59 - District Tournament

Eastern Ohio District Board President Harold (Bud) Myers (left) confers with Tuscarawas managers at the District Meeting last night.  Starting at Myers' left:  John Harmon (Dennison Sectional AA and Non-County A tournaments) - E.F. McCarroll (Dennison District A Runner-up playoff) and W.E. Laws (Dover County, Sectional and District Tournaments).  (PHOTO...The Daily Times)

NEW PHILADELPHIA - No doubt about it, this will be a Devil of a contest!  The Co-Sectional Champions, the Midvale Blue Devils (20-1), will be carrying the county banner against the touted Brilliant Blue Devils (15-8) crew on the Dover hardwood tonight at 8:00.  The Blue Devils aggregation of Head Coach Ralph "Pete" Hilliard won its District berth by ousting the Killbuck Bucks 84-83 in a highly controversial double-overtime contest that was marked by much name calling and shoulder pushing.

The Brilliant-Midvale victor of this evening will meet the Conotton Valley Rockets (16-6)-Hiland Hawks (20-2) winner on Friday for the A District Championship.  The Rockets and Hawks clash on Tuesday evening.

In additional to the regular District action in the Class A ranks this year, there is a sort-of Consolation game for the Runner-up of the Dover event and the Runner-up of the Marietta District.  These 2 teams, which will be unveiled with the title games on Friday, will meet at Dennison on Saturday evening for a 3rd Regional berth.  The Dover and Dennison winners will move to Canton for Regional play, while the Marietta victor will trek to Athens next week.

Tickets for the District Tournament is available at all of the schools involved.  Adult ducats (tickets) are selling for $1.00.  The student ducats will sell for only 60 cents for the affair at Dover.  There will be no Reserved Seats at the site; although, fans will be assured of a seat at Dover if they arrive before 6:30.  They will be admitted through the rear door, if they possess advanced sale tickets.  The Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday games involved in the Class A District event will start at 8:00.

BRILLIANT BLUE DEVILS

BRILLIANT SCORES

Smithfield Sentinels 51-63L
Irondale Red Raiders 45-47L
Dillonvale Night Riders 54-60L
Springfield Local 45-68L
Yorkville Ductillites 45-48L
Wayne 89-41
New Cumberland 73-40
Centerville Elks 56-62L
Dillonvale Night Riders 54-46
Springfield Local 62-55
Adena Golden Waves 70-55
Mt. Pleasant Mounties 57-48
Yorkville Ductillites 65-63
Irondale Red Raiders 76-61
Smithfield Sentinels 72-88L
Mt Pleasant Mounties 69-43
New Cumberland 62-40
Adena Golden Waves 79-57

TOURNAMENT

Adena Golden Waves 69-47
Yorkville Ductillites 67-53
Dillonvale Night Riders 58-68L
Jewett Wildcats 59-42
Centerville Elks 81-54

PROBABLE STARTERS

6-3 Jim Presley 456
5-8 Matt Kessler 285
5-11 Dale Bergenhardt 236
5-9 Dennis Cook 150
6-0 Jack Hoor 135


Monday, March 2, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Midvale In 1-Point Win Over Killbuck 84-83 (2-28-59)

The Midvale Blue Devils were treated to a tasty meal at Bonvechio's after copping a Co-Sectional Crown and a District berth on Saturday night.  The team, cheerleaders, managers and school officials enjoyed a humble celebration following thie 84-83 double-overtime, sudden death triumph over the Killbuck Bucks.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times By Bob Fisher)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - "I thought we had won.  But I wasn't positively sure," Head Coach Pete Hilliard of the Midvale Blue Devils (4-0) (20-1) said Sunday upon being quizzed about his 84-83 double-overtime victory over the Killbuck Bucks (17-5) the night before.  But, it was official, according to Tournament Manager W.E. Laws.  Laws told the group present for the District Tournament drawings yesterday that "I'm sorry it did happen.  I was only trying to explain to the fans about the overtime sudden death.  But it seems I didn't explain it far enough."

He apparently didn't, as most everyone agreed today.  But, the manager, who is also a member of the Eastern District Board, pointed out that all coaches are directed to study the rules covering tournament games before they play and should have understood the ruling on overtime games.  The entire incident occurred in the 2nd overtime when the 2 teams were deadlocked at 83-all.  Going into the extra period, which is called "sudden death," Laws told the fans that "the 1st team to score a bucket will be the winner."  He really meant:  the 1st team to score 2 points will be the winner and the game will end; or, whichever team is ahead at the end of the 3 minutes will be the winner.

The Bucks, after seeing the Blue Devils take a one-point lead in the sudden death canto, froze the ball to eat up the time on the clock and wait for another overtime.  The Bucks of Killbuck did not shoot at the basket during the entire 2nd extra period.  They apparently believed 2 points were necessary to win.  Midvale was declared the victors under a District and State ruling which says that a team ahead at the end of the 2nd overtime shall also be declared the winner.

The capacity crowd then overflowed onto the playing area with the Elks protesting the decision.  In the excitement of it all, the Killbuck Bucks did not receive the game ball which goes to the Runner-up and the fans wouldn't allow the Diablos to be honored with the trophy either.  The game was a nip and tuck all the way and the lead changed hands a total of 14 times.  The biggest lead, held by the Devils, was only 10 points in the 2nd frame.

The Bucks' biggest advantage was 6 points in the opening quarter when it led 17-11.  However, the Blue and Gold came battling back and went ahead 22-21 at the end of the 1st period.  At halftime the Midvale Blue Devils held a 43-35 margin.  And then in the 3rd stanza the action really got hot as the lead changed hands 3 more times before the Bucks of Killbuck finally sat on top at 59-57 at the close.

The Elks held the lead until midway in the final chapter when the Blue Devils tied the count at 66-all.  The Killbuck Bucks went ahead by 3 and once again Midvale fought back to knot the score.  It was tied 71 and 73 before 6-2 Senior Tom Taylor dropped in 2 free throws for the Bucks.  Senior 5-10 Tom Krocker pulled the Diablos out of seeming defeat with 5 seconds remaining when he connected on a jumper.

In the 1st overtime period the Devils went ahead and was on top by as much as 82-77 before the Bucks of Killbuck put on a comeback drive of their own.  They capped it with 2 seconds to go when Bob Arnold meshed a jump shot from the side.  And then the 3rd overtime ensued.  Junior 6-3 Hanes Hairston, who was mobbed and given a free ride to the dressing room by the Blue and Gold followers after the game, made his free throw.

The Midvale Blue Devils put on a balanced scoring show with all 5 starters, who went the distance, ending in double figures.  Krocker led the way with 21 points, while 6-3 Senior Bill Housel followed with 19, 5-9 Senior Dave Belknap 17 Hairston 13 and 5-11 Junior Ron Breniser ended with 14.  High for the losers were 6-0 Junior Jerry Allison with 23.  Taylor added 18, Arnold 16 and 5-7 Gary Croskey 14 markers.

The Blue Devils meshed 33 of 67 from the field for 49.2 percent, while Killbuck was successful on 24 of 84 tries for 40.5 percent.  Midvale added 18 of 35 free throw tries and the Bucks 15 of 25.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 84

Tom Krocker 10-1-21
Ron Breniser 4-6-14
Bill Housel 8-3-19
Hanes Hairston 4-5-13
Dave Belknap 7-3-17

KILLBUCK BUCKS - 83

Jerry Allison 10-3-23
Roger McDowall 1-2-4
Tom Taylor 7-4-18
Gary Croskey 5-4-14
Bob Arnold 8-0-16
Norris 3-2-8

MIDVALE    22-43-57-75-83-84
KILLBUCK  21-35-59-75-83


Monday, March 2, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Inside Sports

Saturday, February 28, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

WE HEARD RUMORS at the tournament the other night that Joe LaScola of the Dover St. Joseph Ramblers has, or is about to accept a job in Michigan and leave the Ramblers.  No verification yet.  It was rather surprising to see such a packed house at Dover's Memorial Hall last night.  Many a year we have seen Sectional Tournaments and there were few times the place was jammed.  The Hiland Hawks really has a big following.  Of course, winning 20 of 22 games helps.  There may only be about 10,000 people in Holmes County, but we bet the count was pretty vacant last night.

INCLUDED AMONG THE PEANUT GALLERY last night (press box) at Dover was Head Coach Ralph "Pete" Hilliard of the Midvale Blue Devils.  Just in case the Blue Devils cop a District berth he wanted to have a few notes.  "Tis better to be ready than sorry you didn't look ahead."  Two girls serve as the statisticians for the Hawks of Hiland.  And from the performance of one Flyers player last night, he must have created many impressions on the girls...on paper that is...as he really fired away.

We were wondering how that one Hiland player must feel sitting there on the bench.  Don't know his name, but with a squad of 12 men it is easy to figure how he must feel a bit out of place.  The Hiland Hawks have 11 lettermen.

THE TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS won the game ball for being Runner-up last night.  It was just what they needed.  The Hawks got the trophy, just what they wanted...

59 - TV Drops 2-Point Game To Hiland 55-53 (2-27-59)

Hail The Conquerors!!!  Senior 6-4 Ben Price (10) of the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans arrives a little late as the Hiland Hawks 6-5 Stan Gerber lays one up for the Hawks in their 55-53 victory last night.  Junior 5-9 Chuck Cantrill (11) of the Trojans is also seen.  The win gave the Flyers a District berth for next week's action at Dover.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times By Bob Fisher)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Midvale Blue Devils were the lone survivors of a field of 12 Tuscarawas County Class A schools today and will therefore be carrying the local banner and hopes tonight in the Sectional Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall.  The Tuscarawas Valley Trojans were eliminated from the schoolboy tournament last night by the Hiland Hawks, kings of Holmes County, on a shot with 3 seconds left in the game.  The 55-53 triumph by the Hawks of Berlin-Walnut Creek gave them a District berth.  The other Dover nod will be decided tonight when the Blue Devils (19-1) and the Killbuck Bucks (17-4) tangle at 8:00 at Dover.

TV rallied from a 4-point deficit in the fading minutes to knot the count at 53 all before the Flyers (20-2) registered the KO punch.  The score was deadlocked with 1:05 minutes remaining when the Hiland Hawks started to work the clock for that last shot.  Twice during the fading minutes the Spartans tied up the Hawks performers for a jump ball.  But on both occasions the Flyers won the jump.  Then, with only 3 seconds remaining, 6-0 Gene Gerber jumped up, just off the side of the key, about 15 feet out and threw it cleanly through the hoop.  It never touched the rim.  The Red, Black and White then took it out of bounds, but after a long down-court pass was partially deflected by a Hiland Hawk player the buzzer sounded and the fans swarmed onto the floor.

Thus, The Tusky Valley Trojans bowed out after registering the school's most illustrious record, winning 19 of 22 games and finishing 2nd in both the County League and Tournament to the Diablos of Midvale.  Throughout the contest the jumpin'-shootin' Hawks re-emphasized their potential for District Honors.  The Trojans, hurt by the short-term service of its 6-3 Senior forward Ben Price, trailed the Flyers most of the 2nd half.

Late in the final canto TV of 2nd-Year Head Coach Bob Heller made their bid.  Behind 43-39 with 6:25 minutes remaining, they tied it up by the time the 3:50 mark read on the clock on 2 field goals by Cantrill and a basket by Price.  Gene Gerber hit twice from the free throw line.  Price took advantage of Sophomore 5-5 Ron Lake's steal of the roundball and the score was knotted again at 47 all.

Playmaker 6-5 Stan Gerber who took game laurels with 20 points, then hit from outside for the Hiland Hawks, while the 5-7 guard also tallied twice from the free throw stripe to move the Hawks in front 51-47 at the 2:20 mark.  Price tipped one in for the Spartans, while 5-10 Stan Yoder matched this soon after with another pair of charity tosses.  Trailing 53-49 at the 1:35 mark, the Red, Black and White rallied back with 6-1 Senior Roy Buchanan hitting 2 free ones followed by a drive-in by Lake as the 2 went back into a deadlock at 1:05.  Then, after stalling and winning 2 jumps, the Flyers took the marbles on Gene Gerber's 15-footer.

Cantrill led the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans with 15 points, while Lake chimed in with 14 markers.  Price, missing half of the 2nd quarter and all of the 3rd stanza, tallied only 8 points in his final contest.  The Senior, voted Most Valuable Player in the County League this year, ended his career with 438 points, while Buchanan finished with 289.

HILAND HAWKS - 55

Gene Gerber 4-5-13
Bob Miller 0-0-0
Stan Gerber 3-0-6
Stan Yoder 8-4-20
Dale Warthman 7-2-16

TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS - 53

Ben Price 4-0-8
Roy Buchanan 2-5-9
Chuck Cantrill 7-1-15
Jim Studer 2-1-5
Ron Lake 4-6-14
Chuck Locker 1-0-2
Jerry Pullins 0-0-0

HILAND  13-27-41-55
TV            15-25-34-53


Saturday, February 28, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Midvale And TV Carry County Class A Banners

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Hiland Hawks of Holmes County will have no less than 11...we counted 'em...lettermen to throw against the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans tonight in the upper-bracket finals of the Sectional Class A Tournament at Dover's Memorial Hall.  With the consolidation of Berlin and Walnut Creek last year, the Hiland Hawks perhaps is the only team in the State to sport as many returning lettermen for a basketball team.

Following tonight's contest, which will decide one of the 4 teams that will do battle in next week's District Tournament, also slated for Dover, the Midvale Blue Devils (19-1) and Killbuck Bucks (17-4) will meet on Saturday.  This game, too, will determine one of the District finalists.  Both games are booked for 8:00.  The drawings for the District, which will include these 2 ultimate victors and 2 teams from the Brilliant Tournament, will probably be held on Sunday.  Teams still in contention at Brilliant include:  the Brilliant Blue Devils (14-8), Centerville Elks (16-5), Conotton Valley Rockets (15-6) and the Dillonvale Night Riders (15-6).

With all of this apparent experience and reserve strength, the Hawks will be truly an acid test for the Trojans this evening.  Four of the starters are averaging in double figures.  TV features 2 men in double figures with 6-3 Senior Ben Price leading their hope.  This year's Most Valuable Player has hit 410 points in 21 games.  Senior 6-1 Roy Buchanan had 265 markers.  During the season, tonight's opponents have met only 4 common foes.  Hiland defeated the Baltic Eagles 73-59, while the Tusky Valley Trojans were victorious 73-53; the Garaway Pirates lost to both clubs, being decisioned by Hiland 48-40 and 69-27, while losing to the Trojans 55-52 and 45-42; the Strasburg Tigers lost to the Hawks 57-55, while being defeated by TV 47-32 and 57-47 and the Hawks dropped the Port Washington Purple Riders 75-35, while Tusky Valley won over the same foe 71-46.

The 2 Holmes County teams, their season records and personnel statistics follows:

HILAND HAWKS (19-2) vs TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS (19-2)

HILAND SCORES

Coshocton Sacred Heart 84-30

Baltic Eagles 73-59

Garaway Pirates 48-40

Glenmont Indians 64-57

Northwestern Huskies 59-63L

Killbuck Bucks 64-57
Millersburg Spartans 90-44
Nashville 60-45
Big Prairie Bulldogs 96-67
Nashville 86-52
Strasburg Tigers 57-55
Smithville Smithies 73-45
Millersburg Spartans 83-36
Glenmont Indians 74-37
Garaway Pirates 69-27
Killbuck Bucks 72-66
Port Washington Purple Riders 75-35

Waynedale (AA) 55-64L
Big Prairie Bulldogs 76-43

COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Glenmont Indians 62-37
Killbuck Bucks 58-43

1478 Offensive Points (70.3 Percent)
983 Defensive Points (46.8 Percent)

PROBABLE STARTERS

6-5 Stan Gerber 279
5-10 Dale Wurthmann 225
5-10 Stan Yoder 304
6-0 Glenn Miller 102
6-0 Gene Gerber 241

OTHERS

6-2 Bob Weaver 82
5-10 Linus Miller 82
6-1 Bob Miller 73

KILLBUCK BUCKS (17-4) vs MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS (19-1)

KILLBUCK SCORES

Big Prairie Bulldogs 81-60
Dover St. Joseph Ramblers 63-29
Nashville 67-50
Millersburg Spartans 59-41
Hiland Hawks 38-64L
Union 85-47
Cester, West Virginia 61-53
Newell, West Virginia 72-60
Glenmont Indians 73-37
New Lexington Blue Knights 58-54
Howard 55-43
Big Prairie Bulldogs 59-67L
Howard 82-43
Dover St. Joseph Ramblers 65-47
Hiland Hawks 66-72L
Millersburg Spartans 70-53
Glenmont Indians 80-64

COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Millersburg Spartans 72-66
Hiland Hawks 43-58L

1249 Offensive Points (59.4 Percent)
1008 Defensive Points (48.0 Percent)

PROBABLE STARTERS

6-0 Jerry Allison 340
6-0 Roger McDowall 180
6-2 Tom Taylor 310
5-8 Gary Croskey 5-8 100
5-8 Dave Christopher 105


Friday, February 27, 1959
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - TV Grabs 62-42 Win Over Dennison St. Mary's (2-24-59)

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The County League Champions and Runner-up Tuscarawas and Holmes Counties were paired today in the Sectional Tournament Class A finals booked for Friday and Saturday evenings at Dover's Memorial Hall.  The matching was completed last night as the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans eliminated the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves 62-42 and the Killbuck Bucks ousted the Malvern Green Hornets 87-55.

As a result, the Trojans (19-2) will clash with the Hiland Hawks (19-2) on Friday at 8:00, while the Bucks (17-4) tangles with the Midvale Blue Devils (19-1) on Saturday night at 8 bells.  The 2 winners will qualify for the District Tournament playoff, also booked at Dover, next week.  They will be joined by the 2 victors from the Brilliant Sectional Tournament.

The Spartans were runner-up to the Blue Devils in this county, while the Buckaroos were 2nd best, having lost 3 different times to the Hawks (Berlin-Walnut Creek), in Holmes County.

Head Coach Paul Drotovich's Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves (13-6) were behind only 37-32 with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd stanza before the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (6-1) (19-2) started to pull away from there on in.  It was the Trojans all the way! 

It was a real battle in the opening quarter.  The score was knotted at 2, 4 and 6 before TV took the lead on a follow-up by 5-10 Sophomore Jim Studer.  The Spartans increased the lead to 13-9 late in the period before the Blue Waves struck back on 2 free throws by 5-10 Senior Ken Beamer and 2 quick baskets by 5-9 Sophomore Sandy Bonvechio to nab a 15-13 first-quarter margin.  Senior 6-1 Roy Buchanan knotted the count for the Red, Black and White at the outset of the 2nd period and 6-4 Senior Ben Price of the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans and Beamer exchanged baskets for still another deadlock.   Buchanan broke the tie with a field goal and then Price banged in 3 straight shots as the Trojans surged to a 31-19 halftime lead.

St. Mary fought back once again in the 3rd quarter as they narrowed the deficit to 33-27, after Studer had connected for TV.  Sophomore 5-7 Mike Dorsey hit on a 3-point play for Dennison to trim the count to 33-30.  Studer and Dorsey exchanged baskets and then the Spartans went to town, leading 43-32 at the end of the 3rd stanza.  Price finished as the game's top scorer with 20 points and he received valuable support from Studer with 15.  Buchanan dropped in another 13 markers and 5-9 Junior Chuck Cantrill followed with 10.

Bonvechio paced the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves with 13 points and Beamer added 12.  The former appeared as one of the most polished performers around.  Although only a Sophomore on the court, Sandy would be a welcome addition to almost any team in the area.  Tusky Valley pitched 77 times and hit on 26 for 33.8 percent.  The Trojans meshed 10 of 18 at the free throw line.  The Blue Waves connected on 17 of 54 for 31.5 percent and 8 of 15 charity heaves.

TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS - 62

Ben Price 8-4-20

Roy Buchanan 7-1-15

Ron Lake 2-0-4

Jim Studer 5-3-13

Chuck Cantrill 4-2-10

DENNISON ST. MARY BLUE WAVES - 42

Sandy Bonvechio 6-1-13

Ken Beamer 5-2-12

Joe Franz 1-1-3

Paul Smolak 2-3-7

Scotty LeMonte 1-0-2

Mike Dorsey 2-1-5

TUSKY VALLEY  13-31-43-62

STAINT MARY     13-19-32-42

Wednesday, February 25, 1959

The Daily Times

New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Probable Sectional Tournament Team Starters In Opener

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The following are the team stats for the opening games of the Sectional Tournament:

DENNISON ST. MARY BLUE WAVES (13-5)

The Blue Waves will be relying on the "Big 3" which includes a trio that have accounted for almost 700 points this season.  Paul Smolak, a 6-3 Senior in his 3rd year of Varsity ball leads the attack for Head Coach Paul Drotovick, while outside strength comes in the form of Ken Beamer, a 5-10 Senior and Sandy Bonvechio, a 5-7 Sophomore.  Beamer, in his 4th season in Varsity action, leads the way with 223 points.

Bonvechio has tallied 221 markers this season, while Smolak has hit 215.  Rounding out the squad are:

6-3 Junior Joe Franz 67

5-11 Senior Scotty LeMonte 58

TUSCARAWAS VALLEY TROJANS (18-2)

The Trojans are led in its bid by the county's Most Valuable Player, 6-3 Senior Ben Price, who has hit 410 points.  Another All-County performer, 6-0 Senior Roy Buchanan who has 265 points, is the Spartans other top performer under the boards.  Rounding out the squad of probable starters for Head Coach Bob Heller, who was named "Coach of the Year" are:

5-9 Junior Clarence Cantrill 157

5-9 Junior Jerry Pullins 47

5-5 Sophomore Ron Lake 136

KILLBUCK BUCKS (16-4)

The Bucks have 2 big scorers.  Although relatively small, Killbuck possesses plenty of speed.  Senior center 6-2 Tom Taylor has a 15.5 average, while 5-11 Junior Jerry Allison, is the top point producer with a 17.0 average.  Other starters include:

6-0 Roger McDowall

5-8 Dave Christoper

5-8 Gary Croskey

The Bucks were Runner-up in Holmes County to the Hiland Hawks, lost to the kings of that area 3 times this season.

MALVERN GREEN HORNETS (4-14)

The Hornets have 3 men averaging in double figures in their hope to upset the Killbuck Bucks.  Tom Romano, a 6-0 Senior, leads the attack with a 15 point average followed by 6-0 Curlen Andrews with 216 points and 6-2 Rick Sarbach with 180 markers.  Other probable starters include:

5-10 Jim Gause

5-9 Bob Leggett

Tuesday, February 24, 1959

The Daily Times

New Philadelphia, Ohio