Tuscarawas, Port Win In Gnaden Play (7-31-56)

Tuscarawas and Port Washington won Little League games in the Gnadenhutten tournament last night, Tuscarawas defeating Roswell 15-8 and Port (1-0) edging Gnaden 8-6. Tonight at 5:30 Gnaden will meet Wainwright in a Little League game and at 8PM, Wainwright will meet Tuscarawas in a Babe Ruth game. Wednesday night Midvale meets the loser of the Wainwright-Tuscarawas game at 5:30 in Babe Ruth play and Midvale plays Port at 8 in the Little League department.
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Tuesday, July 31, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Midvale Downs Port Washington 13-5 (6-27-56)

Midvale defeated Port Washington (0-3) yesterday afternoon in a Babe Ruth League baseball game played at Midvale. Belknap was the winning pitcher and Dale Combs (0-2) and John Landon (0-0) hurled for the losers. Monte hit a triple and Belknap and Pope each collected doubles for the winners and John Landon doubled for Port.
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Wednesday, June 27, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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Apparently these Babe Ruth games are not being reported...

Bray Toot Quits As Port Mentor (6-21-56)

Bray Toot, coach at Port Washington High since 1946 today announced he has resigned to accept the superintendency at Dellroy, where he resides and has been serving as clerk of the school board for six years. He will succeed John W. Stevens as head of the 9-grade school. Toot was coach at Dellroy 14 years, principal and coach at Hartville one year and also taught and coached at Cadiz and in Monroe County before taking the Port Washington post. Last year Toot guided the Purple Riders to the consolation championship of the county basketball tourney, marking the first cage trophy in the school's history. Port lost to Killbuck in the regional tourney. Toot had six winning seasons at Port. His best cage record was in 1947-1948 when the Purple Riders won 18 and lost 5. Bob Penrod of Mineral City now becomes the "dean" of the county's coaches with a 3-year tenure. There are now five coaching openings in the county system following resignations of cage mentors at Strasburg, Stone Creek, and Port Washington and of basketball and football coaches at Tuscarawas.
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Thursday, June 21, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Midvale Blasts Port Washington 12-8 (6-12-56)

Midvale defeated Port Washington (0-2) in a county Babe Ruth League game played at Port Washington yesterday. Each team collected 12 hits, but the losers committted five errors to only one bobble by Midvale. Housel and Russell hurled for the winners and struck out nine batters, while Dale Combs (0-1), the losing pitcher, fanned five batsmen. Port Washington will play at Tuscarawas Monday. All parents of Midvale Midget and Babe Ruth League players are urged to meet at the high school at 7:30 PM, Wednesday. Included on the agenda for the meeting is the election of officers.
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Tuesday, June 12, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Wainwright Wins 5-1, Beamer Stars (6-7-56)

Ken Beamer pitched a three-hitter, struck out 12 batters, and hit a triple and double to pace Wainwright to victory over Port Washington (0-1) yesterday at Wainwright in a county Babe Ruth League baseball game. Tom Coutts (?) (0-1), the losing hurler, allowed six safeties.
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Thursday, June 7, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Port Athletes Hear Robinson At Banquet (5-7-56)

Jimmy Robinson, a one-time coach at Uhrichsville and a veteran of the coaching ranks for 35 years, was guest speaker at the Port Washington athletic banquet Saturday night. Robinson, present head mentor of Canton Lehman High School and director of the North-South All-Star football game coming up in August, emphasized the four primary qualities he looked for in all athletes. The Port basketball team was the honored guests, Coach Bray Toot, dean of Tuscarawas County coaches, made the presentation of the trophy to the team. Mayor Elwood Couts was master of ceremonies. The fete was put on by the "Port Booster Club" with George Landon president of the club.
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Monday, 5-7-56
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Takes Over Sports Desk (3-21-56)

Jim de Mello former Uhrichsville High School athlete, has taken over as Sports Editor of the Daily Reportor, filling the vacancy left by Charlie Powell, who has taken a similar position with the Massillion Independent. A native of Homestead, Florida, de Mello lettered one year in basketball, two years in football and two years in track, while attending high school in Uhrichsville, where he moved with his family in 1949. The Eastern District Class A mile king in his junior and senior years, de Mello attended Miami University and Ohio State University. He comes to the Reporter from the Uhrichsville Evening Chronicle, where he was employed for the past three months.
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Wednesday, March 21, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDER SEASON (1955-1956) ROUNDUP

TEAMS
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Junior High School Team
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5-3
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Port Washington 40 - Stone Creek 17
Port Washington 24 - Midvale 19
Gnadenhutten 46 - Port Washington 39
Port Washington 42 - Dundee 26
Baltic 46 - Port Washington 23
Port Washington 56 - Mineral City 36
Tuscarawas 39 - Port Washington 32
Port Washington 45 - Strasburg 27
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Reserve Team
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14-3
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Port Washington 41 - Stone Creek 37
Port Washington 48 - Midvale 44
Port Washington 38 - Roscoe 35
Port Washington 36 - Bolivar 32
Port Washington 42 - Malvern 19
Gnadenhutten 53 - Port Washington 40
Port Washington 50 - Stone Creek 41
Sugarcreek-Shanesville 44 - Port Washington 41
Port Washington 53 - Midvale 44
Port Washington 45 - Gnadenhutten 41
Port Washington 58 - Tuscarawas 55
Port Washington 44 - Dundee 29
Port Washington 57 - Baltic 42
Port Washington 52 - Malvern 36
Port Washington 64 - Mineral City 36
Tuscarawas 50 - Port Washington 46
Port Washington 41 - Strasburg 35
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Jim Emler (Junior)
Doyle Galbraith (Junior)
William Gibbs (Junior)
Jerry Hannahs (Junior)
LeRoy Davies (Sophomore)
Don Ferral (Sophomore)
Tom Gardner (Sophomore)
Ron Phillips (Sophomore)
Terry Urban (Sophomore)
Keith Heston (Freshman)
Roger Quillan (Freshman)
Robert Thorton (Freshman)
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Varsity Team
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6-4 (League)
9-4 (Non-League)
15-8 (Overall)
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Port Washington 64 - Stone Creek 49
Midvale 63 - Port Washington 62
Port Washington 81 - Roscoe 47
Port Washington 82 - Bolivar 61
Port Washington 77 - Malvern 56
Gnadenhutten 64 - Port Washington 63
Port Washington 105 - Stone Creek 82
Sugarcreek-Shanesville 65 - Port Washington 58
Midvale 75 - Port Washington 64
Gnadenhutten 64 - Port Washington 58
Port Washington 82 - Tuscarawas 49
Port Washington 108 - Dundee 74
Port Washington 103 - Baltic 73
Port Washington 77 - Malvern 38
Port Washington 104 - Mineral City 84
Port Washington 84 - Tuscarawas 44
Strasburg 64 - Port Washington 46
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Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament
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Port Washington 84 - Baltic 54
Midvale 71 - Port Washington 69
Port Washington 94 - Dundee 54
Port Washington 61 - Gnadenhutten 45 (Consolation Championship Title)
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State Sectional Class B Tournament
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Killbuck 80 - Port Washington 73
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Port Washington Total Points - 1699 77.2
Opponets Total Points - 1556 61.6
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Port Washington High Game 108
Opponets High Game 84
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Port Washington Low Game 45
Opponets Low Game 38
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Ed Bates 200 - 66 - 466 - 22 - 21.2
Nick Frank 115 - 102 - 332 - 21 - 15.8
Tom Jones 113 - 85 - 311 - 21 - 14.8
Bob Welsch 77 - 35 - 189 - 22 - 8.6
Denver Glazer 68 - 45 - 18 - 22 - 8.2
Bill McConnell 63 - 23 - 149 - 21 - 7.1
Jim Emler 14 - 9 - 37 - 6- 6.2
Jerry Hannahs 11 - 11 - 33 - 11 - 3.0
Tom Gardner 2 - 0 - 4 - 2 - 2.0
Doyle Galbraith 1 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 2.0
Don Ferrall 2 - 1 - 5 - 4 - 1.3
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MOST POINTS IN A GAME THIS YEAR
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1. Ed Bates 38
2. Ed Bates 35
3. Tom Jones 33
4. Nick Frank 31
5. Nick Frank 30
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MOST FIELD GOALS IN A GAME THIS YEAR
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1. Ed Bates 17
2. Ed Bates 15
3. Ed Bates 13
4. Nick Frank 13
5. Ed Bates 12 (2)
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MOST FOUL SHOTS MADE IN A GAME THIS YEAR
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1. Tom Jones 11
2. Nick Frank 9
3. Denver Glazer 9
4. Nick Frank 8 (2)
5. Tom Jones 8 (2)
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PORT WASHINGTON CAREER
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PORT WASHINGTON TEAM TOTAL POINTS
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1. 1699 - 77.2 (1955-1956)
2. 1386 - 60.3 (1954-1955)
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PORT WASHINGTON TEAM HIGH GAME
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1. 108 (1953-1954)
2. 108 (1955-1956)
3. 105 (1955-1956)
4. 104 (1955-1956)
5. 103 (1955-1956)
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POINTS IN A SEASON
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1. Ed Bates 466 (1956)
2. Paul Frank 395 (1955)
3. Nick Frank 332 (1956)
4. Tom Jones 311 (1956)
5. Tom Jones 277 (1955)
6. Ed Bates 248 (1955)
7. Ken Huston 227 (1954)
8. Bob Welsch 189 (1956)
9. Denver Glazer 181 (1956)
10. Paul Frank 180 (1954)
11. Bob Jones 174 (1950)
12. Larry Combs 163 (1954)
13. Harold Weber 156 (1950)
14. Bill McConnell 149 (1956)
15. Bob Welsch 113 (1955)
16. Bill McConnell 99 (1955)
17. Jim Landon 81 (1954)
18. Bob Frank 76 (1950)
19. Bill Jones 73 (1950)
20. Gary Dichler 73 (1955)
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FIELD GOALS MADE IN A SEASON
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1. Ed Bates 200 (1956)
2. Paul Frank 154 (1955)
3. Nick Frank 115 (1956)
4. Tom Jones 113 (1956)
5. Ed Bates 104 (1955)
6. Tom Jones 100 (1955)
7. Bob Welsch 77 (1956)
8. Ken Huston 76 (1954)
9. Denver Glazer 68 (1956)
10. Paul Frank 64 (1954)
11. Bill McConnell 63 (1956)
12. Bob Jones 62 (1950)
13. Harold Weber 60 (1950)
14. Larry Combs 60 (1954)
15. Fred Welsch 44 (1954)
16. Bob Welsch 41 (1955)
17. Vernon Glazer 40 (1955)
18. Bill McConnell 36 (1955)
19. Bill Jones 30 (1950)
20. Jim Landon 29 (1954)
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FOUL SHOTS MADE IN A SEASON
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1. Nick Frank 102 (1956)
2. Paul Frank 87 (1955)
3. Tom Jones 85 (1956)
4. Tom Jones 77 (1955)
5. Ken Huston 75 (1954)
6. Ed Bates 66 (1956)
7. Paul Frank 52 (1954)
8. Denver Glazer 45 (1956)
9. Larry Combs 43 (1954)
10. Ed Bates 40 (1955)
11. Bob Jones 37 (1950)
12. Harold Weber 36 (1950)
13. Bob Welsch 35 (1956)
14. Bob Welsch 31 (1955)
15.Bill McConnell 27 (1955)
16. Bob Frank 26 (1950)
17. Jim Landon 23 (1954)
18. Bill McConnell 23 (1956)
19. Gary Dichler 21 (1955)
20. Gary Dichler 21 (1954)
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CAREER POINTS
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1. Ed Bates 714 (1955-1956)
2. Tom Jones 615 (1954-1955-1956)
3. Paul Frank 575 (1954-1955)
4. Nick Frank 354 (1955-1956)
5. Bob Welsch 302 (1955-1956)
6. Bill McConnell 248 (1955-1956)
7. Ken Huston 227 (1954)
8. Denver Glazer 189 (1956)
9. Bob Jones 174 (1950)
10. Larry Combs 163 (1954)
11. Harold Weber 156 (1950)
12. Fred Welsch 99 (1954)
13. Gary Dichler 94 (1954-1955)
14. Jim Landon 81 (1954)
15. Bob Frank 76 (1950)
16. Bill Jones 73 (1950)
17. Vernon Glazer 53 (1954-1955)
18. Jim Emler 37 (1956)
19. Don Jones 34 (1954-1955)
20. Jerry Hannahs 33 (1956)
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CAREER FIELD GOALS
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1. Ed Bates 304 (1955-1956)
2. Tom Jones 224 (1954-1955-1956)
3. Paul Frank 218 (1954-1955)
4. Nick Frank 122 (1955-1956)
5. Bob Welsch 118 (1955-1956)
6. Bill McConnel 99 (1955-1956)
7. Ken Huston 76 (1954)
8. Denver Glazer 68 (1956)
9. Bob Jones 62 (1950)
10. Larry Combs 60 (1954)
11. Harold Weber 60 (1954)
12. Fred Welsch 44 (1954)
13. Vernon Glazer 40 (1955)
14. Gary Dichler 34 (1954-1955)
15. Bill Jones 30 (1950)
16. Bob Frank 23 (1950)
17. Jerry Hannahs 14 (1955-1956)
18. Jim Emler 14 (1956)
19. Allen Corbett 13 (1950)
20. Dale Veley 12 (1954-1955)
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CAREER FOUL SHOTS
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1. Tom Jones 173 (1954-1955-1956)
2. Paul Frank 139 (1954-1955)
3. Nick Frank 110 (1955-1956)
4. Ed Bates 106 (1955-1956)
5. Ken Huston 75 (1954)
6. Bob Welsch 66 (1955-1956)
7. Bill McConnell 50 (1955-1956)
8. Denver Glazer 45 (1956)
9. Larry Combs 43 (1954)
10. Gary Dichler 42 (1954-1955)
11. Bob Jones 37 (1950)
12. Harold Weber 36 (1950)
13. Bob Frank 26 (1950)
14. Jim Landon 23 (1954)
15. Bill Jones 17 (1950)
16. Harold West 16 (1950)
17. Vernon Glazer 13 (1954-1955)
18. Jim Gallion 12 (1950)
19. Jerry Hannahs 11 (1955-1956)
20. Jim Emler 11 (1956)
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CONTRIBUTIONS
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Gary D. Gay
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USING ONLY AVAILABLE STATISTICS

St. Joe, Port Washington Out! (3-1-56)

DOVER ST. JOSEPH'S was ready to put its basketball equipment in mothballs for another year after Midvale, the Tuscarawas County tournament standard-bearer, eliminated the Ramblers from the Class B sectional at Dover's Memorial Hall last night. Down by only six points at the half, the Ramblers couldn't keep up with Johnny Columbo and his radar-eyed Midvale mates in the second half and they went down to defeat 87-68. Port Washington (15-8) surprise team of the county tourney, was the first to leave the Memorial Hall battling as the Purple Riders fell victim to tough Killbuck (16-3) by an 80-73 count after a stirring struggle which marked the opening of the lose-and-out warfare. At least one more county team is destined to be on the sidelines after tonight. The winners will advance to the co-finals. Berlin, runnerup to Killbuck in Holmes County, takes its 18-5 record against the Dennison Railroaders (5-13) at 7:30, while in the nightcap the once-beaten Strasburg Tigers do battle with the other Dennison team, the St. Mary's Blue Waves (4-14).
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STRASBURG MEETS WAVES
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Strasburg must be rated a strong favorite over St. Mary's which hasn't played as rugged a schedule as the Bengals who won 19 in a row before being clipped by Midvale in the county finale. St. Mary's, with only one six-footer in Freshman Paul Smolak, will be out-reached as the Tigers boast a lot of rebound power in Ronnie Gray, Willie Rieger and Jerry Froman. Froman and Jim Kuecher, all-county stars, are the club's ace point-makers. Berlin has the second best record in the sectional and a standout scorer in Wilford Conn, but Dennison, which has been the county's hard luck team - The Railroaders lost a half-dozen games by only a few points - may carry too many guns. "Chick" Maurer's club has scoring balance in 6-3 Jerry Hill who has scored 292 points, Allan Kennedy who has canned 210 and Tom Maitland who has made 222. Killbuck returns to action against Malvern and Midvale will meet Millersburg in semi-final jousts on Friday night. The winners of these two games will meet the victors in tonight's skirmishes for berths in next week's district competition at Brilliant.
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Thursday, March 1, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Port Loses To Killbuck 80-73 (3-1-56)

The one-two scoring punch supplied by Killbuck's Jack Nyhart and "Butch" Arndt proved too much for Port Washington as the Purple Riders (15-8) put up a gallant battle before bowing to the Holmes County tourney champs. Nyhart rattled the rims for 12 baskets and five fouls for 29 points, while Arndt was close behind with an even dozen fielders for 24 markers. Tom Jones and Ed Bates gave the Purple Riders a doublebarreled attack of their own with 25 and 22 points, respectively, but Coach Bray Toot's Riders just couldn't snuff out the Killbuck offense at opportune times. With Nyhart and Arndt doing most of the scoring, the Bucks (16-3) raced to a 20-15 first quarter lead before Ed Bates began finding the range, the Purple Riders ace dunking four long shots the second frame to move Port Washington to within two points, 36-34, at the long intermission. Although Killbuck controlled the ball most of the time and capitalized on Arndt's rebounding ability, the Riders made good use of the ball once it was gained. Jerry Hannahs entered the fray and did a good job under the boards in the second chukker. Nyhart broke loose for four baskets in the thick of the fight before the Bucks managed their longest lead of six points, 56-50 at the last stop. Tom Jones, Denver Glazer and Ed Bates each potted field goals as the final frame got under way to knot the count at 56-56, but Arndt broke the tie with a tip-in and Lee Tidball drove in for a bunny. Tom Jones tallied nine points and Ed Bates eight during the last quarter rally, but Killbuck (16-3) steadly increased the margin as Arndt netted 10 points and Nyhart added seven.
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KILLBUCK 80
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Jack Nyhart 12-5-29
Larry Haun 4-4-12
Ron Arndt 12-0-24
Ken Spurgeon 1-0-2
Lee Tidball 4-0-8
Glassford 1-3-5
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PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS 73
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Ed Bates 10-2-22
Tom Jones 10-6-26
Nick Frank 4-3-11
Denver Glazer 2-0-4
Bob Welsch 4-0-8
Jerry Hannahs 1-0-2
Bill McConnell 0-0-0
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Thursday, March 1, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Killbuck Meets Port (2-29-56)

Three Tuscarawas Teams will be shooting basketballs at the Dover Memorial Hall hoops tonight and when the smoke clears at least one of the six county schools in the class B sectional will be on the wayside. The sectional, which will send the survivors to the district tourney next week at Brilliant, opens at 7:30 with Port Washington, the "Cinderella" team of the county dribble derby taking on Holmes County Champion Killbuck. In the nightcap, at about 8:45, County Tourney Champion Midvale will vie with Dover St. Joseph's. The doors to the gym will open at 6:30. All tickets will be sold at the door. They are priced at 50 cents for students and 75 cents for adults. Both games tonight may be battles comparative scores indicates such and because tournament gold will be at stake. Port Washington, which took home its first county tournament trophy when it beat Gnadenhutten for consolation honors last Saturday night, will have an edge in size on the Bucks from Holmes County, but Midvale and St. Joe are about even when it comes to height. All four clubs are blessed with excellent shotmakers and high-scoring affairs may be in the offering.
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COMPARING SCORES
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Both St. Joe and Midvale have trounced two Carroll County teams, Malvern and Augusta, while both Killbuck and Port lost to County League Champion Strasburg, but topped Baltic handily. St. Joe, which has the poorest record of the teams in action tonight, trounced Augusta 77-42, while Midvale rocked the same club 83-20. The Ramblers from Dover; however, were upset in their tussle at Malvern (74-52), but later gained revenge by a 64-39 count at Memorial Hall. Midvale played the Green Hornets once and whipped them easily 80-44. All-Countians Larry Swinderman and Dick Leggett are the shining lights for Midvale, while George (Sonny) Zifer and big George Milylori are the scoring standouts for St. Joe. Swinderman has scored 503 points and Leggett 430 as the Blue Devils won 18 of 21. St. Joe has played 18 contests with Zifer getting 318 in 18 and Milylori tossing in 299 in 16. The other starters for Midvale and points scored include "Chuck" Seldenright at center 98, John Columbo at forward 227 and John Beans at guard 247. For additional rebound strength Coach Pete Hilliard can call on Gary Haney, who has tallied 87 points. Seldenright goes 6-3 and Haney 6-0, but the others are under the 72-inch mark.
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OTHER STARTERS
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For the Ramblers coached by Charley Lucas Forward Don Pace has tallied 142 points, and Guards Joel Spiker 148 and Bob Barkett 121. Their rebound power lies in the 6-2 Milylori and the 5-11 Spiker. 5-11 Bill Rieger who has scored 41 points in five games after becoming eligible the second semester is the sixth man, while Mike Seibold, 5-10, who has tallied 30 markers, is used for added board strength. Coach Bray Toot of Port Washington will likely go with his regular lineup of 6-1 Tom Jones and 6-1 Ed Bates at the forwards, 6-2 Nick Frank in the pivot and 5-9 Bob Welsch and 5-10 Denver Glazer at the guards. Ed Bates has scored 468 points as the Purple Riders have won 15 of 22. Nick Frank has accounted for 323, Tom Jones 298, Bob Welsch 209 and Denver Glazer 196. 6-1 Bill McConnell who has scored 165 is the sixth man. Killbuck Coach Virgil Allison will start 5-10 Jack Niehart and 5-10 Larry Haun at forwards, 6-1 Ron (Butch) Arndt at center and 5-11 Lee Tidball and 5-10 Ken Spurgeon at the guards. Tidball is a junior and Spurgeon a sophomore, while the other three starters are seniors. Arndt, an all-county choice, is averaging about 29 points per game. The Yellow and Black won 13 of 18 regular season outings and then beat Big Prairie-Lakeville and Berlin for the county tourney title. Killbuck gave Strasburg a battle before bowing 87-58, while Port fell to the Tigers 64-45. The Bucks whipped Baltic 81-62 and Port trounced the Eagles 103-73. The victor in the opener will play Malvern and the St. Joe-Midvale winner will meet the Strasburg-St. Mary's winner. Tomorrow night at 7:30 Berlin opposes Dennison, while the nightcap sends Strasburg against the Dennison parochials.
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Wednesday, February 29, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Port Washington , Killbuck Inaugurate Play (2-27-56)

DOVER ST. JOSEPH'S (10-8), an on-and-off team during the regular season, will hit the tournament trail against Tuscarawas County Tourney Champion Midvale (18-5) when the class B sectional, embracing 10 teams, opens at Dover's Memorial Hall Wednesday night. The Ramblers and the Blue Devils will square off in an 8:45 nightcap. Action opens at 7:30 that night with Port Washington's tall Purple Riders (15-7), who shot their way to the Tuscarawas consolation togs, going against Killbuck (15-3), the Holmes County champion which features a one-man scoring machine in Ronnie "Butch" Arndt.
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TIGERS TOP SEEDED
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When pairings for the four-night cage carnival were conducted at a dinner meeting at Helmkamp's Restaurant Sunday evening once-beaten Strasburg (19-1) and Berlin (18-5), the Holmes County League kingpin, were accorded seeded positions. Strasburg, which was defeated by Midvale after rolling up 19 victories in a row, was top seeded with the Panthers being seeded second. The teams were seeded on won-lost records as of February 18. The Tigers from Strasburg picked a lower bracket bye and were paired with Dennison St. Mary's (4-14) as Blue Wave Coach Paul Drotovick, last mentor to draw for position, had no other choice. These two clubs will vie at 8:45 Thursday night. Berlin picked up a bye in the upper bracket and the Panthers were slated to take on Dennison's Railroaders (5-13) at 7:30 Thusday after Coach "Chick" Maurer of the county club decided to stay out of the lower bracket of a first round meeting with Killbuck which had first pick after Strasburg and Berlin were seeded. Malvern (6-13) took a bye in the upper bracket on third pick and Millersburg, fifth team to choose position, took a lower bracket bye. The Killbuck-Port winner will meet Malvern at 7:30 Friday, while in the nightcap Millersburg (4-13) will do battle with the St. Joe-Midvale victor. Carroll County did not stage a tournament and Malvern, by virtue of two regular season wins over Augusta, rated the sectional berth. The semifinals will be played at 7:30 and 8:45 Saturday night with the co-champions moving in "B" district play at Brilliant March 6,7, and 9. Following the seeding of Strasburg and Berlin, the other eight teams drew for positions. Then they re-drew for bracket spots and Killbuck got first choice, Dennison second, Malvern third, Port Washington fourth, Millersburg fifth, St. Joe sixth, Midvale seventh and St. Mary's eighth. Coaches voted to provide trophies for the co-champions with the awards to be purchased out of tourney proceeds. Runnerups to each bracket will be given game basketballs. Each school was allotted 36 passes and executive heads of competing schools were given two each. Radio broadcasts were approved, according to district board regulations the stations pay $25.00 per session. The Dover high Stadium Club will sell programs. Tickets will cost 75 cents for adults and 50 cents for students.
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Monday, February 27, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

First County Trophy For Port Washington (2-27-56)

Charlie Powell, Daily Reporter Sports Editor
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Midvale and Port Washington - "third time's the charm" opportunists - today were basking in Tuscarawas County's basketball limelight. The bucket-bombing Blue Devils, with their tremendous one-two punch of Larry Swinderman and Dick Leggett playing leading roles, gave the school its seventh tournament championship Saturday night when they stopped previously unbeaten and defending champion Strasburg 72-63. And just as Midvale was proud of its hoopsters, Port Washington celebrated in great fashion after its Purple Riders crushed Gnadenhutten by a 61-45 count to give the school its first trophy in the 34-year history of the dribble derby. Thus the Purple joined Strasburg and Midvale in this week's Class B sectional at Memorial Hall, where Saturday night about 1800 faithful showed up for the pair of upsets. Tourney Director W.E. Laws said there were 1117 paid admissions, bringing the tourney total to 6108, an increase of 32 over last year. Between games numerous awards were presented with Strasburg getting the league championship trophy and Port Washington the consolation winner trophy. The Daily Times donated the league trophy and the S. Toomey Co. of Dover the consolation award. The Daily Reporter's tournament championship trophy and the runnerup trophy given by City Auto of New Philadelphia, were presented to Midvale and Strasburg, respectively, after their hassle. Members of both teams also received miniature basketballs donated by Marah Wall Products of Dover, Fairfield Brick of Zoarville and the Stone Creek Brick Co.
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PLAYERS HONORED
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Daily Reporter trophies were presented by County Coaches association President Bray Toot of Port Washington to 10 team members, while the league's Most Valuable Player award went to Jim Kuecher of Strasburg, the sportsmanship award to Mineral City and the best cheerleading team chosen was the Strasburg quarts of Beulah Lewis, Cookie Stanbarger, Shirley Gasser and Connie Kreis. Members of the all-county team were Swinderman and Leggett, Kuecher and Jerry Froman of Strasburg, Glen Hines and Lloyd Porter of Gnaden, Ronnie Deibel of Stone Creek, Paul Lindsay of Mineral City, Ed Bates of Port Washington and Ted Riggle of Tuscarawas. Larry Gerber, representing the Ragersville grade school team received the trophy symbolic of the county league title.
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Monday, February 27, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Port Washington Purple Riders Win First Ever Championship Title 61-45 (2-27-56)

Photo: CONSOLATION TROPHY - Displaying the consolation winners' trophy are three members of the Port Washington team which provided the school with its first award in the 34 years of the county tournament. It was the first Gnaden-Port tourney game ever. The trio is composed of Bob Welsch (left), Tom Jones and Ed Bates, the latter a member of the all-county team. The trophy was given by City Auto of New Philadelphia.
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Gnadenhutten (20-4) had topped the Port Washigton (15-7) outfit in two thrillers during the regular season, but Saturday night there was no stopping the rampaging Riders. Toot's team, featuring a three-pronged attack in Ed Bates, Tom Jones, and Nick Frank, barreled ahead early in the third period and rolled home as the Indians fouled repeatedly in attempting to stop the bigger, determined forces. Actually, the Riders made only two more field goals than Dick Scott's club, but Port made 15 free throws, while Gnaden converted only three of 15. On the other hand Port could have enjoyed a bigger edge if it had been more successful at the charity stripe. The Riders missed 15 others.
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FRANK HAS 17
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Nick Frank, who teamed with Tom Jones in bossing the backboards, wound up with 17 points for game honors, while Tom Jones canned 12 and the bespectacled Ed Bates counted 15. Only Eldon Miller scored in double digits for the Tribe. Port Washington and Gnaden fought on even terms in the opening session, but Port took a 23-22 half time advantage before starting to pour it on. The Riders led 46-28 at the end of three quarters and simply went through the motions the last eight minutes. It was the last schoolboy tussle for Gnaden Seniors Glen Hines and Lloyd Porter, who experienced some nightmarish luck on their shooting. Glen Hines ended with 359 points and Lloyd Porter with 330.
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PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS 61
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Tom Jones 6-0-12
Ed Bates 7-1-15
Nick Frank 6-5-17
Denver Glazer 1-0-2
Bill McConnell 2-2-6
Jim Emler 0-1-1
Bob Welsch 1-6-8
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GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS 45
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Glen Hines 2-1-5
Lloyd Porter 2-0-4
Tom Roth 3-1-7
Larry Clark 4-0-8
Eldon Miller 5-0-10
Larry Biggs 1-0-2
Jim Meek 4-1-9
Ed Shull 0-0-0
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Monday, February 27, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

County Tourney Champ To Be Crowned Tonight (2-25-56)

PHOTO: Ed Bates, Port Washington, All CountyTeam.
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THEY WON'T BE using the red carpet, but Tuscarawas County will pay tribute to its best in Class B Basketball with appropriate pageantry at Memorial Hall in Dover tonight. Gnadenhutten and Port Washington take the floor at 7:30 to settle the consolation title and a berth in next week's sectional. At about 8:45 Strasburg and Midvale, already assured of spots for the second stop in the tourney grind, match shots for the county tournament championship. The doors will open at 6:30. A packed house is expected. There will be no reserved seats with some 1,300 general admission tickets being available at the door. Following the titular struggle between the unbeaten Bengals and the smooth-operating Blue Devils gobs of team trophies and individual awards will be presented. Here's a list of trophies:
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League champion, Daily Times; tourney champion, Daily Reporter; tourney runnerup, City Auto Co. of New Philadelphia; consolation winner, S. Toomey Co. of Dover; tourney ball, Godfrey Electric of Dover; best cheerleaders, Schwartz Clothing of Dover; sportsmanship, Schreiner Insurance of New Phila.
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The Daily Reporter will award trouphies to 10 players picked for the coaches' all-county team while 12 members of the championship team will get miniature gold basketballs donated by Marsh Wall Products of Dover and Fairfield of the runnerup team will receive miniature silver basketballs donated by Stone Creek Brick Co. The Daily Times will give the Most Valuable Player trophy. Both the Strasburg and Midvale coaches, Ken Newlon and Pete Hilliard, will be going with their usual lineups which are as follow (with names):
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STRASBURG TIGERS
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Forward Jim Kuecher 378
Forward Willie Rieger 164
Center Ronnie Gray 220
Guard Lloyd Deibel 127
Guard Jerry Froman 289
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MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS
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Forward Larry Swinderman 384
Forward John Columbo 215
Center "Chuck" Seldenright 86
Guard Dick Leggett 410
Guard John Beans 239
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The talented Tigers will be seeking their 19th victory in a row and their 15th tourney crown, while Midvale will be going for its 18th win in 23 starts and its seventh tourney title. These two clubs, meeting in the final for the second straight year, clashed twice during the regular season and the Tigers, pressed all the way both times, captured 69-58 and 71-62 decisions. In the tourney Strasburg has beaten Sugarcreek-Shanesville 76-66 and Gnadenhutten 76-59, while the mighty Middies have downed Dundee 97-55 and Port Washington 71-69.
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BATTLE EXPECTED
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Gnadenhutten, runnerup team in 1953, and Port Washington, which has never crashed the Big Three, are expected to wage a terrific battle in tonight's opener. Gnaden, with a 20-3 record, beat the Purple Riders (14-7) twice during the regular season. The scores were 64-63 and 64-58. Dick Scott of the Indians will start Eldon Miller and Tommy Roth at forwards, Lloyd Porter at center and Glen Hines and Larry Clark at the guards, while Coach Bray Toot will counter with Ed Bates and either Tom Jones or Bob Welsch at forwards, Nick Frank at the center and Bill McConnell and Denver Glazer at the guards. Hines has counted 354 points, Porter 326, Roth 224, Miller 344 and Clark 102, while for Port Ed Bates has bagged 453, Bob Welsch 200, Denver Glazer 184, Bill McConnell 159, Nick Frank 306 and Tom Jones 286. The sectional is to be played at Memorial Hall, February 29, March 1-2-3. Pairings for the cage carnival will be made at Helmkamp's Restaurant in Dover Sunday evening.
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Saturday, February 25, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Strasburg's Kuecher Leading Vote Getter (2-25-56)

Photo: The 1956 Coaches' All-Tuscarawas County Team.
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Charlie Powell, Daily Reporter Sports Editor
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NOT MUCH in the way of size. But, speed, spirit, stamina and the marksmanship of 10 Davy Crocketts. These are the prime ingredients of the 1956 Coaches' All-Tuscarawas County Team comprised of 10 players from seven county schools. The 10 all-stars, who will be presented with individual trophies after tonight's tournament championship game at Dover's Memorial Hall, were chosen by vote of all county coaches who first submittted nominations and then voted for 10 boys from the "master list" of 26 players. Ten points were given for a first place vote, nine for second and so on. Top vote-getter and one of three unanimous choices was JIM KUECHER, the Strasburg flash. The slim forward, one of the big reasons why the Tigers are boasting a clean slate, was the No. 1 selection of three coaches, second choice for three mentors and third choice of two others.
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UNANIMOUS CHOICES
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The other unanimous picks were Stone Creek's RONNIE DEIBEL and Midvale's LARRY SWINDERMAN, a couple of small boys who can shoot with the best of them. Diebel, red-haired jump shot artist who made the honorary team as a Sophomore last year, received one first place vote, two seconds and three thirds, while Swinderman, the jumping jack who excels on a spin shot from the side, was awarded one first choice vote, one second, one third and two fourths. The Stone Creek ace now has scored 1385 points in three seasons and looms as a good bet to break the four-year individual record of 1792 points held by another Stone Creek luminary, Bill Jones. Swinderman, Midvale's best rebounder despite his 5 ft. 9 inchs, pumped home 430 points as he and DICK LEGGETT, another all-county selection, supplied the Blue Devils with an outstanding one-two punch. Kuecher, Strasburg's "meat and potatoes" performer, accounted for 343 points in 17 regular season games. A hard driver, slim Jim is always on the move and is especially dangerous on a one-handed jump shot. Possessed with quick reflexes, the Bengal bomber is a rugged customer defensively. More than once he earned two points by stealing the ball or intercepting an opponents' pass. Kuecher's teammate, the rugged JERRY FROMAN, also made the team while Gnadenhutten, with the third best record in the county, also placed two performers - forward LLOYD PORTER and guard GLENN HINES. Froman and Hines are somewhat alike in that both are their team's pressure players. The 5-11 Froman who weighs 190 pounds, is a standout rebounder, a fine defensive player, a good set shot and a hard worker. He averaged 15.7 points per game and can always be relied upon when the going is toughest. Hines, a diminutive ball hawk and shooter who is an all-county repeater, was shifted from forward to guard during the regular season. The switch didn't hurt the Indians a bit. An inspiring leader, Hines is a four-year varsity player for the Tribe.
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TEAM MAN
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When Hines was transferred to guard, the lean Porter moved from center to forward. The 6-1 Porter is Gnaden's top rebounder. Possessor of a nifty jump shot, he is definitely a team man and has been tabbed as a good small college prospect. Lloyd has played three years with the Gnaden varsity. Leggett, a Junior guard who has all the requisites of an all-star, is best known for his driving layups and running jump shots. Good defensively, he is a pip of a rebounder. His cat-like movements caused more than one headache to the Blue Devil enemies. The squad is rounded out by PITCHIN' PAUL LINDSAY of Mineral City, ED BATES of Port Washington and TED RIGGLE of Tuscarawas. Lindsay, who warmed the cocles of Tiger followers' hearts aplenty this season, is the other repeater from last year's team. The county's top scorer, blond-haired Paul bombed the hoops for 539 points - that's an average of over 26 points per contest - but the Splendid Splinter from Mineral City wasn't content with just shooting the ball. Shifty and tricky, Lindsay grabbed a lot of rebounds and passed off for a number of buckets. His forte was the jump shot, although he was equally effective with a set from the sides. Ed Bates, bespectacled Port Washington forward, will be back for another year. The jump shot specialist, who goes an inch over the six foot mark, was a hard man to stop when he was "hot." Fast, he tallied many a basket on the front end of the Rider fast break. Riggle, a fine all-around performer, was fifth among county bucket-makers. Tusky's record wasn't the best, but only two coaches failed to vote for the Bronco star who was a grade-A hustler. These are the super stars of County Class B Basketball this season. The Daily Reporter is proud to recognize them and also all other boys who helped their teams on the hardwood. Special recognition goes to four boys who were only a few votes away from the top 10. They include Jim Uher of Baltic, Don Levengood of Dundee, Ted Brown of Sugarcreek-Shanesville and Rod Reinhart of Stone Creek. Trophies, donated by the Daily Reporter, will be presented to the 10 all-stars at the conclusion of the county tourney tonight. The individual trophies have the players' name and "All County 1956" engraved on them. This newspaper also provides the trophy for the tournament champion.
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ALL COUNTY 1956
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Jim Kuecher - Strasburg - 6-0 - Senior - 343
Ronnie Deibel - Stone Creek - 5-10 - Junior - 460
Larry Swinderman - Midvale - 5-9 - Senior - 450
Glenn Hines - Gnadenhutten - 5-8 - Senior 323
Paul Lindsay - Mineral City - 6-1 - Senior 539
Dick Leggett - Midvale - 5-10 - Junior 347
Jerry Froman - Strasburg - 5-11 - Junior - 251
Ted Riggle - Tuscarawas - 6-0 - Senior 374
Ed Bates - Port Washington 6-1 - Junior 373
Lloyd Porter - Gnadenhutten 6-1 - Senior 287
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HONORABLE MENTION
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Jim Uher - Baltic
Ken Haueter - Bolivar
Willie Rieger - Strasburg
Don Levengood - Dundee
Rod Reinhart - Stone Creek
Tom Jones - Port Washington
Ted Brown - Sugarcreek-Shanesville
Ben Price - Mineral City
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Saturday, February 25, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Gnaden, Port Win (2-24-56)

BY CHARLIE POWELL, DAILY REPORTER SPORTS EDITOR
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STONE CREEK led most of the way and was in front by three points at the end of three quarters. Dundee enjoyed a six-point advantage at intermission. But neither team will be in the consolation final of the Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament at Memorial Hall in Dover. The Panthers, despite a 29-point outburst by Ronnie Deibel, went down at the hands of third-seeded Gnadenhutten 79-72 and the surprising Bulldogs fell to fourth-seeded Port Washington 94-54 before a small turnout last night. Consequently Gnaden and Port will do combat for consy honors at 7:30 Saturday night. THIS IS THE FURTHEST POINT FOR A PORT WASHINGTON TEAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE TOURNAMENT, CURRENTLY IN ITS 34TH YEAR. Strasburg and Midvale, the championship game foes, are assured of participating in next week's "B" sectional at Memorial Hall and this duo will be joined by the winner of the Saturday night opener.
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Friday, February 24, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Ed Bates On 35-Point Spree 94-54 (2-24-56)

The Dundee Bulldogs (5-19), who took a new lease on life after they pulled an upset over Sugarcreek-Shanesville, couldn't withstand Port Washington's second half onslaught in last night's nightcap. The Blue and White scrappers didn't go down without a fight though. For a half the Blue appeared bent on keeping their winning ways in high gear, but the Purple Riders (14-7), with the bespectacled Ed Bates as their wheelhorse, bounced back with 15 points without retaliation in the first three minutes of the third period. That was the old ball-game. The flurry ignited by Ed Bates gave Port a 45-36 advantage and after the Bulldogs whittled the gap to seven points, Bray Toot's chargers pushed on the gas again. This time they socked in 10 straight markers and Dundee was as good as on the sidelines. Port would up with 35 fielders and it was Ed Bates who provided the big noise. Held to six points in the first half, the jump shooting forward really went to town the last two periods when he pumped in 29 markers to give him 35 points and a good night's work.
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LEVENGOOD LEAVES
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Dundee lost its ace center, Don Levengood on fouls with 58 seconds remaining in the third frame and little Willie Slemmer followed suit early in the final period. Before Slemmer left though both coaches were beginning to make frequent use of their bench warmers. Levengood scored 16 points, all of them in the first two sessions, and the slim Senior standout ended the season with 562 points. Slemmer canned 15. Ed Bates had 15 fielders in 25 shots. He made 13 buckets in 17 second half tries. His supporters in the scoring column were Denver Glazer and Tom Jones with 13 each and big Nick Frank with 11. In the final analysis the Riders were simply too big for the Jack Reese coached-combine which ended with five wins and 19 setbacks. And of course Mr. Ed Bates took care of the shooting burden as Port won its 14th in 21 starts. The count was tied four times in the opening period before a rebound goal by Levengood sent Dundee on top 11-9. With the crowd of about 600 howling, the Bulldogs pitched in eight more markers without a comeback by the Purple. It was 21-11 at the quarter as Levengood hit on a onehander. Al Dildine made a foul and Slemmer connected on a pusher, it looked like the Bulldogs were going to do it again. However, by intermission Port had cut the gap to six points. In the first three minutes of the third canto the Riders hit on six of seven shots and they were on their way. They closed out with 35 goals in 79 attempts for 44 percent, while Dundee made 34 percent via 21 fielders in 59 shots.
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PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS 94
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Ed Bates 15-5-35
Tom Jones 4-5-13
Denver Glazer 5-3-13
Bill McConnell 1-2-4
Nick Frank 3-5-11
Bob Welsch 1-2-4
Jim Emler 4-0-8
Jerry Hannahs 2-1-5
Don Ferrell 0-1-1
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DUNDEE BULLDOGS 54
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Carl Squires 0-0-0
Bob Walters 2-3-7
Al Dildine 5-3-13
Don Levengood 8-0-16
Neil Potts 1-1-3
Willie Slemmer 5-5-15
Rod Fruchey 0-0-0
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Friday, February 24, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Consy Final Berths At Stake (2-23-56)

FOUR TEAMS, their sights set on the consolation title and a berth in the Class B sectional, take to the polished planks of Dover's Memorial Hall tonight for a pair of semi-final brushes in the consolation bracket. The doors to the Dover gym will open at 6:30 and at 7:30 the high-scoring Stone Creek Panthers take on Gnadenhutten's Indians. At about 8:45 Port Washington's Purple Riders do combat with the Whiz Kids from Dundee. Prior to the first game the Dover Basketeers, a group of seventh and eighth graders who fashion their show after the Harlem Globe Trotters, will be seen in a 20-minute display of ball handling, passing, and shooting. Tonight's victors are slated to clash in the consolation final at 7:30 on Saturday night with the championship tussle, between Strasburg and Midvale, to follow. Dundee, sentimental favorite of the crowd will be seeking its third victory of the tournament and its loftiest perch in the county cage carnival since it won the consolation crown in 1951 when the battling Bulldogs face Port Washington's tall Riders in the nightcap. The Bulldogs of Jack Reese, who won only three regular season games, tripped Bolivar in the tourney opener, but then fell out of the regular bracket competition as they downed to mighty Midvale. However, on Tuesday night the Dundee scrappers staged a Frank Merriwell finish to edge Sugarcreek-Shanesville by a 67-64 count. Port (13-7) beat Baltic in its inaugural at Memorial Hall, but the Riders were dropped by Midvale in a Tuesday night thriller.
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AIM FOR TITLE
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Port Washington has never crashed the Big Three in county eliminations and a victory tonight would put the Purple in position to annex the consolation tiara. The last time Stone Creek boasted a great amount of success was in 1952 when the Panthers ruled the roost and Gnadenhutten's last big winner was the 1953 club which copped runnerup laurels. Stone Creek (15-8) will be trying for its second tourney win. The Panthers beat Tuscarawas after losing to Sugarcreek-Shanesville while Gnaden (19-3) will be going after its second victory of the double elimination event. The Tribe topped Bolivar before being downed by undefeated Strasburg. Fans may get their money's worth tonight. In regular season frays involving the opposition points were made in wholesale lot and hi-scoring battles tonight would not be too surprising. Port and Dundee met once with the Riders claiming a 108-74, decision, while Gnaden bested Stone Creek twice. The first meeting was a lulu with the Dick Scott-coached outfit posting a 77-62 win, while in the return game the difference was greater, 94-66.
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Thursday, February 23, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Indians, Riders Bow; Dundee In Big Rally (2-22-56)

BERTHS IN NEXT week's Class B sectional today awaited superlative Strasburg and magnificent Midvale, but before those two old rivals try to keep on rolling along the tournament trail they'll have to decide the Tuscasrawas County Championship. The biggest game of county battling will take place Saturday night at Memorial Hall where last evening the undefeated and talented Tigers from Strasburg smacked down Gnadenhutten and the smooth, bustling Blue Devils from Midvale outlasted Port Washington. The defending district standard-bearers led Gnadenhutten most of the way, but had a couple of anxious moments in the final quarter before they tripped up the Tribesmen 76-59 for their 19th success in a row. And Midvale, riding on a 10-point advantage with four minutes left to play, utilized a stalling game and some late charity pitching to beat back the challenge of the Purple Riders by a 71-69 count. On the basis of their records which included triumphs over their opposition, Strasburg and Midvale were given the favorite's role to advance to the titular tussle. Therefor the biggest surprise of the three-game card - played to a satisfied crowd of almost 2,000 - was provided by Dundee in the opener. The Dundee team trailed Sugarcreek-Shanesville by 22 points at one time, but came surging back to kayo the tough Pirates 67-64 in the last 21 seconds of the game. So the battling Bulldogs thus joined Stone Creek and last night's semi-final losers, Gnaden and Port, in the scuffling which will determine the consolation winner and the county's third entry in the sectional. There will be two consolation encounters tomorrow night. At 7:30 Stone Creek (15-8) will vie with Gnadenhutten (19-3), while about 8:45 Port (13-7) will do combat with Dundee (5-18). The winners will fight it out for the consy crown, the two losers will be out of tourney running for another year. Last night's crowd numbered a few hundred more than was jammed in the gym when Strasburg made its debut against the Pirates last week. Paid admissions amounted to 1,277 with approximately 650 more getting in via passes. Doors to Memorial Hall will open at 6:30 tomorrow night and at the same time on Saturday evening. The consolation final Saturday starts at 7:30.
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Wednesday, February 22, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Midvale Staves Off Rally 71-69 (2-22-56)

Photo: SITTING IT OUT - Port Washington's Ed Bates and Midvale's Larry Swinderman may be getting a little dirty, but their object was a loose basketball. At left are Bob Welsch (in white jersey) of Port and Dick Leggett (3) of Midvale, while at the right is Nick Frank of the Riders, who yielded to the Blue Devils.



What a finish Midvale and Port Washington staged! About four minutes remained and the Middies led by 10. But, the Riders weren't ready to call it a night and rallied desparately only to have the door slammed in their face. The score was 69-62 with 2:15 left. In 30 seconds it was down to two points at 69-67 as Denver Glazer goaled and the flashy Ed Bates pulled a 3-point trick on a rebound goal and subsequent foul conversion. The joint was jumpin' as Midvale went into a stall. Ed Bates fouled John Beans with 29 seconds to go. Beans made one of two. Port got the rebound, moved upcourt and Ed Bates rammed in a jumper with 17 seconds left. Again the
Blue Devils coached by Pete Hillard switched to the deep freeze. With five seconds remaining Port fouled Beans intentionally and again Beans made the first shot. Midvale grabbed the rebound and had a berth in the finals as the clock ran out before the Riders had a chance to do anything about matters. If it hadn't been for the scrappy Beans and Larry Swinderman the sawed-off forward who seemingly has springs in his legs, Port might be the championship foe for Strasburg. Dandy Dick Leggett and slight-built John Columbo kept the Blue going the first half with Swinderman and Beans taking over the controls in the last two periods. On the other hand the Riders might have been thumped severely if Ed Bates and lantern-jawed Nick Frank hadn't been on the beam. The latter, who wound up with 20 points, three less than Ed Bates, was sensational on the backboards.
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THRILLING ACTION
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Midvale led 18-12 at the end of the first period during which the score was tied three times. Port was in the van twice, but after a 10-10 deadlock the Blue and Gold moved out on eight straight points - coming via an underhanded layup by Beans, two fouls and a jumper by Leggett and a fast break basket by Columbo. At 4:17 in the second chapter the Purple forged ahead 25-24 on a set by Bob Welsch. After Gary Haney made two charity flips and husky Tom Jones goaled for Port the score was tied again as the latter made a foul and Leggett a push shot. Columbo's drive-in put Midvale in front again and the Blue Led 39-33 at the half. A layup by sub Jim Emler knotted the count at 41-all early in the third canto and it was tied twice more before a jumper by Bill McConnell sent Port ahead 46-45. But Swinderman hit on a set and Midvale was in front to stay. Going into the final period the Middies had a 57-51 advantage. The difference was the first period, because veteran Bray Toot's lads matched the Blue Devils in the middle quarters and outscored them in the last. Both teams shot 37 percent. Midvale 28 goals in 75 shots and Port 24 in 64. Leggett, who can pump them home from any angle, pirtched in 24 markers for game honors. He had one more than Ed Bates who made 23, while Nick Frank canned 20.
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MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS 71
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Larry Swinderman 6-0-12
John Columbo 7-1-15
Charles Seldenright 1-0-2
John Beans 5-4-14
Dick Leggett 9-6-24
Gary Haney 0-4-4
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PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS 69
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Ed Bates 8-7-23
Bob Welsch 1-4-6
Tom Jones 3-1-7
Nick Frank 6-8-20
Denver Glazer 2-0-4
Jerry Hannahs 0-0-0
Bill McConnell 2-0-4
Jim Emler 2-1-5
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Wednesday, February 22, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Tigers To Meet Gnaden (2-21-56)

FOR THE SECOND straight year Strasburg, Gnadenhutten and Midvale find themselves in the semi-finals of the Tuscarawas County Class B Tournament. And whether the tenacious Tigers and the bucket-bombing Blue Devils make it to the championship round for the second straight time will be decided tonight at Dover's Memorial Hall. Strasburg, seeking its 15th tourney title, does battle with Gnadenhutten, while the Blue Devils face Port Washington after a 6:30 consolation affair between Sugarcreek-Shanesville (11-12) and Dundee (4-18). The gym doors will open at 5:30.
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BIG CROWD EXPECTED
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By 7:45, when sensational Strasburg vies with the dangerous Gnaden combine, Memorial Hall is expected to be taxed with its largest crowd of the tournament. Last week when Strasburg and Sugarcreek-Shanesville played there were about 1,900 fans in attendance. Even more may be on hand tonight. The Port-Midvale fray will begin about 9PM. Tonight's semi-final winners will be assured of berths in next week's "B" sectional at Memorial Hall, but will play for the county tourney tiara Saturday night. Consequently much hangs in the balance this evening. The losers, too, will have a chance to make it to the sectional, because the county also qualifies its consolation titlist. Last year Strasburg tripped up the Blue Devils 91-65 in the titular tussle after semi-final games saw the Tigers lick Tuscarawas 85-73 and Midvale eliminate Gnadenhutten 64-60.
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BIG TEST
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Strasburg, unstained in 18 tries, may be in for its toughest test although Sugarcreek-Shanesville forced Ken Newlon's Orange to the hilt before bowing last week. Gnaden has lost only two of 21 games, one of them a 73-65 reversal at the hands of the perennial county power. That loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Tribesmen. Because of their record and that eight-point triumph, the Jim Kuecher-led Bengals will be installed as a slight favorite as will Midvale (16-5), which upended Port (13-6) 63-62 and 75-64 during regular campaigning. The Pirates and Dundee may come up with another spine-tingler in view of a previous fuss which wound up with the Bulldogs falling only 74-71. On Thursday night the Strasburg-Gnaden loser will go against Stone Creek at 7:30 and the Sugarcreek-Shanes-Dundee winner will vie with the Midvale-Port loser at 8:45 in a pair of consolation skirmishes.
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Tuesday, February 21, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Dundee Falls To Blue, Panthers, Pirates Win (2-20-56)

THE STAGE was set for semi-final scuffles in the Tuscarawas County Class B cage carnival at Memorial Hall in Dover Saturday night when second-seeded Midvale exploded a 37-goal attack as it bombed the Dundee Bulldogs 97-55. The win put the Blue Devils against Port Washington in one of the two semi-final games scheduled to be run off tomorrow night. After Sugarcreek-Shanesville tangles with Dundee in a consolation bracket game at 6:30, the unbeaten Strasburg Tigers clash with the Gnadenhutten Indians in the first regular bracket semi-final. Midvale and Port will square off at about 9. The victors of the two semi-final frays will fight it out for the championship Saturday night. The titular tilt will be preceded by the consolation final at 7:30. In the consolation bracket Saturday night Stone Creek eliminated Bolivar 85-63 and Sugarcreek-Shanesville put out Mineral City 60-54. Stone Creek will return to action against the Strasburg-Gnaden loser at 7:30 Thursday night.
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Monday, February 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Panthers Drop Tusky; Baltic Falls To Port (2-17-56)

PERENNIAL POWER Strasburg and the classy Indians from Gnadenhutten, first and third seeded respectively in the Tuscarawas County Tournament at Memorial Hall, are expected to play to a full house when they make their initial tourney appearance as part of a three-game program tonight. The Tigers, unbeaten in 17 games, will meet Sugarcreek-Shanesville, while the Tribesmen, winners of 18 of 20 starts, take on Mineral City. Either the Bolivar Cardinals (7-14) or the Baltic Eagles (6-14) will join Tuscarawas on the sidelines tonight after they open action in a 6:30 consolation fracas. The gym doors will open at 5:30. Tusky was eliminated from the race by Stone Creek 77-61 last night, while in the regular bracket Port Washington's hot-shooting Purple Riders made an auspicious debut by romping to an 84-54 victory over an outmanned Baltic array. Strasburg and Sugarcreek-Shanesville (10-11) collide at 7:45 this evening with the final, at about 9, pitting Gnaden against the Tigers (4-17). The Pirates whipped Stone Creek and the Tigers beat Tusky in their lid-lifters Tuesday night. Both Strasburg and Gnaden own regular season victories over their foes. The Bengals thrashed the Bucs 66-30 and the Indians clobbered Mineral City 85-52. Strasburg's leading scorer is Jim Kuecher, southpaw forward. The six foot Senior has bagged 343 points, while his running mate, 6-1 Senior Willie Rieger has tallied 142. Center Ron Gray 6-2 Senior has made 190 and the guards, 5-11 Junior Jerry Froman has scored 251 and 5-8 Senior Lloyd Deibel 101. For Gnaden, 5-8 Senior Glen Hines has tossed in 323 followed by 5-10 Junior Eldon Miller with 289, 6-1 Senior Lloyd Porter with 287, six foot Sophomore Tom Roth with 191 and 5-7 Sophomore Ed Shull with 84. Stone Creek moves on to a Saturday night fray against the survivor of the Baltic-Bolivar game.
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Friday, February 17, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio

Riders Roll Behind Bates 84-54 (2-17-56)

Photo: EFFORTS GO FOR NAUGHT - Port Washington's Nick Frank (9) tries to grab the basketball on bended knee, but he wasn't successful and George Regula of Baltic kept on dribbling goalward in this bit of second quarter action at Memorial Hall last night. Approaching the center of attraction at the left are behind Frank is another Rider, Ed Bates (8).

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From the opening tipoff, the only issue in doubt during the tussle between Port Washington (13-6) and Baltic (6-14) was the final score and it turned out with exactly the same point spread which was chalked up by the Purple Riders during the regular season - 30 points. Coach Bray Toot's basket-bombing Riders scuttled the Eagles by 103-73 during the regular campaign and had little difficult in again proving their mastery. The Riders took 99 shots from action and sank 32 for 32 percent, while the short, but serappy Eagles could connect on only 24 percent via 16 of 67. Hitting their first two shots and four of their first five, the Riders opened like a house afire and held a 16-3 lead with four minutes gone before Glen Reidenbach finally swished Baltic's first field goal.
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PORT SHOWS POWER
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With Ed Bates and Bob Welsch showing the way, Port Washington had a 21-11 cushion after one quarter as Baltic managed only one more action shot. Continuing the onslaught, but tapering off somewhat, the Riders made another 20 points, limited the Eagles to 14 and had a comfortable 41-25 Margin at the midway point. Nick Frank went to the bench with four personals in the third period, but Bill McConnell entered the fray and teamed with Ed Bates to keep the Port Washington attack in high gear, while the Riders hurrying to a 62-40 advantage going into the last quarter during which they outscored the outclassed, but always-trying Eagles 22-14. Four Purple riders finished in double figures with Ed Bates on top with 22 points, Tom Jones and Bill McConnell each had 14 and Bob Welsch 11. Jim Uher led the Jack Bellville-coached Baltic team with 12 followed by Glen Reidenbach and George Regula with 11 each. Port made 20 of 39 free throws, Baltic 22 of 41. A total of 51 personals were assessed, 27 against the winners. George Regula of Baltic was the only cager fouling out. He left late in the final quarter.
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PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS 84
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Denver Glazer 3-1-7
Ed Bates 8-6-22
Bob Welsch 5-1-11
Tom Jones 4-6-14
Nick Frank 2-4-8
Tom Gardner 0-0-0
Don Ferrel 0-0-0
Jerry Hannahs 1-0-2
Jim Emler 2-2-6
Bill McConnell 7-0-14
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BALTIC EAGLES 54
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Glen Reidenbach 3-5-11
George Regula 4-3-11
Ronnie Huprich 1-2-4
Jim Uher 4-4-12
Carol Wallace 2-1-5
Sam Jacobs 0-4-4
Jonas Miller 0-1-1
Gary Berger 0-2-2
Pete Mutcheiknaus 0-0-0
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Friday, February 17, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio