DOVER - Gnadenhutten is the last remaining barrier to an undefeated, undisputed county league championship for Strasburg's state-ranked Tigers. The 2 teams collide Friday night on the Bengal hardwoods in one of 2 games that concludes this year's league schedule. Midvale travels to Garaway with the winner assured 2nd place and a possible shot at a share of the championship should Gnadenhutten upset Strasburg and Port Washington is at Tuscarawas.
Tuscarawas Valley, completed its league season last week and will entertain Hiland Friday. If Strasburg runs true to form and defeats Gnaden, it will mark the 1st time any team has gone through league warfare undefeated since the Garaway Pirates turned the trick with an 8-0 record in 1959-60. Previously Midvale had undefeated league records in the 1957-58 and 1958-59 seasons and before that the Tigers completed 5 undefeated slates in succession dating from the 1952-53 seasons and ending on the 1956-57 title drive. Whether Garaway or Midvale win a chunk of the crown, or claim sole possession of 2nd place, it will be a commendable feat for either. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Coaches Glenn Bower and Pete Hilliard.
The individual scoring race has narrowed to a 2-man shooting duel and this could also be decided come Friday night in the Strasburg gym. Gnaden's Dan Jinks has given Strasburg's John Studer plenty to worry about as far as the league scoring title is concerned. "Dangerous Dan" is trailing the sharpshooting Studer by a mere 3 points, 149 to 146 so rest assured interest of the fans will be centered on these 2 All-League marksmen. Adding support to Gnaden's offense is Bill Kohl, a 6-foot Senior, who is tough on the boards and always dangerous with a deadly left hook shot. Kohl has contributed 246 points overall this season to give Gnaden a 1-2 scoring punch 2nd to none in the county. In addition to these 2, Head Coach Lower will probably start Roger Heubner, Wayne Martin and Don Finnicum. The Indians like to rely on a zone defense and outside shooting to pull the opponents defense out.
Head Coach Charlie Huggins states that injuries prevent him from naming a starting lineup, but it is expected he will see action from ace Studer, Ed Rusk and Ron Hall at the forwards, while ailing Ed Yackey will get assistance from Tom Hall and Gene Bayer. Guards to be counted on for action can be any combination of Charlie Jones, a deadly outside shooter, Mike Rieger, Gary Phillips or Sophomore Butch Haswell. Top league scorers will also tangle in the fight for 2nd place as Midvale's Bob Carlisle, 3rd highest scorer in the league, leads the Devils. He is pared with Tom Booth who ranks sixth. Others who plan to cause trouble for the Bucs are Lee Eberly, Mike DeMattio, John Tolloti and Bob Grimm. For the Pirates it will be Don Richardson and Tim Miller who rank 7th and 8th in league scoring. Rounding out the well balanced attack of the Pirates undoubtedly will be Rich Richardson, Kim Sedwick a smooth Sophomore, Errol Miller, Mike Gerber and Ray Hisrich.
In the Port Washington-Tuscarawas duel another group of consistent scorers will try to increase their league output as Greg Bender, 198 for the year, leads the Riders, Followed by Jerry Stephens 191, Jeff Huston 177, Tim Page 166 and Jim Hagan 124. Balance is equal and makes it impossible for foes to concentrate on just one man. Mike Peeper is Port's playmaker. Brent Lehigh, 247, is the leader of the Broncos closely followed by John Bihari, 218 and Fred Rausch with 195. Guards Jim McCauley and Butch Reed are of equal scoring ability with 78 and 88, respectively, along with Bill McCauley, Les Donahue and Tracy Knisely.
Thursday, February 2, 1967
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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