Port Wins 72-71 Over Midvale (Hannahs Wins Game) (12-29-56)

PORT WASHINGTON - Jerry Hannahs of Port Washington (1-2) (6-4) connected on one of two free throws in the final 20 seconds last night to culminate a hair-raising thriller and give the Purple Riders a decision over the Midvale Blue Devils (1-2) (3-4) here last night. Midvale appeared on the way to a victory as Port Washington could manage only four points the first period, hitting two baskets in 22 attempts for nine per cent as the Blue Devils took a 14-4 lead. The Purple Riders came back the second frame to score 27 points and creep to within four points, 35-31, at halftime, before Midvale, paced by Dick Legggett, raced to a seemingly comfortable 56-45 third quarter advantage. In the deciding final period, the Purple Riders scorched the nets for 27 points as they finally trimmed the deficit until, with less than a minute remaining, they knotted the count at 71-71 and set the stage for the winning free throw by Jerry Hannahs. Dick Leggett led both teams with 26 points, while Lonnie Wolfe and John Colombo had 14 and 13, respectively, for the Blue Devils. The entire starting array of Port Washington each tallied in double figures with Ed Bates leading the well-balanced attack with 22 points. Each team meshed 26 field goals with the margin of difference coming at the foul line where Port Washington sank 20 of 39 shots, while Midvale hit 19 of 30. A total of 45 personals were assessed, 26 against Midvale. John Colombo of the losers fouled out in the third period, Ed Bates of the winners midway in the fourth. The Midvale Reserves dropped the Port Washington Reserves (5-3) 52-28.
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PORT WASHINGTON PURPLE RIDERS 72
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Ed Bates 9-4-22
Jim Emler 5-0-10
Nick Frank 2-8-10
Denver Glazer 4-4-12
Jerry Hannahs 5-4-14
Don Ferrell 1-0-2
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MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS 71
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Dick Leggett 10-6-26
Krocker 3-1-7
John Colombo 5-3-13
Hobart 2-1-5
DeMattio 1-0-2
Lonnie Wolfe 3-8-14
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Saturday, December 29, 1956
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio