAM HIGH GAMES

106 - Port Washington Purple Riders (1957)
102 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1946)
  97 - Midvale (1956 and 1957) - Port (1956) - Tusky (1957)
  96 - Midvale Blue Devils (1957)
  92 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1947)
  91 - Strasburg (1955) - Tuscarawas (1955)
  89 - Midvale Blue Devils (1957)
  88 - Tusky Valley Trojans (1957)
  87 - Strasburg Tigers (1955)
  85 - Port (1946-1956) - Stone Creek (1956) - Strasburg (1955)

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

1.  Ron Deibel - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1957) 1,905
2.  Bill Jones - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1955) 1,792
3.  Jim Lorenz - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1954) 1,546
4.  John Studer - Strasburg Tigers (1934) 1,061
5.  Frank Baumholtz - Midvale Blue Devils (1937) 997* (*Stats missing 1 game)

57 - Right Down The Line

Tuesday, March 26, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

THE MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS were unable to break the jinx which had prevented county teams from gaining the State Class A Tournament finals in recent years, but the 12 players and 8 others making the trip with them, will never forget the Columbus weekend.  The Blue Devils were treated royally, eating at the better restaurants and being quartered at Lincoln Lodge on Route 40, one of the better Columbus area motels.

The players and partisan fans alike expected Midvale to defeat the Ayersville Pilots.  The Diablos were not over-confident.  But, they felt they could gain the finals.  However, as often happens, the Devils had a "cold streak" in the 1st half and after falling behind 19 points they faced an almost impossible situation.  Yet they did come within 7 points of tying the score in the 3rd stanza, but that drive took most of their starch.

We still maintain that the Blue and Gold were a better team than the final score indicated and if it had not been for the "cold streak," would have been in the finals instead of Ayersville's eventual Champions.  The Midvale Blue Devils had only a 26 field goal percentage for the contest whereas, during the regular season, they averaged above 40.  But, while they didn't route the tournament jinx, the Blue Devils did provide one of the most exciting basketball stories in the county's history.

DESPITE THE DISAPPOINTMENT, Midvale is in the book of "firsts" for the new St. John's arena.  Senior 6-0 Guard John Colombo committed the 1st foul in a State Tournament held there.  Junior 6-2 Center Russ Hobart missed the 1st free throw attempted.  The Diablos took the 1st time out in the tournament, Senior 5-9 Guard John Beans scored the 1st set shot and the Devils were the 1st team to lose a tournament game there.

Fans will long remember the large rooting section which followed the Midvale Blue Devils to the Capital.  When Head Coach Pete Hilliard's cagers staged their terrific spurt in the 3rd quarter, the Blue Devils supporters made themselves heard.  They cheered louder at that point than the Pilot fans did after the game was over.

HEAD COACH RALPH (PETE) HILLARD said he appreciated the many pre-game telegrams wishing the team good luck.  The telegrams included ones from the Glen Miller family of Dover, Urfer Greenhouse, Chamber of Commerce, Post Office Employers and Elks Club of New Philadelphia, the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's and Police Departments.  Another also was received from the Savannah Sailors' basketball team which Midvale defeated 61-60 in the Canton Regional finals.

SUPT. JOSEPH F. ZACK OF MIDVALE should be given a large amount of credit for the fine job of conducting the trip for the Diablos.  All of the boys agreed after they arrived home yesterday that they had "lived like kings."  There was no limit on the food they could eat after losing Friday afternoon.  And during the Saturday morning breakfast at the motel Supt. Zack wondered if one player had eyes bigger than his stomach.

John Beans, along with Senior Manager Larry Gibbs, got a table all to themselves.  The 2 lads ordered a double portion of hotcakes, ham, toast, orange juice and milk.  Beans finished his off in fine style, but there was some doubt if "Gibby" would.  He finally did and everyone sighed with relief, including the manager.  But Beans and Gibbs were not hungry the rest of the day and when the rest of the group enjoyed a big supper the 2 boys just had sandwiches.

SUPT. ZACK ANNOUNCED yesterday that $561 was received by the school for Midvale's participation in the Regional Topurnament at Canton.  Money for mileage amounted to $167, for meals $144 and $250 was the school's share in gate receipts.

SIX SENIORS dressed for their last high school basketball for the Devils in the game with Ayersville.  They were:

REGULARS

John Beans
John Colombo
Dick Leggett
Lonnie Wolfe

RESERVES:

Dave De Mattio
Gary Haney

OTHER BOYS MAKING THE TRIP INCLUDED:

Dave Belknap
Lonnie Fulp
Russ Hobart
Bill Housel
Tom Krocker
Don Patterson

STUDENT MANAGERS:

Senior Jerry Benedum
Senior Larry Gibbs
Sophomore Bill Kerschbaumer
Senior Duane Zack (Son of Supt. Zack)

57 - Welcome Home!

MIDVALE - The only thing missing was the State Basketball Championship Trophy.  That was the thought running through the minds of the Midvale Blue Devils Basketball Team when they arrived in Tuscarawas County from Columbus yesterday afternoon.

When the team drove through Newcomerstown at about 2:30 they were surprised with a caravan of more than 90 cars, loaded with fans, all lined up to escort their fabulous "Cinderella" quintet home after the long journey from the Class A State Basketball Tournament held in Columbus over the weekend.  Deputy Sheriff Don Patterson, father of Don Patterson Jr. one of the Blue Devil players, led the huge stream of decorated cars on a trip through the county.  The Midvale-Barnhill-Brightwood Volunteer Fire Department truck was also on hand and followed Patterson's cruiser.

Next came the 4 cars with the players, managers and Head Coach Pete Hilliard.  From there on there was nothing but car after car of Midvale fans.  A nicer welcome couldn't have been planned for the State Champion Ayersville Pilots and many a tear was shed by the proud Diablo players before the ceremonies were over.  The caravan proceeded through Tuscarawas and Goshen on Route 16 and into the south side of New Philadelphia from where it took Route 211 into Dover.

The State Highway Patrol halted traffic on Route 21, while the Dover and New Philadelplhia Police Departments also aided in stopping traffic to allow the 5-mile parade of cars through the cities.  The team entered Dover on West 3rd Street and made a right turn down North Wooster on which they continued through the city entering New Philadelphia on lthe Boulevard and 4th Street.

The caravan continued down West High Street and through the square of New Philadelphia and then made a left turn onto Route 39 where it proceeded through Roswell and made a right turn going through Barnhill and finally into Midvale.  But, it wasn't over yet.  The caravan then circled through Midvale and continued on the back road to Uhrichsville, which it skirted and entered Dennison, going down North 4th Street and making a right turn into Grant Street through downtown Dennison.  It then proceeded through Dennison and into East 3rd Street and passed through the main part of Uhrichsville, finally making a right turn into North Water Street and onto Route 250 and a back to Midvale.

As the long caravan, which stretched better than 5 miles at one time, came into Brightwood the Midvale High School marching band met the team.  All of the players along with Coach Hilliard, the managers and Supt. J.F. Zack got out of the cars and walked behind the band to the high school.  Cars moved into Midvale 3-abreast and finally came to a halt in front of the school.  Players were hugged, kissed, slapped on the back and cheered.  You would have thought Midvale had won the State Championship.  They didn't, but the loyal fans of the "comeback" team of 1957 wanted to show their team they were behind them all the way.

A huge chicken dinner was prepared and served to the players and coaches as well as the cheerleaders.  The dinner was prepared by Mrs. Paul Stevenson, Mrs. J. F. Zack, Mrs. Don Fantin, Mrs. Lonnie Wolfe and Mrs. Bert Beaber.  The food for the dinner was donated by the John Gibbs and Paul Steveson Grocery stores, both located in Midvale.

It was a tremendous celebration and a fine way to end the basketball season.


Monday, March 26, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

57 - Pilots Shoot-Down The Midvale Blue Devils At State! (3-22-57)

Senior 6-0 Forward Jim Hammersmith, one of the stars in Ayersville's victory over the Midvale Blue Devils yesterday, makes a determined effort to stop the Blue Devils' 5-11 Senior forward Dick (Dandy) Leggett as the latter hustles toward the basket.  No. 44 is Gene Weidenhammer, Pilots Reserve, while trailing the play are the Diablos' 6-0 Guard John Colombo (7) and the Cloudbusters' 6-1 Senior center John Zimmerman (55).  (Associated Press Photo)

John Zimmerman (55) of Ayersville relies on a yell to prevent the Midvale Blue Devils' Dick (Dandy) Leggett from meshing a 2-pointer in the State Class A semi-finals yesterday.  The Blue Devils star missed, too, as the St. John's arena baskets defied shot after shot by Midvale.  (Associated Press Photo)



COLUMBUS - Tuscarawas County's "Cinderella" Midvale Blue Devils (11-2) (21-10) met an "evil step-sister" yesterday afternoon and their brilliant tournament play came to a disappointing end.  The "step-sister" which ousted the Pete Hilliard coached cagers from the Class A playoffs went under the name of Ayersville.

