PHOTO: BIG IMPROVEMENT - Last year at this time, the Strasburg Tigers held a 1-18 record. A big year of improvement sends the Tigers into tournament play with a 11-7 record. Coach Warren Binder's crew finished in a third place tie in the county league and was looking for a big win over Baltic. The Tigers Kneeling - Cliff McCoy, Frank Welling, John Peters, Vic Gessner, and Adrian Edie. Back Row - Coach Warren Bender, Charles H., Don Wallick, Jim Clymer, Joe Aul, Jim Tidrick and (not legible). Missing is Dan Sliffe.
PHOTO: WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK - Strasburg's Adrian Edie is about to pick up a loose ball and take off down the court, but Dale Lautenschleger (12) of Baltic stands ready to defend. At right is Jim Clymer (28), while game hero Jack Miller is partially hidden behind Lautenschleger. Miller's tip-in with 8 seconds left gave the Baltic Eagles a 44-42 upset win in the tournament.
NEW PHILADELPHIA - Only 8 seconds remained on the scoreboard when Jack Miller leaped high off the floor, tipped Dick Gerber's missed jump shot back up toward the basket and watched the ball fall through the cords to climax Baltic's stunning upset over Strasburg (11-8). In the remaining time, a jump ball was called at the center circle and Gerber came up with the tip and held on for dear life as the buzzer sounded and bedlam broke loose. The final minute of play saw Baltic (10-11) put the finishing touches on a rally in overcome a 13-point first half deficit and to capture their sweetest victory of the season. Making the upset even sweeter was the fact that just one week ago, Baltic had succumbed 81-62 on its own floor to Strasburg. Aside from an early 1-0 Baltic lead, Strasburg dominated most of the game and it wasn't until late in the tilt that the triumphant Eagles tied the score and then moved ahead. While Strasburg led by as much as 13 points, Baltic never held more than a 2-point advantage. With All-County performer Jim Clymer sweeping the boards and scoring consistently, Strasburg moved out to a 14-5 first quarter lead. The Tigers made it 18-5 on a basket by Don Wallick and a pair of fouls by Clymer. A cold shooting start virtually froze the Eagles in their shoes in the first quarter as they attempted 14 shots before they finally hit from the field. They made only one of 23 for the quarter. Near the end of the half, Baltic began to find the range and narrowed the margin to 26-18. For the first half, Baltic made only 7 of 44 shots, or 15 percent. Strasburg hit on about 31 percent. After falling further behind, 32-22, the Eagles began to roll. Willis Mullet, Dale Lautenschleger and Miller combined for 8 straight points to cut the gap to 32-30 as the third quarter ended. In that third quarter, Strasburg could connect for only one field goal, attempting 16 field goals. After trading baskets, Strasburg seemed to regain its poise after Adrian Edie stuffed in a shot and Wallick followed suit to give the Tigers a 6-point lead, 40-34, with 3:50 left. But, Baltic came back on a basket by Mullet, another by Gerber and a set shot by Larry Kaser from the corner to knot the count at 40-40 with 1:23 left. The Eagles then went ahead for the first time since the opening minute of play when Gerber swished a pair of bonus tossses after being fouled by Vic Gessner at 1:02. Wallick tied it back up with just 16 seconds remaining when he hit from the top of the key. Baltic then brought the ball up court and Gerber fired from the foul circle and Miller rose from the scramble under the basket to tip in the winning basket. It was only the third field goal the Baltic hero made all night. Mullet with 13 and Lautenschleger with 11 paced Baltic, while Clymer netted 19 and Wallick 11 for Strasburg. It was a disappointing end to a successful season for Strasburg, which finished with its best record since 1958. The Tigers were 1-18 last year. Friday, February 16 will be remembered as "Black Friday" in Strasburg, but for Baltic's celebrating Eagles it will remain as July 4th, Christmas and New Year's rolled into one.
BALTIC EAGLES - 44
Dale Lautenschleger 4-3-11
Karry Kaser 2-0-4
Jack Miller 3-2-8
Dick Gerber 3-2-8
Willis Mullet 6-1-13
STRASBURG TIGERS - 42
Jim Clymer 7-5-19
John Peters 2-0-4
Don Wallick 4-3-11
Vic Gessner 0-1-1
Adrian Edie 2-3-7
Saturday, February 17, 1962
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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