58 - Season...Flashback!

Sports Editor
Thursday, February 6, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

LOOKING AT THE CLASS A FIGURES we find the Stone Creek Golden Panthers' Rod Reinhart may be on his way to snaring the scoring Championship of the county; although, he is having competition from the Urichsville Tigers' Arnold.  "Hot Rod," although some times guarded by 2 or 3 foes, has hit the nets for 189 field goals and 63 free throws for 441 points and an average of 24.5, one-tenth of a point better than Arnold's mark.

Two other Class A players are over the 20 points-per-game mark.  They are Gary Caviness of the Tuscarawas Broncos and Russ Hobart of the Midvale Blue Devils.  Caviness has 132 action shots and 42 free throw tosses for 306 points and a mark of 20.4, while Hobart, who is a returnee from the Blue Devils team which made the trip to the State Championship semi-finals last year, has a 20.2 average.  He has tallied 142 times from the field and 56 times from the foul line.  Representing the Baltic Eagles in the top10 is John Rice, who has scored 352 points for 18.8 per tilt, good for the 4th spot.

Ben Price, the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans' star center, follows Rice with 239 points on 107 goals and 25 free throws for a 17.7 per game, while Tom Maitland of the Dennison Railroaders is in 6th place with an average of 17.5.

Tusky, which along with Midvale are the only teams to have 2 representatives in the first 10 places.  Tom Vesco is 7th with a 16.9 average, while Ron Bradley of the Gnadenhutten Indians is next with 16.5.  The Diablos round out the select list with a 16.4 average.  The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers' Eddie Joe Young is averageing 15.7

CLASS A INDIVIDUAL SCORING

NAME  FIELD GOALS  FREE THROWS  TOTAL POINTS  AVERAGE

Reinhart (Stone Creek) 189 - 63 - 441 - 24.5
Caviness (Tusky) 132 - 42 - 306 - 20.4
Hobart (Midvale) 142 - 56 - 344 - 20.2
Rice (Baltic) 150 - 52 - 352 - 18.8
Price (Tusky Valley) 107 - 25 - 239 - 17.7
Maitand (Dennison) 99 - 31 - 229 - 17.5
Vesco (Tusky) 113 - 28 - 254 - 16.9
Bradley (Gnaden) 135 - 43 - 313 - 16.5
Krocker (Midvale) 105 - 79 - 289 - 16.4
Guida (Dover St. Mary) 92 - 43 - 227 - 16.2
Huprich - (Baltic) 121 - 62 - 304 - 16.0
Young (Dennison St. Joseph) 84 - 41 - 205 - 15.7
Clark (Gnaden) 131 - 33 - 295 - 15.5
Burris (Strasburg) 112 - 60 - 284 - 15.5
Baker (Stone Creek) 101 - 60 - 262 14.5
Nick Haswell (Strasburg) 106 - 31 - 243 - 14.3
Stingel (Garaway) 113 - 40 - 260 - 13.7
Roth (Gnaden) 113 - 40 - 260 - 13.7
Davis (Dennison) 72 - 21 - 165 - 12.9
Ruof (Tusky Valley) 84 - 20 - 188 12.8
Still (Dennison St. Mary) 68 - 40 - 176 - 12.7

58 - Season...Flashback!

Thursday, January 30, 1958
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

"MANY MOONS" have set since the last time the Midvale Blue Devils team had pocketed a County Class A League Championship.  But with tomorrow night's battle against the Port Washington Purple Riders they should accomplish that goal.

Head Coach Pete Hilliard's Blue Devils, who went all the way to the State semi-final tournament in Columbus last year, need only to down the Purple Riders for their 7th League win, thus eliminating the possibility of Gnadenhutten tying for the Crown.  It has been 8 years since Midvale has held sole possession of the County Championship.  In the 1949-50 season, when Bob French was at the helm and the Diablos finished the League campaign with a 9-1 mark, it was also the 3rd consecutive League Crown captured by the Devils dating back to the 47-48 season.

