59 - Midvale-Northwestern Scrap Has "Flavor" Of State Title (3-13-59)

PHOTO: Midvale Blue Devils High School - Congratulations from the Midvale Business area. - Taken from The Midhian (1959 Midvale Yearbook).

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Although there are 13 other teams still left in the race for the Ohio Class "A" Scholastic Basketball Championship, there are some observers who look at tonight's Midvale-Northwestern meeting at Canton as one which may decide the State title. Northwestern was in a similar Regional tourney semi-final situation a year ago. The Huskies met the tough Columbiana Clippers in a game many felt was really for the State crown. They were right. Northwestern won and went on to statewide acclain. Tonight's 7PM clash in Canton's Memorial Fieldhouse has many of the same characteristics. Both are strong offensively and each has compiled an outstanding season record. The Huskies stand at 28-2, Midvale at 22-1. All of the defeats were avenged. Northwestern and Midvale enter tonight's clash with identical 74.5 offensive averages. Defensively, the Huskies hold the edge, 50.2 to 59.1.

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Midvale, however, has the more balanced individual attack. All five starters - forwards Ron Breniser and Tom Krocker, center Bill Housel and guards Dave Belknap and Hanes Hairston - are averaging in double figures. Breniser leds the parade with 458 points, Housel has 300, Belknap 297 and Hairston 272. Krocker, who was sidelined early in the season because of a broken leg suffered in football, has 214 points in 14 games. Individually, Northwestern is led by 6-3 Dean Chance and 5-7 Boze Johnson with 24.1 and 19.1 averages, respectively. Both were stars on last year's championship array.

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No Tuscarawas County Class "A" quintet has EVER captured the State crown. The Blue Devils came close two years ago, advancing to the State semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Ayersville. With New Philadelphia's Quakers out of the running for Class "AA" honors, the Blue Devils are now the county's lone hope for any State laurels. Tonight's Regional tournament nightcap pairs Braceville (25-2) and Old Washington (27-1) at 8:30. The two winners return to action Saturday night to battle for one of four berths open in next week's State trials at Columbus.

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Friday, March 13, 1959

The Daily Reporter

Dover, Ohio