45 - Port Slams Mineral City Minus Scoring Ace Linard 63-33 (2-15-45)

DOVER - Two more teams joined the Strasburg Tigers in the semi-final round of the county's 23rd Annual Class B Basketball Tournament at Memorial Hall last night and the 1st of the eliminated teams packed up for the season.

The Baltic Eagles and Gnadenhutten Indians gained the favored round and the Mineral City Tigers were taken out of the competition.  Baltic won its way into the upper bracket semi-final with a 42-17 victgory over the Stone Creek Golden Panthers and Gnaden earned a similar place in the lower bracket by nosing out the Midvale Blue Devils 56-50 in the best exhibition the tournament has shown.  Mineral City, in the Consolation Division, was defeated 63-33 by a Port Washington Purple Riders team playing without its ace, Senior forward Elmer Linard, benched by a leg injury suffered Tuesday night.

Last night's program drew a paid crowd of 750 as compared with 887 drawn to the 2nd night of competition a year ago, according to Tournament Manager W.E. Laws.

The Consolation Division game between the Port Washington Purple Riders (1-1) (9-9) (8-29) and the Mineral City Tigers (0-2) (1-17) (9-32) provided the program with the evening's high individual scorer, Junior guard Sonny (Lorin) Johns of Port Washington who looped 10 field goals through the baskets for 20 points, thus taking over the assignment usually handed by 1st-Year Head Coach L.A. Arrington to Port's Linard.  The latter, injured in a collision in the Purple Riders' 1st game on Tuesday night, was not in uniform.  His leg is injured above the knee, but he is expected to be ready to go next week when the Riders return to action.

Port Washington rode to a 13-7 advantage in the 1st quarter.  Mineral City matched the Purple Riders in the 2nd quarter as they both scored 11 points and Port held on to their 7 point lead 24-17.  After intermission, Port galluped to a 25 point led and the Tigers were held to just 3 points by the end of the 3rd stanza...Port 42-20.  In the last and final quarter, the Purple Riders rode down on the Tigers with another 23 point scoring spree to lock up the victory.

Junior center Bob Roenbaugh and Senior Dave Goettge followed up John's 20 points with 15 and 13 points, respectively for Port Washington.  Forward Junior Kreiger of Mineral City led his team with 10 points, while teammate guard McCreery popped in another 8 points.

The defeat eliminated the Tigers, making them the 1st team to drop out of the competition.  Winner and runner-up of the tournament and winner of the Consolation Division will qualify for the Sectional.

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 63

Dave Goettge F 5-3-13
Sonny Johns F 10-0-20
Bob Roenbaugh C 6-3-15
Charles Gallion G 1-2-4
Harold Huston G 0-1-1
Paul Lemneck F 3-2-8
Bob Kail F 0-0-0
Cliff Jones G 0-0-0
Ken Stocker F 1-0-2

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 33

Junior Kreiger F 4-2-10
Gintz F 0-1-1
Gil Fiddler C 3-0-6
Wigfield G 0-4-4
McCreery G 3-2-8
D. Waltshire F 1-1-3


Friday, February 16, 1945
Clyde Shaffer, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

SATURDAY 2-17-45

Dundee vs Bolivar 7PM (C)
Stone Creek vs Midvale 8PM (C)
Tusky vs Sugasrcreek-Shanesville 9PM

45 - Gnaden Out-Distances Midvale 56-50 (2-15-45)

Gnadenhutten Indians 1945 Basketball Team.  FIRST ROW:  Junior Gearing - Bud Goettge - Ray Huebner - Bill Martin - Bill Roche - Dean Kopp and Gene Mishler.  SECOND ROW:  Bob Hearing - 1st-Year Head Coach Jim Stubbins - Harold Gram - Glenn Mowl - Bill Lawver - Lloyd Kail - Junior Kennedy and Bill Drumm.  THIRD ROW:  Clem Wolfe and Harold Wilbarger (Managers).  ABSENT:  Walter Gutensohn.


DOVER - The tournament may offer its customers plenty of good games before it winds up a week from tomorrow night with 3 teams qualified for Sectional play, but it's very doubtful if it will show the speed, scoring punch, finessey and dog-eat-dog scrap given off by Midvale and Gnaden in their battle last night.  The rivals scored 34 points between them in the 1st quarter and 30 more in the 3rd period with Midvale fighting uphill all the way to cut a 15-point lead to 3 before losing out to the Indians of Coach Jim Stubbins

Led by Seniors forward Bill Martin and center Ray Huebner, the Gnadenhutten Indians (1-0) (13-5) (34-25) got away to a 21-13 lead in the lightning-like 1st quarter and the margin proved an advantage that the Midvale Blue Devils (1-1) (11-9) (38-19) of 2nd-Year Head Coach Travis White could not overcome, despite the fact that they wound up and threw their Sunday punch at the Indians in a magnificent stretch drive.  Midvale outscored Gnadenhutten 9 to 8 in the 2nd period and then after the intermission both teams started again with Gnaden gaining a 19 to 11 edge to lead Midvale 48-33 as the final period opened.  Every member of the Blue Devils squad kicked in with points in the drive as Midvale rallied to cut down their rivals and they rolled up 16 points to Gnaden's 8, but it was too late.

From the 15-point deficit at the start of the period, the Devils cut the score to 49-35 and then 37,38,40 and 42 before Gnaden scored again with a free throw.  And then it was 50-44, 50-46 and Gnaden got another free throw to lead 51-46 at the automatic time out with 4 minutes left.  Another basket for Midvale cut it to the 3 points, but then Gnaden pulled away with 2 more free throws and the Indians' only field goal of the period and led 54-50 as the clock neared the end and cut off Midvale's hopes.

Martin and Huebner cameup with 17 points apiece to share individual honors, while Seniors forward Sam Booth and center Gene Hawkins led the Midvale attack with 15 and 13.

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 56

Bill Martin F 7-3-17
Bill Roche F 3-3-9
Ray Huebner C 6-5-17
Bud Goettge G 3-0-6
Junior (Orrin) Hearing G 1-0-2
Dean Kopp G 2-1-5

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 50

Sam Booth F 5-3-15
Dave Stevenson F 3-3-9
Gene Hawkins C 5-3-13
Roland Platz G 3-0-6
Joe Carlisle G 3-1-7
Jim Morgan G 0-0-0


Friday, February 16, 1945
Clyde Shaffer, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

45 - Baltic Drops Stone Creek 42-17 (2-15-45)

DOVER - An exceptionally slow start to the 1st quarter, with both teams bent on defensive play, marked the Baltic Eagles (1-0) (9-5) (21-30)-Stone Creek Golden Panthers (0-1) (1-14) (11-23) contest and then the Eagles of 3rd-Year Head Coach John McCormick began to pull away without further trouble downing the Golden Panthers 42-17.

Baltic led 4-2 at the opening period and was the closest Stone Creek would ever come to victory in this game.  The Eagle defense held the Panthers to put 5 points in the 2nd quarter...Baltic 17-7.  Moving to the 3rd stanza, Stone Creek doubled their point total, but so did the Eagles and Baltic now held a 19-point advantage 33-14.  The Eagles defense again clicked to hold the Golden Panthers to 3 points wrapping up the game in the 4th quarter.

Senior center Max Regula led the scoring with 14 points (5 field goals and 4 free throws) in claiming game honors and teammate Senior guard Gene Schlarb dropped in another 11 points for Baltic.  Stone Creek's center, Duane Arbogast, led his team with 7 points, while guard Gray hit 6 points.

BALTIC EAGLES - 42

Dennis Schlarb F 1-2-4
Paul Brown F 2-1-5
Max Regula C 5-4-14
Gene Schlarb G 4-3-11
Doren Pepper G 1-2-4
Adrian Ott F 0-2-2
Ed McQueen F 0-2-2
Dean Gerber G 0-0-0
Marvin Dietz G 0-0-0
Jack Zinkon G 0-0-0

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 17

Dick Reinhart F 0-2-2
Lorenz F 0-0-0
Duane Arbogast C 3-1-7
Gray G 2-2-6
Reifenschneider G 0-1-1
Gasser F 0-1-1
Don Arbogast G 0-0-0
R. Ridenour G 0-0-0


Friday, February 16, 1945
Clyde Shaffer, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

45 - Strasburg Rolls Over Bolivar 56-29 (2-13-45)

DOVER - The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates, Strasburg Tigers, Midvale Blue Devils and the Tuscarawas Broncos advances a notch in the brackets as the county's 23rd Annual Class B Basketball Tournament got under way before a crowd of nearly 1,500 at Memorial Hall last night.

The scores were:

Midvale 59 - Mineral City 25
Tusky 70 - Port 37
Sugarcreek-Shanesville 57 - Dundee 33
Strasburg 56 - Bolivar 29

The tournament got solidly through the 1st session with the only upset being the unprecedented beating handed the highly regarded Port Washington Purple Riders by 2nd-Year Head Coach Jim Rogers' Tuscarawas Broncos who were sharp as tacks.  Play resumes tomorrow night when the remaining 3 teams in the curcuit...Baltic Eagles - Stone Creek Golden Panthers - Gnadenhutten Indians...swing into action and the drive through the Consolation Division brackets is started by last night's losers.  Tomorrow night's program opens at 7PM with Baltic playing Stone Creek.

The Tigers made it 4 rather easy victories last night when the Strasburg Tigers (1-0) (18-2) (59-17) toppled the Bolivar Cardinals (0-1) (6-15) (34-27) 56-29.  Strasburg's Senior center Jack Rieger tallied 21 points as he paced 2nd-Year Head Coach Emmet Riley's Tigers to their victory over a some-what stubborn and hard-fighting Bolivar contingent.

Although consistently out-scored after they played their heartsoutin the 1st quarter, the Red Birds never gaveup and gave the Tigers a realcontest, especially under the bankboards where they were handicapped by size to compete with the Bengal's Reiger and Freshman guard Junior Yackey.  Reiger for his 21 markers had 9 field goals and 3 free throws.

Behind his pace the Tigers managed to gain a 13-11 edge in the 1st quarter and then swung well into the lead by holding an advantage of 13 points...27-14 by intermission.  Strasburg grabbed 16 points during the 3rd stanza, while the Cardinals hit 8 continuing their margin...43-22.

Senior forwards Gene Bayer and Don Neidenthal followed up Rieger with 12 points each cementing the victory.  Bolivar guards Don Baad and Junior Lundenberger both dropped in 9 points to lead their teammates.

STRASBURG TIGERS - 56

Gene Bayer 4-4-12
Don Neidenthal F 4-4-12
Jack Rieger C 9-3-21
Junior Yackey G 3-3-9
Bob Haas G 0-0-0
John Garver G 0-0-0

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 29

Haut F 2-2-6
Russell F 1-1-3
Chuck Renner C 2-0-4
Don Baad G 4-1-9
Junior Lundenberger 4-1-9
Penden F 0-1-1
Murray F 0-1-1
Mase G 0-1-1

Wednesday, February 14, 1945
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

THURSDAY, 2-15-45

Baltic vs Stone Creek 7PM
Gnaden vs Midvale 8PM
Mineral City vs Port 9PM (C)

45 - Sugarcreek-Shanesville Blows-Out Dundee 59-33 (2-13-45)

DOVER - In the 3rd game of the tournament, the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-0) (18-3) (39-24) led the entire game at quarter ends for a 57-33 victory over the Dundee Bulldogs (0-1) (3-10) (17-31).  Twelth-Year Head Coach Earl Sundheimer's Pirates couldn't wait to get on the court floor fast enough to display their basketball skills where downing the Bulldogs.  First-Year Head Coach J. H. Proper's Dundee cagers were game, but could match the sharpshooting Pirates.

Sugarcreek-Shanesville jumped to a 12 point lead in the 1st quarter ending at 18-6.  The Pirates maintained their lead in the 2nd quarter with an exact copy of the 1st period with another 18 points, while the Dogs picked up the pace hitting 11 points but still trailing 36-17.  The Creekers never let up in the 3rd quarter improving to 12 points and the Bulldogs still trailing 48-24 after picking up another 7 points.  Both teams picked up 9 points in the final and last stanza.

Forward Doyle Scfhumaker wrapped up game honors with 16 points (7 field goals and 2 free throws), center Ernie Raber hit the hoops for 13 points and Senior forward Bill Neff followed that with another 12 points for Sugarcreek-Shanesville.  Forward Rich Kline was high for Dundee with 12 points (4 field goals and 4 free throws.

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 57

Doyle Schumaker F 7-2-16
Bill Neff F 6-0-12
Ernie Raber C 5-3-13
Ken Miller G 2-0-4
Bob Lanzer G 3-1-7
K.C. F 1-0-2
V.G. F 0-0-0

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 33

Rich Kline F 4-4-12
Philabaum F 0-3-3
Smith C 3-1-7
Fankhouser G 1-1-3
Bud Waters G 3-0-6
Kate F 1-0-2
Gerber F 0-0-0


Wednesday, February 14, 1945
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

45 - Tusky Unloads On Port 70-37 (2-13-15)

DOVER - The Tuscarawas Broncos (1-0) (13-4) (22-26) were strictly the class of last night's show as the Broncos poured it on the Port Washington Purple Riders (0-1) (8-9) (7-29) 70-37 from the opening whistle the game wasnever in doubt.  Led by Senior forward Rich (Dick) Bonvechio and Junior center John Vesco, the Tusky cagers jumped to a 16-6 lead andopened it up to 34-12 in the 2nd quarter.  They then led 57-23 at the 3rd-stanza as they continued to cruise.

Port Washington's Elmer (Clarence) Linard, the high scoring Purple Riders forward, barely got started and in the 2nd quarter suffered a knee injury which put himonthe bench until late in the 4th quarter when he returned to the game, still favoring his knee.  He cameout with only 10 points, about half of what he has been averaging in League games.

Meanwhile, Bonvechio took up the scoring torch and boosted 9 field goals and 2 free throws throughthe hoops for 20 points.  Vesco was right behind him with 18.  Junior Sonny (Lorin) Johns lead the Purple Riders with 11 points, followed by Linard with 10 and Junior center Bob Roenbaugh with 9 points.

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 70

Rich Bonvechio F 9-2-20
Chuck Lorenz F 7-4-18
John Vesco C 5-2-12
Bob Schmaker G 1-2-4
Fred Walton G 1-2-4
Ellsworth Fox 4-1-9
Dick Donahue F 0-2-2
John Kopp C 0-1-1
Jay Hearing C 0-0-0
Bob French G 0-1-1

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 37

Dave Goettge F 2-3-7
Elmer Linard F 4-2-10
Bob Roenbaugh C 3-5-9
Sonny Johns G 4-3-11
Charles Gallion G 0-0-0
Harold Huston G 0-0-0
Paul Lemneck F 0-0-0


Wednesday, February 14, 1945
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

45 - Midvale Rips Mineral City 59-25 (2-13-45)

DOVER - The Midvale Blue Devils (1-0) (11-8) (38-18) ripped the Mineral City Tigers (0-1) (1-16) (9-31) 59-25 in the 1st game of the 23rd Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament last night.  The Blue Devils  The reserves hit the court early in the 2nd quarter and 9 of 10 players showed up in the scoring column when the clock ran its course.

Second-Year Head Coach Travis White's Midvale cagers leaped to a 20-4 lead in the very 1st quarter.  In the 2nd period the Blue Devils began inserting the 2nd string and Midvale scored but 4 points, while Mineral City made an attempt to get back in the game by hitting 12 points in the same quarter...Midvale 24-16.  After the half the regular Blue Devils returned dropping in 25 points and shutting down the Tigers offense who managed another 5 points...Midvale 49-21.  Coach White emptied the bench scoring 10 points, while Mineral City never really got started again.

Junior forward Dave Stevenson lead Midvale with 15 points, while his teammates Seniors forward Sam Booth and center Gene Hawkins picked up 13 and 12 points, respectively.  Center Gil Fiddler scored 12 points and forward Junior Kreiger followed up with 11 points for Mineral City.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 59

Sam Booth F 6-1-13
Dave Stevenson F 7-1-15
Gene Hawkins C 6-0-12
Roland Platz G 2-0-4
Gil Bartles C 2-0-4
Joe Carlisle G 1-0-2
Max Shaar G 1-3-5
Karl Baumholtz G 1-0-2
Jim Morgan C 0-0-0
Jim De Mattio G 1-0-2

MINERAL CITY TIGERS - 25

Gritz F 0-0-0
Junior Kreiger F 5-1-11
Gil Fiddler C 5-2-12
McCreery G 0-1-1
D. Waltshire F 0-0-0
Wigfield G 0-0-0
Demore F 0-1-1


Wednesday, February 14, 1945
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio