PHOTO: ONE THAT GOT AWAY - Neal Beans of Midvale blocked several shots last night against Dennison, but this one got by him as Nick Cummings hooked in a 2-pointer. Rick Belknap (35) of Midvale and Evo Marini (22) of Dennison move in for a possible rebound. Cummings scored all 7 of his points in the first quarter as Dennison gained the District Tournament.
NEW PHILADELPHIA - All aboard! the Dennison High School tournament express now leaving for Brilliant, Steubenville, Columbus and the state finals. Rolling along on a full head of steam, the Railroaders of Dennison (16-4) overpowered Midvale (18-5) Friday night at New Philadelplhia High School to reign as Class "A" Sectional Co-Champions with Hiland. Dennison will play Stanton Local Tuesday at 8PM in the District at Brilliant. Hiland is paired against Conotton Valley in a Thursday night game, also starting at 8. The finals will then be played at the Steubenville Dioesan Community Area Saturday night: Conotton Valley (18-4) nipped Flushing 60-57 and undefeated Stanton Local (22-0), the state's third-ranked team, drubbed Lakeland 70-53 in Sectional action at Brilliant last night.
The Dennison express never even slowed down, although the Blue Devils of Midvale stirred up a last-quarter rally to throw a scare into the Railroaders. Although the victory was clearly a team effort for Coach Tom Connor's squad, it was husky Dick Selzer that made the difference between winning and losing. The area under the baskets was his domain and he ruled it with all of the determination of a lion protecting its kill. He dominated the backboards and scored 24 points, including 3 clutch baskets in the last quarter that killed Midvale's rally. His baskets came on a variety of shots---jumpers, hooks, tip-ins and rolling layups. Selzer and the Railboaders were helped out immensely when Neal Beans and Mike Page, Midvale's top rebounding and defensive men, picked up 3 personal fouls each in the first half and were forced to play cautiously. While Selzer was sparkling for Dennison, Beans and Walt Weaver were doing likewise for the Blue Devils. Beans led the Devils in scoring with 16 points and in rebounding. Weaver sparked the late rally and finished with 11 points. Selzer and Beans put on quite a defensive show, taking turns blocking each other's shots. Selzer's strength and the fact that Beans was in foul trouble made the difference.
Dennison pushed in 5 points before Midvale scored. The railroaders kept pouring on the coal and led 21-14 at the quarter. Midvale moved to within a point, 25-24, as Beans hit on a long,long set shot, but Selzer, Nick McBride and John Neighbor scored to give Dennison a 31-24 halftime lead. Dennison jumped its lead to 10 points during the third quarter, but had to settle for an 8-point bulge, 45-35 at the end of the stanza. Then Midvale, league co-champion and winner of the county tournament, brought the large crowd to its feet. Beans and Weaver tallied on field goals to cut the margin to 45-39. Dennison called time out, but Page scored on a rebound shot at 4:56 to make it 43-41. Fred Lecce and Selzer scored to make it 47-41, but Bob Byers hit from the field and Weaver tossed in a foul shot and it was 47-44 with 3 minutes left. McBride and Beans traded baskets and then Selzer took charge---rolling beautifully off the pivot for a pair of baskets to put the game out of reach for the fighting Devils. Dennison had a good shooting night, making 24 of 55 attempts for 43 percent. Midvale made 20 of 56 for 35 percent. Midvale thus ended its season. Three of the Devils' losses were to teams remaining in the tournament---Dennison, which beat Midvale twice, and Conotton Valley. The other losses were to Garaway and Tuscarawas. Dennison is riding a 7-game winning streak.
DENNISON RAILROADERS - 54
Dick Selzer 10-4-24
Evo Marini 1-0-2
John Neighbor 3-0-6
Nick McBride 6-0-12
Nick Cummings 3-1-7
Fred Lecce 1-1-3
MIDVALE BLUE DEVILS - 48
Neal Beans 6-4-16
Rick Belknap 2-0-4
Mike Page 2-2-6
Walt Weaver 5-1-11
Bob Byers 1-1-3
Dean DeMattio 2-0-4
Jim Tidrick 2-0-4
Saturday, March 3, 1962
Keith Sanders, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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