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