53 - Midvale Knocks-Off Bolivar 60-45 (2-10-53)

Senior Center Dick Tolloti of the Midvale Blue Devils led his team to a 60-45 victory over the Bolivar Cardinals, leading his team in scoring with 15 points in his 1st tournament game of the year.

The Midvale Blue Devils 1953 Cheerleader Team:  Junior Sally Rausch - Freshman Shirley Graber - Sophomore Margie Carlisle and Senior Sally Ford.


DOVER - Seniors, center Dick Tolloti and guard Don Graham, led the Midvale Blue Devils (1-0) (16-6) (55-27) with 15 and 13 points respectively, but the Blue Devils of 1st-Year Head Coach Bob Singerman showed some real team play with Sophomore forward Ron Weaver, Senior forward Ron Harmon, Junior forward Dave Martin and Bill (Willie) Anderson all coming in at opportune moments to help in the victory.  Tolloti put on a burst in the 1st quarter and cashed in on his 4 attempts from the field to put the Diablos ahead 12-3.  But, the Bolivar Cardinals (0-1) (12-8) (47-42) roared back with Junior center Bob Cramer and Senior forward Del Haut leading the rally and pulled within 3 points 14-11 at the end of the 1st period.

The game was close throughout the 2nd frame as Sophomore guard Jack Renner of the Cardinals tied the score in the 1st two minutes at 14-14 and Cramer zipped down the floor 3 minutes later, after stealing the ball, caging a bunny shot to deadlock the score at 18-18.  Midvale moved back out in front to take a 25-22 lead at intermission.  With a pressing defense and fast break, the Blue Devils turned the game into a near rout in the next 2 quarters, leading 44-30 going into the last canto.

The Diablos were leading 60-38 when Coach Singerman swept his bench.  Cramer played a bang-up game for the Red Birds leading all scoring with 19 points and his outstanding work under the boards was awesome, while Del Haut scored 13 points in a losing cause.

When the Bolivar Cardinals visited Midvale during the regular season, they left town on the short end of a 60-48 score as Dick Tolloti and Don Graham hit the nets for 25 and 19 points respectively.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 60

Dave Martin F 3-2-8
Frank Davis F 0-0-0
Ron Weaver F 2-3-7
Bill (Willie) Anderson F 2-0-4
Dick Tolloti C 6-3-15
Eddie Krocker C 1-0-2
Ron Harmon G 3-1-7
Web Di Genova G 1-2-4
Don Graham G 6-1-13
Junior Davis G 0-0-0
Larry Mathias G 0-0-0

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 45

Del Haut F 5-3-13
Melvin Haut F 0-1-1
Larry Gram F 0-0-0
Andrew Moriarty F 0-0-0
Bob Cramer C 7-5-19
Dick Studer G 3-3-9
Jack Renner G 0-3-3


Wednesday, February 11, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - Port Shakes-Loose Dundee 53-45 (2-10-53)

The 1953 Dundee Bulldogs Cheerleaders.  Freshman Sandra Bose - Sophomore Irene Sliffe and Junior Vada Snyder.


DOVER - First-Year Head Coach Woody Gephart's Dundee Bulldogs (0-1) (6-16) (29-46) and the Port Washington Purple Riders' 7th-Year Head Coach Bray Toot (1-0) (13-7) (17-47) put on a cautious exhibition of basketball in the 1st two quarters and the game close all the way with Bulldog Senior guard Weldon Flynn dead-locking the count at 21-21 just as the 1st half ended.  With forward John Kochner and Junior center Ken Huston denting the cords regularly in the 3rd stanza, the Purple Riders pulled ahead and rode out the stanza to pull into a 37-29 lead at the far turn.

The excitement piled up in the final canto with Junior forward Dale Hostetler driving in 3 straight from the field and Junior center Dick Slemmer bringing Dundee up to within 2 points 44-42 with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left to play.  Huston and Sophomore forward Paul Frank pulled Port away on free throw shots and the Riders went into a partial stall to keep the lead.

Huston poured in 8 field goals and 7 free throws to lead the scoring pace with 23 points, while Frank added 12 and Kochner 10 markers respectively for Port.  Flynn was high for the Bulldogs with 14 points and Hostetler tallied another 12 markers

Port visited the Dundee gymnasium during the season and came away with a 54-50 victory.

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 53

Paul Frank F 2-8-12
John Kochner F 4-2-10
Fred Welsch F 0-0-0
Ken Huston C 8-7-23
Jim Parker C 0-0-0
John Hursey G 1-1-3
Bob Gray G 1-3-5

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 45

Dale Hostetler F 6-0-12
Dick Fruchey F 3-3-9
Dick Slemmer C 2-4-8
Bob Baker G 0-1-1
Weldon Flynn G 4-6-14
Duane Immel G 0-1-1
Lester Marino C 0-0-0


Wednesday, February 11, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

53 - The 31st Tuscarawas County Tournament and All-County League Teams

The Midvale Blue Devils' Dick Tolloti was chosen as the "1953 Most Most Valuable Player."


TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CLASS B BASKETBALL LEAGUE (1952-53)

1.  Strasburg Tigers (Don Martin-5) 10-0 1.000 (15th Title)
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (Bob Singerman-1) 8-2 .800
3.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Chuck Lorenz-3) 8-2 .800
4.  Baltic Eagles (Doyle Shumaker-3) 7-3 .700
5.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Bob Wise-1) 7-3 .700
6.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Bray Toot-7) 5-5 .500
7.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ken Newlon-6) 4-6 .400
8.  Bolivar Cardinals (Chuck Warren-1) 3-7 .300
9.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Fritz Jaacobs-3) 2-8 .200
10. Dundee Bulldogs (Woody Gephart-1) 1-9 .100
11. Mineral City Tigers (Bob Heacock-1) 0-10 .000


DOVER - Scoring power, speed, defensive prowess and plenty of rebounding ability was incorporated into the 1953 "All-County League Team" chosen by the "Coaches Association" of the Tuscarawas County circuit.  The coaches picked 2 Seniors, 2 Juniors and a Sophomore on the 1st Five with 3 Seniors, a Junior and a Sophomore being named to the 2nd Five.

Five different teams were represented on the 1st Five selections with the Strasburg Tigers, Midvale Blue Devils and Stone Creek Golden Panthers each placing another player on the 2nd Five to dominate the voting.  Dick Tolloti, named "Most Valuable Player" in the circuit last year, barely edged out Ken Huston of the Port Washington Purple Riders for the top spot in the poll with the Midvale Senior collecting 84 points on a 10-9-8 etc. basis in the voting.  Huston came in with 83 points with each being named as the top player on 4 ballots.

Rounding out the 1st Five in the order of their finish in the balloting are Leo Porter of the Gnadenhutten Indians, Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel of Strasburg and Jim Lorenz of Stone Creek.  The 2nd Team holds an equal array of talent in Jerry Gasser of Stone Creek, Harry Thompson of the Tuscarawas Broncos, Don Graham of Midvale, Jerry Haswell of Strasburg and Del Haut of the Bolivar Cardinals.

Tolloti was chosen because of his consistently high scoring, great rebounding and his display of the highest form of sportsmanship.  The 6-1 Midvale whirlwind is described as "a team player."

Huston was also honored for his sportsmanship and was tagged as a great competitor, good shot and an outstanding rebounder as well as a play-maker, while Porter, who is currently leading the Class B scorers, was picked because of his offensive prowess, chiefly.  Porter was picked as a greatly improved player over last year.

Von Kaenel and Lorenz were also cited for their rebounding ability as well as sportsmanship and offensive ability.  The Strasburg Sophomore, the tallest man on the squad at 6-3, was paid tribute by opposing coaches as an outstanding performer, while Lorenz came in for honors in "seeming to be at the right spot at the right time" in addition to his "amazing jumping powers."

Gasser, as a member of Stone Creek's "Big Three," gave a smooth exhibition of basketball all season as well as coming through offensively.  Thompson was a main-stay of an always dangerous Tuscarawas team and his ability and rebounding came in for mention.

Don Graham, Midvale's 2nd half of the one-two offensive punch, also rated high in the coaches' opinion as did Sophomore John Haswell of Strasburg.  Del Haut, Bolivar's chief threat and the big reason for many of the Cardinals high praise this season, also won plenty of acclaim from the coaches.

1ST TEAM

Dick Tolloti (Midvale Blue Devils) 6-1 Senior
Ken Huston (Port Washington Purple Riders) 5-11 Junior
Leo Porter (Gnadenhutten Indians) 5-10 Senior
Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (Strasburg Tigers) 6-3 Sophomore
Jim Lorenz (Stone Creek Golden Panthers) 5-10 Junior

2ND TEAM

Jerry Gasser (Stone Creek Golden Panthers) 5-11 Senior
Harry Thompson (Tuscarawas Broncos) 6-1 Junior
Don Graham (Midvale Blue Devils) 5-11 Senior
Jerry Haswell (Strasburg Tigers) 6-0 Sophomore
Del Haut (Bolivar Cardinals) 6-0 Senior

HONORABLE MENTION

John Torgler - Jim Syler and Tom Ott (Baltic Eagles)
Dick Slemmer (Dundee Bulldogs)
Carl Gilmore (Gnadenhutten Indians)
Jim Weinman (Strasburg Tigers)
Gene Argento (Mineral City Tigers)
Bill Jones (Stone Creek Golden Panthers)
Max Miller and Bill Ray (Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates)
Don Tharp - Ralph Vesco and Larry Myers (Tuscarawas Broncos)


Friday, February 6, 1953
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

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

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

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

TOURNAMENT SCORES

TUESDAY 2-12-52

Sugarcreek-Shanesville 61 - Bolivar 48
Dundee 52 - Strasburg 48
Tusky 52 - Midvale 49

WEDNESDAY 2-13-52

Stone Creek 48 - Port 45
Baltic 77 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 50

THURSDAY 2-14-52

Bolivar 49 - Strasburg 44 (C)
Midvale 63 - Port 26 (C)
Dundee 63 - Gnaden 47

SATURDAY 2-16-52

Gnaden 62 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 46 (C)
Midvale 59 - Bolivar 50 (C)
Tusky 53 - Mineral City 40

WEDNESDAY 2-20-52

Gnaden 48 - Mineral City 43 (C)
Baltic 65 - Dundee 64 (OT)
Stone Creek 64 - Tusky 36

THURSDAY 2-21-52

Dundee 69 - Midvale 55 (C)
Tusky 57 - Gnaden 51 (C)

SATURDAY 2-23-52

Tusky 56 - Dundee 55 (CC)
Stone Creek 58 - Baltic 56 (TC)

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES

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

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Bill Jones (SC) 31
2.  Dean Huprich (B) 26
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) 24
4.  Loris Hostetler (D) 24
5.  Jim Lorenz (SC) 22
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) 21
7.  Ken Huston (P) 21
8.  Merlyn Immel (D) 21
9.  Max Miller (SS) 21
10. Harry Thompson (T) 21

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Bill Jones (SS) 13
2.  Dean Huprich (B) 12
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) 10
4.  Loris Hostetler (D) 10
5.  Ken Huston (P) 10
6.  Jim Lorentz (SC) 10
7.  Harry Thompson (T) 10
8.  Loris Hostetler (D) 9
9.  Max Miller (SS) 9
10. Leo Porter (G) 9

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Don Tharp (T) 7
2.  Jerry Gasser (SC) 6
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) 6
4.  Dean Huprich (B) 6
5.  Bill Jones (SC) 6
6.  Jim Lorenz (SS) 6
7.  Dick Tolloti (M) 6
8.  Dick Tolloti (M) 6
9.  Marino (D) 6
10. 6 tied with 5

MOST POINTS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 95
2.  Harry Thompson (T) 80
3.  Merlyn Immel (D) 72
4.  Dick Tolloti (M) 72
5.  Dean Huprich (B) 63
6.  Don Tharp (T) 55
7.  Bill Jones (SC) 54
8.  Jim Lorenz (SC) 50
9.  Leo Porter (G) 46
10. Gary Struchen (G) 45

MOST FIELD GOALS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) 40
2.  Merlyn Immel (D) 33
3.  Harry Thompson (T) 33
4.  Dick Tolloti (M) 28
5.  Dean Huprich (B) 27
6.  Leo Porter (G) 21
7.  Don Graham (M) 19
8.  Bill Jones (SC) 19
9.  Jim Lorenz (SC) 19
10. Max Miller (SS) 19

MOST FREE THROWS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Don Tharp (T) 21
2.  Bill Jones (SC) 16
3.  Dick Tolloti (M) 16
4.  Loris Hostetler (D) 15
5.  Harry Thompson (T) 14
6.  Jim Lorenz (SC) 12
7.  Rich Slemmer (D) 12
8.  Ron Weston (G) 12
9.  3 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)
1952 - Stone Creek Panthers (1) (0) - Baltic Eagles (0) (2)

ALL CONSOLATIOIN 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) - Gnaden Indians (2) (4)
1950 - Strasburg Tigers (4) (1) - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (0) (1)
1951 - Dundee Bulldogs (1) (1) - Tuscarawas Broncos (4) (1)
1952 - Tuscarawas Broncos (5) (1) - Dundee Bulldogs (1) (2)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 81-22 .786
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 54-27 .667
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 55-36 .604
4.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923) 47-41 .534
5.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 47-41 .534
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (1923) 41-38 .519
7.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 29-45 .392
8.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 21-36 .368
9.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 26-45 .366
10. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 16-47 .254
11. Mineral City Tigers (1923) 12-45 .211

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.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952) 31
6.  Harland Stiffe (SS) (1927) 30
7.  Rich Tolloti (M) (1951) 30
8.  Max Regula (B) (1944) 29
9.  Maurice Lundenberger (BC) (1950) 29
10. 2 tied with 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. 7 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.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 256
2.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 220
3.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50-51) 218
4.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 188
5.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 183
6.  Frank Baumholtz (M) (1934-35-36-37) 177
7.  Jerry Rausch (T) (1950-51) 173
8.  Jim Knox (SS) (1948-49-50) 169
9.  Gene Montague (G) (1946-47-48-49) 166
10. Rich Bonvechio (T) (1942-43-44-45) 158

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 112
2.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 87
3.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 81
4.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 79
5.  Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 79
6.  Jerry Rausch (T) (1950-51) 75
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) 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.  3 tied with 32

TEAM HIGH GAME

102  Tuscarawas Broncos (1946)
 92 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1947)
 85 - Port Washington Purple Riders (1946)
 82 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1949)
 77 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1944)
 77 - Baltic Eagles (1952)
 76 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1950)
 74 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1951)
 72 - Dundee Bulldogs (1951)
 70 - Tuscarawas and Strasburg tie

1951-52 TOTAL SEASON POINTS

1.  Dick Tolloti (M) 469
2.  Dean Huprich (B) 400
3.  Ken Huston (P) 379
4.  Jim Lorenz (SC) 362
5.  Leo Porter (G) 360
6.  Bill Jones (SC) 359
7.  Loris Hostetler (D) 331
8.  Del Haut (BC) 318
9.  Max Miller (SS) 316
10. Harry Thompson (T) 310
11. Jim Syler (B) 309
12 Don Tharp (T) 299

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

John Studer - Strasburg Tigers (1934) 1,050

NEAR MISSES:  Frank Baumnoltz - Midvale Blue Devils (1937) 997*

* Stats missing 1 game

52 - Big Prairie Pens The Eagles 73-53 (2-28-52)

Senior forward Dean Huprich of the Baltic Eagles takes to the air in last night's losing battle against the Big Prairie Bulldogs.  Also in the photo are guards Don Gindlesberger (11) and Rex Dye (99) of the Bulldogs.  Baltic dropped the tilt 73-53 to become the last county tournament entry to be eliminated from Sectional Tournament play at Memorial Hall.

The Big Prairie Bulldogs Basketball Team for 1952.  Photo shows:  Gene Mosher - Roger Wells - Harold Stutzman - Howard Smithhisler - Jim Fishburn - Chuck Mulhall - Vaughn Campbell - Dick Cayhoe - Don Gindlesberger - Bob Flinner - Rex Dye and Dick Lee.  Jim Snell (Manager) and Bob Lee (Head Coach) are shown in the center  of the team.


DOVER - Diminutive Head Coach Joe Banks wore practically all the fuzz off a nice new towel last night at Memorial Hall as his Millersburg Knights (11-9) unleashed a battle-royal.  Exhausted and limp, the towel was last seen soaring toward the roof after his cagers came far from behind to grab a 55-53 decision over a rugged Killbuck (15-3) quintet.  And after that the Baltic Eagles, a high-class ball club in county cage circles, ran into a snarling pack of Bulldogs from Big Prairie and were drubbed 73-53, to become the last County Class B League combine shunted to the tournament sidelines.

Thus, Tuscarawas County's hopes rest with hoopsters from the exempted village, Independent and out-of-county quintets.  But the teams falling by the wayside can find consolation in that they gave cage fans here the most colorful tournament in 30 years.  And to top it all, the Baltic Eagles' can say today that they ran into more seasoned cagers on a single team last night than they collided with all season long.  Those Holmes County Champion Bulldogs are big, rough, rugged...and good!

The next step forward in the sudden death Sectional Tournament tonight will see arch-rivals the Dennison Railroaders and Dennison St. Mary blue Waves clash at 7:30 with the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers hitting the floor in the night-cap at 8:45 against the Malvern Green Hornets, Carroll County champions.  Winner of the former tilt will tangle with Millersburg Saturday night at 7:30, while the victor of the latter will clash with Big Prairie at 8:45.  A berth in the Eastern District Tournament at Toronto March 6,7 and 8 will be at stake.

Although the Baltic Eagles (2-2) (14-8) whose hotshot Junior center Jim Syler had to be replaced early in the 1st quarter by Freshman center Errol Jacobs after he had suffered an ankle sprain, Head Coach Doyle Shumaker's Eagles completely out-classed the Holmes County Champions in the opening round to soar into the 2nd frame with a 14-10 edge.  But that was before the Big Prairie Bulldogs (24-2) whose rangy, string-bean center, Vaughn Campbell, started to click.  After he got warmed up to the battle, Baltic began to lose ground...and it kept falling behind the rest of the route.  Pacing the Bulldogs with 18 points, the scrappy center controlled the boards at both ends of the floor.  A large share of his total came from smooth tip-ins.  Had it not been for the sake of his artistry, Baltic would have made it a rugged skirmish.

The Eagles; however, managed to maintain its lead in the 2nd frame until the last minute and a half.  During that interim Baltic ran the count to 27-20 and apparently were on their way to victory but Campbell kept Big Prairie in the game.  But at that point things began to happen with explosive action...and they just didn't stop the rest of the game.  The Eagles stopped its scoring feats at that point as the Bulldogs' guard Rex Dye, guard Dick Lee, forward Gene Mosher and Campbell combined to snap Big Prairie in front 28-27 just as the buzzer sounded.  And it was Campbell who netted one before the intermission signal.

Syler returned to the fray in the 2nd frame to spark Baltic with 6 points.  With Campbell, Mosher, Dye and guard Don Gindlesberger setting the pace in the 3rd stanza, the Bulldogs raced to a 37-27 advantage before Syler dunked Baltic's 1st basket of that quarter.  After that, with the Bulldogs stealing the ball at every turn and uncorking a fiery fast break, it was just a matter of piling point on point.

But, Coach Shumaker's crew didn't throw in the towel.  They stayed right in there, going into the final canto on the short end of the stick, 52-38.  The Eagles scored 3 straight baskets after Campbell tipped in a rebound.  But Baltic couldn't keep rolling consistently.  Top scorers in the fray were Campbell and Dye who meshed 18 and 17 points respectively.  Dean Huprich paced the Eagles with 16,  while Syler had 11 and John Torgler 8.

BIG PRAIRIE BULLDOGS - 73

Bob Flinner F 4-0-8
Gene Mosher F 4-0-8
Dick Cayhoe F 2-0-4
Jones F 0-1-1
Jim Fishburn F 0-2-2
Vaughn Campbell C 8-2-18
Dick Lee G 0-2-2
Rex Dye G 7-3-17
Howard Smithhisler G 1-0-2
Don Gindlesberger G 3-0-6
Harold Stutzman G 2-1-5

BALTIC EAGLES - 53

Dean Huprich (400) F 7-2-16
Paul Reidenbach F 2-2-6
Jim Syler (309) C 5-1-11
Errol Jacobs C 1-1-3
John Torgler G 2-4-8
Tom Ott G 2-1-5
Fred Huprich G 0-1-1
Don Farnsworth G 0-3-3


Friday, February 29, 1952
Ray Stull, Sportswriter
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

NOTE:  THE REST OF THE STORY

On Friday, February 29th, the Dennison Railroaders beat the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves 48-43, while the Malvern Green Hornets got by the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers and Dennison bested the Millersburg Kights 61-50.  Dennison and Big Prairie won the Northeastern Sectional Tournament and headed for the Eastern District Tournament held in Toronto.

THE EASTERN DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

The Dennison Railroaders lost to the Dillonvale Night Riders (23-1) 49-38 and Big Prairie knocked out the Holloway Blue Devils 56-50 on Thursday, March 6th.  On Saturday night, March 8th, the Big Prairie Bulldogs fell to Dillonvale (24-1) 54-39.  Dillonvale went on to the Regional Tournament where they did not survive!  The Waynesburg Mohawks crushed the Night Riders (24-2) 63-40.

STATE ALL-STARS

Freshman Bill Jones of the Tuscarawas County 1952 Champion Stone Creek Golden Panthers and Junior Dick Tolloti of the Midvale Blue Devils made the Ohio State High School Honorable Mention Team.

WHAT A YEAR THIS WAS...I BET ALL THOSE TUSCARAWAS GAMBLERS LOST PLENTY THIS YEAR...BUT REALLY...WHAT A GREAT YEAR THIS WAS FOR TUSCARAWAS CLASS B BASKETBALL...LOOKING FORWARD TO 1953

52 - Dover St. Joseph Cages The Panthers 66-62 (2-27-58)

The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers' Senior forward Sam Mascotti drives in for a bunny shot last night at Memorial Hall with the Ramblers leading the Stone Creek Golden Panthers and won the contest 66-62 in the final canto.  The Saints won, but Mascotti failed on his attempt.  Other cagers shown are Freshman forward Bill Jones (16) and Sophomore forward Jim Lorenz (15) of the Golden Panthers and Senior forward Barney Lawless (8) of Dover St. Joseph.


DOVER - Head Coach Joe Drotovick of the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers edged back in his seat, crossed his legs and started to sweat profusely last night as he played a long shot in the last canto of the 2nd game of the Northeastern Sectional Tournament between Dover St. Joseph and the Stone Creek Golden Panthers at Memorial Hall.  And it paid off!  The Ramblers, experiencing a terrific night from the field, roared past the Golden Panthers' brilliant County Tournament Champions 66-62.  The curtain raiser saw the Dennison Railroaders write finis to the giant-killing ways of the Tuscarawas Broncos 59-34 in a listless struggle.

Tonight's tilts will pit the Millersburg Knights against Killbuck at 7:30 and the Baltic Eagles, Runner-up in the county tournament, against a power-packed Big Prairie Bulldog quintet.  And if tonight's action is anything approaching the torrid final game last night, cage fans are in for another spine-tingling event.

Although the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (3-1) (11-12) will hang up their togs until next year, they played the Championship ball last night that copped them the county tournament crown.  And they fell gracefully in the manner of true Champions.  But, the heart-breaking end to the Golden Panthers' sensational climb to the top of the heap didn't come before they...or super...colossal Freshman forward Bill Jones, that is...placed Head Coach Drotovick of the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers (13-8) in a position where he had to do something...and quick!

With Jones burning the nets for 17 points in the 3rd stanza alone to practically single-handedly put the Panthers back in the ball game after they had trailed 31-22 at the half, Coach Drotovick assigned Senior forward Sam Mascotti, who also turned in a sensational performance, to stick to Jones like a leech.  He was shouldering 4 big personal fouls at the time, in addition to keeping the torrid Rambler pace in high gear.  Had the Blue and Gold mentor not assigned a special-deluxe guard to smother every move of Jones, the Freshman hotshot probably would have topped his 31 point production during the county tournament.

But, as it was, he went scoreless in the final frame.  And right along with Mascotti's defensive effort went Stone Creek's defeat.  The Golden Panthers, who had 4 other good scorers, would have been still in the ball game if they could have made the adjustment required with Jones being stymied.  But, there wasn't enough time.

However, in that last canto it was strictly a struggle between 2 brilliant scorers.  There's no doubt about that, anyway you look at it.  Mascotti would up the night by canning 24 points, while Jones topped all others on the floor with 27, a fine performance to close the season with.  But it was Mascotti's efforts throughout the tilt that spelled doom for the Panthers.  The aggressive 5-8 razor-sharp passing game around the pivot slot which opened up the keyhole to permit Senior forward Barney Lawless to uncork his favorite jump shop to the happy tune of 19 points.

Both cagers; however, turned in a smooth team-effort under the offensive boards and when they were snowed in, they whipped the ball to Big Junior center Don Yosick who created havoc from the corners.  He kept Dover St. Joseph in the running in the 3rd stanza and went to the dressing room with his highest total of the year...18.  Only 2 other cagers hit the scoring column for the Ramblers, Senior guard Louis Bauer had 3 and guard Alex Webster picked up 2.

The Stone Creek hoopster who took over the scoring rains in the final stretch when Jones was being corralled by Mascotti was Lorenz.  He collected 8 in that period to push his total to 15.  Senior guard Willis Ridenour, who was given the chore of guarding Mascotti in the last round, netted 8 markers on his southpaw corner shot and 2 from the free throw line for a total of 10.  He is the only Senior on the Panther starting five.  His teammates, Juniors center Jerry Gasser and guard Ken Heid had 5 and 2 points respectively.

With Jones and Mascotti battling it out, the 1st quarter saw both teams race neck and neck to the wire with the count knotted at 14.  But in the 2nd frame Stone Creek cooled as the St. Joseph team sparked by Mascotti and Lawless,rolled to a 31-22 halftime margin.  The Ramblers and Stone Creek's Jones, who matched the entire Blue and Gold's production of 17 points, would up the 3rd period in a 48-48 deadlock.  But with Mascotti collecting 9 big points, Yosick 6 and Lawless 3, Dover St. Joseph won their right to meet the Malvern Green Hornets Friday night at 8:45.

DOVER ST. JOSEPH RAMBLERS - 66

Sam Mascotti F 10-4-24
Barney Lawless F 9-1-19
Don Yosick C 8-2-18
Alex Webster G 1-0-2
Jerry Platz G 0-0-0
Louis Bauer G 1-1-3

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 62

Bill Jones (359) F 12-3-27
Jim Lorenz (362) F 5-5-15
Jerry Gasser C 3-2-8
Willis Ridenour G 4-2-10
Don Miller G 0-0-0
Jerry Billman G 0-0-0
Ken Reid G 1-0-2


Thursday, February 28, 1952
Ray Stull, Sportswriter
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Dennison Corrals The Broncos 59-34 (2-27-52)

The Dennison Railroaders 1952 Basketball Team.  AROUND THE HORN:  Don Tinney - Bill Hilliker - Deb Bente - Dave O'Hara - Ed Wagstaff - Head Coach John Harman - Judd Fisher (Manager) - Jim Campisi (Point) - Don Moody - Dick Polen - Floyd Morris and Alan Miracle.


DOVER - In the curtain raiser of the Northeastern Sectional Tournament, Head Coach John Harmon's powerful Dennison Railroaders (14-7) crew held the Tuscarawas Broncos (4-2) (12-13) to but 20 points in 3 quarters of play, while racking up 41 markers for themselves.  Dennison's rangy quintet...and a high-percentage team from  the field...threw up a zone defense that kept the Broncos at bay most of the route.  Even Tusky's sensational jump shot artist, Sophomore center Harry Thompson, was bottled most of the game.  But, he came through with 10 hard-earned points, scoring all of the Colts 5 markers in the opening round 17-5.  Junior forward Don Tharp paced Tuscarawas by netting 11 points after hitting only a free throw in the 1st half.

Senior center Dick Polen and Junior guard Del Bente led the Railroaders with 12 points each, but  3 of the Trainmen finished the tilt with 9 markers apiece.  They were Sophomore forward Dave O'Hara, Junior forward Ed Wagstaff and guard Jim Campasi, usually one of the top Dennison point makers who went to the showers with 5 personal fouls.  Polen; however, was able to score only 2 free throws in the 1st half as the Tuscarawas 2-3 zone kept him stymied.

DENNISON RAILROADERS - 59

Don Moody F 0-0-0
Dave O'Hara F 4-1-9
Ed Wagstaff F 4-1-9
Dick Polen C 5-2-12
Don Tinney C 0-1-1
Bill Hilliker G 1-2-5
Jim Campasi G 4-1-9
Del Bente G 5-2-12
Alan Miracle G 1-0-2

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 34

Don Tharp (299) F 4-3-11
Dick Ronald F 0-0-0
Rich Davis F 0-0-0
Harry Thompson (310) C 4-2-10
Larry Myers C 1-0-2
Jerry Briggs G 0-0-0
Rich Hill G 0-0-0
Ralph Vesco G 4-0-8
John Adams G 0-0-0
Jim Henry G 1-0-2
Bob Briggs G 0-1-1


Thursday, February 28, 1952
Ray Stull, Sportswriter
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio