65 - Dennison And Conotton Valley Seek District Basketball Crown

DOVER - No major changes are expected either in personnel or mode of attack tonight when Dennison and Conotton Valley lock horns on Steubenville's Diocesan  Arena floor for the Eastern District Basketball Championship.  The feeling is that the teams have gone this far with what they've been doing and there is no reason to make alterations now.  Dennison, under Coach Tom Connor, will be seeking its 3rd District title...it's first since 1939.  The 1939 Railroader quintet also ruled this section of the state.  For Conotton Valley, under Errol Jacobs, it will be a try at the school's initial District crown.  Never before has a Rocket team advanced this far.  Only 2 Rocket quintets have made it to the District finals, the last time being 1959.  According to the 1957 edition of a book entitled "All-Sports," published by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the 1939 tournament section shows Dennison beat Harpster 39-24 in the 1st round of the state event, whipped Dillonvale 27-22 the 2nd time out and finally were outsted 25-21 by Sandusky St. Mary in semifinal firing.  Eugene (Pap) Wolfe and Dick Arth of the Railroaders were named to the all-tournament team for their exploits.  In the 1939 semifinal event, Dennison led 8-5 after one quarter and 12-9 at the half before going scoreless in the 3rd canto to trail 16-12 going into  the final frame.  Dennison whipped Strasburg 47-34 in District final play.  The 1939 lists Dennison as losing 37-23 in South Amherst in the 1st round.  Railroader George Galbraith was an all-tournament selection thast year.  The late Glen O. (Dutch) Furbay, was coach both seasons.  Dennison, ending  regular play this campaign with a 10-8 slate, has beaten Dover St. Joseph 80-70, Strasburg 61-60 and Garaway 52-49 (in Sectional finals) plus Mingo  Junction 58-48 Thursday in its 1st District outing.  Conotton Valley, enjoying its finest season ever, was 16-2 prior to the tournament and since has upended Hiland 66-51, Malvern 51-36, Dennison St. Mary 62-61 in 3 overtimes and Warren Consolidated of Tiltonsville 67-60.  The latter was a District engagement.

Leading the attack for the Railroaders and Rockets in tournament action have been:

DENNISON

Greg Goodrich (64 points)
Dean Green 52
Jim Povick 50
Jerry Millburn 43
George Dryden 33
Dave Bridgeman 19.

CONOTTON VALLEY

Neil Tope 65
Jim Monigold 56
John Connor 35
Greg Kurtz 33
Ken Beamer 29
Jim Sell 24


Saturday, March 13, 1965
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio