59 - Inside Sports

Thursday, March 26, 1959
Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

BACK IN THE MID-FORTIES a war veteran, after undergoing months of dangerous conflict in Germany and France, met a strange Kismet.  For, after dodging bullets and bombs he was killed in an auto accident that in no way was connected with the war.  General George Patton was a great war leader, making famous the "fireball express" that saw his tankers of the 2nd Armored Division advance many miles beyond the front lines.  Sometimes it has been wished he wouldn't have stopped and had gone on toward the salt mines.

BUT, GETTING BACK TO OUR STORY, it is often odd just what will happen after facing the precedent circumstances without a scratch and then wind up on the short end when it is all over.  Although not nearly so serious, fate also stepped in this week for one of the county's former basketball stars.  After playing 85 games of college ball and winning nearly every sward that can be made in his conference, lanky Terry Deems met the unexpected in an independent game at Wellsville.

"You know," he said, "I played 85 games in college and nearly as many in high school and never once was I sidelined because of an injury.  I was lucky I know, but it just seems sort of funny that I now come up with a twisted ankle."  Although feeling quite bad about it all, it was better that it happened now.  It was only 3 weeks ago that Wittenberg took the measure of Akron for the Ohio Conference Championship.  Deems led the team in rebounding.

Next year the league may have a special tournament to decide the crown instead of using season records on the percentage basis.  The hurt was not serious and Deems will probably be able to play some more independent ball, now that his college playing days are over.  Patton's fate was much more tragic, but it is rather interesting to see just how life sometimes plays its strange tricks.

TERRY WAS A GREAT STAR for Wittenberg at Springfield during his 4 years.  His picture was displayed on county sports pages at least twice and many times more than that each of his 4 seasons.  There were times when it seemed he was getting too much space, inasmuch as few needed to be reminded of his hardwood exploit.  But then, Terry was one of the 1st real big basketball stars of Tuscarawas County to make the big time in some years.  There were many others who played great ball in college.  But it was more than just being good for Deems.

For, here was a clean living, popular soft speaking youngster who is loved by everyone.  To know him, is to like him, as the song says.  But, now the pictures and publicity releases will be coming no more on young Terry Deems of Wittenberg.  That is unless he should happen to be picked the Most Valuable Player again this year by the Ohio Conference.  "The Tusky Hustler" plans to go into coaching.  He told us he has had several nibbles, but no strike as yet.  Regardless of what school he coaches or where it is, we believe he will be a great instructor for the youngsters.  Now that his rewriting of the record book is over at the Lutheran school, he now has the book of life in front of him.  In the writing of these chapters, we sincerely wish him the best.

INSIDE SHORTIES:  It seems there has been nothing definite as yet as to whether or not Hanes Hairston, the Midvale Blue Devils fine 6-3 forward of the past season will be eligible for the next hardwood campaign.  Although only a Junior this season, an accurate birth certificate can not be located to determine his age.  Originally from North Carolina, Hairston could be the difference in the Blue Devils having a good season or an average one next winter.  Midvale, like several other county schools, is just as interested in finding the concrete proof as to his true age.