50 - The Strasburg Tigers Win Their 4th Consolation Division Championship 62-57 (2-24-50)

The Strasburg Tigers winner of the S. Toomey Company Consolation Division Trophy Friday night at Memorial Hall.  The Tigers turned back the Stone Creek Golden Panthers 62-57 and will enter the Dover Sectional Tournament next week.  FRONT:  Dale Renner - John Jeandrevin - Norman Couts - Tom Miller (with trophy) - John Ziegler and Dale Bayer.  BACK:  Dick Froman - John Mizer - Jim Huffman - Don Gepfert - Jim Reiger - John Reiger and Head Coach Don Martin.


DOVER - The 16th Annual Consolation Division Championship final between the Strasburg Tigers (4-1) (19-5) (78-20) and the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (2-2) (16-32) followed the pattern set by the Championship battle; although, the Tigers never forged a wide lead over the Golden Panthers.

The Bengals took a 15-13 first quarter lead as Seniors forward Tom Miller and guard Norman Couts fired an attack which shaded that launched by the Panthers' great guard, Senior guard Hal Ridenour and Senior forward Jim Pfeiffer.  With Couts pouring in 10 points, Strasburg's Head Coach Don Martin widened their halftime lead to 32-23.

Head Coach Ken Newlon's Creekers surged back in the 3rd stanza to overhaul the Tigers and take a 43-42 lead near the end of the quarter.  A field goal by Miller, whose blistering pace netted 25 points, put the Bengals back in front 44-43 as the period ended.  This Stone Creek drive was sparked by Ridenour and Pfeiffer.  Ridenour, the playmaker in the Golden Panthers attack, dribbled the length of the floor twice to score against Strasbrug.

In the 4th canto, the Tigers moved their defenses out to stop Ridenour and Pfeiffer.  Ridenour and Senior forward Dick Kugler poured in 10 points as the Panthers made another determined bid.  The marksmanship of Miller kept the Creekers at bay, however.  When Stone Creek threatened to close the gap again, it was Miller who sent the score out of reach.

Strasburg was led by Miller's 25 points and Couts' 15.  Ridenour scored 15 points for Stone Creek, while Kugler caged 15 and Pfeiffer meshed 12.

The Daily Reporter All-Tournament Team will be announced on Monday.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 62

Tom Miller F 10-5-25
Don Gepfert F 1-3-5
John Mizer F 1-3-5
Jim Huffman C 1-0-2
Dick Froman G 2-0-4
John Rieger G 3-0-6
Norman Couts G 6-3-15

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 57

Jim Pfeiffer F 5-2-12
Dick Kugler F 6-3-15
Dean Heid C 1-1-3
Hal Ridenour G 8-5-21
McPherson G 2-2-6
Ken Lorens G 0-0-0


Saturday, February 25, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Right Down The Line

Friday, February 24, 1950
Dover, Ohio


THE BOLIVAR CARDINALS get their big chance tonight.  It is an opportunity which has been earned by methodical, hard-driving basketball and hard work by 2nd-Year Head Coach Warren Craigo and his ball club.  The Cardinals will be the popular favorite tonight when they collide with the Midvale Blue Devils in the County Tournament Championship and are looking at claiming The Daily Reporter Trophy.

THE DEFENDING CHAMPION BLUE DEVILS will; however, be the game favorites.  It is hardly reasonable to assume that the Red Birds can do what the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates failed to do...halt Midvale.

And yet, you hesitate to state flatly that Coach Craigo's Cinderella team hasn't a chance.  They had enough against the Strasburg Tigers 53-50 and the Stone Creek Golden Panthers 52-50.  It is barely possible they might have enough tonight.  At least they will give it a good try and this will draw the fans.

Bolivar met Midvale only once during the regular season in a League game at Bolivar.  The Blue Devils won a 53-44 decision, but had to stop a Cardinals surge in the last canto.  The Diablos led 31-18 at halftime, but could not hold that margin.  Maybe that is an omen.

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE, thwarted in their clash with Midvale  51-49, dropped completely out of the picture last night when Strasburg , staging a comeback, caught the Pirates still staggering under the weight of defeat 53-48.  The Corsairs were missing badly again last night and the Tigers looked like the Bengals who were rated one of the tournament's top teams before firing began.

STRASBURG will be favored to halt Stone Creek tonight in the Consolation Division Championship and secure a berth in the Dover Sectional Tournament.

50 - Stone Creek Ekes Out 61-59 Win Over Tusky (2-23-50)

Bill Tharp (11) of the Tuscarawas Broncos comes out of a pile up in the Stone Creek Golden Panthers game with the ball.  Golden Panthers are Gene McPherson (18), Ken Lorens (16) and Dick Kugler (15).  Stone Creek won a squeaker 61-59.


DOVER - Another capacity house is expected at Memorial Hall tonight when Head Coach Warren Craigo's Bolivar Cardinals, a lightly regarded dark horse when the Tuscarawas County Tournament started last week, clash with the defending Champion Midvale Blue Devils at 8:45PM for The Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy.  The Strasburg Tigers, on the comeback trail after losing to the rampaging Cardinals in the 1st round, collides with the Stone Creek Golden Panthers at 7:30PM in the Consolation Division final.

Three teams, the winner, runner-up and Consolation Division winner will advance to the Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall come next Wednesday in Dover this year.  Bolivar, the Cinderella team of the tournament and Midvale are assured berths in the Sectional.  Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg quintet earned the right to meet Stone Creek by handing the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, one of the favorites, a 53-48 seback last night, thereby eliminating the Corsairs from further competition.

Head Coach Ken Newlon's Golden Panthers, unable to mount their offensive against Bolivar Wednesday night, came back last night to edge the Tuscarawas Broncos 61-59 in a thriller before some 1,200 fans.

The Stone Creek Golden Panthers (2-1) (16-33) and the Tuscarawas Broncos (2-2) (34-35) battle was a free-scoring duel between the Broncos' forward John Kohler and Junior center Jerry Rausch and the Golden Panthers' Seniors forward Jim Pfeiffer, guard Hal Ridenour and center Dean Heid.

Stone Creek trailed 22-19 at the close of the 1st quarter as Rausch poured in 12 points.  The score was tied at halftime 31-31 and the Broncos held another slim 45-42 3rd stanza lead.  Late in the final quarter, Heid put the Golden Panthers ahead to stay with a free throw shot 60-59 and Ridenour, the mainstay of the Creekers attack, added another free throw toss with 5 seconds to go.

Rausch posted 27 points, while Kohler meshed 17 for the Colts.  Ridenour, Pfeiffer and Heid each netted 15 markers apiece for Stone Creek as their teammate Senior forward Dick Kugler picked up another 11 points.

Looking at tonight's Championship battle which may develop  into a duel between 2 fine centers, 6-3 Senior Maurice Lundenberger of Bolivar and 6-4 Senior Bob Sherrell of Midvale.

Lundenberger, who has been a standout for the Red Birds throughout the tournament, will have able assistance from Senior forward Ed Grossenbacher, Junior guard Bob Burkhart, Senior guard Carl McFeeders and Junior forward Bill Willard.  Sherrell is surrounded by Junior guard Carl Pissocra, Senior guard George Wilson, Senior forward Rudy Ruffini and Junior forward Harry Rennicker.

Both teams are in top physical condition.  The Blue Devils will be gunning for their 2nd consecutive tournament title with the surprising Cardinals the sole remaining barrier.

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 61

Jim Pfriffer F 7-1-15
Dick Kugler F 5-1-11
Dean Reid C 6-3-15
Gene McPherson G 2-1-5
Hal Ridenour G 7-1-15

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 59

John Kohler F 7-3-17
Doyle Roth F 3-0-6
Dick Kerns F 0-0-0
Jerry Rausch C 11-5-27
Bob McPeek G 2-3-7
Bill Tharp G 1-0-2


Friday, February 24, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Strasburg Sends Pirates To The Showers 53-48 (2-23-50)

Don Gepfert, Strasburg forward (33), drives toward the Tiger basket in a Consolation Division battle with the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates Thursday night at Memorial Hall.  Jim Huffman (99) stands by for a possible rebound if his teammate misses.  Buccaneers in the photo are Glen Zimmerman (60), Ike Hostetler (62) and Jim Knox (69).  Strasburg picked up a must-win 53-48 victory.

STRASBURG SPOTLIGHT - Another important member of Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers Stars this year is Senior center Jim Huffman.  He scored 2 field goals and a free throw for 5 points and helped the defense clog up the center keeping the Sugarcreek-Shanesvilles Pirates at bay.  Huffman has meshed 24 points during tournament play.

DOVER - The Strasburg Tigers (3-1) (18-5) (77-20), in removing the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (2-2) (17-6) (54-32) from tournament play in an important Consolation Division contest, was forced to stave off a determined last canto rally by a team which had not completely recovered from its 51-49 defeat at the hands of the Midvale Blue Devils the night before in the semi-final round.

The Pirates, probably the smoothest ball handling club in the meet, could never quite reach the peak they attained earlier in the tournament, while the Tigers turned in their best performance.  Strasburg's pressing tactics paid off at the outset of the battle and the Tigers held a 13-8 first quarter lead, chiefly on the basis of marksmanship by Seniors forward Norman Couts, forward Don Gepfert, center Jim Huffman and guard Dick Froman.

So effective was the Strasburg defenses and so badly was Sugarcreek-Shanesville missing what shots they did have that they were able to score but twice from the field in this period.  The pattern continued in the 2nd period as the Pirates were scoring but twice more from the field, while the Tigers were notching 11 points, 7 of them by speedy Senior forward Tom Miller.  The Bengals held a 23-15 edge going into the 3rd stanza.

Senior forward Glen Zimmerman, one of the tournament's best performers, began firing his set shots in the 3rd quarter, but it was not enough to get past Strasburg who led 40-30 at the close of the stanza.  Zimmerman netted 3 field goals, but this was more than matched by Couts, Senior John Rieger and Froman.

With a comfortable 45-30 margin early in the 4th canto, the Tigers began stalling, but the Corsairs , surging back in a last ditch effort, broke it up and nearly overhauled the Bengal lead.  With Zimmerman and blazing guard Ike Hostetler each netting 3 field goals, the Bucs narrowed the gap to 49-40 at the automatic, but in the final 3 minutes Froman, Senior center John Mizer and Miller put the game out of reach of the struggling Buccaneers.

Zimmerman, completing what has been a great high school career, netted 16 points before leaving the game via the foul route late in the final period.  Zimmerman's teammate Ike Hostetler also meshed 16 points for the Pirates.  Strasburg was headed by the scoring of Tom Miller's 15 points.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 53

Norman Couts F 4-1-9
Tom Miller F 5-5-15
Don Gepfort F 2-3-7
Jim Huffman C 2-1-5
John Mizer C 1-1-3
John Reiger G 2-1-5
John Jeandrevin G 0-0-0
Dick Froman G 4-1-9

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 48

Glen Zimmerman F 7-2-16
Dan Hostetler F 0-0-0
Jim Knox F 3-2-8
Wayne Schrock C 1-0-2
Ike Hostetler G 5-6-16
Glenn Miller G 2-1-5


Friday, February 24, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

50 - Right Down The Line

Thursday, February 23, 1950
Dover, Ohio


UNLESS BOLIVAR'S CARDINALS can continue their Cinderella story Friday night, the Midvale's methodical Blue Devils will annex their 2nd straight County Tournament title on Friday night.  Our favorites, the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, made a great effort last night, but just missed the coveted goal.

At the outset of the tournament, we named the Corsairs and the Strasburg Tigers as the teams most likely to dethrone the Diablos.  Both are now in the Consolation Division and will collide tonight in what may be another of those thrillers with a story-book finish.  The Buccaneers are a good ball club.  They had the sharpest, best executed offensive, even in losing.

You cannot; however, defeat persistence and drive.  Midvale has both of those.  They didn't give up and their persistence paid off.  That battle last night may have been decided in the 1st quarter when forward Ike Hostetler drew his 4th free throw.  Certainly with Hostetler on the bench, Sugarcreek-Shanesville's attack lost something.

The Blue Devils lost Senior center Bob Sherrell the same way in the last period.  From then on, it was a spot for the opportunists.  The Diablos picked up the chips.

FOULS IMMEDIATELY bring up the question of officiating.  It is not the desire of this corner to tell officials how to call their shots...consistency; however, is a great asset.  We feel both teams suffered last night because of inconsistent whistle blowing.

Maybe it is the rules.  Maybe it isn't.  Regardless, someone, sometime, should propose and direct a unified system of rules and adhere to the book at all times.  This has been very confusing to all clubs since they started the juggling act with the rule book.

AT THIS POINT, it is a little difficult to judge the giant killing Bolivar Cardinals' chances of upsetting Midvale on Friday night.  The Cardinals have already dumped 2 favorites and it is highly probable that the string will end when they meet the Blue Devils.

THE STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS failed to measure up to its season record for the 2nd time in the meet.  Tonight the Golden Panthers will have their last chance.  It will be rugged if the Tuscarawas Broncos maintain their present pace.

THE CROWD started lining up outside Memorial Hall in the rain at 5PM yesterday, one hour and a half before the 1st game started.  Some 50 or 60 fans were still standing out there, hoping, when the last game got underway.

ABE MAST, THE SUGARCREEK BUSINESS MAN who tutored the fabulous Walnut Creek Cardinals in their unbeaten season last year, was in the stands last night.  Mast, father of Heidelberg's Ken Mast, has been following the fortunes of the Student Princes this year and has not seen much county basketball.  He thought that the Pirates would win, however.

50 - Frenzied Basketball Fans Take Over Memorial Hall

DOVER - Tournament time in Dover and not a place to park within blocks of Memorial Hall.  That was the situation last night as fans from all parts of Tuscarawas County jammed the hall from the thrilling see-saw semi-finals of the county Class B basketball elimination contest.

Most avid of the frenzied spectators were coaches Bill French of the Midvale Blue Devils and Gerald Straley of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates.  The game were ballyhooed as the hottest tilt on the boards.  And it was.  Coaches are a funny lot.  They try so hard not to show any emotion as their boys slip and stumble up and down the court in a gallant effort to out-step the opposition.  But, close observation reveals a touchy disposition.

First-Year Head Coach Straley tried so hard to be visibly unimpressed with the proceedings.  He just bobbled his crew-cut head back and forth with the flight and bounce of the ball.  But, something big happened and his eyebrows popped like a champagne cork...vintage 1700.  When his team dropped a bucket, he only intensified his inspection of the ball.  Third-Year Head Coach French wasn't quite so elusive.  He was easy to spy in the crowd with his glaring red socks and red tie.  As excitement rose, his favorite trick seemed to be a slight hike of his trouser legs.  It's a good thing the game didn't last too much longer.

Coach French also showed a remarkable affinity for throwing his arm around each and every boy who left the floor.  Instead of peering at the ball after the basket as Coach Straley was wont to do, he'd just ignore the court for a time and devote his attention to the replaced man on the bench.

Activity behind the scenes were bustling as usual.  In the big room under the floor, the 8 to 13 year-olds were soaring ceiling-ward to slap at overhanging pipes.  Roving bands of "drugstore cowboys" leaned against every post ready to engage in conversation with any passing female.  Bottle caps were flying in the concession stand as 30 fans guzzled gallons of soft drinks.

At 7:30PM there was a crowd of 25 or 30 people leaning against the outer doors of the building, trying to wangle admission.  No go.  The place was filled to the ceiling.  After this crowd was convinced there was no more room in the hall, ticket takers were kept busy the rest of the night turning away stragglers who insisted on seeing the game.  Also in the under-stairs room, the Gnadenhutten Seniors were operating a check room. Although most sports fans prefer to wad up the wrap and sit on it, the girls counted 250 coats hanging in the room.  They made money solely on tips.


Thursday, February 23, 1950
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Radio Station WJER as it looked in the year of 1950.

NOTE:  The Sugarcreek-Shanesville-Midvale contest was broadcast by Denny Corwin of Radio Station WJER.

50 - Bolivar (Giant Killers) Knockoff Stone Creek 52-50 (2-22-50)

This was not a goal line stand.  It was part of the torrid action of the Bolivar-Stone Creek basketball game in the county tournament at Memorial Hall Wednesday night.  The Cardinals turned back the Golden Panthers 52-50 and gained a berth in the finals on Friday night.  In the photo, Maurice Lundenberger (underneath pile) is battling for the ball with Gene McPherson and other Panthers.  Bob Burhart of the Red Birds is also in the action.


DOVER - The Midvale Blue Devils, defending Champions, and the Bolivar Cardinals, the Cinderella Team of the 28th Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament, advanced to the Friday night finals after scoring thrilling upsets over the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates and Stone Creek Golden Panthers at Memorial Hall Wednesday night before nearly 2,000 fans who jammed into ever available inch of space to witness an action-packed semi-final round.

Midvale, an opportunist team with power when the chips were down, scored a last minute 51-49 victory over Head Coach Gerald Straley's flashy Pirates and Head Coach Warren Craigo's Bolivar cagers kept their magic string alive by whipping favored Stone Creek 52-50.

Midvale and Bolivar will clash on Friday night at 8:45PM for The Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy.  Both teams are now assured a berth in the Dover Sectional starting next Wednesday night at Memorial Hall.  Tonight at 7:30PM, the Strasburg Tigers, defeated last week by Bolivar 53-50, gets another chance in the Consolation Division bracket when the Bengals collide with the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates at 7:30PM in the Consolation semi-finals.

At 8:45PM, the Tuscarawas Broncos, a 76-43 winner over the Mineral City Tigers last night, meets Stone Creek in another Consolation Division battle.  The 2 winners will clash Friday night at 7:30PM in a Consolation final with the victor advancing into the Sectional Tournament also in Dover.

Both Midvale and Bolivar had been assigned the underdog roles last night in the payoff round.  Both crashed through with surprise wins in the closing seconds of battles which had the fans standing on their seats.

In the last game of the night, the Bolivar Cardinals (3-0) (12-12) (45-36), fired by the offensive play of Seniors 6-3 center Maurice Lundenberger, guard Carl McFeeders and Junior forward Bill Willard, completely dominated play with the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1-1) (15-32) until the final canto when the Golden Panthers started to creep up on the Red Birds.

Lundenberger, who has turned in one of the tournament's outstanding performance, again proves a tower of strength in the Cardinals lineup.  It was his 19 points which kept the Panthers threat at a minimum.  Lundenberger; however, had a valuable assistance from McFeeders, Willard, Senior forward Ed Grossenbacher and Junior guard Bob Burkhart.  Burhart and Willard, the Red Birds playmakers, gave steady performances as did Grossenbacher, the rugged Card defensive player.

The only Stone Creek player able to dent the Bolivar defenses consistently was Senior guard Hal Ridenour, another standout performer.  Ridenour poured in 10 points in the 3rd period to lead a Golden Panthers attack which had become desperate as the Cardinals blazed steadily on.  Senior center Dean Heid put the Panthers within striking distance near the close of the battle with a field goal and 2 free throw shots, but time ran out on the thwarted favorites.

Bolivar flew to a 7 point lead in the 1st quarter 11-4.  Stone Creek cut the margin to 5 in the 2nd period 25-20; while the Golden Panthers again increased the lead to 10 points 42-32 in the 3rd stanza.  The Panthers rallied in the 4th canto, but ran out of time in a thriller.

Other Cardinals besides Lundenberger to hit double figures were McFeeders with 14 and Willard with 12.  Ridenour led Stone Creek with 18 points and Senior forward Jim Pfeiffer meshed 11 markers.

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 52

Ed Grossenbacher F 1-1-3
Junior Geers F 0-1-1
Bill Willard F 5-2-12
Maurice Lundenberger C 8-3-19
John Ewing C 0-0-0
Carl McFeeders G 6-2-14
Wayne Kromine G 0-0-0
Bob Burkhart G 1-1-3

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 50

Jim Pfeiffer F 4-3-11
Dick Kugler F 2-1-5
Jerry Brown F 1-0-2
Dean Heid C 3-3-9
Hal Ridenour G 8-2-18
Lorenz G 0-0-0
Gene McPherson G 2-1-5


Thursday, February 23, 1950
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio