60 - 1st Winless Season Ever For the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (2-19-60)

The 1960 Baltic Eagles are considered to be among the top candidates in the top bracket.  They are FRONT:  Dave Berger - Dale Lautenslager - Ken Stein - Jack Miller - Larry Lautenslager - Gary Mast and Dick Gerber.  BACK:  Head Coach Jim Weinsz - John Rice - Ted Oswald - Chuck McPherson - Bob Ladrach - Gary Gerber (was injured, but back for the tournament) and Managers: Ed Heddington and Paul Schumackey.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times, New Philadelphia, Ohio)

The Stone Creek Golden Panthers are a young, non-veteran combine that carried the Golden Panther fans' hopes as they clashed with the winning Baltic Eagles 64-49 in the 1st game of the County Tournament at Dennison.  The Panthers picked up their 1st season without a single win 0-21.  None-The-Less they carried on the tradition of being a tournament Darkhorse as in most past years.  The Stone Creek Banner was carried by FRONT:  Ron West - Larry Lorenz - Larry Stephon - Merle Degen and Gale Sauser.  BACK:  Head Coach Ernie Lukens - Bernie West - Joe Kessler - Dale Felgenhauer - Dave Mizer - Chuck Doll and Manager John Flath.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times, New Philadephia, Ohio)



DENNISON - The Stone Creek Golden Panthers (0-1) (0-8) (0-21) stayed within striking distance of the Baltic Eagles (1-0) (4-4) (14-7) for almost a half, before they faltered behind the more experienced foes.  The loss left the Golden Panthers with a 21 losses for the campaign and the school's only winless season.

The Eagles touted forward 5-10 Senior Gary Gerber, who has been out of the Flyer lineup since January 19th with a leg injury, was very much back in the array last night as he tallied 16 points and stood out on the boards.  Eagle-eye 5-11 Senior John Rice was high man with 18 points and Junior Bob Ladrach chimed in with 12 in the victor's balanced scoring attack.  Junior Larry Lorenz led the Golden Panthers with 22 points, while Senior Merle Degen hit for 12 markers.

Gerber broke the ice with a charity toss with 7:34 minutes left in the 1st, to give the Baltic Eagles a led it never relinquished.  The Eagles led 21-10 after one period as both Rice and Gerber potted 3 field goals.  The Panthers rallied to pull within 8 at 33-24 late in the 2nd frame, but the smooth functioning Flyers who had 3 players in the lineup that were starters in 1959, were never in trouble as they led 46-35 at the end of the 3rd stop.

From the field, the Baltic Eagles potted 26 of 69 for 37 percent, marking by quarters, 9 of 21, 5 of 16, 6 of 17 and 6 of 15.  The Stone Creek Golden Panthers hit 18 of 55 action flings for 34 percent and by quarters 4 of 12, 3 of 13, 5 of 14 and 6 of 16.

BALTIC EAGLES

John Rice 8-2-18
Gary Gerber 7-2-16
Bob Ladrach 4-4-12
Dave Gerber 4-0-8
Dale Lautenschleger 1-2-4
Ted Oswald 1-0-2
Chuck McPherson 0-2-2
Gary Mast 1-0-2

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS

Larry Stephon 2-0-4
Gale Sauser 3-3-9
Larry Lorenz 7-8-22
Merle Degan 5-2-12
Cliff Endlich 0-0-0
Dave Mizer 1-0-2

BALTIC...............21-33-46-64
STONE CREEK  10-24-35-49


Saturday, February 20, 1960
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

60 - 38th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The doors spring open tonight at 5:30 at Dennison High School for the 38th Annual Tuscarawas County Class A Basketball Tournament with 3 games set to usher in 1960 tournament action for this area.  Following 2 more games on Saturday night, interest will then turn to the opening of the Non-County League Class A event next Tuesday at Dennison.

At Dennison, the Baltic Eagles (13-7) meets the Stone Creek Golden Panthers (0-20) at 6:30.  The Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (13-4) clashes with the Port Washington Purple Riders (9-11) at 7:45.  At 9:00 the Midvale Blue Devils (11-7) meets the Strasburg Tigers (7-11).

On Saturday night, 2 games at Dennison finds the Tuscarawas Broncos (10-8) meeting the Friday winner of the Baltic-Stone Creek clash in the 7:30 opener and the Garaway Pirates (17-1) will meet the Gnadenhutten Indians (11-9) at 8:45.

The Indians of Gnaden will be seeking revenge against the League Champions of Garaway on Saturday, having lost 71-51 and 57-46 decisions to the once beaten Corsairs of Garaway in season play.  The Broncos, which will not learn which team it will play until 7:45 tonight, holds decisions over both possible foes.  Tusky defeated the Eagles 72-52 in their lone League encounter, while blasting the Golden Panthers 72-47 and 94-58 this season.


Friday, February 19, 1960
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

LEAGUE STANDINGS FOR 1960

1.  Garaway Pirates (Jim Stull-5) 8-0 1.000
2.  Midvale Blue Devils (Pete Hilliard-6) 6-2 .750
3.  Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (Bob Heller-3) 6-2 .750
4.  Baltic Eagles (Jim Weinsz-1) 4-4 .500
5.  Strasburg Tigers (Warren Binder-1) 4-4 .500
6.  Tuscarawas Broncos (Kermit Smulbach-2) 4-4 .500
7.  Gnadenhutten Indians (Bob Gaume-2) 3-5 .375
8.  Port Washington Purple Riders (Richard E. King-1) 1-7 .125
9.  Stone Creek Golden Panthers (Ernie Lukens-2) 0-8 .000


SEASON STANDINGS FOR 1960

1.  Garaway Pirates 17-1 .944
2.  Tuscarawas Valley Trojans 13-4 .765
3.  Baltic Eagles 13-7 .650
4.  Midvale Blue Devils 11-7 .611
5.  Tuscarawas Broncos 10-8 .556
6.  Gnaden Indians 11-9 .550
7.  Port Washington Purple Riders 9-11 .450
8. Strasburg Tigers 7-11 .389
9. Stone Creek Golden Panthers 0-20 .000

60 - Inside Sporrts

Gary Caviness of the Tuscarawas Broncos on a day that he hit 42 points.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times, New Philadelphia)

Tuesday, February 9, 1960
Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

BASKETBALL-CRAZY Tuscarawas County is again up to their old tricks this season, especially as far as amending the record book is concerned.  This past weekend saw 3 marks fall as Gary Caviness snapped the Tuscarawas High School mark on 42 points.  Tom Davis accomplished the same feat for the Uhrichsville Tigers on 40 markers and the Tigers team set a new game mark of 100 points.  But, these are not the only marks that have fallen this season.

There are for instance, at least 3 county cagers who hit the elite 1,000 point class this season.  It took a little research and digging, but our records show Caviness, Ron Breniser of the Midvale Blue Devils and Charles Stingel of the Garaway Pirates have all made it.  Including tournament scoring, Caviness appears to be the current leader with 1,325 points, while Stingel has 1,105 points.  Breniser rounds out the trio with 1,028 points.  There have not been many in history to join these ranks, but accurate statistics on the 1,000-Club are incomplete.

THE MOST PROLIFIC SCORER in history was Ron Deibel of the Stone Creek Golden Panthers who hit 1,874 points in 4 seasons, while the 2nd and 3rd highest scorers also came from the Golden Panthers.  Bill Jones, who was graduated in 1956, totaled 1,792 and Jim Lorenz, of the 1955 class, totaled 1,539 points.  Deibel was graduated in 1957.  From here on records are incomplete.  Nick Mourouris of Uhrichsville (1955), we believe was the top Class AA scorer of all-time with 1,364 points; although, New Philadelphia's Dave Leggett (1951) is believed to have also hit the 1,000 circle.  Leggett does hold the County AA Record for one year, totaling 536 in regular season and ending up with 642, counting tournament play when a Senior.  Both of these marks are also believed to be the county records for either class.

Caviness, a 6-0 Tusky Senior, moved into this season's county scoring lead on his 42-point outburst against Stone Creek last Saturday, edging by the season-leader Koran Zehnder of Garaway.  Caviness has a 22.6 average now on 362 points, while Zehnder has 351 for a 21.9 average.  The 5-11 Garaway Senior is followed closely by Midvale's 5-11 Senior Breniser who is averaging 20.9 with 356 points.  Sandy Bonvechio of the Dennison St. Mary Blue Waves, a 5-10 Junior, is still 4th with a 20.4 average on 245 points.

In the Class AA chase, Tom Davis is still on top, going into tonight's game with the Quakers, averaging 18.6 on 262 points, while Dover's 5-10 Senior Jim Antonelli is still 2nd with 219 points and a 16.6 average.  Jerry Smith, New Philadelphia's 6-3 Sophomore, has worked his way to 3rd with a 15.1 average on 182 points and George Newton of Unrichsville and Jerry Fisher of New Philadelphia are next with 212 and 14.1 and 168 for 14.0 respectively.

BUT GETING BACK to the record performances, we find that only one season individual mark is assured of falling this season.  Zehnder, with 351 points this season, is assured of a new school mark for Garaway, regardless of what he does from this point forward.  Stingel, with only 221 this season, appears out of the race.  He hit 308 in season and added 25 in tournament play last year for the standing record.  Stingel's appearance in the 1,000 group, came with 234 points as a Freshmen, 317 as a Sophomore, 333 last year and 221 for this season thus far.  Caviness, who made the circle with his Saturday's performance, hit 229 points as a Freshman, 336 points as a Sophomore, 407 last year and 362 this season.

Breniser scored 198 points as a Sophomore, added 474 last season and has 356 thus far this campaign for his 1,028 total.  The only other county lad who may be in contention would be John Rice of the Baltic Eagles who currently has 795 points, excluding any points he may have scored as a Sophomore.  Zehnder has 849 points for 3 seasons, but it has been reported he did not play Varsity ball his Freshman year.

Here are the only performers we have in the 1,000 club, giving their names, team, year of graduation, and totals.

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.  Nick Mour'zis - Uhrichsville Tigers (1955) 1,364
5.  John Studer - Strasburg Tigers (1934) 1,061
6.  O'Hara - Dennison Railroaders (1954) 1,052
7.  Frank Baumholtz - Midvale Blue Devils (1937) 997* (*Stats missing 1 game)

60 - The 1960 Bracket and Baltic Eagles Player Out For The Season

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The 1960 Tuscarawas Annual BasketballTournament Class A Bracket is now available.

PHOTO...The Daily Times, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

On the bench and relegated to bookkeeping duties is Gary Gerber of the Baltic Eagles (above).  Gerber is the 2nd leading scorer and a member of the "All-County Team" last season.  He has a broken bone in his right leg and will be forced to forego the remainder of the schedule.  (Wednesday, January 27, 1960)

Saturday, February 6, 1980
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

60 - Inside Sports

Tuesday, January 28, 1960
Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

IT SUDDENLY "REGISTERED" THE OTHER DAY HOW RIDICULOUS the tournament setup is this year for the Class A schools.  It was finally resolved, after many years of debate over Dover's Memorial Hall that the county tournament should be moved to a larger plant.  In addition to the inadequate seating situation (about 1,100 seats) most of the county coaches also felt the smallness of the Dover floor (43x67 was a detriment to the teams, because, as they advanced, the playing areas become larger.  Thus, calling for a different brand of ball.

In this argument, several area fans have pointed out that the 1953 Strasburg Tigers, 1954 Tuscarawas Broncos and the 1959 Midvale Blue Devils, who all lost in the Regionals, might have gone further had they been afforded an opportunity to play more games on larger floors.  To this...and we saw each of these schools lose the games...we might add all 3 were great teams and among the best in recent history and, we thought the size of the floors was significant.  So finally the coaches talked their school executives into moving the joust out of Dover Memorial Hall...primarily because of the floor size factor and seating.

QUITE NATURALLY, the 1st choice was New Philadelphia's new gymnasium which seats 2,200 fans and has a 50x90 playing floor that is considered one of the finest high school gymnasiums in Ohio.  But, then came the disappointing news that the 2 parties involved could not arrive at a satisfactory rental fee.  New Philadelphia asked $175 per night, while the Dennison gym (45x76) which seats about 1,600 fans, was chosen by the county school heads over the Quaker Gym because of the financial angle for $75.  Thus, on February 19th the 9 county-school system will open play in the Dennison Gymnasium.  Following the finals on February 27, the winner and runner-up will then move on to the Sectional event.  And, where is this to be played?  Where else but at Dover's Memorial Hall...the place that county school coaches had already agreed was too small for playing or for the fans.

So, we are right back where we started, in a gym that not only was voted out by the county schools, but is very much disliked by the others who are involved from Holmes and Carroll counties, as well as the non-county system schools.

THE CLASS A SECTIONAL could also have been held at Dennison.  It would have meant a tight schedule there, inasmuch as the Class AA Sectional was also being held the same week, but it could have been done.  Of course, the real solution would have been to hold it at New Philly.  It's too late to do anything about the situation this year.  But, it is certainly not too late to see what can be worked out for 1961.  The location facilities and seating arrangements at Quaker Gym are 2nd to none in the State of Ohio.  So, why not hold the always exciting tournaments in the best place available.  Money should not be the only consideration in choosing the site.  The fans are deserving of more than that.

THE DISTRICT TOURNAMENT, by the way is set for Brilliant in the Class A ranks and at Martins Ferry for the AA schools.

CLASS A

NON-COUNTY:

At Dennison, February 23 and 25. (Dennison, Dennison St. Mary's and Dover St. Joseph's)

COUNTY:

Tuscarawas County:  At Dennison, February 19,20,26 and 27.  (Garaway, Gnadenhutten, Baltic, Strasburg, Port Washington, Tuscarawas, Midvale, Tuscarawas Valley and Stone Creek)

Harrison County:  At Conotton Valley (Leesville), February 23,25 and 27.  (Scio, Jewett, Conotton, Freeport, Hopedale and Franklin)

SECTIONAL

At Dover - March 1,4, and 5.  (Champion and Runner-Up of Tuscarawas; Carroll County Champion; Champion and Runner-Up of Holmes County Tournament; and Non-County School Tournament Champion)

At Brilliant - March 2,4 and 5. (Belmont County Campion; Harrison County Champion and Runner-Up; Jefferson County Champion and Runner-Up and winner of Mingo Junction-Tiltonsville playoff.

DISTRICT

At Brilliant - March 8 and 11 (co-winners of Dover and Brilliant Sectionals.

REGIONAL

At Canton - Lima, Athens and Troy, March 17 and 19.  (Brilliant winner to Canton joust along with winner of Muskingum College event)

STATE

At Columbus, St. John's Area.  March 25 and 26 (Four Regional Winners)

NOTE:  Ben Price at Denison University

Ben Price, Freshman at Denison University, is a member of the school's Varsity Squad this season.  Price, a graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School and winner of The Daily Times "Most Valuable Player Award" last year is looked at as one of Denison's most promising rookies by his Head Coach Dick Scott, a native of Scio and former Gnadenhutten coach.  The 6-4 youngster is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Price of Mineral City.

60 - A Pre-Season Look At The Tuscarawas Valley Trojans

NEW PHILADELPHIA - The Tuscarawas Valley Trojans have never had a losing basketball season.  Few schools can make that statement.  Now in its 4th year of existence, the Trojans are again off to what appears to be another fine cage campaign.  Going into tonight's engagement with the touted Garaway Pirates the Spartans had chalked up 4 straight wins.

A result of the Bolivar-Mineral City consolidation the up-county plant is perhaps the fastest growing school in the County Class A ranks.  In fact, it is only a few students short of being AA.

Head Coach Bob Heller, named "Coach of the Year" last season, floored his 3rd team this year, taking with him a fine overall 30-9 record in the 2 previous seasons including the school's best mark of 19-3 just last year.  In regular season the Trojans polished off 16 of 17 opponents, losing only to the County Champion Midvale Blue Devils.

Although losing the team's 2 top scorers of last season in Ben Price (438 points) and Ray Buchanan (291 points), Heller again appears to have come up with a respectable attack this season with 4 lettermen back to form the nucleus.  Returnees include:

5-6 Sophomore Ron Lake (154 points) (4th high on the squad)
5-9 Junior Clarence Cantrill (182 points)
5-10 Junior Jim Studer (Despite his lack of height is one of the better rebounders)
5-10 Jerry Pullins (Known best at football, but also a scrappy under-the-boards performer)

From this point on, Reserve talent of last season carries the burden with leading candidates for Varsity service including:

5-10 Al Cerett
5-10 Dale Duerr
5-9 Bill Huth
5-10 Paul Davidson
6-1 Ed Lunderberger
5-9 Rod Cropper
5-11 Rodney Cropper
5-11 Mike Widder
6-1 Bruce Ickes

While Tusky Valley does not have much height to spark its bid for county laurels, it does have a couple of sharpshooters and several scrappy performers who have been known to out-fight the taller foes.  Thus, the Hellermen of Tuscarawas Valley are considered by most observers as a definite threat this season in the fight for County League and Tournament Honors.  In other words...TV IS SMALL, BUT SCRAPPY!


Friday, December 18, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

60 - A Pre-Season Look At The Port Washington Purple Riders

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Two straight victories do not make a season, but to the Port Washington Purple Riders it did mark the best start of a campaign in 5 long years.  With their entire squad of last season back in uniform, the Senior-less Purple Riders of 1958-59 are looking for bigger and better things.

Only 4 times in the past 2 years has Port finished on top in 39 games, including only one win the season before last.  New First-Year Head Coach Richard E. King definitely feels his team will show an improvement over last year's 3-17 mark, but has not ventured as to how far they will go; although, he has said he thinks the team spirit and fan enthusiasm is at a good pitch.

One of this year's key men is pint-sized Bill Phillips, who although he has grown 2 inches since last season, stands only 5-6.  A Junior this season, Phillips led the team last year with 393 points and ranked among the top scorers in the county.  Other returning veterans include last year's Co-Captain John Landon, who was 2nd high with 210 points, 6-3 Larry Hagan has added a few pounds and is expected to be the starting center and give them some rebound power and 5-11 Jim Bender who got 125 points last year.

Others seeking Varsity berths this season are:

6-1 Bill Fisher
6-0 Tony Nigro
5-10 Gary Gay
5-10 Curt Johns
5-10 Dan Kinsey

Underclassmen working for the Purple Riders include:

5-10 Larry Laisure
5-10 Alvin Fillman
5-10 Tom Loader

In 7 games this season, Coach King has experimented with different combinations, seeking the best quintet.  Last Tuesday he appeared to have found it as the Riders came from nowhere to send the Tuscarawas Broncos to its 1st defeat of the season 55-50 for Port Washington's 4th win...already bettering last season's victories.


Thursday, December 17, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio