52 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Surprises Bolivar 61-48 (2-12-52)

Memorial Hall last night took on the appearance of a fiery political convention as 1,800 rabid basketball fans clicked elbows during the opening of the 30th Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament.  Paid admissions totaled 1,305 and the crowd was estimated at 1,800.  The Daily Reporter Photographer, Ralph McKee, came up with this excellent crowd shot during a pause in the game between the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates and Bolivar Cardinals.  Referees Max Kister of Shreve and Allen Viegel of Coshocton are shown in the foreground.

The 1952 Sugarcreek-Shanesville Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Rich Fox - Bill Pfister - Roger Immel - Wayne Arnold - Bill Ray - Keith Miller and Max Miller.  BACK:  Don Sprankie (Manager) - Dean Gerber - Paul Snyder - Keith Immel - Jim Spahr - Ron Shell - John McDowell (Manager) and Head Coach Bill Wolfe.

The 1952 Bolivar Cardinals Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Lynn Gelb (Manager) - Bill Rex - Joe Huth - Cal Geckler - Wayne Kromi - Delvin Haut and Peter Geers.  BACK:  Bob Cochran (Manager) - Jack Renner - Dick Studer - Andrew Moriarty - Melvin Taut - Tom Swanson - Bob Cramer and Head Coach Warren Craigo.


DOVER - With Sophomore forward Max Miller uncorking a sparkling scoring exhibition, the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-0) (3-17) (55-34) rolled to an early 18-10 lead in the 1st quarter of play and were never in trouble the rest of the route against the Bolivar Cardinals (0-1) (8-12) (46-40).  In the 2nd frame, the Cardinals picked up their scoring pace with 15 points, but the Pirates continued their scoring with another 19 points ending the 1st half at 37-25...Corsairs.

Both teams scored 11 markers in the 3rd stanza as the Buccaneers  maintained their 12-points lead 48-36.  The surprising Pirates, who only won 2 games during the season, never faltered in the last canto, but continued to increase their margin throughout the game.

Max Miller led the upset leading all scoring with 21  points for the winners.  Max's teammate, another Sophomore, hit double-figures with 13 markers of his own.  Chuck Geers, a fireball diminutive guard, sparked Bolivar with 16 points.

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 61

Max Miller (294) F 9-3-21
Ron Shell F 1-0-2
Jim Spahr F 1-3-5
Roger Immel F 2-0-4
Bill Ray C 5-3-13
Keith Miller G 2-1-5
Rich Fox G 0-0-0
Wayne Arnold G 2-0-4
Bill Pfister G 3-1-7
Keith Immel G 0-0-0

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 48

Chuck Geers F 6-4-16
Bill Rex F 1-1-3
Melvin Haut F 1-0-2
Cal Geckler C 2-3-7
Wayne Kromi G 4-1-9
Bob Cramer G 0-2-2
Delvin Haut (298) G 4-1-9


Wednesday, February 13, 1952
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Looking Back To 1923

DOVER - Way back in 1923 old Sam Watkins schooled 7 cagers in the fine arts of basketball at Strasburg High School and thereby started an embryo of Champions which have become just about as common around the northern county school as blackboards and chalk.  In that year Sam's hefty hoopsters...led by crafty Senior forward Jim (Slim) Foster - won 10 games dropped 5 and walked away with the 1st Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Championship.

In those days, Jim was earmarked as the official free throw shooter.  Each team selected its best marksman to handle all charity tosses.  He canned 70.  Since the Strasburg Tigers bagged that 1st tournament the history of the annual classic reads like a "doctored-up" tax return...Strasburg...Strasburg.  In 29 of the meets they have been crowned champs no less than 13 times.  The closest contender is the Midvale Blue Devils with 5.

Although the Tigers are not setting cage circles on fire this year, Head Coach Don Martin's charges have been improving steadily after a slow start.  They will tangle with the Dundee "Co-Champion" Bulldogs in the 2nd game at 7:45 on Tuesday night.  The 1st tilt at 6:30 will pit the Bolivar Cardinals against the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, but the feature attraction of the night will be the 9 o'clock clash between the Tuscarawas Broncos and the other Co-Champion Blue Devils.

Should the Broncos roll up a repeat performance of their big upset of Midvale Friday night, the tournament could come up with a fat bundle of surprises.  Who knows?  Even old Sam himself might waltz into Memorial Hall.  But one thing is certain.  He won't see the winning team this year cop the tiara all in one day's work as was the case with his crew.

The tournament that year was sponsored by the Dover Chamber of Commerce and floored at Memorial Hall (American Legion Building at that time), saw everything decided on Saturday afternoon and evening.  The Silver Trophy was provided by The Daily Reporter.  There were 6 teams in the meet:

Strasburg Tigers
Mineral City Tigers
Bolivar Cardinals
Gnadenhutten Indians
Tuscarawas Broncos

NOTE:  Exactly when the schools were given their nicknames is not known by me.

The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates had planned to enter also, but was eliminated before it got started by illness.

In the afternoon pairing Mineral City shellacked Bolivar 27-9.  Strasburg then rushed onto the floor and swept away Dundee 36-8 and Gnadenhutten followed with a 29-7 romp over Tuscarawas.  After getting warmed up in the afternoon tilt, Sam's charges came back that night to win 2 games and the crown, downing Mineral City 22-12 and plastering Gnadenhutten 52-16.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT from The Daily Reporter's account of the 1923 meet:

Although only a small crowd saw the basketball festival, the tournament was entirely successful and arrangements are already being made to repeat it here next year.  Strasburg and Mineral City had the biggest rooting delegations on hand.  Slim Jim Foster of Strasburg carried off the individual scoring honors for the day.  This chap made 19 field baskets...8 of them in the final game...and pitched 4 free throws for a total of 40 of his team's 110 points in the 3 games.

Dundee never had a chance against Strasburg.  The Tigers 5 went so fast in the 1st quarter, which ended 16-0, that Head Coach Sammy Watkins relieved 4 of the 5 with substitutes.  Still the Bulldog boys were outclassed completely and were unable to keep the ball more than a second at a time.  The half ended 24-4 and the 3rd stanza 28-7.  Sophomore forward Bob Everhart was the only Dundee player to make a field goal.  He grabbed off 2, one in each half and also pitched 3 free throw tosses for 7 of the 8 Dundee points.
Walters, the other Bulldog forward, stood out prominently in floor work, but his shooting was off color and he managed a lone free throw.  The Dundee guards were helpless before the charging Strasburg Five.

OTHER MEMBERS of that 1923 squad were:

Captain Senior Center Keene Van Curen
Senior Forward Herbert Donley
Senior Guard Russel Norman
Junior Guard George Mizer
Junior Olin Shutt
Junior Guard Randall Weber
Freshman Glen Jones
Goudy

Only 4 other teams have copped the tournament crown:

Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 4
Gnadenhutten Indians 3
Bolivar Cardinals 2
Tuscarawas Broncos 1

Consolation Division Champions

Tuscarawas Broncos 4
Midvale Blue Devils 3
Strasburg Tigers 3
Gnadenhutten Indians 2
Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 2
Bolivar Cardinals 1
Dundee Bulldogs 1
Mineral City Tigers 1

COMPLETE 1923 TOURNAMENT

March 10, 1923

Mineral City 27 - Bolivar 9
Strasburg 36 - Dundee 9
Gnaden 29 - Tusky 7
Strasburg 22 - Mineral City 12
Strasburg 52 Gnaden 16

Monday, February 11, 1952
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

TUESDAY 2-12-52

Bolivar vs Sugarcreek-Shanesville 6:30
Dundee vs Strasburg 7:45
Tusky vs Midvale

WEDNESDAY 2-13-52

Stone Creek vs Port 6:30
Baltic vs Bolivar-Sugarcreek-Shanesville Winner 7:30

52 - The 30th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament

The 1952 Dundee Bulldogs Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Don Levengood (Manager) - Loris Hostetler - Weldon Flynn - Louis Hostetler - Curt Beamer and Merlyn Immel.  BACK:  Duane Burrell (Manager) - Duane Immel - Rich Fruchey - Dick Slemmer - Lester Marino - Dale Hostetler and Paul Wood (Head Coach).

The 1952 Midvale Blue Devils Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Dick Tolloti - Bill De Mattio and Don Graham (the rest are unidentified).  BACK:  Jerry Edie (Manager) - Web Di Genova - Frank Davis - Bill Cunningham - Dave Mart - Junior Davis - Chuck Stocker (Head Coach) and Bob Raymond.


The 30th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament will be under way with the Bolivar Cardinals taking on the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates at 6:30PM on Tuesday, February 12, 1952.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL LEAGUE (1951-52)

1.  Dundee Bulldogs (Paul Woods-1) 9-1 .900 (1st Title)
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (Chuck Stocker-2) 9-1 .900 (6th Title)
3.  Baltic Eagles (Doyle Shumaker-2) 7-3 .700
4.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Fritz Jacobs-2) 6-4 .600
5.  Bolivar Cardinals (Warren Craigo-4) 5-5 .500
6.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-7) 5-5 .500
7.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Chuck Lorenz-2) 5-5 .500
8.  Strasburg Tigers (Don Martin-4) 4-6 .400
9.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ken Newlon-5) 3-7 .300
10. Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Bill Wolfe-1) 2-6 .200
11. Mineral City Tigers (Al Prazniak-2) 0-10 .000

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL SEASON (1951-52)

1.  Midvale Blue Devils 18-2 .900
2.  Dundee Bulldogs 15-2 .882
3.  Baltic Eagles 12-6 .667
4.  Gnadenhutten Indians 13-8 .619
5.  Port Washington Purple Riders 10-9 .526
6.  Bolivar Cardinals 8-11 .421
7.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers 8-11 .421
8.  Tuscarawas Broncos 8-11 .421
9.  Strasburg Tigers 8-12 .400
10. Mineral City Tigers 2-16 .111
11. Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 2-17 .105

The big difference between the Midvale Blue Devils and other Class B teams in Tuscarawas County this year has been Dick Tolloti.  A 6-1 Junior, the Star Forward amassed a totalof 399 points in 20 games, giving him an average of 19.9.  Tolloti's closest rival for top scoring honors is Port Washington's Ken Huston who has rimmed 355 in 19 tilts for an average of 18.6.  Huston is only a Sophomore and stands 5-10.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B SCORING

1.  Dick Tolloti (Midvale) 20-164-71-200-399
2.  Ken Huston (Port) 19-147-61-172-355
3.  Dean Huprich (Baltic) 18-137-47-168-321
4.  Leonard Porter (Gnaden) 20-126-62-145-314
5.  Jim Lorenz (Stone Creek) 19-124-49-154-297
6.  Del Haut (Bolivar) 19-119-51-180-289
7.  Max Miller (Sugarcreek-Shanesville) 19-121-31-145-273
8.  Bill Jones (Stone Creek) 19-115-36-122-266
9.  Jim Syler (Baltic) 18-110-34-156-254
10. Loris Hostetler (Dundee) 17-108-37-116-253
11. Bill Tharp (Tusky) 19-84-70-132-238
12. Harry Thompson (Tusky) 19-92-50-141-234

Games Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
League
Season

51 - Dundee Falls To Dennison 59-52 (3-3-51)

The 1951 Dennison High School Railroaders Basektball Team.  The Railroaders will launch play in the Class B District Tournament at Memorial Hall tonight against the Belmont Eagles.  The Walnut Creek Powerhouse Cardinals also won a berth in the Sectional.  FRONT:  Bill Hilliker - Dave Allensworth - Bill Barth - Willard Hill - Rich Rizor and Rich Polen.  BACK:  Head Coach John Harmon - Bill King - Dave O'Hara - Don Sudduth - Carl Dudgeon and  Ed Wagstaff.

The Big Three of the Dundee High School's Bulldogs who staged a terrific battle on Saturday night at Memorial Hall before bowing to the Dennison Railroaders 55-52 in the Sectional Tournament.  Loris Hostetler, Dick Kate, 5-3 forward and one of the tournament stars and Louis Hostetler twin brother of Loris.  Both Hostetler twins will be back in the Dundee lineup next year.


DOVER - The Walnut Creek Fabulous Cardinals and the Dennison Railroaders entered the Class B Eastern District Tournament play at Memorial Hall Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of this week as a result of victories Saturday night in the qualifying round of the Sectional Tournament.  Dennison will collide with Belmont on Wednesday and Walnut Creek clashes with Springfield Township Thursday.  The Championship battle will be played in Dover Saturday night at Memorial Hall.

Walnut Creek rode into the District Tournament on the basis of an easy 81-59 victory over the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves for their 23th victory, while Dennison (was forced to hang on in the final minutes to win 55-52 over the Dundee "Cinderella Kids" who came within seconds of forging one of the year's biggest upsets with a magnificent display of courage and fire.  The Springfield Township Tigers (21-3) gained a berth in the District Tournament by defeating the Hopedale Comets Saturday night of Steubenville, while the Belmont Eag;es (24-3) earned a District ticket by turning back the Freeport Raiders 59-54.

Head Coach Joe Storaa's Tigers are Jefferson County Champions, while the Eagles, tutored by Harry Baurnan, copped the Belmont County Crown.  Walnut Creek's "Whiz Kids," who have now won 22 in a row and have a 23-1 season mark, won going-away over a scrappy St. Mary's quintet, but Dennison needed all of the breaks to subdue Dundee, a team with an unquenchable fighting spirit.

Head Coach John Harmon's Dennison Railroaders (15-4), with Senior center Bill Barth and Senior guard Rich Rizor leading the attack, broke fast in the 1st quarter of play and raced to a 10-1 lead before the Dundee Bulldogs (6-2) (17-11) could unleash their offense.  The Railroaders held a 16-4 quarter margin, but that was the last safe margin they could build up as the Dogs came surging back in the 2nd frame with a brilliant attack that had the 1,300 fans on their feet roaring.

With the Junior Hostetler twins, forward Louis and center Loris and Junior guard Merlyn Immel hitting, Dundee closed the gap to 25-19 at intermission.  Barth, who becomes ineligible on March 14th following the District Tournament, was held to one free throw shot in the 2nd quarter as the Steamroller's attack faltered before the pressing zone tactics employed by the Bulldogs.

The Dogs rapidly cut down the Dennison lead at the start of the 3rd stanza with the Hostetler twins and Immel doing the offensive honors.  It was 5 foot 3 inch Senior forward Dick Kate; however, who poured in the field goal midway in the period which put the Bulldogs out in front 27-26 for the last time.  Kate, a superb little fellow with a fighting heart bigger than he is, flashed in under the nets and stole the ball from the rangy Railroaders to make the shot which sent the Dogs out front.

The Transporters, with its height and Class A schedule during the regular season paying off, managed to forge a 37-36 margin at the far turn.  At the close of the quarter, disaster struck Dundee when Loris Hostetler was whistled off on personal fouls.

The Bulldogs, playing without their ace for the entire 4th canto, gave it a splendid try.  Midway in the last period, Louis Hostetler sent the Bulldogs out in front 45-44, but that was the last lead they could muster; although, Dennison could not build more than a 4-point margin.  With one minute left, the Railroaders held a 54-50 lead, but Immel whose driving was outstanding, closed it to 54-52 and the Bulldogs again had the Railmen against the wall.

With seconds left, the Dogs missed a chance to tie the score with a layup shot and Dennison was in.  Immel and Loris Hostetler split scoring honors for the Bulldogs with 12 points each, while Louis Hostetler bagged 11.  Forward Dave Allensworth hit 18 markers leading the winners as Barth dropped in 14 and Rizor 11 points respectively.

It was the end of the tournament trail for the Cinderella Kids who had upset the Midvale Blue Devils and Tuscarawas Broncos, County League Co-Champions, along the trail.  Only one man, Kate, is a Senior and the little Dundee play-maker went out in a burst of glory last Saturday night.

DENNISON RAILROADERS - 55

Dave Allensworth F 7-4-18
Carl Dudgeon F 0-0-0
Rich Polen F 1-0-2
Bill Barth C 5-4-14
Don Sudduth C 1-0-2
Willard Hill G 0-0-0
Bill Hilliker G 3-2-8
Rich Rizor G 4-3-11

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 52

Dick Kate F 2-1-5
Weldon Flynn F 2-2-6
Louis Hostetler F 4-3-11
Loris Hostetler C 5-2-12
Slemmer C 1-0-2
Curt Beamer G 1-2-4
Merlyn Immel G 5-2-12


Monday, March 5, 1951
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  RIGHT DOWN THE LINE HIGHLIGHTS

THERE MAY BE BETTER basketball teams in the State than the Dundee Bulldogs, but there isn't a team that can match its fighting heart.  Head Coach Ike Wiseman's Bulldogs didn't quite make the grade to the District Tournament, but they gave it a try few of the 1,300 fans who saw their battle with the Dennison Railroaders on Saturday night will ever forget.

Sports writers are supposed to be an impartial breed (few are), but you couldn't help but want that magnificent little team to win Saturday night.  You knew the odds were overwhelming, but as you watched the Dogs give it that final try, you weren't so sure they wouldn't make it.  Even after they lost Junior Loris Hostetler, their ace, in the 3rd stanza, Dundee kept driving.  Never once did they let up on those tall, experienced Railroaders.

And it nearly worked!  The Bulldogs didn't get one break in that game and yet they actually played Dennison off its feet.  For a school which has only 33 students in the upper 4 grades, the Dogs have to make apologies to no one.  The story isn't yet finished.  For Dundee there will be another year.  Only Senior Dick Kate, a 5-3 bundle of fire and drive, graduated this spring.

Of Kate, brother of Paul Kate, former Bulldog star...if there were more of him there wouldn't be a better performer in the State.  That kid rates tops in our book.

The Whiz Kids of Walnut Creek's Sensational Cardinals who annexed 5 berths in the Class B District Tournament at Memorial Hall Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of this week by eliminating the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves 81-59 last Sasturday night.  FRONT:  Ike Hostetler - Maurice Hershsberger - Jim Jaberg - Bob Troyer and Keith Miller.  BACK:  Head Coach John Ridley - Dick Troyer - Loyal Gerber - Bob Bahler - Ted Norrisberger and Ken Machan.

NOTE:  THE REST OF THE STORY

The Dennison Railoraders (14-5) lost a thriller in their 1st game in the District Tournament to the Belmont Eagles 75-74.

The Walnut Creek Cardinals (26-2) (shown above) beat the Springfield Township Tigers in the District Tournament 68-46 and then slammed the Belmont Eagles 83-59 for the District Tournament Championship.  At the Regional Tournament, The Cardinals (26-2) won their 1st game 56-41 against the Orange Lions (19-7) and then losts to the Waynesburg Mohawks (25-0) 52-48 in the Regional Tournament Championship game.

51 - Dundee Upsets Midvale 58-51 (3-2-51)

DOVER - The 3rd time was the charm on Friday night at Memorial Hall...and what a charm it was!  Defeated twice previously this year by the Midvale Blue Devils, the little Dundee Bulldogs which upset the Blue and Gold 58-51 befoe 900 fans to gain a berth in tonight's qualifying round of the Class B Sectional Tournament.

First-Year Head Coach Ike Wiseman's Bulldogs, the only County League team remaining on the tournament trail, will collide with the Dennison Railroaders (14-4) of Head Coach John Harmon at 8:30PM for a berth in the Eastern District meet next week at Memorial Hall.  The Dennison St. Mary Blue Wavers (10-10), which uncorked a story book finish last night to squeeze by the Millersburg Knights (6-16) 44-43 in the final seconds, will clash at 7:30PM with Walnut Creek's sensational Cardinals (22-1) for the other District berth.

Drawings for the District Tournament will be held on Sunday at 1PM in Helmkamp's Restaurant here.  Don Campbell, Head Coach at Dover High School, is Tournament Manager.

Paced by the brilliant play of the Hostetler twins and pint-sized Senior forward Dick Kate, Head Coach Ike Wiseman's Dundee Bulldogs, playing in the Sectional Tournament for the 1st time in many years, forged their triumph in the final canto after the Midvale Blue Devils lost its 4th starter on personal fouls.  With Juniors center Louis and forward Loris Hostetler providing the spark, the Bulldogs swept to a 17-14 lead, but fell behind in the 2nd frame when Loris drew his 3rd personal foul and was benched by Coach Wiseman until the 3rd stanza.

But the determined Dogs trailing 32-27 at the half, came surging back and forged in front to stay when Loris dumped in a 2-pointer shortly before the 3rd quarter buzzer. The picture began turning dark for the Blue Devils when their fiery forward, Senior forward Carl Pissocra, was whistled out of the game midway in this frame after collecting his 5th personal.

With the diminutive Kate and the Hostetler twins leading the final drive, Dundee pushed its margin to 53-49 with 2 minutes left and then iced the game after 3 more Blue Devils were ejected.  The Bulldogs lost Junior guard Merlyn Immel, Junior guard Curt Beamer and Kate via the personal foul route in the late stages, but the Diablos fire already had been squelched.

In addition to Pissocra, Midvale lost Senior center Harry Renincker, Senior guard Darrel Davis and Junior guard Bill Marshall.  The Hostetler cagers were twins in more ways than one last night.  Each collected 19 points to share scoring honors, each was charged with 3 personal fouls.  Rennicker, Sophomore forward Rich Tolotti and Marshall paced the Blue Devils with 14, 13 and 12 points respectively.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 58

Loris Hostetler F 6-7-19
Rich Fruchey F 0-0-0
Dick Kate F 4-1-9
Louis Hostetler C 7-5-19
Curt Beamer G 3-1-7
Merlyn Immel G 1-0-2
Weldon Flynn G 0-2-2
Slemmer G 0-0-0

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 51

Rich Tolotti F 6-1-13
Carl Pissocra F 2-4-8
Harry Rennicker C 5-4-14
Bill Marshall G 4-4-12
Darrel Davis G 0-0-0
Don Graham F 2-0-4
John De Mattio G 0-0-0
Karl Mackey G 0-0-0
Dale Malone G 0-0-0


Saturday, March 2, 1951
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1951

Walnut Creek vs Dennison St. Mary 7:30PM
Dundee vs Dennison 8:30PM

NOTE:  DAVE LEGGETT SETS NEW OHIO CLASS A SCORING MARK

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Scoring Ace Dave Leggett (shown above) of the New Philadelphia Quakers established a new Ohio Class A Scholastic scoring mark last night in the District Tournament in Steubenville as his team bowed to the Martins Ferry Purple Riders 58-44.  Leggett poured in 24 points to give him a total  of 642 for the season.  That would be 14 more points than the former record of 628 set by Alex Groza, oddly enough, of Martins Ferry.

51 - Right Down The Line

Sports Editor
Friday, March 2, 1951
Dover, Ohio


THERE WASN'T MUCH BALM for the Stasburg Tigers (3-1) (17-7) in that defeat at the hands of the Walnut Creek Cardinals (22-1) last night.  The Tuscarawas County Champions gave it a try, a fine, heart-warming effort, but a blonde kid who stands only 5-9 staged an exhibition that shut the door tight.

We mean Bob (Bobby) Troyer, the Cardinals' superlative guard.  Troyer is the best there is.  He made the 1,800 perspiring fans who jammed into the hall last night forget about the controversy over Ike Hostetler, another fine cager.  Perhaps in the confusion which has attended the transfer of Hostetler from Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School to Walnut Creek, strategists forgot about Troyer's ability to crack a game wide open with that deadly set shot.

The Red Bird's home-grown kid, who has had many college offers, took over last night and that was that.  Troyer's sensational performance; however, did not detract from the play of the other Creeker regulars:  forward Hostetler, center Moe Hershberger, forward Keith Miller and guard Jim Jaberg.

That team packs power in every department.  They can go and they can take it away from you, both on the floor and under the boards.  They may not win the District title, but right now, there isn't anything else in sight that has quite what the glittering Cards possess.  Just for the record, Walnut Creek hit 5 of 18 field goal attempts in the 1st period, 10 of 19 in the 2nd, 9 of 16 in the 3rd and 6 of 14 in the final canto.  Strasburg's best quarter was the last when the Tigers made 8 of 16 shots from the field.  Troyer shot 20 times last night and made 14 of them.

Fans who were forced to stay outside last night for the Walnut Creek-Strasburg battle, there were 1,500 of them at various times and were able to "hear" the game, thanks to Tournament Manager Don Campbell.  A public address system was rigged up and beamed outside so the luckless fans who came out late would at least know what was going on.

Five top Strasburg cagers ended a brilliant career last night:  forward John Zeigler, guard Dale Bayer, forward Dale Renner, center Jim Reiger and guard Rich Rentsch are Seniors and closed there last game for the Tigers.  Even in defeat at the hands of a team which had them out-gunned and out-manned, the Bengal quintet need not feel badly for them it has been a show well played.

Head Coach Don Martin lost 6 varsity performers last year.  He came along slowly this year, but surely and picked up the tournament title and tied for the League Crown.  That's about all of the mileage you can expect from a team which opened the campaign without a single letterman.

NOTE:  SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE HEAD COACH RESIGNS

SUGARCREEK - Gerald Straley, basketball and baseball Head Coach of the Sugarcreek-Shanesville High School Pirates for the past 2 years, has handed in his resignation and requested to be relieved of his duties at the close of the present school year, it was revealed by Straley and school officials today.

Straley, who came to Sugarcreek-Shanesville in 1949 from Warsaw High School gave no reason for his resignation and did not reveal any future plans.

During the basketball season just ended, the Pirates under Straley's guidance won 11 and lost 10 games.  Straley figured briefly in the transfer of Richard (Ike) Hostetler from Sugarcreek to Walnut Creek High School in mid-season.   Stralely told newsmen that Hostetler did not tell him he was transferring.

A successor has not been named to replace Straley.  The Pirate coach yesterday revealed his house in Sugarcreek was up for sale.

51 - Walnut Creek Rips Strasburg 69-53 (3-1-51)

The photo story of the Walnut Creek Cardinals' smashing 69-53 victory over the Strasburg Tigers in the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall last night.  LEFT:  Bob Troyer, the Cardinals' great guard, drives in for a lay-up shot, while Junior guard Dale Bayer (66) of the Tigers fails to halt him.  CENTER:  Senior Ike Hosttler, brilliant Cardinals forward, goes in for a field goal attempt with Senior forward John Zeigler (20) of Strasburg trying to block the shot.  RIGHT:  Senior Dale Renner (44) Tiger stickout, drives toward the basket with Jim Jaberg (6) Walnut Creek guard, in on the play.


DOVER - The Walnut Creek glittering Cardinals blasted their way into the qualifying round of the Class B Sectional Tournament at Memorial Hall Thursday night before a turn-away crowd of 1,800 fans who watched the Holmes County Champions take control in the early stages and go on to humble the Strasburg Tigers 69-53.  Head Coach John Ridley's fabulous Cardinals, whose victory string has now reached 21 consecutive games, meets the winner of tonight's Millersburg Knights-Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves game in the final round Saturday night.

In lower bracket play, the Dennison Railroaders (14-4) captured a listless 54-34 decision from the Augusta Blue Devils (14-9), Carroll County Champions.  The Midvale Blue Devils (18-5) and Dundee Bulldogs (16-10), arch Tuscarawas County rivals, clash tonight in the lower bracket for the right to meet the Railroaders in the Saturday payoff round.  The Knights and Blue Waves meet at 7:30PM with Midvale, county Runner-up and Dundee, Consolation Division winner, coming on at 8:30PM.

Before the largest crowd ever to witness a Sectional Tournament game in Memorial Hall, The Walnut Creek Cardinals (22-1), paced brilliantly by blazing guard Bob Troyer, Senior forward Ike Hostetler and Moe Hershberger, completely overwhelmed the Tuscarawas County Champion Strasburg Tigers (3-1) (17-7).  The epic battle, billed as the feature of the tournament, drew a jam-packed crowd which started lining up outside the hall at 5:30PM.  A total of 1,500 were turned away from the doors before the Cardinals and Tigers unleased their seige guns in what may well have been one of the decisive battles of the Eastern District.

Troyer, an All-Ohio guard last year, was never more brilliant than he was last night.  The 5-9 Cardinal play-maker and "quarterback" completely riddled the Strasburg zone defense as he poured in 29 points with a deadly accurate set shot and a driving lay-up (as shown above), a combination the Bengals could not cope with at any time in the contest.

When Troyer was sent to the showers in the 4th canto with 5 personal fouls against him, he received a standing ovation from the packed house.  From the outset, it was clearly visible that Head Coach Don Martin's Tigers, whose terrific effort last week wrested the County Tournament from the Midvale Blue Devils, were going to be over-shadowed by the Creekers' smooth-passing and rugged rebounding.

In addition to this offensive patter, the Walnut Creek set up a tight defense which blockcaded the Bengal aces, Senior forward John Zeigler, Senior forward Dale Renner and Junior guard Dale Bayer.  The Cardinals  swung into a 2-2 zone with Troyer roving out in front deployed against Strasburg set shooting tactics.  Of the 3 Bengal stickouts, only Renner could achieve any success.  He tallied 23 points, 8 of them in the final period with 3 Red Bird regulars, including Troyer and Hostetler, on the bench.  Zeigler was held scoreless by the superlative defensive play of Troyer.

Walnut Creek grabbed a quick 4-0 lead on a free throw shot and set shot by Troyer and a charity toss by guard Jim Jaberg.  From that point on, Strasburg, despite courageous attempts, could not overhaul the glistening Cardinals.  Backing up Troyer's set shooting in this 1st quarter was Hershberger, a great pivot man and powerful rebounder in his own right.  Troyer netted 7 points and Hershberger 7 to stake the Red Birds to a 15-8 margin.

They kept going in the 2nd frame with 5 men giving impetus to the blistering attack which saw the Tigers trailing 36-24 at intermission.  Hostetler, a knifing offensive threat and another great board man, led Walnut Creek's attack in this period with 7 points, Troyer bagged 6, Jaberg 4 and forward Keith Miller and Hersberger collecting 2 each.

Junior Guard Bill Von Kaenel aided the Bengal cause with 6 more points, but it wasn't nearly enough.  In the 3rd stanza, with Hershberger, Hostetler, Jaberg and Miller out-boarding Strasburg and controlling the ball at every turn, Troyer unlocked both barrels.  Troyer literally slammed the door shut on the Tigers as he scorched the nets for 12 points, all from the field.  That was all for the Bengals who went into the far turn trailing 55-36.  From there on, the best the Tuscarawas countians could do was attempt to reduce the margin.

At one stage in the last canto, the Cardinals held a 24-point 60-36 lead.  After Troyer and Hostetler left the game, Strasburg reduced the lead, but it was anti-climatical.

The fabulous Troyer led all scorers with 29 points, while Hershberger and Hostetler came through with 14 and 12 respectively for Walnut Creek.  Strasburg was led by Renner with 23 points and Von Kaenel dropped in 15 markers as well in a losing cause.

WALNUT CREEK CARDINALS - 69

Ike Hostetler F 5-2-12
Machan F 0-0-0
Keith Miller F 2-1-5
Gerber F 0-0-0
Moe Hershberger C 6-2-14
Bob Troyer G 14-1 29
L. Miller G 0-0-0
Jim Jaberg G 4-1-9

STRASBURG TIGERS - 53

John Zeigler F 0-0-0
Dale Renner F 10-3-23
Jim Reiger C 3-2-8
Tom Mizer G 0-1-1
Dale Bayer G 2-0-4
Bill Von Kaenel G 7-1-15
Rich Rentsch G 1-0-2


Friday, March 2, 1951
Rex Ridenour, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio