Unbeaten Pirates In Bid For County Title (1-5-50)

Sugarcreek-Shanesville's Pirates (4-0) and the Midvale Blue Devils (3-1) will provide the County Basketball league feature Friday night when the two teams collide in a conference game on the Blue Devil court. The Bucs, striding toward a league title, are unbeaten in four league games while the Blue Devils, defending champions (1948-1949 season), have lost one while notching three victories. All teams, with the exception of Tuscarawas, see action Friday night as play is resumed after the long Christmas layoff.

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Baltic (1-4) in league play travels to Stone Creek (3-2) for a conference battle with the high-scoring Panthers while Dundee (2-2) invades Bolivar (2-3).

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Gnadenhutten (2-3) treks to Mineral City (1-4) and Port Washington (1-4) tackles Strasburg (2-2) on the Tigers court.

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Not any of the games; however, command the attention the Pirate-Blue Devil engagement is getting this week. For the Pirates of Coach Gerald Straley it will be an opportunity to virtually clinch the title if they can successfully invade the Blue Devil lair. For Midvale, whose domination of the conference has been complete for the past two seasons (1947-1948 & 1948-1949), a victory would mean an opportunity to gain at least a tie for the crown.

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Another test of strength which may shuffle the standings below the leaders will take place at Bolivar where Coach Warren Craigo's Cards tangle with the Dundee Bulldogs.

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Stone Creek, standing high on the list as the new year opens, is not expected to have much trouble with Baltic nor are the Strasburg Tigers anticipating trouble from Port Washington.

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Thursday, January 5, 1950

The Daily Reporter

Dover, Ohio