Tuscarawas County's leading scorer, John Studer (22) of Strasburg, drives for a 2 pointer in the Tigers victory over Gnadenhutten. Defending is Indian pivot man Bill Kohl (55).
STRASBURG - Strasburg's Mighty Tigers (6-0) (16-0) wrapped up the County League Championship last night by rolling over the Gnadenhutten Indians (1-5) (7-9) with a 31-point victory. A capacity crowd watched the Tigers of Head Coach Charlie Huggins gain the title undefeated and undisputed. This marks the 1st time any county team has been able to perform this trick since the Garaway Pirates went undefeated through the slate in the 1959-60 league schedule. It also provides the Strasburgers their 1st outright title in 10 years.
The last 2 years the league championship was shared by Strasburg, Midvale and Garaway all with 7-1 slates. In the 1962-63 and 63-64 championship drives it was co-shared by Strasburg and Midvale, again with 7-1 records and going back to the 1962-63 schedule, it was Midvale and Garaway laying claim to the league title with identical slates of 7-1. Previous to that Garaway and Tuscarawas Valley divided the crown with 7-1 records. Midvale held the league toga for the seasons of 1957-58 and 1958-59 as they sailed through both of these years undefeated, succeeding the Tigers who had just finished an amazing 5 year and 50 consecutive undefeated league contests.
Last night's battle started as cold as yesterday's leftovers. Gnaden elected to force the Tigermen to come after the ball and it possibly might have worked if both clubs continued to set an amazing pace as they had in the 1st quarter. Both missed a number of easy shots as strong defense applied the pressure. Strasburg, usually a tough defensive club, looked as though it would get a taste of their own medicine, as the Gnaden defense seemed to stymie the Tigers temporarily. The 1st quarter ended with the Bengels out fron 11-2. Ed Rusk hit 2 jumpers and John Studer a foul shot as this took care of the scoring until 3:16 was left on the clock. Gnaden had failed to score up to this point and was forced to call a time out. After play was resumed Charlie Jones hit on a push shot from in front of the key and Gene Bayer layed one up and with 2:20 left Dan Jinks jumped a 15 footer to break ice for the Indiands. In the 2nd quarter, fans were somewhat amazed as the 2 teams went until 3:54 on the clock without racking up an action shot.
At this time, Strasburg took its only time out of the contest. After play was resumed Gary Phillips connected on 3 foul shots, Wayne Martin of Gnaden canned 2 from the charity stripe and Studer looked like himself as he hit for 3 quick fielders. Bill and Ken Kohl each hit from the floor for the Braves, but Strasburg took a 28-11 lead into the dressing room at halftime. Head Coach Huggins must have gotten through loud and clear to his Tigers as they came out in the 3rd quarter with sharpened claws. Yackey, Jones and Rusk swished the nets in a real fast blistering attack after that. The Tigers hit the hoop for 30 points in the 3rd quarter with 14 fielders and 2 foul shots scorching the nets. After that assult, the outcome was evident, but the long awaited duel for the league scoring championship was the center of interest as the Gnaden fans still had hopes that Dangerous Dan Jinks might explode at any time.
As the game started it appeared this point of interest was going to be a fizzle. Studer netted only a foul shot and Jinks netted a 2 pointer to keep things in suspense. Studer can thank teammate Ed Rusk for giving him an assist in reaping scoring honors. An outstanding defensive gem was performed by Rusk as he stuck to the sharpshooting Jinks like his life depended on it and permitted the high scoring ace of the Indians 1 field goal in the 1st half. Studer led all scoring with 25. Jones and Rusk contributed 12 and 10. For the Indians it was Jinks with 15, the only Brave to hit in the double figure column. Rog Huebner followed with 9.
Gnaden just couldn't cope with the hot handed Tigers as they harvested 33 of 61 from the floor for a blistering 54 percent. Gnaden connected on 17 of 50 for 34 percent. In the rebounding department, Strasburg outboarded their foes 50-28. Ed Yackey, usually a top rebounder saw limited action due to a sprained ankle. Bill Kohl led the Gnaden rebounding with 13, followed by Jinks with 11.
The Strasburg Reserves (14-1), with their only loss so far to Dalton, hammered their Gnadenhutten Reserve (3-11) opponents 61-19.
STRASBURG TIGERS - 80
John Studer 11-3-25
Ed Rusk 4-2-10
Ed Yackey 2-3-7
Charlie Jones 6-0-12
Mike Rieger 4-0-8
Gene Bayer 2-3-7
Gary Phillips 1-3-5
Ron Hall 3-0-6
Tom Ferris 0-0-0
Tom Margo 0-0-0
Art Haswell 0-0-0
GNADENHUTTEN INDIANS - 41
Dan Jinks 7-1-15
Bill Kohl 3-0-6
Wayne Martin 0-2-2
Don Finnicum 1-3-5
Roger Heubner 4-1-9
Ken Huprich 1-0-2
Ken Kohl 1-0-2
Long 0-0-0
Crilow 0-0-0
Saturday, February 4, 1967
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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