59 - Garaway Destroys Port 87-49 (2-12-59)

The Port Washington Purple Riders little-big-man 5-5 Sophomore Bill Phillips (4) aims one at the basket during tournament action last night, while teammate 5-8 Sophomore Jim Bender (7) and the Garaway Pirates 6-1 Senior Fritz Mueller (left) look on.  The Port-dwarf scored 10 points last night to give him 393 points for the year as the Purple Riders were ko'd by the Pirates 87-49.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)

The Garaway Pirates Cheerleaders this season, candidates for the County Cheerleader Award to be made on Saturday evening.  FRONT:  Karen Miller - Mary Norman - Jenifer Widdon and Kay Deetz.  BACK:  Claudia Stevanus - Vita Angel - Maryjean Miller and Linda Gerber.  (PHOTO...Harmon Studios)

With no Seniors on the squad, the Port Washington Purple Riders 1st-Year Head Coach Tom Davies is in a big rebuilding campaign.  The team consists of:  Tim Decker - Jim Hannahs - Jim Bender - John Landon - Jon Davies - Bill Phillips - Chuck Mayse - Gary Gay - Dan Kinsey - Bill Fisher and Tom Decker.  At center is Coach Tom Davies.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)

The Port Washington Purple Riders Cheerleads, another group in contention for the County Cheerleaders Award to be made on Saturday night are these lasses:  Carol Welsch - Betty Gibbs - Betty Davies and Connie Dichler.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - The semi-final pairings were complete today following last night's action that saw both the Gnadenhutten Indians and Garaway Pirates gain the other 2 berths.  Thus, the top 4 teams of the recently completed League, which were seeded for the tournament, will do battle for Sectional Tournament berths next Friday, February 20th.

The Indians, a 56-53 victor over the Stone Creek Golden Panthers last night, will now tangle with the League and defending tournament Champions (Midvale Blue Devils) next Friday.  For the other Sectional nod, the Pirates, an easy 87-49 winner over the Port Washington Purple Riders Thursday, will square off with the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans in the nightcap a week from tonight.

The Friday victors, will then tangle at Memorial Hall on Saturday evening for the tournament crown.  Both; however, are assured Sectional berths, along with the winner of the non-county tournament slated at Dennison next week.

The husky, well-fed lads of the Garaway Pirates (1-0) (5-3) (13-8), from up Sugarcreek way, let it be known they are to be dealt with before this tournament is over as they waltzed over the Port Washington Purple Riders (0-1) (0-8) (3-17).  Showing balance and plenty of bench strength, as 4 hit double figures and 10 men got into the scoring column, the Pirates rolled to a quick 24-14 advantage.

The much smaller youngsters of the Purple Riders; although, showing great stamina and an undeniable thrust for good old fashion scrap, were never in the game after the first 3 minutes of play.  It was tied at 1 and 2 all early in the contest, but midway in the quarter the Corsair boys moved on to a 15-3 lead and then to the lopsided decision.

Firing more than any team thus far, the Maroon and Gray aimed at the hoop 80 times against Port, making 37 for 41 percent.  The Purple and White, hitting 31 percent, canned 22 of 70 action attempts.  The sharpshooters of 4th-Year Head Coach Jim Stull were led by 5-5 Senior Butch Yakley who hit 19 points, while 6-1 Junior Chuck Stingel added 18.  Junior 5-10 Koran Zehnder hit 15 points and Tom Andreas had 13.

Junior 5-9 John Landon led the Seniorless Riders of 1st-Year Head Coach Tom Davies with 14 points, while both 5-8 Sophomore Jim Bender and 5-5 Sophomore Bill Phillips hit 10 points.  Phillips who had been averaging 20 points per game for the Port Washington Purple Riders going into the contest, had a difficult time in both shooting over the heads of the big lads from Garaway as well as just having a hard time finding the basket.  However, he ended the season with a total of 403 points to add to his already sparkling career.  In his Freshman year the pint-sized lad scored 168 markers.

The Purple Riders thus ends with a 3-17 record; although, there were several times during the contest that it was evident that this just might be the club to beat in a couple of years.  That is, if they can lick a definite lack-of weight problem.

GARAWAY PIRATES - 87

Tom Andreas 6-1-13
John Sigrist 3-1-7
Chuck Stingel 7-1-15
Butch Yakley 8-3-19
Koran Zehnder 7-1-15
Fritz Mueller 3-1-7
Raber 1-1-3
Gray 0-0-0
Larry Yakley 1-0-2
Hidick 1-1-3

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 49

Jim Bender 5-0-10
Tim Decker 0-0-0
Larry Hagen 1-3-5
John Landon 7-0-14
Bill Phillips 4-2-10
Jim Hannahs 1-0-2
Tony Nigro 2-1-4
Dan Kinsey 0-0-0
Tom Decker 2-1-5

GARAWAY  24-45-61-87
PORT            14-26-35-49


Friday, February 13, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Gnaden Checks Stone Creek 56-53 (2-12-59)

Only one returning letterman is back this year to bolster the Gnadenhutten Indians attack.  First-Year Head Coach Bob Gaume is shown here with his squad.  FRONT:  Head Coach Bob Gaume - Ron Clark - Bill Horsfall and Bill Blickensderfer.  BACK:  Gary Fivecoat - Carl Dichler - Ron Bradley (only veteran) - Larry Kitchenman - Bill Crites - Paul Gooding - Ray Rank and John Hall.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times By Bob Fisher)

The 3 returning lettermen are shown kneeling with their 1st-Year Head Coach Ernie Lukens.  FRONT:  Jim McAfee - Harold Lahmers - Dan Sherley and Head Coach Lukens.  BACK:  Paul Patrick - Chuck Doll - Gale Sauser - Terry Sauser - Dave Hahn - Larry Lorenz and Larry Stephen.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1-1) (6-2) (13-9) bowed out gallantly; although, poor shooting from the free throw line by no means added any bit of glory.  Continuously nipping at the Gnadenhutten Indians (1-0) (6-2) (14-5) lead from the outset of the 2nd frame, when the Indians burst in front for the 1st time.  The Golden Panthers just never quite made it.

In the fading seconds of play the Panthers were still very much in the game; although, the Tribesmen just weren't to be caught.  With but 45 seconds to go, the Cats trailed only 51-49.  But, accurate free throw shooting by Gnaden's 6-2 Junior John Hall widened the lead to 53-49 following this.  Senior 6-2 Hal Lahmers dumped an action fling for the Gold and Blue to again narrow the margin to 2 points.  But he was then forced to foul to stop the clock, which showed only 30 seconds now, then Stone Creek once more fell behind on 3 straight baskets from the free throw line.  Senior 6-0 Paul Gooding hit one and 5-10 Senior Ron Bradley potted a pair.  Trailing 56-51 and only 23 seconds left, 6-2 Senior Dave Hanni sank a field goal for the Stone Creek Golden Panthers.  The Scarlet and Gray then regained possession and dribbled the clock out for the victory.

The Cagers of Head Coach Ernie Lukens outscored the Indian Band to 8 points from the field, but they could connect on only 5 of 16 charity tosses, while the Gnadenhutten Indians made 16 of 24.  In the 4th canto alone the quintet of Head coach Bob Gaume made 9 of 12 attempts from the free throw stripe.  In contrast to their rousing victory over the Strasburg Tigers last Tuesday, the Golden Panthers had a hard time finding the hoop last evening making only 24 of 77 heavies from the field for 31 percent.

The first 6 times the Cats fired from the field they missed, followed by 2 straight shots that went wild from the free throw line.  This proved to be only a prelude to the evening's performance as the Creekers hit 4 of 18 in that 1st period, 4 of 15 in the 2nd, 8 of 25 shots in the 3rd and 8 of 19 in the final quarter.  The Gnadenhutten Indians shot 37 percent from the field, hitting 3 of 14 in the initial quarter, after which it trailed 11-9, while hitting 8 of 16 in the 2nd stanza, 6 of 15 in the 3rd and 4 of 8 in the last period.  The Indians fired 53 times, connecting on 20.

The Gold and Blue, led by one of the tournament's top floormen, 5-6 Senior Jim McAfee playing his final game for the school, finished out with a 13-9 record for the season.  McAfee hit 18 points for game laurels, while southpaw Dave Hanni added 14 and big Hal Lahmers scored 12.  The county's scoring Champion Ron Bradley ended up with 17 points to up his total to 501 for the season.  This is still shy of the school record of 609 points set by Glen Hines in 1955, which included tournament play.  Ron Clark and Paul Gooding had 14 and 13 respectively.

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 56

Ray Rank 3-0-6
John Hall 1-4-6
Ron Bradley 6-5-17
Paul Gooding 4-5-13
Ron Clark 6-1-13
Ed Crites 0-0-0

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 53

Jim McAfee 8-2-18
Hal Lahmers 6-0-12
Dave Hanni 6-2-14
Terry Sauser 2-1-5
Corless Patrick 1-0-2

GNADENHUTTEN   9-25-41-56
STONE CREEK       11-19-35-53



Friday, February 13, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

59 - Inside Sports

Thursday, February 12, 1959
New Philadelphia, Ohio



FROM ALL INDICATIONS, alumni games will not be recognized in the team's overall scoring and won-lost column.  Last Saturday the subject was taken up at the board meeting of the Ohio High School Athletic Association in Columbus.  The group passed on it opinion that "the decision on whether or not to count the alumni game is entirely up to the District boards.

In talking with 3 of the Eastern board members it appears the games will not be allowed.  They will count as a contest in total games played.  Only 2 count teams are involved:

Tuscarawas Valley Trojans
Gnadenhutten Indians

The Trojans won their engagement, while the Indians were dropped.  This paper has not recognized the games from the start, but there have been questions arising on our belief.  It now appears we were correct.  TV will apparently be 17-1.  Gnaden will take a 13-5 mark into its tourney game on Thursday.

DESPITE RUMORS, the official All-County Class A Basketball Team has not been publicly revealed.  A county paper has picked its selections, as is perhaps its prerogative, but the All-Star Squad recognized by the coaches, school heads and this newspaper will not be made public until the tournament finals on February 21st.  It will also be on this date that the Most Valuable Player, best cheerleaders and other tournament awards will be revealed.  The All-County Squad set for release after the final game, is being chosen by a vote of the 9 County League coaches.

Although heralded as a top secret under lock and key, the coaches selections are said to have been revealed.  A thorough check is currently underway to investigate the possibility of the choices leaking out.

AT THE BEGINNING of the week there were 1,013 schools in Ohio still playing basketball games.  The number has already started to dwindle and by midnight on March 14th there will be only 8 remaining.  There are a total of 419 Class AA schools and 603 Class A in the State.

THE STRASBURG TIGERS, which is the history of the Tuscarawas County Tournaments has been the real lion, will probably never be surpassed in the total number of joust titles.  But, in another category, the Midvale Blue Devils are catching up.  The Diablos, having copped 8 tournament crowns in the previous 36 years, has advanced from the classic to Sectional play on 19 occasions.  The Tigers, winner of 14 titles, has made the following tournament a total of 21 times.  Next in line is the Sugarcreek-Shanesville, now Garaway Pirates, which garnered Sectional berths 11 times.  Both the Gnadenhutten Indians and Tuscarawas Broncos have advanced on 10 occasions.

The Devils lead the runner-up totals with 7 second-best efforts, while Sugarcreek-Shanesville was next best 5 times.  The Tribe was runner-up 4 years.  In glancing over the tournament statistics it is interesting to note several things:  The Dennison Railroaders were once in the county playoff having won the title in 1924; the Port Washington Purple Riders and Baltic Eagles have never copped a tourament; the Stone Creek Golden Panthers have made the Sectional only twice and the Purple Riders made it, but once.

The 1954 tournament attracted the most fans...7,271; the 1957 affair totaled the biggest receipts...6,282 and the largest school share was dished out last y

ear when each received $450.



NOTE:  Tonight's Tournament

The Strasburg Tigers Cheerleaders are candidates for cheerleading honors this year and are:

Dorothy Lewis
Carol Kreis
Sandra Spidell
Barbara Kaltenbaugh

The winning group will be announced at the County Tournament finals on February 21st.

Tonight's play features the 3rd and final meeting of the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (13-8) and Gnadenhutten Indians (13-5).  Each has dumped the other by a margin of 2 points.  The Indians spilled the Golden Panthers 62-60 on December 19th, while the Creekers came back to cop a 76-74 nod on February 3rd.  Tonight's winner earns a semi-final berth and will meet the Midvale Blue Devils on February 29th.

The Garaway Pirates (Sugarcreek-Shanesville-Dundee) is a heavy favorite to cop a semi-final spot in the lower bracket play as the Pirates (12-8) tangle with the Port Washington Purple Riders (3-16) in the nightcap this evening.  During regular season play the Pirates stopped the Purple Riders 86-42.  This victor will clash with the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans on February 29th or a finals berth.

59 - TV Drops Tusky 54-41 (2-10-59)

Head Coach Bob Heller in his 2nd year, looking hopefully toward the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans who were unbeaten in League play this year, as were the Midvale Blue Devils.  Located at Bolivar, the Trojans are resting its hopes mainly on these 7 youngsters:  Ron Lake - Chuck Cantrill - Jerry Pullins - Jim Studer - Chuck Locker - Roy Buchanan and Big Ben Price.  PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)

Three returning lettermen of the Tuscarawas Broncos are expected to be in the Bronco starting lineup tonight at the 1958-59 Thirty-Seventh Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament.  Making their 1st appearance before the fans of Tuscarawas in tourney play under their 1st-Year Head Coach Kermit Smulbach.  They are shaped in a "T" FORMATION:  Wilbur Everett - Bill Johnson Dick Robinson - Chip McCahill - Dean Kerns - Gary Caviness - Ben Metzger and Bud Eckhardt.  FROM FRONT:  Head Coach Kermit Smulbach - Phil Meese - Duffy Summers - Larry Viegel and Paul Cerana.  Robinson, Caviness, Eckhardt, all lettermen last year and McCahill and Summers are expected to start for Tusky.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)

These Tuscarawas Bronco school lasses are also candidates for the county's to top Cheerleader Award to be made at the tournament finals on Saturday night.  They are:  Cathy Ronald - Molly Goshorn and Ruth Ann Johnson.  (PHOTO...The Harmon Studios)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - Wait no longer!  The tournament trail is here.  Putting forth with a 1-2-3-4-5 punch, Tuscarawas County's defending Champions the Midvale Blue Devils sparkled most of the time to stay alive, while the Stone Creek Golden Panthers also put forth a poised attack to remain in the running.  In the nightcap, the Tuscarawas Valley 2nd-seeded Trojans out-waited their foes to advance in the brackets of the county classic at Dover's Memorial Hall on Friday night.

A full house was on hand for the nearly 4 and 1/2 hours of schoolboy basketball that ushered in the 37th Annual Tuscarawas County Tournament.  The Blue Devils of Midvale put on a great 5 man show, but was forced to spurt in the 2nd half to oust the Baltic Eagles 85-61 and then the Golden Panthers of Stone Creek had a surprisingly easy time in dumping the Strasburg Tigers 67-41 and the Trojans of Tusky Valley put the damper on the Tuscarawas Broncos' semi-stall antics for a 54-41 verdict.

As a result, Midvale and Tusky Valley gained semi-final berths and a rest until a week from Friday, February 20th.  The Panthers (13-8) return to the local court tomorrow evening to do battle with the Indians of Gnadenhutten (13-5) in the opening tussle at 7:30.  The Port Washington Purple Riders (3-16) and the Garaway Pirates (12-8) clash in the nightcap starting at 8:45.  On February 20th, the Blue Devils will meet the Stone Creek-Gnaden victor, while Tusky Valley meets the Garaway-Port winner.  These ultimate winners meet for the county title on February 21st; although, both will advance to the Sectionals.

The Tuscarawas Broncos (0-1) (2-6) (6-12) bowed out; although, for a while the Broncos gave the taller Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (1-0) (7-1) (17-1) a run for their money.  Had the Riders been able to capitalize on the absence of Tusky Valley's top gun, 6-4 Senior Ben Price, in the 3rd and had they fired better at the free throw line, they may have provided the fans with the real upset of the tournament.

However, the Trojans of Head Coach Bob Heller turned the tables on the Blue and White's attempted stall game for the decision.  The Tusky Broncos, playing deliberate ball and having only one man under the bucket most of the time on offense, mustered only 12 field goals in the game, including a zero for 5 in the 1st quarter.  They shot only 33 times in 4 quarters.

Tusky never led in the game.  After trailing 13-8 at the 1st stop, the Broncos moved to within 8 points twice in the 2nd and 3rd period.  Missing all 5 attempts in the 1st quarter, the Tusky Broncos then hit 4 of 7 in the 2nd frame, 4 of 9 in the 3rd and only 4 of 12 in the last for 36 percent.  TV made 20 of 59 attempts for 33 percent.

Price, TV's big scorer for the season with 378 points, sat out the 3rd stanza and left with one minute to go in the game with 5 personals.  But, 5-7 Junior Jim Studer carried a big load for the Red Black and White when Price was out of the lineup, potting 9 points in the 2nd half.  Junior 5-9 Chuck Cantrill also tallied important markers when the big 6-4 Senior was absent, hitting 13 overall, for team laurels.  Junior 5-11 Gary Caviness, ended another great year in the scoring department for Tusky as he led the game with 20 points, which included 12 straight free throws.

His total gave him 407 markers for the season and a 22.6 point average.  He was the only Rider to break double figures.

TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS - 54

Ben Price 5-1-11
Roy Buchanan 8-2-18
Jurry Pullins 0-0-0
Chuck Cantrill 5-3-13
Ron Lake 1-3-5
Chuck Locker 1-0-2
Jim Studer 3-5-11

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 41

Gary Caviness 4-12-20
Chip McCahill 1-2-4
Bud Eckhardt 1-1-3
Phil Meese 3-1-7
Dick Robinson 3-0-6
Ben Metzger 0-0-0
Dean Kerns 1-1-3


Wednesday, February 10, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Midvale Rocks Baltic 85-61 (2-10-59)

Jumping exceedingly well for a cager, shy by 2 inches of 6-feet, the Midvale Blue Devils' 5-10 Senior Forward Tom Krocker (13) pots 2 points for the Blue Devils despite an earlier block attempt by 5-10 Junior Guard Gary Gerber (5) of the Baltic Eagles.  The Diablos won 85-61 to gain a semi-final berth.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Fisher)

The 1959 Midvale Blue Devils have successfully defended their League Championship of Tuscarawas County by turning back the Port Washington Purple Riders for their 8th straight League triumph.  The Blue Devils, closed out the season with a 16-1 overall record which also gave the high school its best mark since 1949 when the Diablos had a 19-1 record.  The Champions are...FRONT:  Manager Joe Monte - Dave Belknap - Ron Breniser - Hanes Hairston - Bill Housel - Tom Krocker - and Manager Bill Kerschbaumer.  BACK:  Manager Ken Haney - Dale Stansbury - Ron Kaderly - John Everett - Leonard De Mattio - Jim Clark - Vince De Noi and Head Coach Ralph "Pete" Hilliard.  (PHOTO...Harmon Studios)

The 1959 Baltic Eagles Cheerleaders:  Ann Reidenbach - Sandra Stein and Rebecca Mutschelknaus who are in contention for the County Cheerleader Award to be made at the tournament finals on Saturday.  (PHOTO...Harmon Studios)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - For 2 quarters the Baltic Eagles had illusions of knocking the defending Midvale Blue Devils from their perch.  But, when it counted, the Blue Devils had it.  Unlike their slim 73-71 victory over the Eagles in December.  The Diablos' aggregation of 5th Year Head Coach Pete Hilliard waltzed to the decision this time.

It will be no easy task for the Devils to go all the way this year in the county joust.  But, if they continue to explode with the poise they exhibited last night with all 5 starters in double figures, they could very well be the Champions once more.  In every quarter all 5 starters scored and when it was all over the beginners were separated by only 10 points as 6-3 Senior forward Bill Housel showed the way with 22 points and 5-10 Senior forward Tom Krocker was at the other extremity with 12 in between andf 5-9 Senior guard Dave Belknap also had 12.  Junior 5-11 Ron Breniser tallied 14 and 6-3 Junior center Hanes Hairston scored 16.  Four Reserves also tallied 2 free throws apiece.

The Blue and Gold, posting a quick 10-4 lead, led 20-14 at the 1st quarter stop and then staved off the Flyer rallies in the 2nd quarter to hold the lead 38-33 at the long intermission.  In the 2nd, the Orange and Black of 1st Year Head Coach Tom Bellville, who took over for his brother Jack Bellville, held the lead twice, 28-27 and 30-29.  It was still at close quarters early in the 3rd stanza when the Blue Devils of Midvale was in front 42-37 with 7 minutes to go.

But, then it happened!  Although it is hard to put a finger on the exact turning point, 2 factors were most noteworthy.  First, the Eagles of Baltic's 6-1 Sophomore center Bob Ladrach, who had scored 5 points, all on free throw tosses, developed a bloody-nose in scuffling for the ball.  He was given first aid twice early in the 3rd.  But, after no apparent success the Eagles' coach was forced to bench him.  It was at this same point that the Blue Devils started to roll.

For secondly, in addition to Ladrach now watching the action from the sidelines, the Diablos' coach rearranged his offense.  Moving Housel into a back-court-to-key pivot, the Devils started finding the wiry lad with good passes.  The lad, thanks to the fine feeds from Belknap and Krocker hit 13 points in the 3rd to move the Blue and Gold way, way out in front.  From the slim 42-37 advantage, the Midvale Blue Devils ran over the Eagles to a big 57-37 lead in the next 5 minutes of play as the Flyers went scoreless.  From then on it was just a matter of time with the Blue Devils moving to the front by as much as 26 points on 2 occasions.

Junior 5-11 forward John Rice, the Orange and Black's ace sharpshooter, tallied 28 points, all from action, to lead the Baltic Eagles.  The Diablos shot 36 percent from the field, making 28 of 77 attempts including a good 10 for 24 in the 3rd period and a poor 7 for 22 in the 2nd frame.

The Flyers hit 26 of 72 attempts for 35 percent, including a good 7 for 14 in the 2nd period and 5 for 15 in the 3rd.  Starting the 2nd quarter, the Orange and Black potted 6 straight from the field to tie it up at 24 all.  Rice, ending his season with a rush, ended with 454 points in 21 games for a good 22 point average.  Baltic copped 10 of the their outings.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS (17-1) 85

Tom Krocker 3-6-12
Bill Housel 8-6-22
Dave Belknap 4-5-13
Hanes Hairston 7-2-16
Ron Breniser 6-2-14
Jim Clark 0-2-2
Vince De Denoi 0-2-2
Len De Mattio 0-2-2
Warren Leggett 0-0-0

BALTIC EAGLES (10-11) 61

Sam Jacob 2-0-4
John Rice 14-0-28
Bob Ladrach 0-5-5
Gary Gerber 5-1-11
Larry Lautensleger 1-0-2
Gary Mast 2-1-5
Chuck McPherson 1-1-3
Dave Berger 1-0-2
Ted Oswald 0-1-1
Dale Lautensleger 0-0-0


Wednesday, February 11, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Stone Creek Chocks Strasburg 67-41 (2-10-59)

A portion of the overflowing crowd for the opening sessions of the 37th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall, is shown as 5-10 Senior Guard Terry Sauser (12) shoots from the free throw line for the Stone Creek Golden Panthers in the 1st game.  Action resumes on Thursday evening with 2 contests on tap.  (Photo...The Daily Times by Fisher)

Candidates for the county system's Best Cheerleaders include these Stone Creek Golden Panthers lasses.  The cheerleaders are:

Karen Quillin
Monica Ann Rinehart
Jean Mizer
Ruby Flinner
Karen Hisrich

The choice will be announced on February 21st.  (Photo...Harmon Studios)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - Disposing of the Strasburg Tigers seemed almost routine for the Stone Creek Golden Panthers as they boomed into a big 19-4 lead before everyone was seated at Memorial Hall.  In regular season the Tigers had defeated the Golden Panthers 42-39.  It was just a matter of time after the opening minutes as the erratic Bengals missed layup after layup while committing many turnovers.

The Panthers of 1st year Head Coach Ernie Lukens seemed primed and ready for their tournament debut as they first took a 6-0 lead, advanced it to 19-5 by the 1st half marched on to a 35-16 halftime advantage and led 52-30 when the last period arrived.  Showing great scoring balance, Stone Creek had 4 men in double figures with 5-10 Senior guard Dan Wherley leading the parade with 17 points.  Senior 5-6 forward Jim McAfee hit for 15, Senior 6-2 forward Hal Lahmers scored 13 and 5-10 Senior Terry Sauser potted 11.

Senior 6-0 forward Nick Haswell, playing in his final game for 1st Year Head Coach Ernie Raber and the Strasburg Tigers lived up to his family name as he appeared as the only real highlight for the Tiger attack.  Haswell potted 21 points, 15 in the 2nd half.  Overall, the Stone Creek Golden Panthers who are now 13-8 for the campaign, shot 62 times from the field making 24 for a percentage of 38.

Strasburg, getting off to a freezing start by making only 2 of its first 12 shots from the field, ended up with 24 percent, making 17 of 70 attempts.

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 67

Jim McAfee 7-1-15
Hal Lahmers 3-7-13
Dave Hanni 4-1-9
Dan Wherley 7-3-17
Larry Stephon 0-0-0
Corless Patrick 0-2-2
Terry Sauser 3-5-11
Larry Lorenz 0-0-0

STRASBURG TIGERS - 41

Bill Seese 0-2-2
Nick Haswell 10-1-21
Frank Wallick 2-3-7
Tom Jones 2-0-4
Walt Krantz 0-1-1
Don Grove 1-0-2
Larry Wallick 1-0-2
Jim Clymer 1-0-2

STONE CREEK  19-35-52-67
STRASBURG       5-18-30-41


Wednesday, February 11, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - The 37th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament

NEW PHILADELPHIA - There will be no 2nd chance for the losers tonight as the 37th Annual Tuscarawas County Tournament gets underway at Dover's Memorial Hall.  There will be consolation brackets this year for a county team to get a 2nd crack at making the trip to the Sectional Tournament.

Three games tonight will officially usher in the 1959 edition of the always exciting joust with the Stone Creek Golden Panthers meeting the Strasburg Tigers in the opener at 6:30.  The Midvale Blue Devils and Baltic Eagles will do combat in the middle game at 7:45, while the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans and Tuscarawas Broncos tangle in the night cap at 9:00.

The Trojans are the only heavy favorite in tonight's card with Tusky Valley having dumped the Broncos 69-39 in season play.  The Blue Devils, seeking its 2nd straight County Tournament Championship, had a rough time in regular season play with the Eagles, having nipped the Flyers only 73-71.  The game features the 2nd best offensive teams in the county.

The Diablos, beaten only once in 17 starts this season, sport a 72.8 average among their top 5 scorers to lead the county.  Baltic is 2nd best with a 65 point average among its starters.  Action will resume on Thursday evening this week with the Stone Creek-Strasburg victor clashing with the Gnadenhutten Indians in the curtain raiser, while the Garaway Pirates and Port Washington Purple Riders meet at 8:45, both in quarter-final action.

TOP 5 SCORERS FOR TONIGHT'S TOURNAMENT

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS (12-8)

Senior 5-6 Jim McAfee  360 18.0
Senior 6-2 Hal Lahmers 253 12.6
Senior 5-10 Dan Wherley 183 9.1
Senior 5-10 Terry Sauser 156 7.8
Senior 6-2 Dave Hanni 67 3.3

TEAM 1079 50.8

STRASBURG TIGERS (6-12)

Junior 6-2 Frank Wallick 257 13.8
Senior 6-0 Nick Haswell 191 12.7
Junior 5-11 Walt Krantz 118 6.5
Sophomore 5-9 Tom Jones 104 5.7
Junior 6-1 Bill Seese 82 4.5

TEAM 752 43.2

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS (16-1)

Junior 5-11 Ron Breinser 359 21.1
Senior 6-3 Bill Housel 218 12.8
Senior 5-9 Dave Belknap 212 12.4
Junior 6-3 Hanes Hairston 191 11.2
Senior 5-10 Tom Krocker 123 15.3

TEAM 1103 72.8

BALTIC EAGLES (10-10)

Junior 5-11 John Rice 426 21.3
Junior 5-10 Gary Gerber 363 18.1
Senior 6-0 Sam Jacobs 221 11.0
Sophomore 6-1 Bob Ladrach 158 7.9
Junior 6-3 Dick Lautensleger 134 6.7

TEAM 1302 65.0

TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS (16-1)

Senior 6-4 Ben Price 367 21.5
Senior 6-1 Ray Buchanan 233 13.7
Junior 5-9 Chuck Cantrill 124 7.2
Sophomore 5-5 Ron Lake 112 6.6
Sophomore 5-10 Jim Studer 63 3.7

TEAM 899 52.8

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS (6-11)

Junior 5-11 Gary Caviness 387 22.7
Senior 5-11 Dick Robinson 174 10.2
Junior 6-0 Bud Eckhardt 163 9.9
Sophomore 5-6 Duffy Summers 99 5.8
Senior 6-0 Bill Johnson 72 4.2

TEAM 895 52.8

FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS 1959

1.  Midvale Blue Devils (Pete Hilliard-5) 8-0 1.000 (8th Title)
2.  Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (Bob Heller-2) 7-1 .875
3.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Bob Gaume-1) 6-2 .750
4.  Garaway Pirates (Jim Stull-4) 5-3 .625
5.  Baltic Eagles (Tom Bellville-1) 3-5 .375
6.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ernie Lukens-1) 3-5 .375
7.  Strasburg Tigers (Ernest Raber-1) 2-6 .250
8.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Kermit Smulbach-1) 2-6 .250
9.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Tom Davies-1) 0-8 .000

FINAL SEASON STANDINGS 1959

1.  Midvale Blue Devils 16-1 .941
2.  Tuscarawas Valley Trojans 16-1 .941
3.  Gnadenhutten Indians 13-5 .722
4.  Garaway Pirates 12-8 .600
5.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers 12-8 .600
6.  Baltic Eagles 10-10 .500
7.  Tuscarawas Broncos 6-11 .353
8.  Strasburg Tigers 6-12 .333
9.  Port Washington Purple Riders 3-16 .159


Tuesday, February 10, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - A Look At The Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (Flashback)

DOVER - When the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans travel to Port Washington for its opening game of the season against the Purple Riders, they will floor one of the most balanced basketball teams in the county.  "I played all 12 boys on the Varsity Squad, switching them around to various combinations, in the preview last week against the Conotton Valley Rockets and as far as I could see there was no appreciable difference between any of the group," commented 2nd Year Head Coach Bob Heller yesterday afternoon.

He added, "A good example of our better balance this season is the fact that we will be able to go without Benny (6-5 Forward Ben Price) if we have to.  Last year Ben was injured a couple of times and we just didn't move without him.  As Benny went, so went the team.  But this year that will be different."  From 51 boys who originally tried out for team from the Freshman through the Senior grades, Heller and Assistant Ed Baran have cut the group down to 38, 12 of which are on the Varsity Team.

Four veterans will return this season:

Clarence Cantrill
Jerry Pullins
Ben Price
Roy Buchanan

Junior 5-8 Cantrill and 5-9 Junior Pullins, are guards and will be sharing the posts with:

Ron Lake
Jim Studer
Dick Wolfe

Heller has moved Price from center to forward this season and Ben is battling for the job in a red hot fight for the center job with:

Chuck Locker
Dale Duerr
Gary Robbins

Heller rates his players so equal that as of yesterday afternoon he had no idea who would receive starting berths in tonight's opening game.

The Trojans will be out to improve on their 11-5 record of last season.  "We'll be giving three other teams a run for their money.  There'll be no walk away in this League this year and I feel certain that we can win more than our share," finished Heller.


Tuesday, November 25, 1958
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

59 - A Look At The Tuscarawas Broncos (Flashback)

The Tuscarawas Broncos Head Coach Kermit Smulbach in his 1st year guiding the Broncos Team.  Coach Smulbach obtained a B.S. in Education at the University of Akron.  (Photo...Yearbook)

The 1959 Tuscarawas Broncos Basketball Team.  FRONT:  L. Veigle - Chip McCahill - Dick Robinson - Bud Eckhardt - Bill Johnson - Gary Caviness - Manager Tom Dalcoma.  BACK:  Manager G. Stocker - Head Coach Kermit Smulbach - Phil Meese - Ben Metzger - D. Kerns - Terry Rainsberg - Pio Cerana - Chester Summers and Manager Elmer Savage.  (Photo...Yearbook)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - Two scrimmage games this week was preparing the Tuscarawas Broncos for their opening game of the basketball season and their home debut slated for Saturday evening.

Head Coach Kermit Smulbach will have only 3 lettermen back in the fold:

Bud Eckhardt 6-1
Dick Robinson 5-11
Gary Caviness 5-11

Over 30 boys turned out for the Broncos' 1st session,, but the squad is now down to 24 and is expected to be cut to 20 before the opening contest.

Sumlbach comes to Tuscarawas from Media County where he coached 3 years at Brunswick.  The Broncos posted a 7-10 mark last year under Coach Stanley Culp.


Wednesday, November 19, 1958
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - A Look At The Strasburg Tigers (Flashback)

DOVER - With only one veteran returning this season, the Strasburg High School Tigers will be represented by a highly inexperience basketball team this season.  The Tigers, who open the 1958-59 slate tonight on the home floor against the Beach City Pirates, are under the 1st-year tutelage of Head Coach Ernest Raber, a native of Sugarcreek.

Raber replaces Chuck Caniford, who now devotes full time duties to coaching the football team and being the high school's Principal.  Junior 6-2 Frank Wallick is the lone returnee from last year's squad which compiled an 11-8 record.  However, his action was limited to the extent that it was just enough for him to gain a Varsity letter.

Another letter winner last season, Senior Nick Haswell, is not on the squad this season.  "We definitly have very little or no experience to speak of," commented the new Strasburg mentor yesterday afternoon.  "We are attempting to build for the future and with only one Senior on the squad that should be evident.  We don't expect to burn up the League this season, but we'll still be in there battling to win our share.  With more experience, I think these boys will do all right," he added.

Coach Raber will be building his team around the following:

Junior Frank Wallick 6-2 Center
Junior Don Grove 5-6 Guard
Junior Larry Wallick 5-7 Guard
Junior Walt Krantz 5-11 Guard
Junior Charles Duff 5-11 Forward
Junior Dale Liggett 5-11 Forward
Junior Bill Seese 6-1 Forward
Junior Herb Gerber Reserve
Sophomore Tom Jones Reserve
Sophomore Ray Deibel Reserve

The lone Senior on the squad is 6-0 Bill Dreher.  Raber will be starting a quintet comprised entirely of Juniors.


Friday, November 21, 1958
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio