59 - Midvale-Conotton Valley Past Awards And Stats

Fifth-Year HC Ralph "Pete" Hilliard of the Midvale Blue Devils.  Hilliard has coached his team to a 21-1 record at this point and looking to take on the Conotton Valley Rockets (17-6) in the District Tournament tomorrow night.

NEW PHILADELPHIA - On February 21st, at approximately 10:00 at 2 different sites, trophies were being awarded for those teams and individuals who showed unusual talents and accomplishments for their cage efforts during the 1958-59 high school campaigns.  At Dover's Memorial Hall, Superintendent W.E. Laws presented the Midvale Blue Devils High School with a large memento for its winning of the Tuscarawas County League Championship.  The presentation was made in behalf of The Daily Times.  Later the Devils were given another statue for being Tournament Champions.

Meanwhile, at almost the same time, Eugene Hurst, News Editor of The Daily Times, was bestowing Honors on the Conotton Valley Rockets High School for its copping of the Harrison County tournament.  This presentation took place at the Conotton school resting atop a hill just northwest of Leesville and east of the Tuscarawas County line on Route 212.  That night, as we put the game date together, this writer and the news editor agreed that both teams seemed destined for better things in the upcoming tournaments.  Hurst said Conotton Valley showed quite a bit of spirit in its winning of the contest...it nipped the Jewett Wildcats...as well as displaying good balance.  This writer made a similar statement about the Diablos which had won its Tournament Crown that evening by turning back Tusky Valley.

And now, 2 weeks later the recipients of The Daily Times trophies are pitted in the Eastern Ohio District Class A finals.  But, this is not the only thing that had turned fate into a funny twist.  On January 27th this writer also was on hand for the meeting of these same 2 schools in a regular season contest at Midvale.  It was a great game and we enjoyed the fracas immensely.

Some thought the game was actually a fluke, inasmuch as the stubborn Conotton aggregation pushed the Blue Devil quintet right to the wire before bowing 71-70.  Some did not.  Midvale copped the verdict via the free throw route, making 19 of 26 chances, while the Rockets were awarded only 5 free throws, making 4.  Conotton Valley had outscored the Devils by 14 points on field goals.  Past performances will mean very little tomorrow night; however, when the 2 teams clash for the 1st time in tournament play at Dover's Memorial Hall for the District Crown and a Regional berth.

If there is such a thing as a "favorite" in tournament play...we don't think there is such an animal...then Midvale would have to be given the slight nod by virtue of its extremely well balanced scoring attack and a 21-1 sparking record.  With 5 starters averaging in 2 digits for the season, the Blue and Gold has gunned down its last 15 foes.

Hanes Hairston, a 6-3 Junior who moved to Midvale last year from North Carolina, is the "low" scorer of the ball club with 11.8 points per contest.  This mark would place him 2nd on the Conotton club.  Ron Breniser, a 5-11 Junior is Head Coach Pete Hilliard's top point producer with 436 points and a 19.8 average.  Breniser was the county coaches' choice this season for the All-County Squad.

Next comes Tom Krocker, a 5-10 Senior who was with the Blue Devils' "Tournament Darlings" of 1957 when the Devils went all the way to the State Tournament semi-finals before bowing.  Krocker; although, missing the first 9 games this season because of a broken leg suffered during the football season, has come on strong since then to now carry a 14.3 average with 186 points.  Bill Housel, 6-3 center, has 304 points and a 13.8 average and is the team's top rebounder along with Hairston.  Dave Belknap, 5-9 Senior, heralded by the coach as one of the team's most important cogs because of his fine feeding, has 281 points and a 12.7 average.  The 5 starters are averaging 72.4 points per game.

Led by All-Tournament choice Lanty Smith, 6-0 Junior, the Youth Conotton Valley Club...it has only one Senior on its roster...has truly come a long way since 2 straight defeats to Midvale and the Freeport Raiders in late January.  Smith has allied 345 points this season in 19 games...he was out 4 games because of injuries and illness...for a good 18.6 average.  A southpaw, 6-3 Sophomore Larry Dunlap, is the team's 2nd top scorer with 258 markers and an 11.2 average, while Jack Puckey, 6-3 Sophomore follows him with 127 in 12 games and a 10.5 average.  Buckey, who has perhaps been the big reason for Head Coach Al Girone's late season upsurge, missed the first 11 games because of grades.  Becoming eligible in January, the good rebounding center has been clipping them off at 2 figures ever since.

In Walt Enold, 5-10 Junior and Larry Allen, 5-11 Junior, Conotton has 2 fine ball-hawks.  Several times during the game with Hiland on Tuesday night the 2 guards stole the ball from their foes and drove down for layups.  Enold has tallied 173 points and Allen has 211 for 7.5 and 9.1 averages respectively.

Although one team will be the loser of this game tomorrow night at Dover, neither will be out of the running when the final buzzer sounds.  The loser will get another chance to make the Canton Regional Tournament by token of a special playoff slated for Dennison on Saturday.  The loser of the Dover contest will meet the loser of the Old Washington Warriors (25-0) - Maysville (17-6) contest booked on Friday at Marietta.  The Eastern District Tournament is being authorized an additional Regional berth because of the recent decrease in number of schools in the Northeastern Distict by token of numerous consolidations.  This District has remained comparatively the same.

Tomorrow and Saturday nights' games are to start at 8:00.


Thursday, March 5, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - District Tournament Update

The 1959 Midvale Blue Devils Basketball Cheerleaders:  Sophomore Karen Smith - Senior Linda Carlisle - Junior Louise Clerci - Sophomore Virginia Hibbs - Senior Mary Varally and Senior Saundra Penick.

NEW PHILADELPHIA - Only 6 miles separate the schools, if you measure the way a crow flies.  But, never have the 2 met in a high school basketball tournament.  They will now!  On Friday night at 8:00 the kings of Tuscarawas and Harrison Counties will clash for the 1st time after meeting 9 straight years in single regular season contests.

For today, the Conotton Valley Rockets (17-6) and the Midvale Blue Devils (21-1) were paired in the Eastern Ohio Class A District Tournament.  The Rockets won their berth last night on a spine-tingling overtime verdict before a packed house over the touted Hiland Hawks 82-81, while the Blue Devils won its spot Monday by blasting the Brilliant Blue Devils 77-58.  Located only a stone's throw from each other...providing you have a half-decent heaving arm...their school districts actually touch each other.  They will be clashing for the 2nd time during this campaign.  Last January 27th the pair met on the Midvale court with the hosts winning 71-70 in a thriller.  In 9 regular season meetings since the Rockets of Conotton Valley came into being in 1950-51, Conotton has won but a lone verdict.  That came in the 1956 season.

The Conotton Valley Rockets are a consolidation of Bowerston-Leesville-Sherrodsville located just northeast of Midvale.  Both are assured of at least setting 2 attempts for Regional play by consequence of a special playoff of the Runners-up of the Dover and Marietta Districts.  The runners-up of the 2 jousts will tangle on Saturday evening at Dennison for an additional Canton Regional berth.  Friday's winner will of course automatically qualify.

But, be secured, neither will be gunning for the Consolation method in gaining the Regional Tournament.  The Harrison County Tournament Champions, who have gained quite a reputation as the possible darkhorses of the 6-county Eastern Ohio District came through like true Trojans in their overtime victory over Hiland.


Wednesday, March 4, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

59 - Midvale Slams Brilliant 77-58 (3-2-59)

It's a bird.  No, it's a plane.  Wrong again, these fans are just watching the action at Dover's Memorial Hall as the Midvale Blue Devils and Brilliant Blue Devils met for a berth in the District Class A finals set for Friday night.  Who are they?  Which team are they supporting?  Well, this picture was taken in the 2nd quarter when things weren't exactly rosy for the Blue Devils of Midvale.  Fear not...they all went home happy.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)

Fleet of foot, strong of limb, 5-9 Senior Dave Belknap (5), the Midvale Blue Devils top playmaker and high scorer last night looks for daylight.  He found it too, faking the Brilliant Blue Devils 5-11 Dale Degenhardt (43) out of position and laying one up for the victorious Midvale club.  The Blue Devils of Midvale's 6-3 Senior Bill Housel (12), doing a commendable defensive job on the Blue Devils of Brilliant's big 6-3 Jim Presley (55) is also caught in the jam.  The 77-58 victory pits the Diablos of Midvale with the winner of tonight's Conotton Valley Rockets-Hiland Hawks game for the District Championship Crown on Friday night.  (PHOTO...The Daily Times by Bob Fisher)

Senior 5-9 Dave Belknap of the Midvale Blue Devils scored 22 points in leading his team to a 77-58 important victory against the Brilliant Blue Devils in last night's contest.  Belknap has scored 71 points in 5 games for a 14.2 tournament average.  (PHOTO...Yearbook)



NEW PHILADELPHIA - Five cylinders were stoking evenly once again for the Midvale Blue Devils last night as they earned the finals of the Eastern Ohio District Class A Tournament at Dover.  In gunning down the Brilliant Blue Devils 77-58; although, the clubs tied at 56-all midway in the final quarter.  Midvale thus gained its 21st victory in 22 starts and its 15th straight decision.

The Devils of Head Coach Pete Hilliard will meet the winner of tonight's star battle between the Conotton Valley Rockets (16-6), Champions of Harrison County and the Hiland Hawks (20-2), king-pins of Holmes County.  The victor of this evening's contest and Midvale will go at it on Friday at Dover in the District finals with the winner getting the nod to the Regionals at Canton, booked for next week.  Although leaving no doubt about who was the winner at the end, the Blue Devils of Midvale were nevertheless pushed hard before breaking it wide open in the 4th canto.  In fact, the Blue Devils of Brilliant held the lead from the outset of the 2nd quarter until the last minute of the 3rd as well as leading 56-55 with 5 minutes remaining in the final quarter.

But, with the constant pressure exerted by a good defense and 5 men in double figures, Midvale remained alive.  Both teams had that inevitable bad quarter.  But the poor one appeared at the right time for the Blue and Gold, while a reverse of this was the case for Brilliant.

In the 2nd frame the Middies potted only 3 of 18 chances from action for 16 percent, during which time Brilliant went into a 31-27 lead that was finally whittled to a 33-31 count at the half.  The Devils of Jefferson County had made 5 of 16 for 32 percent to hold the pole.  Leading only 50-46 going into the final canto, Midvale started hitting well from the field, making 8 of 16 tosses for 50 percent, while Brilliant found the hoop only 3 times in 21 chances for 14 percent.  This spelled the difference; although, Midvale's defense played its definite part in making the Devils of Brilliant shoot from the outside.  In the last 5 minutes of the game the Blue Devils of Brilliant missed no less than 15 shots, going without a single field goal.

Midvale broke into the lead early in the 1st quarter and found itself ahead 14-7 with 2 minutes to go.  Brilliant, which had won out in a good Sectional Tournament in its home gym, was not out of it yet; however, firing back to cut the margin to 2 at 19-17 when the first half was buzzed.  Before 30 seconds had elapsed in the 2nd period, the game was deadlocked on an outside push by Brilliant's fine center Jim Presley.  Presley, a 6-3 Senior, played a great game for the losers before fouling out with 2:55 remaining in the game, which was also a turning point.

Matt Kessler, a 5-8 guard, who had already potted 4 outside swishers in the 1st quarter for Brilliant, again found the range from the side early in the 2nd and the Blue Devils of Brilliant went into the lead for the 1st time in the game 21-19.  From that point, until late in the 3rd stanza, Midvale never led.  Junior 5-11 Ron Breniser, Midvale's high-scoring forward hit after a perfect feed from Dave Belknap to put the Devils of Midvale in front late in the third 48-46.  Belknap, who almost individually kept the Hilliard-boys in the game with his fine faking shots and good feed-ins, added his 4th basket of the period with 5 seconds remaining to take a 50-46 advantage going into the final quarter.

Junior 6-3 Hanes Hairston, playing his usual good game on the boards, especially in the 3rd quarter, hit from action and the free throw line to open the final canto, followed by a free throw toss by Breniser to give the Midvale Blue Devils a 54-46 lead.  It appeared that Midvale's constant pressure and balanced scoring had at last paid off.  The Blue Devils of Brilliant; however, rallied back quickly to take a 56-55 lead by the time the clock read 5:15.

But on Brilliant's leading bucket, made by a powering drive-in by big Presley, who tops 200-pounds,  Tom Krocker was fouled and he canned it to give the Devils of Midvale another deadlock at 56-all.  That proved to be the "real" turning point once and for all as Brilliant then went scoreless for almost 3 minutes.  Meanwhile, Midvale went in front 65-56 before 5-9 Dennis Cook finally proved the man of the hour as he coolly sunk an action shot from the side and 5 free throw shots for 7 of the 9 points garnered in the uprising.  After Cook's shot, Bill Housel and Hairston each dropped in spin-shots followed by a pair of free tosses for a 71-57 lead.  The clock showed only 1:25 minutes remaining.  Cook again hit for Brilliant, but Midvale added 6 sudden points on fast breaks for the 19 point victory.

Again it was 5 men in double figures for the Midvale Blue Devils with Belknap leading the assault with 22 points.  Breniser hit 17, Hairston canned 14 and both Krocker and Housel dropped in 12.  The Brilliant Blue Devils, which lost 3 men in the final quarter on personal fouls, was led by Presley and 5-8 Matt Kessler who each had 19 points.  Shooting wise, Midvale hit 28 of 70 from action for 40 percent, while Brilliant canned 22 of 70 for 30 percent.  Thirty-six personals were whistled with 20 against Brilliant.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 77

Dave Belknap 8-6-22
Tom Krocker 5-2-12
Bill Housel 6-0-12
Hanes Hairston 5-4-14
Ron Breniser 4-9-17

BRILLIANT BLUE DEVILS - 58

Dale Degenhardt 3-3-9
Jack Hoover 4-0-8
Jim Presley 6-7-19
Matt Kessler 9-1-19
Dennis Cook 0-3-3
Tarr 0-0-0

MIDVALE     19-31-50-77
BRILLIANT  17-33-46-58


Tuesday, March 3, 1959
Don Wagner, Sports Editor
The Daily Times
New Philadelphia, Ohio

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