DOVER - Head Coach Charlie Huggins' forehead is creased by a frown when he says it, but every word must be true. "They know every board on that floor," states the Strasburg (3-0) (10-0) mentor. Huggins was referring to Midvale's basketball team (2-0) (8-3) and the Tigers' Friday night meeting with the Blue Devils. He ought to know what he's talking about for he learned a lot of basketball, while serving as an aide to Blue Devil mentor Pete Hilliard several years ago.
One of those lesson learned was that Midvale is tough to beat on its home floor. Strasburg found that out long before Huggins ever arrived on the Tiger scene a year ago. Strasburg has been unable to defeat Midvale on the Blue Devil court since the opening game of the 1963-64 season and that was only 68-66. The Tigers romped to a 63-35 verdict over Midvale in their season debut. But, don't expect that to happen Friday. Strasburg hasn't managed to measure the Blue Devils twice in one season since the 1962-63 campaign. It shapes up as another typical Strasburg-Midvale wingdine in which the outcome will go a long way toward determining the Tuscarawas County Class A League Champion.
Both teams are undefeated in league play. For the past 2 straight seasons they and Garaway have ended deadlocked for the loop crown. Fact of the matter is there hasn't been an undisputed league champion since the 1959-60 season when Garaway turned the trick on an 8-0 record. There's a lot at stake in this one for the Tigers. No less is the case for Midvale. Bouncing the State's 5th ranked Class A combination from the undefeated would be a beautiful bouquet for the Blue Devils. The Strasburg starting lineup will fine either Gene Bayer or Ed Rusk at forward opposite All-Ohio John Studer,who has canned 248 points so far this campaign. In his last outing he broke the school's career scoring record, previously held by John Peters, now at Otterbein.
The center post is held by Ed Yackey, a 6-2 Senior who seems to get more pleasure from a rebound than a asket. Yackey has scored 106 points. Guard positions are filled by 6-3 Senior Charlie Jones, owner of 162 points so far and a deadly jump shot from anywhere around the key. Little Mike Reiger is the other guard. He is a good playmaker and likes to stress defense. Gary Phillips, 5-9 Senior spells either of the guards and will see considerable action. Others to see action are the Hall twins, Ron and Tom, both Juniors, Sophomore Butch Haswell, Senior Tom Ferris and Junior Tom Margo.
The Midvale attack boasts 4 of the starting 5 in double figures. Bob Carlisle, leads this group with 193 points for the season and is an experienced performer. Lee Eberly has 155 and 2nd to Carlisle, is Mike DeMattio with 170. Tom Booth has 111 points. Bob Grimm supplies the steadiness for this consistent combination and sure to supply other talent are Gene Ford and Bob Morrison and another steady backup man, Kenny Morrison.
Thursday, January 12, 1967
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
No comments:
Post a Comment