The Ayersville Pilots, hailing from a high school with 110 pupils and located in a Defiance County town of only 500, downed the Blue Devils 71-57, mainly on a blistering hot, 1st half attack.  Thus the Pilots, playing under the tutorship of Head Coach Lee Himmeger, who is in his 1st year of coaching, enterd this afternoon's finals against the Gratis Trojans, which eliminated the Bethel Blackhawks  in a 73-72 thriller following the Cloudbusters' victory.

Midvale, endeavoring to capture the 1st Class A title for Tuscarawas County, didn't go down without a fight.  Although there was a 14-point spread in the final score, the Diablos sent the crowd into a 3rd stanza frenzy as it whittled the Ayersville Pilots' 19-point half time lead to 7 points.  But the Pilots found the throttle again and roared ahead, far beyond the reach of the Devils.

Head Coach Pete Hilliard's cagers, experiencing one of their "coldest" shooting performances, hit only 26 percent of their action shots for the entire game and only 18 percent in the 1st half.  They trailed 38-19 at intermission.  But a terrific fast break and a pressing man-to-man defense in the last half had the 12,000 fans screaming for the Blue and Gold of Midvale, who won only 10 of 18 regular season games before going on a winning spree to chalk up 10 consecutive tournament victories and eventually reach the State semi-finals.  The 1st county team to advance that far in 16 years.

The Midvale Blue Devils once again hit a cold streak and never got any closer than 14 points in the final canto.  Senior 6-0 Guard John Colombo led the losers with 17 points, but 6-2 Junior center Russ Hobart thrilled the fans with his outstanding rebounding, while also netting 11 points.  Senior 5-11 forward Dick (Dandy) Leggett, who actually put the Blue Devils in the State semi-finals with his 2 last-second shots at the Canton Regional Tournament, netted only 8 points.  Senior 5-9 guard John Beans tallied 10 points and along with Leggett, did a tremendous job on the pressing defense in the 2nd half.

Actually, it was 6-0 Senior forward Jim Hammersmith, only 6-0, but jumping as if he were 6-6, who broke the backs of Midvale.  A terror on rebounds, he also hit 10 of 17 action flings in scoring 24 points to lead his team to victory.  Senior 6-1 forward Marvin Hohenberger, averaging 22 points per game, hit for 20, while 6-1 Senior center John Zimmerman followed with 12.

Four of the 5 Diablo regulars participated in their last high school game.  They were Leggett, Colombo, Beans and 5-10 Senior forward Lonnie Wolfe who will graduate this spring.

AYERSVILLE PILOTS - 71

Jim Hammersmith F 10-4-24
Marvin Hohenberger F 8-4-20
Retcher F 0-0-0
John Zimmerman C 5-2-12
Jim Martin G 2-9-13
Rohn G 0-0-0
Myer G 1-0-2
Tobins F 0-0-0
Harader G 0-0-0
G. Zimmerman G 0-0-0
Gene Weidenhammer G 0-0-0

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 57

Dick (Dandy) Leggett F 3-2-8
Lonnie Wolfe G 1-3-5
Russ Hobart C 4-3-11
Gary Haney C 0-1-1
John Colombo G 6-5-17
John Beans G 5-0-10
Tom Krocker G 1-1-3
Dave De Mattio F 0-0-0
Dave Belknap G 1-0-2
Fulp G 0-0-0

AYERSVILLE  25-38-52-71
MIDVALE........11-19-39-57


Saturday, March 23, 1957
Jim De Mello, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  STATE CHAMPIONS

On Saturday night, the Ayersville Pilots became the State Champions by edging the Gratis Trojans 74-73!

57 - Right Down The Line

Friday, March 22, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio



THE MIDVALE HIGH SCHOOL BLUE DEVILS, the "Cinderella" team of this year's Ohio high school basketball playoffs, are in tip-top shape as they prepare to square off with the Ayersville Pilots in a semi-final battle early this afternoon at St. John's Arena on the Ohio State University campus.  Head Coach Pete Hilliard last night said he was "highly satisfied" with the Blue Devils mental and physical condition.  "I think we're ready," he added.

During an hour-long test of the St. John's court yesterday afternoon, Coach Hilliard ran his team hard for 15 minutes and then had them test their foul-shooting eyes for another quarter hour.  Then followed a 3-minute shooting drill.  No spectators were on hand because each of the 8 teams in the Class A and AA classics were permitted "secret" drills.  However, arena workers were impressed by Midvale's speed.

THE CONFIDENT DIABLOS were highly pleased with the arena court, "But you might get dizzy if you looked up," one of them commented in reference to the size of the building.

AFTER THE WORKOUT, the team returned to its motel "hideaway" for a rest.  Early last night they attended a show and then had an excellent dinner at Mills Restaurant.  They then went to the motel where they read magazines and watched television.  They turned in early and slept late this morning.  After a light lunch they headed for the arena, arriving about noon.

FOLLOWING THIS AFTERNOON'S contest, the Devils will be the guests of State Rep. Vernon Hisrich of Stone Creek at a dinner in the Student Union on the university campus.  There are 20 in the Blue and Gold team contingent.

AS THEY WERE LEAVING the restaurant last night, the Midvale Blue Devils met the Middletown team going into Mills and quickly spotted Jerry Lucas, the 6-9 star of Head Coach Paul Walker's combine.  The Blue Devils club is pulling for Middletown to win its contest tonight.  The Diablos, if they win this afternoon, will not see the Class AA battles tonight.  But they will be on hand Saturday night and are hoping they can see Lucas in action.

FANS from the county began streaming into Columbus early last night, a majority of them being from Midvale.  Coaches from other county schools also were in abundance.  Nick Vrotsos of the Dover Tornadoes, Edwin McGlumphy of the Stone Creek Golden Panthers and Dick Scott of the Gnadenhutten Indians were just a few of the many enthusiastic mentors here to cheer on the Devils.

Gordon Bessozi of Uhrichsville and Al Viegal of Dover, both referees, also are present.  Both men were referees in one of last year's State Tournament games and probably have been assigned to work one of this year's games.  Names of officials were secret until game time.  If Viegal has been selected it will make the 4th year in a row for the popular Doverite.  Bessozl refereed his 1st State Tournament game last year.

57 - The Midvale Blue Devils

COLUMBUS - There are no "chips off the old block" on Midvale High School's tournament-talented basketball team.  In fact, most of the Blue Devils' fathers never competed in spectator sports; although, right now, they are the most avid cage dads you'll find anywhere in Ohio, including Middletown's stronghold.

Thus the State Class A semi-finalists are a self-made aggregation...a group of boys, most of them 17, who, through hard practice under the tutelage of Head Coach Pete Hilliard and spirited all-for-one and one-for-all game play have accomplished the almost unbelievable.  Just who are the Blue Devils?

Dick (Dandy) Leggett, 17, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Waldon Leggett of RD 4, New Philadelphia, (Goshen) and a Senior at Midvale, is a Co-Captain of the Blue Devils.  Dick, who will be an 11-letter man after this year, has starred in football, track and baseball along with basketball.  He has 2 brothers, Edward, 2, and Terry, 7 and both, along with his parents, are Dick's most ardent fans.  Dick is also President of the Letter "M" Club and was Vice-President of the Junior Class last year.  His Father, a carpenter at Warner & Swasey in New Philadelphia, attended the former Sherrodsville High School and played basketball in his Freshman and Sophomore years.

John Colombo, 17 and a Senior, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Colombo Sr. of RD 1, New Philadelplhia (Roswell) and is the other Co-Captain of the team.  Next to basketball, John is known for his golfing ability, having won many tournaments around the county.  He has 2 step-brothers, Webb and Tony Di Genova, both older and a brother Tom, who is a Sophomore at Midvale.  His Father, employed at Marsh Wall Products Company in Dover, attended Roswell Grade and Junior High School and didn't compete in any sports.  His Dad hasn't missed a Midvale game in the past 7 years.  John is also a member of the Letter "M" Club.

Lonnie Wolfe, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Wolfe of Midvale, is a Senior and is the "brains" of the squad, being President of the Honor Society and Vice President of the Letter "M" Club and his class.  Lonnie's Dad owns and operates a barber shop in Midvale and attended high school there, playing baseball and basketball.  Lonnie is an only child and has lettered in baseball, football and track as well as basketball.

John Beans is the little man on the squad at 5-8.  A stocky 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Beans of RD 1, New Philadelphia (Roswell), he has been a member of the Varsity basketball team 3 years and also played football 2 years.  He is a member of the Letter "M" Club and a Senior.  John has 3 brothers, Bob, Roy and George Jr., all older, who attended Midvale High School.  He has 2 sisters, Flora Beans, now a teacher and Mrs. William Beitzel of New Philadelphis.  Mr. Beans is employed at Greer Steel Company here and although he did not participate in sports while going to school he is an ardent basketball fan and likes to hunt and fish.

Russell (Russ) Hobart, the tallest member of the team at 6-2, is 17 years old, a Junior and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hobart, of RD 4, New Philadelphia, (Goshen).  His Father, a foreman at Goshen Sewer Pipe, attended Midvale High School and participated in track.  Russ has one brother, Dan, in the 5th Grade and 3 sisters; Nancy 14, Carolanne 12 and Margaret 1.  Russ is a member of the Letter "M" Club and also is on the track team.

Tom Krocker, the "youngster" of the team, is a 15-year-old Sophomore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Krocker of RD 4, New Philadelphia, (Goshen).  His Father, who is a kiln setter at the Goshen Sewer Pipe Company, went to Tuscarawas High School and played independent baseball for over 20 years.  Tom has an older brother, Ed, who married Mary Mathias of Tuscarawas.  Ed played basketball, baseball and track for Midvale High School.  Tom is a member of the Letter "M" Club and lettered in baseball his Freshman Year and also played football.

Gary Haney is the "big" man on the squad.  Weighing about 230, he just made the February 19-year-old age limit, which allows him to play basketball in his Senior Year.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Julius (Dude) Haney of Midvale and his Father is employed at the Goshen Sewer Pipe.  Gary has 2 brothers, Dick and Kennny, Sophomores; 3 sisters, Nancy in the 8th Grade, Carol in the 6th and Shirley who is out of school.  Gary gained countywide gridiron recognition, being named to the All-Tuscarawas Valley Football Team 3 of the 4 years he played the game.  He is also a member of the Letter "M" Club.  His Father, although he did not participate in sports while in school, attends all of Midvale's football and basketball games.

Dave De Mattio, 17, is a Senior and son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo De Mattio of Midvale.  Dave has 4 younger brothers, Mike and Leonard in the 8th Grade, Richard in the 7th and Joe at home.  He also has 3 sisters, Sharon in the 6th Grade and Peggy and Kathy, both at home.  Dave's Father is employed at the Evans Brick Yard and attends as many of the basketball games as possible.  Dave is a member of the Letter "M" Club and stars at baseball.  He played football 2 years, lettering both times.  He also competed in track 2 years and this is his 3rd basketball year.

Those 8 cagers have been the Midvale mainstays throughout the season.  Others who have seen frequent action are Lonnie Fulp, 16, and Don Patterson, 16, Juniors and Bill Housel, 15 and Dave Belknap, 15, both Sophomores.


Thursday, March 21, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

57 - The Midvale Blue Devils Arrive in Columbus

Supt. J. F. Zack gives his approval to a list of yells the Midvale Blue Devils Cheerleaders will use tomorrow as they endeaver to spur the Blue Devils to victory over the Ayersville Pilots.  The girls are:  Sophomore Mary Varally -  Junior Bonnie Hobart, cousin to player 6-2 Junior Center Russ Hobart - Senior Arlene Zontini and Freshman Linda Anderson.

Seniors Jerry Benedum and Larry Gibbs, managers of the Midvale Blue Devils team, are shown yesterday as they packed the Blue Devils uniforms preparatory to this mornings trek to Columbus.  Jerry is holding the now-famous No. 3 worn by 5-11 Senior Forward Dick (Dandy) Leggett, while Larry packs the No. 7 outfit worn by Russ Hobart.



COLUMBUS - The "Cinderella" Blue Devils of Midvale High School arrived in this Ohio basketball capital shortly after noon today and immediately readied for a light workout on the St. John's Arena of Ohio State University in preparation for Friday's semi-finals of the State Class A Championship.  The Blue Devils were to spend an hour, starting at 2:00, in testing the Arena court and baskets.  Head Coach Pete Hilliard's main concern at the moment is to have his charges become accustomed to the length and width of the spacious Buck court and also to get the "feel" of the backboards.

The team then was to return to an undisclosed headquarters for a rest prior to dinner.  Coach Hilliard then planned for the players to see a movie so their minds will be off basketball for several hours...if that's possible.  A hearty breakfast, morning stroll and light lunch are on tomorrow's pre-game agenda.  Midvale will go to the St. John's Arena about 12:50, an hour before they are scheduled to take the floor against the Ayersville Pilots from Defiance County.

The Pilots were to follow the Diablos on the floor this afternoon for a warm-up.  The Cloudbusters are being housed in a downtown hotel.  The Devils, which has a 20-9 record, is making its 1st State title bid since 1941 when it lost to Canfield 44-36 in the semi-finals.  In 1937 it was beaten 37-35 by Lockland Wayne in the semi-finals.

Ayersville, boasting a 27-1 record, is making its initial bid.  The 2nd game on Friday, scheduled for 3:00, will pit the Bethel Blackhawks (26-1) againsts the Gratis Trojans (26-1).  The Championship contest will be staged at 2:00 on Saturday.


Thursday, March 21, 1957
Jim De Mello, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

57 - The Midvale Blue Devils' Head Coach

Head Coach Ralph (Pete) Hilliard of the Midvale Blue Devils, Successful Mentor...



COLUMBUS - Since becoming Head Coach of the Midvale Blue Devils in 1954, Ralph (Pete) Hilliard has had 3 successful campaigns, reaching his peak this year.  A modest, soft spoken mentor, Coach Hilliard has led the Blue Devil Team to 59 victories as against 22 losses since taking over the helm.  Graduate of Kent State University in 1951, the 29-year-old coach was Assistant Coach in football, basketball and Head Coach in baseball from 1951 until 1954 when he was promoted to the Head Coach cage job replacing Bob Singerman as head basketball coach.

A veteran of 2 years in the Army, Hilliard attributes his success to the theory of basic fundamentals and strict training rules.  "I wouldn't hesitate to kick a player off the squad right now if I caught him smoking or drinking," the almost shy mentor said.  "I believe that any boy who wants to play basketball, or any sport for that matter, should abstain from drinking and smoking," he added.

When asked what he thought of the 4 teams in the semi-finals of the Class A State Basketball Tournament, in which he will lead Midvale against the Ayersville Pilots on Friday afternoon at 1:30,  Hilliard said he believed his team can win their 1st State Championship "if they play the brand of basketball that they are capable."  After his team had posted a mediocre 9-8 regular season record, it caught fire midway in the county tournament.  They won their 1st game over the Tuscarawas Broncos and then lost their 2nd game to the Stone Creek Golden Panthers, a team which had defeated them in the regular season.  Since then they have done nothing but win, romping past 10 straight tournament foes.  They now have a record of 20 victories and 9 losses.

Last year Coach Hilliard's combine had a 21-5 season mark and won the County Tournament Championship after ending the season in 2nd place in the League.  In the Sectional Tournament joust they lost a thrilling one-point verdict to the Strasburg Tigers which ousted them from the event.  In his 1st year as Head Coach the Diablos posted a 17-8 record, again finishing in 2nd place in the League and was Runner-up in the County Tournament.  But they dropped their 1st Sectional outing to the Dennison Railroaders.

Coach Hilliard, who is also Head Baseball Coach, graduated from Tuscarawas High School in 1945 and is presently a resident of that city; although, he is a native of Uhrichsville.  He married the former Betty Tidrick of Tuscarawas and they have no children.  He did not participate in sports at Tusky.  He did play independent baseball around the county for many years.  The Devils' mentor said that he "is very happy" over the success of the team this year and that he is proud of their past performances.  He indicated that he will not attempt to change his offense or defense from what they have been using the entire year when they square off against the Pilots.

Believing that unless a team can play a good man-to-man defense they will not profit from a zone defense The dark-haired mentor has done a very good job.  He also believes that fundamentals have given his team the edge over many opponents throughout the year.  Hilliard's team has grown from an average one to a State Championship contender mainly because of 2 facts.  First, the group of boys are a well-knit unit and secondly, there is an abundance of strength in our Reserves.  More than once a boy has come off the bench in the last canto and aided the team tremendously in posting a victory.

Coach Hilliard will be pitting his 6 years of coaching experience against a young mentor in Head Coach Lee Himmeger, who is in his 1st year at the helm of the Cloudbusters.  Himmeger has already established himself as a great coach and this year his team has lost only one game in posting a 27-1 record.  Himmeger, only 22 years old, is a graduate of Findlay College and graduated from Delphos Jefferson public school in Delphias, in which Delphos St. John, a parochial school, has attained Statewide fame copping the Class A Crown in 1949.

GRATIS TROJANS (26-1)

Lewisburg 72-64
Monroe Fighting Hornets 76-74
Lewisburg 87-56
Jackson Ironmen 78-42
West Alexandria Panthers 78-59
Dixie 82-65 DEFEATED
Dixon 78-47
Farmersville Wildcats 65-50
Jefferson Falcons 77-60
Wayne 103-51
Brooksville Blue Devils 68-40
Eaton 53-41
Shawnee 54-53
Shawnee 95-70
Lamire 80-49
Randolph Tigers 74-60
College Corner Trojans 66-45
Verona 90-70

PREBLE COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Lewisburg 53-48
Jefferson Falcons 72-41
Shawnee 61-51

DAYTON SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

Dixie 84-68
Wayne 68-67

DAYTON DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

Xenia Woodrow Wilson Cadets 55-49
Shawnee 61-58

TROY REGIONAL TOURNAMENT Bradford 86-67
Lockland Wayne 47-46

BETHEL BLACKHAWKS (27-1)

Lawrence 76-42
Pleasant City 91-56
Sarahsville Zeps 81-39
Lowell 82-60
Salem Liberty 104-30
Beallsville Blue Devils 124-38
Masrietta St. Mary's 96-47
Lewisville 117-62
Summerfield 69-49
River Local 81-65
Graysville 93-33
Sarahsville 79-51
Pleasant City 112-51
Graysville 110-34
Salem Liberty 72-41
River Local 74-69 DEFEATED
Summerfield 101-74
Beallsville Blue Devils 108-38
Lewisville 105-64
Marietta St. Mary's 94-50

MONROE COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Beallsville Blue Devils 95-51
River Local 73-70

MARIETTA SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT

Caldwell 76-45
Beverly Cadets 72-53

MARIETTA DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

South Zanesville 78-68
River Local 66-52

ATHENS REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

Newark St. Francis Green Wave 77-56
New Boston Tigers 74-64


Wednesday, March 20, 1957
Jim De Mello, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

57 - Right Down The Line

Wednesday, March 20, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio



AFTER THIS WEEKEND there will be a new Class A High School Basketball Champion.  The Midvale Blue Devils, win or lose, are going all out in making preparations for the coming tournament in which they will meet the Ayersville Pilots on Friday afternoon at 1:30 to open the State semi-final play.  In the 2nd game the Bethel Blackhawks (21-1) and the Gratis Trojans (26-1) will clash at 3:00.  The winners will meet on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 for the State Championship.

Head Coach Ralph (Pete) Hilliard's cagers are scheduled to leave tomorrow morning at 8:30AM by car for the State Capitol and will receive a big send off with a giant pep rally.  From the school the team will go to Newark or Granville and stop for dinner, finally arriving in Columbus in enough time to get settled in their secret quarters before practicing on Ohio State University's St. John Arena floor from 2:00 to 3:00.  The team will get only a light workout and will spend most of the time getting used to the baskets and the length and width of the floor.  They will then return to their quarters after practice, have a good meal and settle down for the night.  After a good breakfast and an early light lunch, the team will go to the Arena where they will prepare to make their bid for the Class A Championship.

School officials have made sure that the players will not be sidelined by colds or the flu.  The first 7 players have been receiving penicillin shots and have been getting ultra-violet ray treatment which also cuts down chances of catching a cold.  Win or lose the team will stay for the 2nd game between the Blackhawks and Trojans.  If the Blue Devils win the opener they will then return to their quarters and will not lbe allowed to attend the evening session of Class AA games between Middletown (25-0) and Toledo Macomber (22-1) at 9:00 and Cleveland Cathedral Latin (23-0) and Kent Roosevelt (22-2) at 7:00.

The team is scheduled to return to Midvale sometime on Sunday.

THE DIABLOS ARE THE 1ST COUNTY TEAM to make the State semi-finals in 16 years!  The last team to go was also a Devils quintet in the 1940-41season and coached by Clayton (Pete) Wolf, now Principal of Uhrichsville High School.  In that campaign the team dropped a close 44-36 decision to Canfield in the semi-finals.  Before that, only the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, Dennison Railroaders, Dover Tornadoes, New Philadelphia Quakers and another Gold and Blue of Midvale team had made it as far as the State playoffs.

The Blue Devils made the final "four" in 1937 also, losing out to Local Lockland Wayne 37-35 in the semi-finals.  That season they were coached by M.R. Helwick, now Superintendent of Strasburg schools.  Dover and New Philadelphia are the only 2 county teams owning State Crowns.  Dover copped the Class AA Championships in 1927 and again in 1933, while New Philadelphia won it in 1940.

This will be the 6th time that the Midvale Blue Devils have made the "sweet 16" having made the Regional Tournaments in 1949, 1948 and 1940.

FANS?  The Blue Devils will have a host of them at the State Tournament.  Supt. Joseph Zack reported yesterday morning that he had already sold his allotted 1,203 Reserved Seat tickets for the afternoon session of 2 games.  Most of the county's coaches, both A and AA, are going and will be rooting for Midvale who are carrying the Tuscarawas County Banner.

In checking with each player we found that all of their parents are planning to make the trip.  Most of them will return to Midvale after Friday's game and if they win will return for the Saturday afternoon contest.

57 - Associated Press 1956-57 All-Ohio Basketball Team

COLUMBUS - Four county Class A basketball players received Honorable Mention on the Associated Press 1956-57 All-Ohio Basketball Team today.  The 4 players comprising the quartet were:

Senior Forward 5-11 Ron Deibel - Stone Creek Golden Panthers
Senior Forward 6-0 Jerry Froman - Strasburg Tigers
Senior Forward 5-11 Dick (Dandy) Leggett - Midvale Blue Devils
Senior Forward 6-0 Eldon Miller - Gnadenhutten Indians

*Leggett is in the State semi-finals and Midvale will meet the Ayersville Pilots on Friday afternoon.

Deibel, Froman and Miller all received mention on the International News Service All-Ohio Team along with Ed Bates of the Port Washington Purple Riders.  Miller and Deibel were selected to the 2nd team, while Bates and Froman were given Honorable Mention.

Sports editors, coaches and officials did the voting.  The Stars were weeded from 696 squads and some 14,000 players.  Seventy-four from all sectors of the State, were named to the All-Star Squad. Selections were made on the basis of games through the county tournaments, so only a few of the talented 74 are still on hand for the Friday-Saturday State Championship games.

Zane Leeds of the Gratis Trojans was named to the 2nd Team, and each of the 4 finalist schools had a player among the 59 Honorable Mentions, but the other 68 on the squad fell with their teams somewhere along the tournament trail.  Announcement of the All-Star Team was held up until State Tournament week at the request of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association.

This year's team has no giants among the first 5, but it has one of the old-time fireball little men in Bob Filiere of Troy-Luckey.  He was the kid who kept his dad's quintet at the top of The Associated Press ratings most of the year.  The tall ones are Jim Opperman of the New Bremen Cardinals and Ron Stephenson of the New Boston Tigers, each 6-3.  Walter Harrop, Shawnee's prolific scorer, is 6-2.5 and Larry Simmermacher of the Crestline Bulldogs, at 6-1.5, rounds out the All-Ohio Quintet.

With Leeds, the State Tournament players on the All-Ohio Squad include Honorable Mentions Ed Bode of the Bethel Blackhawks, Marv Hohenberger and Jim Martin of the Ayersville Pilots, Dick (Dandy) Leggett of the Midvale Blue Devils (whose last-second field goals won both Regional Tournament games for his club) and Gerald McCloud of the Gratis Trojans.


Tuesday, March 19, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio