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.
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