In the 1950-51 campaign, the Blue and Gold, the Tuscarawas Broncos and the Strasburg Tigers tied for the toga with 8-2 records.  The loop then was called the Class B League instead of the modern "A" version.   In the 1951-52 season the Midvale Blue Devils went into the final League game against the Broncos with a 9-0 loop mark and was considered a good bet to win.  But Tusky came through by a 62-56 margin and the Blue Devils of Midvale had to be content with sharing League Honors with the Dundee Bulldogs, which now is part of the Garaway consolidation.

The Tigers of Strasburg ended that campaign in 7th place with a 4-6 record.  But then the Bengals came up with their powerful squads and became the perennial team to beat.  But even during Strasburg's League reign the Blue Devils managed to cop 2 County Tournament titles and was runnerup once in addition to last Springs's State Tournament title bid.

58 - Season Flashback!

Thursday, January 9, 1958
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

THE STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS' "Hot" Rod Reinhart is the leading scorer for the county's Class A clubs.  The 5-10 Golden Panther Senior has scorced the nets for a total of 129 field goals and 48 free throws for 306 points in 12 games, an average of 25.5.

Right behind, but for 13 games, is the Baltic Eagles' John Rice, who has caged 260 points on 106 field goals and 47 charity tosses.  That gives him an average of an even 20.0.  Following him in the top 10 are Russ Hobart of the Midvale Blue Devils, averaging 18.6 points for 10 games and teammate Tom Krocker and Gary Caviness of the Tuscarawas Broncos with 18.5 averages.  Caviness has appeared in all of Tusky's 8 games to date.

The Dover St. Joseph Ramblers' Ed Young is 6th on the list with 49 field goals and 26 free throw tosses for 124 points.  Ed has missed 2 of the Ramblers' 7 contests and has an average of 17.7 points per game.  Ron Bradley of the Gnadenhutten Indians is in 7th place with an average of 17.6, Jim Guida of the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves has notched 174 for a 17.4 mark and Tom Maitland of the Dennison Railroaders follows with 17.3.

Ron Huprich of the Eagles rounds out the top select group with an average of 16.2.  The Strasburg Tigers' Chuck Burris just missed the top 10 by 2-10ths of a point.  He has an average of 16 per game.

CLASS A

PLAYER    FIELD GOALS   FREE THROWS    TOTAL    AVERAGE

Reinhart (Stone Creek) 129  48  306  25.5
Rice (Baltic) 105  47  260  20.0
Hobart (Midvale) 80  20  188  18.6
Caviness (Tusky) 62  24  148  18.5
Krocker (Midvale) 69  45  185  18.5
Young (Dover St. Joseph) 49  26  125  17.7
Bradley (Gnaden) 103  31  247  17.6
Guida (Dennison St. Mary) 69  36  174  17.4
Maitland (Dennison) 42  20  104  17.3
Huprich (Baltic) 82  47  211  16.2
Burris (Strasburg) 70  50  208  16.0
Clark (Gnaden) 100  14  214  15.3
Stingel (Garaway) 64  37  165  15.0
N. Haswell (Strasburg) 84  24  192  14.6
Price (Tusky Valley) 59  19  137  13.7
Davis (Dennison) 34  9  77  12.8
Baker (Stone Creek) 53  43  149  12.4
Still (Dennison St. Mary) 52  20  124  12.4

NOTE:  CONSOLATION DIVISION IS DROPPED

The 36th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament once again will be held in Memorial Hall here on February 13,15,20 and 22.  The Consolation Division games played in previous years have been dropped this year because there will be only 9 teams in the event and will represent the county in the Sectional Tournament here February 25th.

Admission for the county meet will be $1.00 for adults and 60 cents for students.  Tournament passes will cost $4.00.  In the past the passes have been issued to the participants and to a limited number of tournament program advertisers.  Many individuals have requested the opportunity to buy passes so a more liberal policy has been adopted.  People wishing to purchase passes should make their requests to merchants.  They are advised to do this during January.

NOTE:  GARAWAY

This year Garaway High School was due to the consolidation of Sugarcreek-Shanesville, Ragersville and Dundee.

58 - Season...Flashback!

Sports Editor
Thursday, December 12, 1957
The Daily Reporter

TOMORROW NIGHT in the County High School Class A League 4 games are scheduled for the 1st full card of the season.  Quintets in the loop will meet in the 36th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall in February.  The League always comes up with individual stars and this season is no exception.

Guard 5-10 sensational Rod Reinhart of the Stone Creek Golden Panthers, appears to be on his way to the county scoring title.  In 6 games to date he has meshed 159 points, an average of 26.5 per game.  When the Golden Panthers entertain the Tuscarawas Broncos tomorrow night he and Harold Baker, who has scored 68 points will be pacing the Panthers, who have won 4 of 6 games.  Heading the Broncos will be Gary Caviness, who has netted 70 points in 4 contests for a 17.5 average.

Facing the Gnadenhutten Indians, the Strasburg Tigers, who remain unbeaten, will be led by Nick Haswell.  He has tallied 91 points in 5 tilts for an 18.2 average.  Teammate Chuck Burris is close behind him with 85 and an average of 17 points per game.  Three Indian players are in a close race.  Tom Roth is the leader with 84 points in 6 battles for a 14 point average.  Ron Bradley has tallied 81 and Larry Gooding 72 for averages of 13.5 and 12 respectively.

Ben Price, although appearing briefly in 2 contests and going all the way in the other, is the leading scorer for the Tuscaraway Valley Trojans who meet the Midvale Blue Devils tomorrow night.  Price has scored 27 points for a 3-game, 9-point average.  Russ Hobart and Tom Krocker pace the Blue Devils.  Hobart has an average of 18 points per contest, scoring 72 in 4 battles.  Krocker is averaging 14.1 with 57 markers to his credit.

The Baltic Eagles, idle tomorrow, is being led by John Rice's 19.4 average per contest.  John has the top point total in the county with 173, but has played 9 games.  Teammate Ron Huprich has scored 149 points for an average of 16.5.

57 - 35th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament Stats For 1957

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

1.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Dick Scott-3) 3-0 1.000 (TC) 4th Title
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (Pete Hilliard-3) 4-1 .800 (CC) 8th Title
3.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ed McGlumphy-1) 2-1 .666 (T-RU)
4.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Jim Pfeiffer-1) 2-2 .500
5.  Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (Raymond (Sucker) Low-1) 2-2 .500
6.  Baltic Eagles (Jack Bellville-2) 1-2 .333
7.  Strasburg Tigers (Chuck Caniford-1) 1-2 .333
8.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Stan Culp-1) 1-2 .333
9.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (Jim Stall-2) 0-2 .000
10. Dundee Bulldogs (Jack Reese-2) 0-2 .000

COUNTY TOURNAMENT SCORES

MONDAY 2-11-57

Midvale 97 - Tusky 55
Port 85 - Dundee 53

WEDNESDAY 2-13-57

Strasburg 77 - Baltic 52
Gnaden 81 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 63
Tuscarawas 97 - Dundee 44 (C)

THURSDAY 2-14-57

Baltic 78 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville 66 (C)
Stone Creek 70 - Midvale 67
Tusky Valley 88 - Port 63

SATURDAY 2-16-57

Midvale 89 - Tusky 69 (C)
Port 106 - Baltic 74 (C)

THURSDAY 2-21-57

Stone Creek 69 - Strasburg 52
Gnaden 79 - Tusky Valley 74

FRIDAY 2-22-57

Midvale 62 - Strasburg 54 (C)
Tusky Valley 73 - Port 66 (C)

SATURDAY 2-23-57

Midvale 96 - Tusky Valley 58 (CC)
Gnaden 75 - Stone Creek 66 (TC)

SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT SCORES

WEDNESDAY 2-27-57

Midvale 91 - Killbuck 52

FRIDAY 3-1-57

Gnaden 78 - Dennison 61
Midvale 76 - Stone Creek 71

SATURDAY 3-2-57

Gnaden 86 - Augusta 71 (SC)
Midvale 77 - Walnut Creek 58 (SC)

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT SCORES

WEDNESDAY 3-6-57

Gnaden 67 - Springfield Local 58

THURSDAY 3-7-57

Midvale 94 - Adena 68

SATURDAY 3-9-57

Midvale 73 - Gnaden 59 (DC)

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT SCORES

FRIDAY 3-15-57

Midvale 64 - Vienna 62

SATURDAY 3-16-57

Midvale 61 - Savannah 60 (RC)

STATE TOURNAMENT SCORES

Ayersville 71 - Midvale 57

STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES

1928 - Strasburg Tigers
1932 - SugarcreekShanesville Pirates
1935 - Strasburg Tigers
1937 - Midvale Blue Devils
1938 - Strasburg Tigers
1940 - Midvale Blue Devils
1941 - Midvale Blue Devils
1942 - Gnadenhutten Indians
1957 - Midvale Blue Devils

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 50
2.  Ron Deibel (SC) 36
3.  Ed Bates (P) 32
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 31
5.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 31
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 31
7.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) 30
8.  Tom Vesco (T) 30
9.  John Colombo (M) 30
10. John Colombo (M) 29 (2)

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 21
2.  Ron Deibel (SC) 16
3.  Ed Bates (P) 14
4.  John Colombo (M) 13
5.  Ron Deibel (SC) 13
6.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 13
7.  Eldon Miller (G) 12
8.  Eldon Miller (G) 12
9.  7 tied with 11

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  John Colombo (M) 12
2.  Larry Biggs (G) 10
3.  Charles Stingel (SS) 10
4.  John Colombo (M) 9
5.  9 tied with 8

MOST POINTS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 136
2.  John Colombo (M) 128
3.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) 118
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 90
5.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 90
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 75
7.  Tom Vesco (T) 68
8.  Denver Glazer (P) 66
9.  Ben Price (TV) 58
10. Jerry Froman (S) 57

MOST FIELD GOALS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  Ed Bates (P) 57
2.  John Colombo (M) 49
3.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) 47
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) 40
5.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 37
6.  Eldon Miller (G) 30
7.  Tom Vesco (T) 28
8.  Denver Glazer (P) 24
9.  Ben Price (TV) 24
10. Gary Caviness (T) 23

MOST FREE THROWS THIS TOURNAMENT

1.  John Colombo (M) 30
2.  Dick (Dandy) (M) 24
3.  Ed Bates (P) 22
4.  Wayne Rouf (TV) 21
5.  Larry Clark (G) 18
6.  Denver Glazer (P) 18
7.  Ken (Bobo) Haueter (TV) 16
8.  Rod Reinhart (SC) 16
9.  Dave Wolf (TV) 16
10. 2 tied with 15

ALL TOURNAMENTS

1923-33 See 1933 Tournament
1934-46 See 1946 Tournament
1947-54 See 1954 Tournament
1955 - Strasburg Tigers (14) (3) - Midvale Blue Devils (6) (7)
1956 - Midvale Blue Devils (7) (7) - Strasburg Tigers (13) (4)
1957 - Gnaden Indians (3) (6) - Stone Creek Panthers (1) (1)

ALL CONSOLATION DIVISION TOURNAMENTS

1934-46 See 1946 Consolation Division Tournament
1947-54 See 1954 Consolation Division Tournament
1955 - Baltic Eagles (2) (1) - Gnadenhutten Indians (2) (5)
1956 - Port Washington (1) (0) - Gnadenhutten Indians (2) (6)
1957 - Midvale Blue Devils (4) (2) - Tusky Valley Trojans (0) (1)

TOTAL STANDINGS

1.  Strasburg Tigers (1923) 93-27 .775
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (1928) 70-31 .693
3.  Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1924) 59-46 .562
4.  Gnadenhutten Indians (1923) 56-48 .538
5.  Tuscarawas (1923) 47-46 .505
6.  Baltic Eagles (1926) 36-53 .404
7.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1933) 31-45 .408
8.  Dundee Bulldogs (1923) 33-55 .375
9. Port Washington Purple Riders (1927) 27-56) .325
10. Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (1957) 2-2 .500

OTHER PARTICIPANTS

1.  Dennison Railroaders (1924) 3-0 1.000
2.  Bolivar Cardinals (1923-56) 49-49 .500
3.  Mineral City Tigers (1923-56) 13-53 ,197
4.  Newcomerstown Trojans (1924) 0-1 .000
5.  Winfield High School (1925) 0-1 .000
6.  Ragersville Pirates (1935) 0-2 .000
7.  New Cumberland Trojans (1927- 1933 and 1934) 0-4 .000

MOST POINTS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Ed Bates (P) (1957) 50
2.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1955) 43
3.  Bill Jones (SC) (1955) 37
4.  Terry Deems (T) (1955) 36
5.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1957) 36
6.  Ed Bates (P) (1956) 35
7.  Elmer Linard (P) (1946) 34
8.  Don Levengood (D) 34
9.  6 tied with 32

MOST FIELD GOALS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1,  Ed Bates (P) (1957) 21
2.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 20
3.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1955) 17
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1957) 16
5.  Bill Lockett (G) (1943) 15
6.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1951) 15
7.  Ed Bates (P) (1956) 15
8.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1956) 15
9.  9 tied with 14

MOST FREE THROWS SINGLE GAME ALL TOURNAMENTS

1.  Jack Renner (BC) (1955) 16
2.  Warren Klink (BC) (1943) 12
3.  Bill Ridenour (SC) (1943) 12
4.  Ken Huston (P) (1953) 12
5.  George Regula (B) (1956) 12
6.  Don Levengood (D) (1956) 12
7.  John Colombo (M) (1957) 12
8.  3 tied with 11

TOTAL FIELD POINTS

1.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 335
2.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 295
3.  Ed Bates (P) (1955-56-57) 281
4.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 256
5.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 247
6.  Jerry (Goose) (S) (1952-53-54-55) 224
7.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 220
8.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50-51) 218
9.  Dick Tolloti (M) (1951-52-53) 199
10. Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 188

TOTAL FIELD GOALS

1.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 140
2.  Ed Bates (P) (1955-56-57) 116
3.  Loris Hostetler (D) (1949-50-51-52) 112
4.  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 111
5.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 93
6.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 89
7.  Glen Zimmerman (SS) (1948-49-50) 87
8.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48)
9.  Warren Klink (BC) (1940-41-42-43) 79
10. Jim Lindon (G) (1946-47-48-49) 79

TOTAL FREE THROWS

1,  Bill Jones (SC) (1952-53-54-55) 73
2.  Ken Huston (P) (1951-52-53-54) 61
3.  Clarence Yackey (S) (1945-46-47-48) 58
4.  Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 55
5.  Ed Bates (P) (1955-56-57) 49
6.  Jerry Gasser (SC) (1950-51-52-53) 48
7.  Dick (Dandy) Leggett (M) (1954-55-56-57) 48
8.  Jerry (Goose) Von Kaenel (S) (1952-53-54-55) 46
9.  Dick Tolloti (M) (1951-52-53) 45
10. Ron Deibel (SC) (1954-55-56-57) 45

TEAM HIGH GAMES

106 - Port Washington Purple Riders (1957)
102 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1946)
  97 - Midvale (1956 and 1957) - Port (1956) - Tusky (1957)
  96 - Midvale Blue Devils (1957)
  92 - Tuscarawas Broncos (1947)
  91 - Strasburg (1955) - Tuscarawas (1955)
  89 - Midvale Blue Devils (1957)
  88 - Tusky Valley Trojans (1957)
  87 - Strasburg Tigers (1955)
  85 - Port (1946-1956) - Stone Creek (1956) - Strasburg (1955)

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

1.  Ron Deibel - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1957) 1,905
2.  Bill Jones - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1955) 1,792
3.  Jim Lorenz - Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1954) 1,546
4.  John Studer - Strasburg Tigers (1934) 1,061
5.  Frank Baumholtz - Midvale Blue Devils (1937) 997* (*Stats missing 1 game)

57 - Right Down The Line

Tuesday, March 26, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

THE MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS were unable to break the jinx which had prevented county teams from gaining the State Class A Tournament finals in recent years, but the 12 players and 8 others making the trip with them, will never forget the Columbus weekend.  The Blue Devils were treated royally, eating at the better restaurants and being quartered at Lincoln Lodge on Route 40, one of the better Columbus area motels.

The players and partisan fans alike expected Midvale to defeat the Ayersville Pilots.  The Diablos were not over-confident.  But, they felt they could gain the finals.  However, as often happens, the Devils had a "cold streak" in the 1st half and after falling behind 19 points they faced an almost impossible situation.  Yet they did come within 7 points of tying the score in the 3rd stanza, but that drive took most of their starch.

We still maintain that the Blue and Gold were a better team than the final score indicated and if it had not been for the "cold streak," would have been in the finals instead of Ayersville's eventual Champions.  The Midvale Blue Devils had only a 26 field goal percentage for the contest whereas, during the regular season, they averaged above 40.  But, while they didn't route the tournament jinx, the Blue Devils did provide one of the most exciting basketball stories in the county's history.

DESPITE THE DISAPPOINTMENT, Midvale is in the book of "firsts" for the new St. John's arena.  Senior 6-0 Guard John Colombo committed the 1st foul in a State Tournament held there.  Junior 6-2 Center Russ Hobart missed the 1st free throw attempted.  The Diablos took the 1st time out in the tournament, Senior 5-9 Guard John Beans scored the 1st set shot and the Devils were the 1st team to lose a tournament game there.

Fans will long remember the large rooting section which followed the Midvale Blue Devils to the Capital.  When Head Coach Pete Hilliard's cagers staged their terrific spurt in the 3rd quarter, the Blue Devils supporters made themselves heard.  They cheered louder at that point than the Pilot fans did after the game was over.

HEAD COACH RALPH (PETE) HILLARD said he appreciated the many pre-game telegrams wishing the team good luck.  The telegrams included ones from the Glen Miller family of Dover, Urfer Greenhouse, Chamber of Commerce, Post Office Employers and Elks Club of New Philadelphia, the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's and Police Departments.  Another also was received from the Savannah Sailors' basketball team which Midvale defeated 61-60 in the Canton Regional finals.

SUPT. JOSEPH F. ZACK OF MIDVALE should be given a large amount of credit for the fine job of conducting the trip for the Diablos.  All of the boys agreed after they arrived home yesterday that they had "lived like kings."  There was no limit on the food they could eat after losing Friday afternoon.  And during the Saturday morning breakfast at the motel Supt. Zack wondered if one player had eyes bigger than his stomach.

John Beans, along with Senior Manager Larry Gibbs, got a table all to themselves.  The 2 lads ordered a double portion of hotcakes, ham, toast, orange juice and milk.  Beans finished his off in fine style, but there was some doubt if "Gibby" would.  He finally did and everyone sighed with relief, including the manager.  But Beans and Gibbs were not hungry the rest of the day and when the rest of the group enjoyed a big supper the 2 boys just had sandwiches.

SUPT. ZACK ANNOUNCED yesterday that $561 was received by the school for Midvale's participation in the Regional Topurnament at Canton.  Money for mileage amounted to $167, for meals $144 and $250 was the school's share in gate receipts.

SIX SENIORS dressed for their last high school basketball for the Devils in the game with Ayersville.  They were:

REGULARS

John Beans
John Colombo
Dick Leggett
Lonnie Wolfe

RESERVES:

Dave De Mattio
Gary Haney

OTHER BOYS MAKING THE TRIP INCLUDED:

Dave Belknap
Lonnie Fulp
Russ Hobart
Bill Housel
Tom Krocker
Don Patterson

STUDENT MANAGERS:

Senior Jerry Benedum
Senior Larry Gibbs
Sophomore Bill Kerschbaumer
Senior Duane Zack (Son of Supt. Zack)

57 - Welcome Home!

MIDVALE - The only thing missing was the State Basketball Championship Trophy.  That was the thought running through the minds of the Midvale Blue Devils Basketball Team when they arrived in Tuscarawas County from Columbus yesterday afternoon.

When the team drove through Newcomerstown at about 2:30 they were surprised with a caravan of more than 90 cars, loaded with fans, all lined up to escort their fabulous "Cinderella" quintet home after the long journey from the Class A State Basketball Tournament held in Columbus over the weekend.  Deputy Sheriff Don Patterson, father of Don Patterson Jr. one of the Blue Devil players, led the huge stream of decorated cars on a trip through the county.  The Midvale-Barnhill-Brightwood Volunteer Fire Department truck was also on hand and followed Patterson's cruiser.

Next came the 4 cars with the players, managers and Head Coach Pete Hilliard.  From there on there was nothing but car after car of Midvale fans.  A nicer welcome couldn't have been planned for the State Champion Ayersville Pilots and many a tear was shed by the proud Diablo players before the ceremonies were over.  The caravan proceeded through Tuscarawas and Goshen on Route 16 and into the south side of New Philadelphia from where it took Route 211 into Dover.

The State Highway Patrol halted traffic on Route 21, while the Dover and New Philadelplhia Police Departments also aided in stopping traffic to allow the 5-mile parade of cars through the cities.  The team entered Dover on West 3rd Street and made a right turn down North Wooster on which they continued through the city entering New Philadelphia on lthe Boulevard and 4th Street.

The caravan continued down West High Street and through the square of New Philadelphia and then made a left turn onto Route 39 where it proceeded through Roswell and made a right turn going through Barnhill and finally into Midvale.  But, it wasn't over yet.  The caravan then circled through Midvale and continued on the back road to Uhrichsville, which it skirted and entered Dennison, going down North 4th Street and making a right turn into Grant Street through downtown Dennison.  It then proceeded through Dennison and into East 3rd Street and passed through the main part of Uhrichsville, finally making a right turn into North Water Street and onto Route 250 and a back to Midvale.

As the long caravan, which stretched better than 5 miles at one time, came into Brightwood the Midvale High School marching band met the team.  All of the players along with Coach Hilliard, the managers and Supt. J.F. Zack got out of the cars and walked behind the band to the high school.  Cars moved into Midvale 3-abreast and finally came to a halt in front of the school.  Players were hugged, kissed, slapped on the back and cheered.  You would have thought Midvale had won the State Championship.  They didn't, but the loyal fans of the "comeback" team of 1957 wanted to show their team they were behind them all the way.

A huge chicken dinner was prepared and served to the players and coaches as well as the cheerleaders.  The dinner was prepared by Mrs. Paul Stevenson, Mrs. J. F. Zack, Mrs. Don Fantin, Mrs. Lonnie Wolfe and Mrs. Bert Beaber.  The food for the dinner was donated by the John Gibbs and Paul Steveson Grocery stores, both located in Midvale.

It was a tremendous celebration and a fine way to end the basketball season.


Monday, March 26, 1957
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio