Bengals, Devils Collide In Vital League Contest (2-3-56)

THE UNBEATEN juggernuts of the Tuscarawas County Class B cage circuit, Strasburg's Bengals and Midvale's Blue Devils, come to gripe at Strasburg tonight. And more than likely the 1956 loop diadam will be at stake. Both teams have turned the tables on league foes eight times and tonight's winner, whether it be the Ken Newlon-coached Orange or the dangerous Blue Devils mentored by Pete Hillard, will be in strong position to take all the marbles. The battle of the two teams will be one of five league scuffles. Others send Mineral City (1-7) to Baltic (2-6), Bolivar (2-6) to Gnadenhutten (6-2), Stone Creek (3-5) to Dundee (0-8) and Tuscarawas (5-4) to Port Washington (5-3). The fray at Port looms as a vital one as the Raiders and Tusky are vying with Sugarcreek-Shanesville for first division honors. The Pirates are idle in loop play, but meet Greentown at the Buc lair.
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BENGALS FAVORED
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Strasburg, aiming for its 15th county league title, must be tagged as the favorite - a slight one in view of the intense rivalry - because the Bengals will be playing on their home floor. They also own a 69-58 non-league win over the Middies, who have an overall record of 13 victories as compared to four reversals. Strasburg has punched out six non-league triumphs. Four of the area's top performers, Jim Kuecher and Jerry Froman of Straburg and Larry Swinderman and Dick Leggett of Midvale, will be seen in action. In 14 tussles Kuecher has pumped home 300 points and Froman 208 while in 17 games Swinderman has notched 397 and Leggett 318. These stars have excellent supporting casts. Ron Grayk, bespectacled Strasburg pivot, has tallied 146 points, while John Columbo and John Beans of the Blue Devils have made 146 and 185, respectively. Gary Haney is the other Midvale starter, while Willie Rieger and Lloyd Deibel round out the Bengals' starting array.
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LOOP FINALES
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After tonight's card the county season will mark its ending for the year on Friday, February 10 when Strasburg hosts Port Washington, Midvale entertains Sugarcreek-Shanesville, Gnadenhutten goes to Mineral City, Dundee shows at Bolivar and Baltic invades Stone Creek. The big one at Strasburg will start at about 8:45. There will be a grade school game at 6:30 and the reserves will start at approximately 7:30. Doors to the gym will open at 6PM. Port Washington and Stone Creek will be trying for repeat wins tonight as Port whipped Tusky 82-49 and the Creekers topped Dundee 85-59 in non-league frays previously. Port will also be trying for its sixth straight victory. Gnaden, with an overall record of 15 and 2, hopes to tighten its grip on third place.
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Friday, February 3, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio