NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Tuscarawas Valley Trojans have never had a losing basketball season. Few schools can make that statement. Now in its 4th year of existence, the Trojans are again off to what appears to be another fine cage campaign. Going into tonight's engagement with the touted Garaway Pirates the Spartans had chalked up 4 straight wins.
A result of the Bolivar-Mineral City consolidation the up-county plant is perhaps the fastest growing school in the County Class A ranks. In fact, it is only a few students short of being AA.
Head Coach Bob Heller, named "Coach of the Year" last season, floored his 3rd team this year, taking with him a fine overall 30-9 record in the 2 previous seasons including the school's best mark of 19-3 just last year. In regular season the Trojans polished off 16 of 17 opponents, losing only to the County Champion Midvale Blue Devils.
Although losing the team's 2 top scorers of last season in Ben Price (438 points) and Ray Buchanan (291 points), Heller again appears to have come up with a respectable attack this season with 4 lettermen back to form the nucleus. Returnees include:
5-6 Sophomore Ron Lake (154 points) (4th high on the squad)
5-9 Junior Clarence Cantrill (182 points)
5-10 Junior Jim Studer (Despite his lack of height is one of the better rebounders)
5-10 Jerry Pullins (Known best at football, but also a scrappy under-the-boards performer)
From this point on, Reserve talent of last season carries the burden with leading candidates for Varsity service including:
5-10 Al Cerett
5-10 Dale Duerr
5-9 Bill Huth
5-10 Paul Davidson
6-1 Ed Lunderberger
5-9 Rod Cropper
5-11 Rodney Cropper
5-11 Mike Widder
6-1 Bruce Ickes
While Tusky Valley does not have much height to spark its bid for county laurels, it does have a couple of sharpshooters and several scrappy performers who have been known to out-fight the taller foes. Thus, the Hellermen of Tuscarawas Valley are considered by most observers as a definite threat this season in the fight for County League and Tournament Honors. In other words...TV IS SMALL, BUT SCRAPPY!
Friday, December 18, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio
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