Although needing 4 more wins for the State Championship, Strasburg Coach Bob Shahan tells Tri-Captain Vic Gessner, Manager Ken Myers and Mascot Steve Scherer that theTigers will play the game "one at a time."
Dusting off places in the trophy case for 2 more awards (Regional and State) are Strasburg cagers Ron Lab (left), Tom Dreher and Rick Hall.
CANTON - "We're going into Friday's game with the same confidence we have had in other contests this season." Bob Shahan was reflecting upon his Strasburg Tigers' Regional Tournament battle against tough Mogadore, set for Canton Memorial Fieldhouse at 7:30. The present Tigers have good reason to be confident. They have a sparkling 22-1 slate and according to available records, are just one game away from tying the school's best all-time showing in tournament play. Records show the 1933, 1946 and 1955 aggregations all reached Regional final firing---where the present Tigers will be if they knock off Mogadore. The 1933 club, under Paul Roby, actually was in the state finals, but there were 16 teams at that level at that time compared to the present 4. Thus, that makes the 1933 State event the same as this campaign's Regional. Dover Supt. Emmet Riley was cage boss at Strasburg in 1946 with Don Martin handling the reins in 1955. Riley's 1946 club swept by 28 foes. Although they are confident, the Tigers realize it will take a top-notch effort if they are to emerge victorious. "We know it will take hard work and our best game of the season," Shahan says. "The boys want this one badly and will give it everything they have."
Shahan's main concern at this time is whether or not his charges can come close to matching the rebound strength of the Wildcats, mainly 6-4, 230-pound Ernie George. If they can come anywhere close their shooting should make up for the rest. "If we can get off to a fast start and not hit a bad spell I think we'll be able to keep up with Mogadore," Shahan went on. "We'll have to keep moving and hustle all the way. The boys may feel the pressure at first, but I think their poise and experience will overcome that." The Tigers are pronouned in excellent physical condition with the exception of John Peters who still is nursing a "tender" nose. The great All-Ohio candidate suffered a broken nose in the Tuscarawas County Class A League Tournament and has taken a couple of bumps since. Vic Gessner has been bothered by sore knees throughout his career and Shahan says they are as strong now as they have been all season. Mogadore, termed the "sleeper" of the tournament, is called, ijn Shahan's words, "Strasburg's chief threat." The Wildcats have the poorest record (14-6) among the 4 teams entered, but all 6 defeats were to AA opposition. Northwestern, winner of the Canton Regional Tournament twice in the past, suffered 2 of its 3 losses to AA foes. Brilliant has lost only to Adena (61-59), while Strasburg was upended 60-45 by Garaway.
Strasburg's All-Ohio candidate John Peters, 6-0 Senior, is the big gun with 508 points, making him the only Tiger on record to tally 500 markers in a single season. His chief assistance comes from 6-2 classmate DonWallick who has 356, Rock Van Fossen has 254, Vic Gessner 239, Rick Hall 156 and Ron Lab 90, making Strasburg a well-balanced team.
Wednesday, Thursday, March 11 and 12, 1964
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
No comments:
Post a Comment