59 - Outstanding Twin Bill Set In Tusky Semis (2-19-59)

Four Tuscarawas County Class "A" cage combines will lock horns tonight in Memorial Hall in one of the most outstanding semi-final doubleheaders in recent history of county tournament warfare. Defending champion Midvale (17-1) and runner-up Gnadenhutten (14-6) will open the program at 7:30, while Tuscarawas Valley (18-1) and Garaway (13-8) collide in the 8:45 nightcap. Three of the teams - Midvale, Gnadenhutten and Tuscarawas Valley were semi-finalists last season. Gnadenhutten has hooked up with Midvale to provide one of the most heated rivairies in county basketball warfare. Last year, the Indians finished second to the Devils in county league action and then lost 67-60 in the tournament finals. However, in the opening game of the sectional meet, the Indians turned the tables on Coach Pete Hilliard's charges to capture an 80-67 victory. Gnaden invaded Midvale December 16 this season and came away with a 78-76 victory. But one month later, January 16, the Devils decided turnabout was fair play and decisioned the Tribe 70-63 on their home court. Thus tomorrow night's contest will be the first meeting this season of the two teams on a neutral floor. The rivalry between Tuscarawas Valley and Garaway has been just as intense. Coach Bob Heller's Trojans hold a four-game regular-season streak over the Pirates, having won two decisions in each of the last two seasons. This season's two contests wer decided by a total of six points. Tusky Valley won 45-42 and 55-52. The Trojans also will be out to avenge a 43-34 loss to Garaway suffered in the league tourney's opening round last season. Gnadenhutten will be led by their prolific scoring ace, Ron Bradley, who has totaled 518 points, including one tourney fray. Pint-sized Ron Clark, 5-5 guard, follows him with 244. The Blue Devils carry one of the best balanced attacks ever exhibited by a county team into the fray. They have four players who have scored over 200 points, while the fifth, Tom Krocker, has tallied 145 in 9 contests. Leading the way is Ron Breniser with 371 points, while Tom Belknap follows with 225, Bill Housel 212 and Hanes Hairston 205. Garaway has a three-pronged attack while Tusky Valley has depended on two players for the majority of its points. Charley Stingel and Larry Yakley have meshed 326 and 321 points, respectively,while Koran Zehnder has added 255 for the Pirates. Ben Price is high for the Trojans with 400 and Roy Buchanan follows with 251. The two winners, who will collide in the finals Saturday night at 8, automatically qualify for next week's sectional tournament here. The playoff contest is a mere formality.
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Thursday, February 19, 1959
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio