52 - Midvale Overcomes Bolivar 59-50 (2-16-52)

Junior center Dick Tolloti of the Midvale Blue Devils scored 20 points in the Blue Devil victory over stiff opposition from the Bolivar Cardinals 59-50.  Tolloti now has a total of 453 points for the season and 54 points during the tournament for an 18.0 point-per-game average in the tourney.


DOVER - With Senior center Cal Geckler turning in a brilliant job in controlling the boards at both ends of the floor and sparking the Bolivar Cardinals (1-2) (9-13) (47-41) whose valiant bid in netting 17 points, the Cardinals completely outclassed Head Coach Chuck Stocker's Midvale Blue Devils (2-1) (20-3) (54-26) until Junior guard Del Haut was forced to the bench in the 2nd frame after he had collected his 3rd personal foul.

Leading throughout the 1st half and until the Diablos' scoring ace, Junior center Dick Tolloti, broke a 33-33 deadlock on a free throw toss early in the 3rd stanza.  The Red Birds began to fade.  Del Haut's absence in that 3rd period made it a big chore for Bolivar to break through Midvale's pressing defense.  Del Haut reentered the fray late in the frame, but the Blue Devils had already raced to a 42-37 margin, a lead which the Diablos maintained the rest of the route.

With Geckler setting the pace, Bolivar led 12-11 at the 1st quarter's close and increased the gap to 5 points, 30-25, by intermission.  At one point in the 2nd frame the Cardinals led 29-21.  Tolloti, Juniors forward Ron Harmon, forward Bill Anderson and forward Don Graham led the Devils with 20, 12,11 and 10 markers respectively.

Harmon and Anderson were in and out of the game at various times, but always managed to hit the floor with a 2-pointer waiting to be unleased. and after it was all over and Coach Stocker relaxed in the press box, a colleague seated next door said:  "Boy, are you lucky.  You have horseshoes in every pocket."

Geckler's teammate, Senior forward Bill Rex, also hit double figures for the Red Birds with 12 points.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 59

Don Graham F 5-0-10
Bill Anderson F 4-3-11
Karl Mackey F 0-0-0
Ron Harmon F 6-0-12
Dick Tolloti (453) C 7-6-20
John De Mattio G 2-2-6
Bill Marshall G 0-0-0

BOLIVAR - 50

Charles Geers F 1-1-3
Bill Rex F 5-2-12
Calvin Geckler C 7-3-17
Wayne Kromi G 3-2-8
Melvin Haut G 0-1-1
Del Haut (318) G 4-1-9
Bob Cramer G 0-0-0


Monday, February 18, 1952
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Indians Scalp Sugarcreek-Shanesville 62-46 (2-16-52)

Junior Forward Leonard (Leo) Porter of the 1952 Gnadenhutten Indians led his team to their 1st tournament victory with a win over the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates 62-46 last night in a Consolation Division contest, after losing to the Dundee Bulldogs 63-47 earlier in the tourney.  Porter crashed the nets for 18 points (9 field goals) for the Indians in their quest to stay alive.  He now has an average of 15 points per game in 2 tournament games for a total of 30 points.  This moves his season total to 344 markers.

Gnadenhutten players are unidentified!


DOVER - Although the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-2) (3-19) (55-36) came up with 3 players scoring in double figures in a Consolation Division game, the Pirates were unable to cope with the rangy Gnadenhutten Indians (1-1) (14-9) (46-40) as Senior center Ron Weston and Junior forward Leo Porter controlled the boards.  Head Coach Fritz Jacob's Indians jumped off to a slim 15-9 margin in the 1st quarter, but were out-scored 12 to 10 in the 2nd frame 25-19.  After that the Corsairs faded.  At the end of the 3rd they had trailed 46-37.

Pacing the losers were Sophomores forward Max Miller and center Bill Ray with 12 points each and Senior guard Roger Immel with 10 markers.  Porter, a dead shot when he's right, collected 18 points and Senior Gary Struchen, who turned in an outstanding performance at the guard post, netted 17 markers for the Tribe.  Gnaden whipped the Buccaneers 56-40 during seasonal play.

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 62

Leo Porter (344) F 9-0-18
Jim Shamel F 1-1-3
Carl Gilmore F 1-0-2
Howard Weston G 0-2-2
Ron Weston C 4-3-11
Carl Grossenbacher G 0-1-1
Jerry (Ted) Martin G 3-2-8
Gary Struchen G 7-3-17

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 46

Bill Pfister F 4-1-9
Max Miller (316) F 5-2-12
Bill Ray C 5-2-12
Wayne Arnold C 0-2-2
Keith Miller G 0-1-1
Roger Immel G 4-2-10
Jim Spahr G 0-0-0
Snyder G 0-0-0


Monday, February 18, 1952
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Dundee Rips Gnaden 63-47 (2-14-52)

The 1952 Gnadenhutten Indians Cheerleaders.  Sophomore Ann Hamilton - Junior Carole Schreiner and Freshman Emma Jean Huebner.

The Gnadenhutten Indians 1952 Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Bob Dallachesia - Jim Shamel - Ron Weston - Ted Martin - Howard Weston - Gary Struchen and 2ndYear Head Coach Fritz Jacobs.  BACK:  Ron Gibson (Manager) - Del Clark - Leonard Porter - Carl Gilmore - Carl Grussenbacher - Ed Minteer - Ted Gram and Jack McKeown (Manager).


DOVER - It's 2 down and 6 to go.  But, the old tournament rail is getting dustier and more grueling every inch.  The Strasburg Tigers, who wound up the season on the comeback road, but failed to get into high gear in the tournament race and the Port Washington Purple Riders were the 1st teams eliminated in Tuscarawas County's 30th tournament festival, but the Dundee Rugged Bulldogs nailed a 63-47 stockade around the Gnadenhutten Indians last night at Memorial Hall here in Dover.

With nearly 1,300 lethargic fans on hand, the Bolivar Cardinals nosed out the Tigers 49-44 in a close battle that wasn't decided until the final canto and League Co-Champion Midvale Blue Devils humbled the Purple Riders 63-26.  Six more teams remain to be eliminated, but tournament action takes a breather tonight for the Dover-Coshocton Central Ohio League clash at Memorial Hall.

But the race will resume again Saturday night when the giant killing Tuscarawas Broncos will tangle with the Mineral City Tigers in the Championship fight at 9:00.  The Consolation Division tilts will pit the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates against the Indians at 6:30 and the Cardinals against the Blue Devils at 7:45.  Although the din of rafter-shaking roars were absent last night, the 3rd round of tournament action came up with 3 thought-provoking surprises...dundee's surge of power against a good Braves quintet...the Diablos utter domination over the Purple Riders...and the Red Birds quick recovery after being defeated by the Pirates which won only 2 games in League competition.

With 2 of their regulars benched in the Strasburg skirmish on Tuesday night, the Dundee Bulldogs (2-0) (17-20 (28-43) were not too impressive, but last night with the starting 5 back in the lineup they clamped biting jaws around the ankles of Head Coach Fritz Jacobs' Gnadenhutten Indians (0-1) (13-9) (45-40) and held fast the entire route.  So tight was the Bulldog bite that the Indians got few clean shots close in.  And even those were hurried.  Seniors Loris (center) and Louis (forward) Hostetler...twin fireballs...and Sophomore guard Weldon Flynn spearheaded the triumph by snapping the nets for 17, 12 and 16 points respectively.  Flynn came up with a deadly set-shot from side-court, while the fiery twins crated havoc under the basket.

Although the Braves opened up fast and led 10-7 at one point in the 1st quarter, the Dogs were in command after the Hostetler twins meshed 5 straight field goals to give Dundee a 15-10 edge.  Senior center Ron Gilmore, who broke out in a rash of pivot shots to collect 9 points in the 1st quarter and Junior forward Leo Porter fired Gnaden with 12 points each as the Bulldogs raced to quarter margins of 24-13, 34-28 and 53-38.  During the regular season, Dundee creamed Gnaden 46-17.

DUNDEE BULLDOGS - 63

Louis Hostetler F 4-4-12
Rich Slemmer F 1-2-4
Loris Hostetler (287) C 7-3-17
Weldon Flynn G 7-2-16
Curt Beamer G 2-3-7
Merlyn Immel G 3-1-7
Rich Fruchey G 0-0-0

GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 47

Carl Grossenbacher F 3-0-6
Leo Porter (326) F 5-2-12
Carl Gilmore F 2-0-4
Jim Shamel F 0-0-0
Ron Weston C 5-2-12
Howard Weston G 0-1-1
Jerry (Ted) Martin G 2-2-6
Gary Struchen G 3-0-6


Friday, February 15, 1952
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Midvale Destroys Port 63-26 (2-14-52)

DOVER - The Midvale Blue Devils (1-1) (19-3) (53-26), who poured on the coal with a blazing 3-man fast break, had an easy time rolling over the Port Washington Purple Riders (0-2) (10-11) (16-47) with ace Sophomore center Ken Huston running into a cool night and collecting a meager 3 points for his effort during the 2nd game of the 18th Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Consolation Division Tournament.

Jumping off to a 15-7 lead in the 1st quarter, the Blue Devils kept right on rambling as they chalked up lopsided advantages of 30-13 in the 2nd frame and 42-16 at the 3rd stanza stop.  The Purple Riders collected only 2 free throws in the final round before Head Coach Chuck Stocker started clearing the bench with 5 minutes left in the contest.

Junior center Dick Tolloti, the county's leading scorer during regular season play, sparked the Diablos with 16 points, giving him 435 markers so far this year, while his teammates, Junior forward Don Graham and Senior guard Bill Marshall, kicked in another 11 and 10 markers.  Senior guard Ralph Stewart was high for the exasperated Riders.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 63

Don Graham F 5-1-11
Jack Davis F 2-0-4
Bill Anderson F 2-2-6
Karl Mackey F 1-1-3
Ron Harmon F 2-0-4
Dick Tolloti (435) C 5-6-16
Frank Davis G 0-0-0
John De Mattio G 0-2-2
Wilbur Di Genova G 0-1-1
Dave Martin G 2-0-4
Bill Marshall G 4-2-10
Bill Cunningham G 0-2-2

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 26

John Hursey F 0-2-2
Fred Welsch F 0-0-0
Ron Denning F 0-0-0
Gene Galbraith F 0-2-2
Huston (379) C 1-1-3
Homer Schwab C 1-0-2
Jim Parker C 0-1-1
Ralph Stewart  G 4-0-8
Jim Landon G 1-0-2
Bob Gray G 2-2-6


Friday, February 15, 1952
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Strasburg 1st Team Out!...Bolivar 49-44 (2-14-52)

DOVER - After trailing 15-11 at the close of the opening quarter, the Strasburg Tigers (0-2) (8-14) (81-22) surged back to grab a 24-23 margin by intermission in the 1st game of the 18th Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Consolation Tournament for 1952.  But after that, with numerous shot rolling around the rim and then dropping off, the Tigers couldn't unleash enough power to turn the tide.  Behind 37-35 at the 3-way mark, 4th-Year Head Coach Don Martin's charges knotted the count early in the final canto on a side shot by Junior forward Jim Weinmann and then went ahead 39-37 when Senior center Bill Von Kaenel hit from the pivot.  But, the Bolivar Cardinals (1-1) (9-12) (47-40) came alive when their Senior center Cal Geckler and Senior forward Chuck Geers canned 2 field goals and Senior forward Bill Rex one to push the Cardinals in front to stay.

Strasburg's Freshman forward Jerry Haswell and Sophomore guard John Shetler came back with a bucket each to whittle the count to 46-42, but driving Junior guard Del Haut "swiped" the ball for 2 points and Geckler added a rebound shot to ice the tilt.  Shelter scored the last basket of the year for the Tigers.  Geers collected 13 points, Del Haut 11 and Geckler and Rex 10 each for the Red Birds.  Shetler was high for the Tigers with 9 markers.

BOLIVAR CARDINALS - 49

Chuck Geers F 6-1-13
Bill Rex F 3-4-10
Cal Geckler C 3-4-10
Melvin Haut G 0-0-0
Wayne Kromi G 0-0-0
Bob Cramer G 1-3-5
Del Haut (309) G 5-1-11

STRASBURG TIGERS - 44

Jerry Haswell F 2-2-6
Jim Weinmann F 4-0-8
Eldon Mullett F 0-0-0
Bill Von Kaenel C 3-1-7
Jerry Von Kaenel C 1-1-3
John Shetler G 2-5-9
Max Bonifant G 2-1-5
Fred Peters G 2-2-6


Friday, February 15, 1952
Ray Stull, Sports Writer
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Baltic Slams Sugarcreek-Shanesville 77-50 (2-13-52)

Baltic High School's ace forward Dean Huprich , who scored 321 points in 17 games during the regular season, gave other cagers in the tournament something to shoot at last night when he canned 26 points against the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates inpsroving his total to 347 markers.  Dean is a 6-foot Senior and a dangerous shot from practically any spot on the floor.  Following close behind Huprich is Stone Creek's southpaw Sophomore forward Jim Lorenz, who meshed 22 points against the Port Washington Purple Riders last night.  Cagers who have tallied 21 markers each in the tournament are Max Miller of the Pirates, Ken Huston of Port Washington and Loris Hostetler of the League Co-Champions Dundee Bulldogs.

The 1952 Baltic Eagles Cheerleaders.  Sophomore Mary Lou Lautenschleger, Senior Ann Rinehart and Sophomore Jennette Winkleman.

The 1952 Baltic Eagles Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Francis Lambright (Manager) - Noah Beechy - Paul Reidenbach - Andy Huffman - Don Farnsworth - Ron Eckert and Fred Huprich.  BACK:  Earl Wallace - Tom Ott - Jim Wallace - Errol Jacobs - Jim Syler - John Torgler - Dean Huprich - John Schlegel and Head Coach Doyle K. Shumaker.


DOVER - The Baltic Eagles and Stone Creek Golden Panthers gained berths in the semi-finals of the 30th Annual Tuscarawas County Class B Basketball Tournament last night at Memorial Hall after notching victories before an estimated 1,000 fans, 540 paid.  Packing too much scoring punch and controlling the boards at both ends of the floor, 2nd-Year Head Coach Doyle Shumaker's star-studded crew had things its own way in dropping the Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates into the Consolation Division 77-50.

But, 5th-Year Head Coach Ken Newlon's Golden Panthers were teased to the limit by the Port Washington Purple Riders before grabbing a 48-45 decision in the closing minutes of the night's hottest action.  Tonight's Championship fight will see 2 powerful combines collide in the Gnadenhutten Indians and Dundee Bulldogs clash at 9:00.  The Bulldogs will enter the battle as heavy favorites, but the Indians were on the comeback trail at the close of the regular season and could turn the contest into a free-for-all scalping party.

The Consolation Division Tournament tonight will send the gay-colored battle garments of 2 teams to the moth ball bags until next year.  The Bolivar Cardinals will tangle with the rangy Strasburg Tigers at 6:30, while the League Co-Champion Midvale Blue Devils will be attempting to stay in the scramble by eliminating the Purple Riders in the 2nd tilt at 7:45.

With Baltic's top-drawer scoring machine, Dean Huprich, threading the hoops far 26 points, Head Coach Doyle Schumaker's Baltic Eagles ( 1-0) (13-6) (25-44) soared to a lopsided 21-11 edge in the opening quarter and then kept gaining ground as the contest unfolded, posting 2nd and 3rd period margins of 36-22 and 55-33.

The Sugarcreek-Shanesville Pirates (1-1) (3-18) (55-35) whose leading point maker, Max Miller, meshed 21 points Tuesday night with his versatile push shot, was pinned down by the Eagles and managed only 10 markers last night.  Sophomore center Bill Ray led the Buccaneers with 13, and Sophomore Jim Spahr added his 10 points.  But, Baltic's attack wasn't entirely centered in Huprich.  Juniors center Jim Syler and guard John Torgler canned 13 markers of their own, while Senior guard Fred Huprich contributed another 12 points.

BALTIC EAGLES - 77

Dean Huprich (347) F 12-2-26
Tom Ott F 0-0-0
Jim Syler (267) C 5-3-13
Noah Beechy C 0-2-2
Earl Wallace F 0-0-0
Paul Reidenbach G 3-0-6
John Torgler G 5-3-13
Don Farnsworth G 1-3-5
Fred Huprich G 5-2-12

SUGARCREEK-SHANESVILLE PIRATES - 50

Max Miller (304) F 5-0-10
Wayne Arnold F 0-0-0
Ron Shell F 2-0-4
Roger Immel F 1-0-2
Bill Pfister F 3-0-6
Bill Ray C 4-5-13
Rich Fox G 1-1-3
Keith Miller G 0-2-2
Jim Spahr G 4-2-10


Thursday, February 14, 1952
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

52 - Stone Creek Holds Off Port 48-45 (2-13-52)

The 1952 Stone Creek Golden Panthers Basketball Team.  FRONT:  Wayne Billman (Manager) - Willis Ridenour - Bill Jones - Jerry Gasser - Jim Lorenz and Ken Heid.  BACK:  Junior Johns (Manager) - Carl Poland - Gary Grimm - Head Coach Ken Newlon - Don Miller - Floyd Patrick and David Gross.

The 1952 Port Washington Purple Riders Basketball Team.  FRONT:  John Hursey - Paul Frank - Bob Gray - Ken Huston - Ralph Stewart and Ron Denning.  BACK:  Jim Hill (Manager) - Jim Landon - Clyde Glazer - Gene Galbraith - Homer Schwab - Jim Parker - Fred Welsch and Head Coach Bray Toot.


DOVER - Last night's Stone Creek Golden Panthers (1-0) (9-11) (19-36) and Port Washington Purple Riders (0-1) (10-10) (16-46) tussle shaped up into a scoring duel between the Golden Panthers' southpaw Sophomore forward Jim Lorenz and the Purple Riders' Sophomore center sensation Ken Huston.  Both clubs tallied 18 field goals with each of the stars collecting 10 markers.  Lorenz added 2 free throws for a 22-point total.  Huston cashed in one free throw toss to tally 21 markers.

The Panthers grabbed the win by outscoring the Riders 12 to 9 at the free throw strip.  After trailing 14-12 in a cautious 1st quarter, 5th-Year Head Coach Ken Newlon's Stone Creek cagers surged into a 31-26 halftime 5-point margin with Lorenz leading the way on 6 action shots.  But Port still had Huston firing away.

He came back in the 3rd stanza and netted 6 points to the Golden Panther's 7 to keep the Purple Riders within striking distance, 38-32, going into the home stretch.  The Rider's Senior guard Ralph Stewart set the stage for a blazing last frame skirmish when he quickly connected for a 2-pointer and then slipped in behind a Panther and stole the ball and then dribbled in for a fast bunny to slice the margin to 2 points at 38-36.

Lorenz, Junior center Jerry Gasser and Freshman Bill Jones combined to give the Panthers a 45-42 edge.  Port Washington's Junior guard Bob Gray made it 45-44.  His teammate, Senior forward Ron Denning, blew a chance to put the Purple Riders in front when he missed an easy layup and then seconds later failed on 2 attempts at the free throw line.  Lorenz and Senior guard Jerry Billman accounted for Stone Creek's final 2 markers.  Junior forward John Hursey added the last stroke for the Riders with a free throw shot.

STONE CREEK GOLDEN PANTHERS - 48

Bill Jones (275) F 2-5-9
Jim Lorenz (319) F 10-2-22
Jerry Gasser C 2-1-5
Miller G 1-2-4
Jerry Billman G 2-1-5
Willis Ridenour G 1-1-3

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS - 45

Ron Denning F 1-0-2
John Hursey F 1-3-5
Paul Frank F 1-2-4
Ken Huston (376) 10-1-21
Bob Gray G 2-2-4
Ralph Stewart G 3-1-7


Thursday, February 14, 1952
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio