The stage is now set for the Tuscarawas County Class "A" League's big game of the season next Friday night. It will pit undefeated Midvale (5-0) against unbeaten Gnadenhutten (6-0) on the latter's floor. To the victor could go the 1958-1959 championship, although there still is a distinct possibility for a three-way deadlock in the league race. Midvale enhanced its championship ambitions Friday night by trouncing previously-unbeaten Tuscarawas Valley 81-56, while Gnadenhutten was forced into overtime before toppling dangerous Garaway 73-69. Strasburg's Tigers came up with a mild surprise in nipping Stone Creek 42-39 and Baltic swamped winless Port Washington 87-53. The losses for Garaway and Stone Creek practically erased any title hopes they had enjoyed until last night. Both are now 2-3 in league warfare. Should Gnadenhutten repeat an earlier-season 78-76 win over Midvale in Friday night's contest and then lose to Tuscarawas Valley in a January 23 contest the league could wind up in a three-way knot - providing the "big three" would be victorious in other league frays. Gnadenhutten's loop season will be complete with the Midvale and Tuscarawas Valley contests. Midvale also has games with Strasburg and Port Washington, while remaining Tuscarawas Valley opponents include Stone Creek, Tuscarawas and Baltic. Midvale which has lost only to Gnadenhutten in the non-league fray December 16 wrapped up its 10th victory of the season and sent Tuscarawas Valley not only to its first league setback, but the first loss this year in nine games. The Trojans' setback left Tuscarawas County without an undefeated scholastic quintet. Gnadenhutten has had a faculty for squeezing through with the tough ones this season and last night's victory over Garaway was no exception. Four of the Indians' six loop triumphs have come by the scant total of eight points. Coach Bob Gaume's charges have topped Baltic 51-50, Tuscarawas 46-45, Stone Creek 62-60 and Garaway in the "tight battles". But championships are won in that fashion. Garaway, on the other hand, has suffered its three loop setbacks by the total of only nine points. The Pirates had lost earlier to Midvale 54-52 and Tuscarawas Valley 55-52. Strasburg gave one of its best defensive performances of the year in surprising Stone Creek. The visiting Panthers entered the contest with a 56-point game average. Baltic continued to show signs of resurgence following the snapping of a five-game losing streak against West Lafayette last Friday night. It was the Eagles' second straight 80-point plus offensive parade. Overall season records of the county teams are now: Midvale 10-1, Tuscarawas Valley 8-1, Gnadenhutten 9-2, Garaway 6-5, Strasburg 4-7, Stone Creek 7-6, Baltic 6-7, Tuscarawas 3-6, and Port Washington 2-9.*
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LEAGUE STANDINGS
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1. Gnadenhutten Indians 6-0
2. Midvale Blue Devils 5-0
3. Tuscarawas Valley 3-1
4. Baltic Eagles 2-3
5. Garaway Pirates 2-3
6. Stone Creek Panthers 2-3
7. Tuscarawas Broncos 1-3
8. Strasburg Tigers 1-4
9. Port Washington Purple Riders 0-5
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Saturday, January 10, 1959
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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