51 - Dundee Whips Lakeville 68-52 (2-28-51)

DOVER - A capacity crowd of frenzied fans is expected to elbow into Memorial Hall tonight to see the battle of battles when the Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1) and Strasburg Tigers (17-6), County Champions, clash at 7:30PM in 2nd round firing of the Class B Sectional Tournament.  In the other big test, the Dennison Railroaders (13-4) will be putting in their 1st tournament appearance when they collide with the Augusta Blue Devils (14-8), Carroll County Champs at 8:30PM.

Head Coach John Harmon's Railroaders, who play mostly Class A teams during the season, have not been defeated by a Class B combine this year.  In last night's action-packed opening round, which saw referees McCoy Maringer of New Concord and Allen Veigel of Coshocton, whistled 10 cagers to the showers.  The Millersburg Knights (6-15) edged Head Coach Joe Drotovick's Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-7) 61-56 and the Dundee Bulldogs turned back a stubborn Lakeville Bulldogs crew 68-52.  Both games were nip-and-tuck right down to the final buzzer, but many a cage discussion will be decided tonight.

Prediction of the closeness of the game might be found in the fact that Strasburg pushed Head Coach John Ridley's Cardinals into an overtime during the Christmas vacation before the Cardinals notched the triumph largely on the sensational play of their All-Ohio guard, Bob Troyer.  In addition, only one point separated the 2 teams this week in the final State-wide poll of the Associated Press.  The Red Birds were ranked 16th, while the Bengals were rated 17th.

And to add a bit of interest to the struggle is the fact that the County Coach's Association has protested the "conditions" under which Walnut Creek's stickout Senior forward, Ike Hostetler, transfered late in the season from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School.  Whether the set shooting artistry of Junior Dale Renner, Senior Dale Bayer and Senior John Zeiglar will be a match in the tournament drive for the deadly marksmanship of the Cardinals, Bob Troyer, Senior Ike Hostetler and Maurice Hershberger will have been decided by 8:30PM tonight.

In the battle of the Bulldogs, despite the fact that their high-scoring Junior guard Loris Hostetler was benched in the 2nd frame after drawing his 4th personal foul, the Dundee Bulldogs (16-10) turned back a rangy Lakeville Bulldogs (18-6) team by combining a clever passing game with a stiff zone defense.  Sparked by the play-making of pint-sized Senior forward Dick Kate and the firing of Junior guard Louis Hostetler, the Bulldogs of Dundee held a 33-30 lead at the half and 47-44 going into the final quarter after the fast-breaking Holmes County Consolation Division winners broke on top 18-16 at the 1st quarter close.

Paced by forwards Don Gindlesberger and Cayhoe, Lakeville came within one point of the Dundee lead in the final canto, but fell apart after these 2 stickouts left the game on personal fouls.  The Bulldogs of Dundee lost the Hostetler twins on fouls, while the Bulldogs of Lakeville, which had its last player on the floor when the game ended, lost forward Morris, center Wachtel and guard Mosher in addition to Gindlesberger and Cayhoe.

Louis Hostetler collected 21 points while his brother Loris dropped in 18 markers.  Their teammate Junior guard Merlyn Immel also hit the nets for 10 points, all for Dundee.  Lakeville was led by forwards Gindlesberger and Cayhoe who gathered 10 points each.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 68

Dick Kate F 3-0-6
Weldon Flynn F 2-0-6
Curt Beamer F 1-2-4
Louis Hostetler C 7-7-21
Loris Hostetler G 7-4-18
Gene Muster G 0-1-1
Merlyn Immel G 3-4-10
Slemmer G 1-0-2

LAKEVILLE BULLDOGS - 52

Cayhoe F 4-2-10
Morris F 3-2-8
Wachtel C 2-3-7
Don Gindlesberger F 3-4-10
Campbell G 4-1-9
Albertson G 1-0-2
Mosher G 3-0-6
Young G 0-0-0


Thursday, March 1, 1951
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  MILLERSBURG-DOVER ST. JOSEPH ACTION

Dover St. Joseph bowed out of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall in Dover Wednesday night despite the efforts, as shown above, of Bob Contini (12) who is shown driving in for a shot against the Millersburg Knights.  The Knights won 61-56.  Ramblers center Don Yosick (13) is shown along with Millersburg's R. Miller (14), Stafford (11), Levengood (10) and Weiss (13).

NOTE:  COUNTY TOURNAMENT ATTENDANCE DROPS

The Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament at Memorial Hall this year drew the smallest over-all paid attendance since the 1943 season, Supt. W.E. Laws, Tournament Manager announced today.  Paid attendance totaled 5,810 for the 7 sessions this season and grossed a total of $3,447.85.  In 1943 the tournament drew 3,112 paid.

Each of the 11 schools will receive $170, Laws stated.  Expenses totaled $1,934.93, including $567.25 for federal taxes and $57.80 for city taxes.

The largest tournament crowd at a single session was recorded at the semi-final session when 1,343 paid admissions were counted.  The smallest paid admission was 315.  A total of 424 passes were issued this year, Laws said.

THURSDAY 3-1-51

Strasburg vs Walnut Creek 7:30PM
Dennison vs Augusta 8:30PM

51 - Right Down The Line

Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio


THE CLASS B TEAMS, the Strasburg Tigers (17-6), Midvale Blue Devils (18-5), Dennison Railroaders (13-4), Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-6), Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (9-10) and the Dundee Bulldogs (15-10), meet rugged competition at Memorial Hall in the Class B Sectional Tournament.  Strasburg, the county tournament Champ, must clash with the powerized Walnut Creek Cardinals. the first time out.

The high-geared Cardinals already hold a 65-57 overtime decision over the Bengals and do not figure to be any weaker now that they have Ike Hostetler, former Sugarcreek-Shanesville star, in their lineup.  Head Coach Don Martin's Tigers; however, have a habit of making it rough on the favorites.  They upset the unbeaten Scio Panthers (24-1) 66-59 last spring in the District Tournament meet.  Strasburg; however, will be forced to fight an uphill battle against the Creekers who are gunning for a District title with a powerfully-balanced, fluid, smooth quintet.

Strictly on the basis of records again, the Ramblers should ride into the qualifying round in the top bracket.  Head Coach Joe Drotovick's Dover St. Joseph team play the Millersburg Knights on Wednesday and if victorious, Dennison St. Mary on Friday.  The Ramblers hold decisions over both teams this year.

The Railroaders and Blue Devils are the top teams in the lower bracket; however, and have met once this year with the Dennison grinding out a 51-47 win at Midvale.  The Railroaders play a predominately Class A schedule with all 4 of its losses coming in that division to the New Philadelphia Quakers, Dover Tornadoes, Uhrichsville Tigers and the Carrollton Warriors.  Dennison; however, has been battling a "jinx" at Memorial Hall for years and it may stop them again this year.

NOTE:  WALNUT CREEK MEN DENY CHARGE IN IKE HOSTETLER CONTROVERSY

DOVER - Four Walnut Creek men, allegedly involved in the controversy over the transfer of Richard (Ike) Hostetler (shown above) from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School to Walnut Creek High School, emphatically denied today that they had anything to do with Hostetler's transfer.  The men making the denial include Tom Miller, Dutch Horrisberger, Herman Mast and Moses Hostetler.

The four men were involved in the controversy last week when Ohio High School Athletic Commissioner H. W. Emswiler made public a letter he had allegedly received from Charles Voltz of Berlin.  In his letter to the Tuscarawas County Coaches Association, which made a mass protest, Emswiler wrote:  "A Charles Voltz of Berlin states that it has been reported that Mr. Moses Hostetler, Tom Miller, Dutch Horrisberger and a Mr. Mr. Mast made a special trip to Ike's and stayed 2 hours, according to neighbors.  Shortly after that, Hostetler pulled out for Walnut Creek."

All four men denied today that they had ever talked to Hostetler as alleged in Voltz' report to Emswiler.  Hostetler has been ruled eligible by Emswiler.

51 - Right Down The Line

Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Monday, February 26, 1951


THE CLASS B SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT at Memorial Hall in Dover promises to be another of those thrillers.  It could be anybody's tournament what with the Strasburg Tigers (17-6) and Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1) in the same bracket and the Midvale Blue Devils (18-5) and Dennison Railroaders (13-4) paired in the lower bracket.

That Strasburg-Walnut Creek battle on Thursday night shapes up as a classic.  The Tuscarawas County Tigers dropped an overtime decision to the Cardinals in the invitational at Christmas time, but Head Coach Don Martin has his Bengals geared a littler higher now.

On the other hand, the Creekers now have Richard (Ike) Hostetler to add to an already powerful attack which includes Bob Troyer, All-Ohio guard and the outstanding player in the Holmes County Tournament last week.  Spice was added to the meet by the entry of the Lakeville Bulldogs, conqueror of the Berlin Panthers, in the Holmes County Consolation Division title battle Saturday night.  Lakeville is a small school with only 29 students enrolled, including only 14 boys all on the squad.

Walnut Creek and Strasburg look like the class of the upper bracket with Dover St. Joseph (13-6) a competent "dark horse."  In the lower bracket, the Dennison and Midvale have the power with the Dundee Bulldogs (15-10) in the "dark horse" role.

WEDNESDAY 2-28-51

Dover St. Joseph vs Millersburg 7:30PM
Dundee vs Lakeville 8:30PM

THURSDAY 3-1-51

Strasburg vs Walnut Creek 7:30PM
Dennison vs Augusta 8:30PM

51 - The Dover Class B Sectional BasketballTournament

DOVER - Ten Class B basketball teams, 6 of them survivors of 3 county tournaments, launch firing on Wednesday night at Memorial Hall in the Dover Sectional Class B Basketball Tournament.  The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-6), one of the 3 Tuscarawas Independents in the meet, open play Wednesday at 7:30PM when they collide with the Holmes County Independent, Millersburg Knights (5-15), in the 1st round.

In a 2nd round feature, the Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1), Holmes County winner and League Champion, clashes with the Tuscarawas County Champion Strasburg Tigers (17-6) Thursday night in what will be one of the meet's top battles.  Four teams, Walnut Creek, the Dennison Railroaders (13-4), Midvale Blue Devils (18-5) and the Lakeville Bulldogs (8-5), conqueror of the Berlin Panthers on Saturday night in a Holmes County Consolation Division battle, were seeded Sunday at the drawings at the Dover High School building under the direction of tournament Manager Don Campbell, Dover High School coach.

Walnut Creek drew the No. 1 position among the seeded teams and chose the upper bracket.  The remaining 6 teams not seeded drew on the basis of a preferential draw with the Dover St. Joseph, Millersburg, Dennison, Dennison St. Mary Waves and Strasburg winding up the Walnut Creek bracket.  Head Coach Don Martin of the Tigers had last position in the preferential draw and had no choice but to meet the Holmes County Cardinals Thursday night.

In the lower bracket are Midvale, county Runner-up and Co-Champion with Strasburg and the Tuscarawas Broncos (11-7), Dennison, the Augusta Blue Devils (14-8), Carroll County Champion, Lakeville and the Dundee Bulldogs (15-10), Tuscarawas County Consolation Division winner over Tuscarawas 72-68.  Finals in both brackets will be played Saturday night with the 2 winners advancing to the Class B Eastern District Tournament at Memorial Hall the next week, March 8, 9 and 10.

In addition to the Dover St. Joseph-Millersburg upper bracket game Wednesday night, Lakeville and Dundee clash in the lower bracket at 8:30.  In the upper bracket, Dennison St. Mary (9-10) plays the winner of the Dover St. Joseph (13-6)-Millersburg (5-15) game Friday at 7:30PM.  The winner of this Friday game advances to the qualifying round Saturday night against the winner of the Thursday night Walnut Creek-Strasburg battle.

In the lower bracket, Dennison's Railroaders see action for the 1st time Thursday night against the Augusta Blue Devils which upset the Malvern Green Hornets in Carroll County.  Midvale will play the winner of the Lakeville-Dundee game on Friday night and on Saturday night the survivors will clash in the lower bracket qualifying round.

It was necessary to seed 2 teams with a stipulation that teams from the same county tournament could not meet in the 1st round.  The 10 coaches present voted to seed the 4 top record quintets.  It was a choice between this method or seeding the tournament winners who's method met the disapproval of the 3 Independent teams from Tuscarawas County which play in no county tournament.  A vote revealed the coaches in favor of seeding the 4 top record teams.

Mac Mariner of Muskingum College and Allan Viegel of Coshocton will be the tournament officials.  Admission will be 65 cents for adults and 40 cents to students for all 4 sessions.  No trophies will be awarded, but the 2 winners will receive basketballs.  Doors will open at 6:30PM for each session.


Monday, February 26, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

51 - 29th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament Stats

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (Don Martin-3) 3-0 1.000 (TC) 13th Title
2.  Dundee Bulldogs (Ike Wiseman-1) 4-1 .800 (CC) 1st Title
3.  Midvale Blue Devils (Chuck Stocker-1) 2-1 .666 (T-RU)
4.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Chuck Lorenz-1) 3-2 .600
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Fritz Jacobs-1) 2-2 .500
6.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ken Newlon-4) 2-2 .500
7.  Bolivar (Warren Craigo-3) 1-2 .333
8.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-5) 1-2 .333
9.  Baltic Eagles (Doyle Shumaker-?) 0-2 .000
10. Mineral City Tigers (Al Prazniak-1) 0-2 .000
11. Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Gerald Staley-2) 0-2 .000

TOURNAMENT SCORES

TUESDAY 2-13-51

Dundee 60 - Mineral City 37
Gnaden 56 - Stone Creek 49
Tusky 55 - Sugarcreek 43

WEDNESDAY 2-14-51

Strasburg 57 - Port 46
Dundee 66 - Baltic 64

THURSDAY 2-15-51

Port 44 - Sugarcreek 38 (C)
Stone Creek 68 - Mineral City (C)
Midvale 61 - Gnaden 59 OT

SATURDAY 2-17-51

Gnaden 56 - Baltic 52 (C)
Stone Creek 47 - Port 43 OT (C)
Tusky 74 - Bolivar 50

WEDNESDAY 2-21-51

Bolivar 47 - Gnaden 45 (C)
Midvale 46 - Dundee 42
Strasburg 62 - Tusky 50

THURSDAY 2-22-51

Dundee 68 - Stone Creek 51 (C)
Tusky 68 - Bolivar 57 (C)

FRIDAY 2-23-51

Dundee 72 - Tusky 68 (CC)
Strasburg 61 - Midvale 60 (TC)

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE

Strasburg Tigers 1928
Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 1932
Strasburg Tigers 1935
Midvale Blue Devils 1937
Strasburg Tigers 1938
Midvale Blue Devils 1940
Midvale Blue Devils 1941
Gnadenhutten Indians 1942

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 32
2.  Rich Tolloti (M) 30
3.  Jerry Rausch (T) 27
4.  Ron Kohl (G) 26
5.  Loris Hostetler (D) 25
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) 23
7.  5 tied with 22

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 15
2.  Loris Hostetler (D) 12
3.  Jerry Rausch (T) 12
4.  Rich Tolloti (M) 12
5.  Loris Hostetler (D) 10
6.  Ron Kohl (G) 10
7.  Jerry Rausch (T) 10
8.  Bill Tharp (T) 10
9.  9 tied with 9

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 8
2.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 8
3.  Ron Kohl (G) 7
4.  Junior Geers (BC) 6
5.  Ron Kuhl (G) 6
6.  Bob McPeek (T) 6
7.  Carl Pissocra (M) 6
8.  John Zeigler (S) 6
9.  Rich Tolloti (M) 6
10. John Torgler (B) 6

MOST POINTS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 112
2.  Jerry Rausch (T) 85
3.  Ron Kohl (G) 76
4.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 68
5.  Louis Hostetler (D) 60
6.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 59
7.  Bill Tharp (T) 59
8.  Rich Tolloti (M) 54
9.  Junior Geers (BC) 53
10. Bob McPeek (T) 52

MOST FIELD GOALS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 51
2.  Jerry Rausch (T) 46
3.  Ron Kohl (G) 29
4.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 25
5.  Bill Tharp (T) 25
6.  Louis Hostetler (D) 24
7.  Merlyn Immel (D) 23
8.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 23
9.  Rich Tolloti (M) 23
10. Dale Renner (S) 22

MOST FREE THROWS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 18
2.  Ron Kohl (G) 18
3.  Bob McPeek (T) 14
4.  Jerry Rausch (T) 13
5.  Willis Ridenour (SC) 13
6.  Louis Hostetler (D) 12
7.  Junior Geers (BC) 11
8.  Jerry (Ike) Martin (G) 11
9. John Torgler (B) 11
10. 2 tied with 10

ALL-TOURNAMENTS

1923-33 See 1933 Tournament
1934-46 See 1946 Tournament
1947 - Strasburg Tigers (11) (2) - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (4) (5)
1948 - Strasburg Tigers (12) (2) - Midvale Blue Devils (3) (5)
1949 - Midvale Blue Devils (4) (5) - Mineral City Tigers (0) (1)
1950 - Midvale Blue Devils (5) (5) - Bolivar Cardinals (2) (5)
1951 - Strasburg Tigers (13) (2) - Midvale Blue Devils (5) (6)

ALL-CONSOLATION DIVISION TOURNAMENTS

1934-46 See 1946 Consolation Division Tournament
1947- Tuscarawas Broncos (4) (0) - Bolivar Cardinals (1) (1)
1948 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (2) (2) - Dundee Bulldogs (0) (1)
1949 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (3) (2) - Gnadenhutten Indians (2) (4)
1950 - Strasburg Tigers (4) (1) - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (0) (1)
1951 - Dundee Bulldogs (1) (1) - Tuscarawas Broncos (4) (1)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 81-20 .802
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 52-25) .675
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 54-34) .614
4.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923) 46-39 .541
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 45-39 .536
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1923) 37-37 .500
7.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 26-43) .377
8.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 24-44) .353
9.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 18-36 .333
10. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 16-45 .262
11. Mineral City Tigers (1923) 12-43 .197

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 34
2.  Elmer Linard (P) (1945) 32
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 32
4.  Fred Walton (T) (1946) 31
5.  Harland Stiffe (SS) (1927) 30
6.  Rich Tolloti (M) (1951) 30
7.  Max Regula (B) (1944) 29
8.  Maurice Lundenberger (BC) (1950) 29
9.  Paul Kate (D) (1947) 28
10. Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1949) 28

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 20
2.  Bill Lockett (G) (1943) 15
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 15
4.  Harland Shiffe (SS) (1927) 14
5.  Bill Ridenour (SC) (1943) 14
6.  Max Regula (B) (1944) 14
7.  Elmer Linard (P) (1945) 14
8.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 14
9.  Fred Walton (T) (1946) 14
10. 6 tied with 13

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 12
2.  Bill Ridenour (SC) (1943) 12
3.  Lester Veigel (T) (1937) 11*
4.  Ernie Raber (SS) (1940) 11
5.  Paul Class (BC) (1936) 10
6.  Paul Kate (D) (1947) 10
7.  Junior Murray (BC) (1947) 10
8.  5 tied with 9

TOTAL POINTS

1.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 220
2.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 218
3.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 188
4.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 183
5.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 177
6.  Jerry Rausch (T) (1950-51) 173
7.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 169
8.  Gene Montague (G) (1946-47-48-49) 166
9.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51) 164
10. Rich Bonvechio (T) (1942-43-44-45) 158

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 87
2.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 81
3.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 79
4.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 79
5.  Jerry Rausch (T) (1950-51) 75
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51) 72
7. Tom Haswell (S) (1945-46-47-48) 70
8.  Gene Montague (G) (1946-47-48-49) 69
9.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 68
10. Rich Bonvechio (T) (1942-43-44-45) 66

TOTAL FREE THROWS

1.  Charence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 58
2.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 44
3.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 41*
4.  Verle Buchler (SC) (1946-47-48-49) 38
5.  Jack Ford (M) (1946-47-48-49) 38
6.  Paul Kate (D) (1946-47-48) 37
7.  Paul Day (P) (1946-47-48-49) 33
8.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 33
9.  John Harmon (SC) (1947-48-49-50) 32
10. Hal Ridenour (SC) (1947-48-49-50) 32

TEAM HIGH GAME

1.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1946) 102
2.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1947) 92
3.  Port Washington Purple Riders (1946) 85
4.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1949) 82
5.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1944) 77
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1950) 76
7.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1951) 74
8.  Dundee Bulldogs (1951) 72
9.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1945) 70
10. Strasburg Tigers (1947) 70

1,000 CAREER POINT CLUB (League-Regular Season-All Tournaments)

John Studer (1934) 1,050

NEAR MISSES:  Frank Baumholtz (1937) 997

*Stats missing 1 game

51 - Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball All-Stars

*Senior Dale Renner (Strasburg) - Senior John Zeigler (Strasburg) - Senior Carl Passocra (Midvale)*

*Sophomore Rich Tolotti (Midvale) - Junior Loris Hostetler (Dundee) - Junior Dean Huprich (Baltic)*

*********Senior Jerry Rausch (Tuscarawas) - Senior Ron Kohl (Gnadenhutten)*********


DOVER - The Strasburg Tigers, county tournament Champions and Co-Champions of the County League and the Midvale Blue Devils tournament Runner-up and another League Co-Champiion dominated The Daily Reporter's All-Star Basketball Team.  Each gained 2-berths on the mythical team.  The 8 men who made the All-Star Roster this year, Reporter sports writers considered season play in addition to tournament play.

Although tournament performance outweighed season records in the final choice, 2 of the men chosen made the select list partly on the basis of play in the League campaign.  With so many outstanding individual performances to consider, it was decided to draw a line and choose only 8 players for the All-Star Team, this year.

Strasburg's John Zeigler and Dale Renner were given berths.  Zeigler because of a sparkling tournament performance with the Champions and Renner both on the basis of tourney and season play.  It was Zeigler's offense power in the title game with Midvale which opened the way for the Champions.  Renner had a fine tournament record and was outstanding in the Tigers' drive for a share of the League title.

The Midvale Blue Devils placed Rich Tolotti, a sensational Sophomore and the veteran Carl Pissocra, on the All-Star Team.  It was Tolotti's performance in the Gnadenhutten Indians and Strasburg game which won his berth.  He was an offensive stickout.  The steady Pissocra was the backbone of Midvale's attack and defense; although, he did not score in high figures.

Baltic's brilliant forward, Dean Huprich, was given a berth, largely on the basis of season play.  It was Ruprich's sparkling play which led the Eagles to 6 straight County League victories.  Although Huprich and the Eagles did not pick up any blue chips in the tournament, the Baltic spark-plug could not be overlooked in the final selections.

Loris Hostetler of Dundee richly deserves a berth with the Stars and was awarded that berth.  It was mostly on the basis of Hostetler's offensive ability that the Bulldogs annexed their 1st Championship Trophy and gained a spot in the Sectional Tournament.  His 32 points against the favored Tuscarawas Broncos in the pay-off round last week was about the best in the county meet.  Jerry Rausch, Tusky marksman, won his berth solely on the basis of offensive ability.  His team was eliminated, but Rausch caught on with that push shot and was a deadly weapon.

Gnadenhutten's Ron Kohl is the 8th member of the squad.  Kohl rated high because of his performance against Midvale.  Many fine players were regulated to Honorable Mention berths, but competition was so close and keen that some were necessarily forced to accept a 2nd position.

HONORABLE MENTION

Sophomore Jim Syler (Baltic Eagles)
Senior Junior Geers (Bolivar Cardinals)
Sophomore Delvin Haut (Bolivar Cardinals)
Junior Louis Hostetler (Dundee Bulldogs)
Junior Curtis Beamer (Dundee Bulldogs)
Junior Jerry (Ted) Martin (Gnadenhutten Indians)
Junior Bill Marshall (Midvale Blue Devils)
Sophomore Ellsworth Tope (Mineral City Tigers)
Freshman Ken Huston (Port Washington Purple Riders)
Junior Delano Kees (Port Washington Purple Riders)
Junior Willis Ridenour (Stone Creek Golden Panthers)
Sophomore Jerry Gasser (Stone Creek Golden Panthers)
Senior Jim Reiger (Strasburg Tigers)
Junior Dale Bayer (Strasburg Tigers)
Senior John Lanzer (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates)
Senior Dale Rehard (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates)
Senior Bill Tharp (Tuscarawas Broncos)


Monday, February 26, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

51 - Strasburg Wins Their 13th Tuscarawas County Tournament 61-60 (2-23-51)

The Champion Strasburg Tigers, who won The Daily Reporter County Tournament Trophy at Memorial Hall Friday night with a thrilling 61-60 victory over the defending Champions Midvale Blue Devils.  KNEELING:  Dale Boyer and John Zeigler.  FRONT:  Bill Von Kaenel - Jim Rieger - Head Coach Don Martin - Dale Renner and Dick Rentsch.  BACK:  Max Bonifaut - Tom Mizer - Ben Limbacher - Dale Helwick - Jim Weinmann and Dean Rousch.

The Midvale Blue Devils who annexed the County Tournament Runner-up Trophy.  FRONT:  Don Grahm - Bill Marshall - Carl Pissocra (with League Consolation Division Trophy) - Harry Rennicker - Dick Tolotti and Darrel Davis.  BACK:  Bill Anderson, Dale Malone - Karl MacKay and Ronald Harmon - Bill Cunningham and John De Mattio.

The Consolation Division Tournament winners...Dundee Bulldogs.  The only players identified in the photo are in the front row except for the individual wearing the tie.  They are 1st-Year Head Coach Ike Wiseman - Dick Kate - Merlyn Immel - Bud Beamer - Loris Hostetler and Louis Hostetler.

Captains and Co-Captains whose teams won trophies during League and tournament play, Dundee's Merlyn Immel, Consolation Division Trophy, Carl Pissocra of Midvale, Supt. W.E. Laws and Strasburg's John Ziegler, all share the Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy (it was halftime and Strasburg had not yet won it) and further down the line, Bill Tharp and Jerry Rausch Tuscarawas Co-Captains, who accepted one of the 3 County League trophies for the Tuscarawas Broncos.


DOVER - The Strasburg Tigers won their 13th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament since their very 1st win in 1923 which would be 29 years ago.  The Strasburg Tigers, Midvale Blue Devils and Dundee Bulldogs (who won their 1st Consolation Division Championship) today owned berths in the Class B Sectional Tournament eliminations next week after winning their laurels on Friday night at Memorial Hall by providing 1,500 fans with a thrill-swept finish to a Tuscarawas County Tournament which had already been saturated with glittering performances.  Last night's battling came as classic and ended in a spectacular blaze of action.

Third-Year Head Coach Don Martin's Strasburg Tigers and the Midvale Blue Devils, Co-Champions with the Tuscarawas Broncos in the torrid County League race collided head on in the Championship battle last night.  When it was over, the white-clad Tigers walked off with The Daily Reporter Tournament Trophy and a 61-60 sqeaker last night with a decision over the Blue Devils.

The Bengals victory, one of the most bitterly contested in the 29-year history of the county tournament, also ended the Diablos 2-year reign as Tournament Champions.  It was the 1st Strasburg title-winning effort since 1948.

First-Year Head Coach Ike Wiseman's glistening, sharp-breaking Dundee Bulldogs clawed their way into the Sectional Tournament meet as the Consolation Division winner by upsetting the Tuscarawas Broncos 72-69 in another slam-bang duel which saw the Broncos, a member of the County League "Big Three" falter before the rapier thrusts of a Bulldog team which would not be denied when the blue chips were down in the closing seconds.  It was the 1st Championship Trophy Dundee had won in the Consolation Division.

Dundee, Strasburg and Midvale, along with the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-6), Dennison Railroaders (13-4) and Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (?) from Tuscarawas County, the Walnut Creek Cardinals (21-1), Berlin Blue Jays (?) now Panthers or Lakeville (18-5) and the Millersburg Knights (5-15) from Holmes County and the Carroll County co-winner, will compete in the Sectional Tournament next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Memorial Hall in Dover.  Drawings for this tournament will be held on Sunday at 2PM in room 114 of the Dover High School building with Tournament Manager Don Campbell in charge.

The Strasburg Tigers (3-0) (17-6) (81-20) parlayed brilliant set-shooting by Junior guard Dale Bayer, Senior foward Dale Renner and Senior forward John Zeigler and a masterful zone defense into a victory over the Midvale Blue Devils (2-1) (18-5) (52-25) which battled desperately right down to the final 3 seconds to salvage their title which slipped away before the uncanny marksmanship of the Tigers trio.  The grueling title battle was wide open at only one stage in the 4 quarters.

Strasburg, tense and jittery, was in trouble midway in the 1st quarter when Midvale's great Sophomore forward, Rich Tolotti, poured in 4 consecutive field goals to give the Blue Devils a 14-3 edge.  The Tigers, with Zeigler supplying the spark, closed the gap 20-13 at the close of the 1st quarter.

From then on until the final 3 seconds, when a Diablo drove in for a lay-up shot which would have given Midvale the victory had he made it as the raging battle held the crowd breathless.  In a blistering 2nd frame, the Blue Devils held their slim lead, but watched it steadily melt away before the sensational shooting of Renner who bagged 5 field goals in this period.  Renner's effort pulled Strasburg to within 2 points, 32-30, of the Diablos.

Throughout the battle, Midvale stayed with its planned attack of working in close to the basket before firing, while the Tigers, stymied under the nets by the Blue Devils sliding zone defense, switched to an over-head barrage.  With the din in the hall reaching a roaring crescendo, the lead changed hands 10 times and was tied once in the 3rd stanza.

At the outset of the 3rd quarter, Zeigler blazed into the corner and hit 3 consecutive field goals to give Strasburg a 36-34 lead which was erased immediately by Sophomore guard Don Graham's set shot.  That set the pattern for the remainder of the epic struggle.  The Diablos, on the basis of a pivot shot by Senior center Harry Rennicker, forged a 46-45 third frame lead.  But, Renner sent the Tigers out in front again in the 1st minute of the 4th canto, 47-46.

That was the beginning of the end for the defending Champion Midvale team.  The Blue Devils could never recaptue the lead as Strasburg, working easily and smoothly, took command.  The Tigers held a 4-point lead 4 times in the last quarter, once with 3 minutes remaining when Zeigler fired from  the corner to send the count to 58-54.

Senior forward Carl Pissocra, the work-horse of the Diablo attack and defense, put Midvale back in the game with a field goal, but again Zeigler hit from  the corner, giving the Bengals a 60-56 edge.  The Blue Devils were not done yet; however, Senior guard Darrel Davis, a sub poured in a field goal through the nets making the count 60-58 with 1:40 remaining.  Junior center Bill Von Kaenel, in for Reiger who had fouled out, gave Strasburg a 61-58 edge and they needed every bit of it as Rennicker was fouled and with the house on its feet waiting tensely, the lanky Diablo center missed the toss from  the free throw line and a chance to tie the count.

Another missed field goal in the last 3 seconds ended Midvale's bid for a 3rd consecutive title.  The Blue Devils, traditionally a team which comes from behind to win in the closing seconds, had let the Tigers forge too much of an edge.  Individual performances in the title battle were sparkling.   Zeigler, Renner and Bayer paced a Bengal offensive which was as brilliant as any in the tournament.

But, Strasburg needed the rebounding of Reiger and Senior guard Rich Rentsch and Von Kaenel to succeed.  These 3 men did a tremendous job under the nets.  For the Diablos, Tolotti, Pissocra and Rennicker were the offensive stars with Pissocra and Rennicker handling the bulk of the rebounding for Midvale.

Last night's total of 1,119 paid admissions brought the total for 7 sessions to 5,811, a decrease of 961 from last year.  Supt. W.E. Laws, Tournament Manager, made trophy presentations at intermission of the title game.

Three county business concerns, The Daily Times, Bretzius Pontiac of New Philadelphia and Wallick Coal Company of Strasburg, awarded trophies to the 3 County League winners, Midvale, Strasburg and Tuscarawas.  The S. Tommey Company of Dover awarded the Runner-up Trophy to Midvale, while the Sanitary Milk Company of Dover and Canton gave the Consolation Division Trophy to Dundee.

Strasburg, in addition to getting The Daily Reporter winners trophy, received individual gold basketballs from Marsh Wall Tile and Fairfield Brick Company of Zoar.  Midvale silver basketballs from the Stone Creek Brick Company and Strasburg the tournament basketball from Godfrey Electric of Dover and New Philadelphia.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 61

John Zeigler F 8-3-19
Dale Renner F 9-0-18
Jim Reiger C 1-0-2
Bill Von Kaenel C 0-3-3
Dale Bayer G 8-3-19
Rich Rentsch G 0-0-0

Rich Tolotti F 8-0-16
Carl Pissocra F 6-3-15
Harry Rennicker C 7-0-14
John De Mattio C 0-0-0
Don Graham G 4-1-9
Darrel Davis G 2-0-4
Bill Marshall G 0-2-2


Saturday, February 24, 1951
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio