62 - Burmich Ties Bronco Record In 80-66 Loss To Midvale (12-1-61)

PHOTO:  Tuscarawas Broncos Junior Scoring Ace - Fred Burmich

MIDVALE - As both teams nearly matched their 3 previous quarters' output in a torrid fourth quarter finish, Midvale (3-0) remained among the unbeaten ranks with a hard-earned victory over Tuscarawas (0-3) last night.  But before the Blue Devils and Coach Pete Hilliard had safely wrapped up their third straight victory, there were many a sobering moment as the red hot Broncos of Coach Al Miller refused to fold against the taller hosts.  Paced by the prolific shooting of Fred Burmich, Tuscarawas gave their big rivals some trying moments.  Burmich, a 5-7 Junior, had the crowd in stitches with his firing as he canned 42 points, including 18 in the big final quarter to tie the school record.  Burmich hit on 20 of 33 shots from the field for a brilliant 60.6 percent which included 13 of 20 in the torrid last half.  With only seconds left he got a one and one situation to tie the record, potting both.  It matched the previous high for Tuscarawas High School when Gary Caviness, the all-time scoring champion of Tusky, hit 42 points against Stone Creek February 6, 1960. 

Tusky took an early lead and was in front  15-13 at the first half.  But the Blue Devils gained their poise to move in front for keeps although the lead stayed right around 10 points from then until the fading minutes.  The Devils were only 10 points up at 47-37 going into the last stanza.  All-County performer Neal Beans paced the Blue Devils with 26 points.  Rick Belknap chimed in with 21 points and had 5 rebounds.  Midvale, which was impressive with its maneuvering under the boards in the last quarter, hit 29 of 71 shots from the field, but gained the margin of victory at the free throw line, dropping 22 of 31 chances.  Tusky also had 29 fielders in 61 action flings for a fine 47.5 percent, but got only 16 free throws, making 8.  Burmich had 7 of 13 field goals in the first half and 13 of 20 in the second half in his tremendous effort.  In the 2 previous games,  he had scored only 20 points.  The Midvale Reserves (3-0) killed the Tusky Reserves (1-2) 47-21.

MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 80

Neal Beans 9-8-26
Walt Weaver 3-3-9
Dave Belknap 9-3-21
Mike Page 3-3-9
Bob Byers 2-3-7
Jim Tidrick 1-0-2
Dean Demattio 2-2-6

TUSCARAWAS BRONCOS - 66

Dave Peoples 1-3-5
Ivan Summers 0-0-0
Jerry Wilson 0-0-0
Rus McGlothlin 2-1-5
Phil Meese 3-2-8
Chuck Reichman 3-0-6
Fred Burmich 20-2-42


Saturday, December 2, 1961
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio