PHOTO: GET OFF MY BACK - Rick Belknap (34) of Midvale seems to be about to give Gnadenhutten's Brad Kaiser a warning to get off his back. Dean DeMattio left, and Neal Beans of Midvale (42) watch the action. Midvale romped 54-34 to gain the sectionals.
NEW PHILADELPHIA - Billed as the most promising game of the tournament, the Midvale-Gnaden match appeared headed for fireworks in the first quaqrter as the lead changed hands 3 times before the Blue Devils (16-4) moved into a slim 11-9 lead at the stop. Playing havoc with Coach Ron Sakola's Indian offense the Midvale defense was particularly stingy as it limited the Tribe (15-7) to but 49 action shots. Meanwhile, Midvale got off 71 field goal attempts. The Devils hit 22 field goals for 30 percent, while Gnaden netted but 12 for 24 percent. With Neal Beans setting the pace, the Devils overcame an early deficit to go in front 7-6 in a low scoring first quarter. Beans flipped in the first 5 points and netted 4 fielders in 7 attempts in the stanza as Midvale eased into an 11-8 advantage. The teepee came tumbling down on the Redskins in the second quarter as they found the lid sealed in the hoops. This, combined with the alert Midvale defense broke the game open. Frigid Gnaden went 5 minutes and 40 seconds without a single point to fall behind 17-8. Midvale led 25-15 at the long intermission. Coming alive with some meaning in the third quarter, the Indians fired back in earnest after intermission and moved within 6 at 30-24. But, Midvale stiffened again and the offense sparked to race to a quick 12-point lead at 36-24 with 1:20 minutes left in the quarter. Gnaden never came close after that as Midvale pushed to a 39-26 advantage. All-county performer Beans led the Midvale attack with 24 points, including 17 in the first half. He also shared rebounding honors with Rick Belknap as each pulled 12 off the boards. Belknap had 13 points and Walt Weaver, who came off the bench in the second quarter, netted 11 points and 6 rebounds. Bob Ervin, shadowed by Midvale's Bob Byers all evening, shared scoring honors for the Tribe with 10 points. Brad Kaiser also scored 10. Although Byers went without a point for the first time this season, the 5 foot 10 Midvale guard was credited with a great defensive job on Ervin, limiting the league's top scorer to but 3 field goals in 12 attempts. Ervin ended his career with a 395 point total for the campaign.
MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 54
Neal Beans 10-4-24
Mike Page 2-2-6
Rick Belknap 6-1-13
Bob Byers 0-0-0
Walt Weaver 4-3-11
GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 34
Brad Kaiser 4-2-10
Bruce Kohl 1-1-3
Dave Struchen 1-0-2
Bob Ervin 3-4-10
Jim McCreary 2-2-6
Paul Blind 0-1-1
Dick Shull 1-0-2
Saturday, February 24, 1962
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
No comments:
Post a Comment