PHOTO: Dennison's Jerry Millburn is "held back" by Strasburg's Rick Hall in a battle for a loose ball. Also in photo are Tigrs Rock VanFossen (left) and John Studer.
PHOTO: Railroader Greg Goodrich is "mobbed" by admiring fans after the tussle.
NEW PHILADELPHIA - Twenty-four hundred fans got more than their money's worth last night in class A Sectional Basketball Tournament action in New Philadelphia Gymnasium. Here's what they saw: Dean Green sink a pair of foul shots with 5 seconds left to give the Dennison Railroaders (12-8) a victory over defending champion Strasburg (12-8) in a tremendous struggle and the Garaway Pirates edged the Tuscarawas Valley Trojans in another squeaker. Now it boils down to one night-Friday-when Garaway and Dennison along with Dennison St. Mary-Conotton Valley skirmishes. The winners will reign as co-champions of this Sectional and go on to Steubenville for District action.
There were heroes aplenty for Tom Connor's Railroaders who had lost 83-70 to Strasburg on their own floor December 26. Although the spotlight was on Green, don't forget George Dryden who came off the bench in the 2nd half to toss in 7 points...including the go-ahead goal, 59-58, with 55 seconds left. It was a 9-footer from the side of the key. Then, too, there is Jim Povick who rimmed 10 points and plucked off 15 rebounds...despite having 3 personal fouls early in the 2nd stanza and 4 early in the third. And, Jerry Millburn who played a fine all-around game. Plus Greg Goodrich and Dave Bridgeman who did their part. Strasburg had its standouts, too. Rock VanFossen pumped in 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. He had 4 personals with 3:59 remaining and theTigers on top 55-52. John Studer who contributed 14 markers, 12 in the pressure-packed 2nd half...and pulled in 12 rebounds. Then there were Tom Dreher, Ron Lab and Rick Hall. And just as Dennison's big man, Povick, was in foul trouble, so, too, was Hall. The 6-3 Senior picked up 3 mid-way through the 2nd period, had 4 late in the 3rd and was forced to the bench with 5 at 1:51 of the third. Dennison led 39-38 at the time.
The score was tied on 9 occasions and the lead changed hands 6 times during the hotly-contested struggle. Dennison was on top 18-17 at the 1st stop and 32-28 by the half, with Strasburg holding a 48-46 advantage going into the final frame as VanFossen threw in a 6-foot "tip," the buzzer sounding while the ball was in the air. Povick, who sat out half of the 3rd canto, returned and immediately tied the count 48-48 as the last stanza began. He rimmed another goal at 6:30 after VanFossen scored, so the count was knotted again, 50-50. Then the heart of every Railroader fan sank, as their boys missed 4 "bunnies," while Strasburg was employing a press and building a 55-50 lead. Studer dropped in a pair of fouls, Dreher one and Van Fossen a goal after taking a long pass from a teammate. The clock showed 5:54. Green hit from out front and Millburn sank a foul to cut the deficit to 55-53 by 3:58. But, the fighting Tigers upped the count to 5 again, by 2:52, as Dreher connected on the 1st half of a one-and-one foul situation and Studer tipped in the 2nd attempt. The score was 58-53. Dryden tossed in a 7-footer and it was 58-55 with 1:54 left. Strasburg committed a turnover, Green missed a layup off a fast break and Strasburg again lost possession before Goodrich dropped in a goal to close the gap to a single point, 58-57, at 1:13. Tiger Coach Pete Shahan then called for a "stall." But, Don Gerber broke loose under the basket and decided to take advantage. His shot; however, went over the hoop. He missed the tip and Green grabbed the rebound. Dryden then drilled in a 9-footer to put the battling Railroaders on top 59-58 with 55 seconds left. It was Dennison's 1st lead since late in the 3rd canto. The talented Tigers knocked the ball loose from Dryden, but Green grabbed the loose ball. Thirty-seven seconds remained on the clock. Connor called time out and ordered his lads to "hang on to the ball." Then, with 5 seconds to go, Gerber deliberately fouled Green to try and give Strasburg one last chance. But, Green was master of the situation, dropped in both shots for a 61-58 margin which iced the verdict. Drfeher then fired a long pass to Studer at mid-court, the Sophomore sensastion driving in unmolested for the bucket as the final buzzer sounded.
Statistics were as close as the game, both teams hitting 44 percent of their field goal tries, each grabbing 29 rebounds and both missing 9 free throws. Dennison's ledger showed 25 of 56 from the floor and 11 of 20 charities. Strasburg's book was 23 of 52 and 14 of 23, respectively. Strasburg's biggest lead was 5 points. Dennison was ontop by 6 twice, 23-17 early in the 2nd stanza and 36-30 at the outset of the third. Shahan drew the technical early in the initial quarter when he got off the bench to "talk" to an official.
DENNISON RAILROADERS - 61
Jim Povick 4-2-10
Greg Goodrich 6-1-13
Jerry Millburn 5-3-13
Dean Green 7-2-16
Dave Bridgeman 1-0-2
George Dryden 2-3-7
STRASBURG TIGERS - 60
Rock VanFossen 8-1-17
John Studer 6-2-14
Tom Dreher 3-4-10
Ron Lab 2-3-7
RickHall 3-5-11
Dick Gerber 0-0-0
Ed Yackey 1-0-2
Thursday, March 4, 1965
Dan Kopp, Sports Editor
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
TUSCARAWAS COUNTY REGIONAL TOURNAMENT CLASS A RESULTS:
February 16, 1965
Baltic Eagles (4-14) 52 - Seton Catholic (6-12) 43
Tuscarawas Broncos (8-11) 74 - Augusta Blue Devils (unknown) 50
Garaway Pirates (15-4) 64 - Gnadenhutten Indians (6-13) 44
February 18, 1965
Dennison Railroaders (11-8) 80 - Dover St. Joseph's (4-15) 70
Conotton Valley (17-2) 66 - Hiland Hawks (15-6) 51
Malvern Green Hornets (5-11) 48 - Port Washington Purple Riders (6-12) 43
February 20, 1965
Dennison St. Mary (14-4) 68 - Tuscarawas Broncos (8-12) 40
Garaway Pirates (16-4) 45 - Stone Creek Panthers (17-4) 30
February 22, 1965
Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (5-14) 77 - Newcomerstown Trojans (4-15) 74
Strasburg Tigers (12-7) 63 - Midvale Blue Devils (16-3) 50
February 27, 1965
Dennison St. Mary (15-4) 66 - Baltic Eagles (4-15) 53
Conotto Valley Rockets (18-2) 51 - Malvern Green Hornets (5-12) 36
March 3, 1965
Garaway Pirates (17-4) 53 - Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (5-15) 46
Dennison Railroaders (12-8) 61 - Strasburg Tigers (12-8) 60
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