CANTON - Strasburg's unbeaten Tigers (23-0) roll into the Canton Class A Regional Tournament against the highly touted Northwestern Huskies (22-1) at approximately 9:15 Friday night with a long list of impressive statistics. They have smothered 23 straight opponents by an average margin of 34 points to bring to light a defense that has permitted a meek 44.6 point per game average. The nearest any opponent came to the Bengals this year was arch rival Hiland. The Tigers downed the Hawks 77-63 along with 2 other defeats, including a 74-53 victory in the New Philadelphia Sectional Tournament. Northwestern downed the Hawks 62-55.
Another commen foe was Dalton. Strasburg took an 88-68 decision from the Bulldogs. Northwestern and Dalton split in mid-season competition. Fans clamoring for a high scoring tilt just might be treated to one of the best defensive games in a long time. Both combinations have limited foes to slightly over 40 points per contest. Supporting the solid Tiger combination is 6-3 All-Ohioan John Studer who is averaging 27 points per game along with 17 rebounds. He is deadly from any spot and has been swishing the cords with a 56 percent average. The other forward spot is filled by 6-1 Junior Ed Rusk who possesses a deadly left hand, averages over 11 per game and can play adequately off the boards.
The Bengals sport a 78.4 per game average offensively and 6-3 Charlie Jones is the leading percentage shooter. Jones has connected at 63 percent from outside, mainly with a pet jumper. The pivot post will be shared by either 6-2 Ed Yackey or 6-4 Gene Bayer both Seniors. Yackey is a rugged rebounder averaging around 10 points per outing. Amount of his service will depend on an ankle injured in Sectional play. Bayer who has been the 1st line backup man all year will take over for Yackey or any other player when Head Coach Huggins needs bench help. He carries about the same statistics as Yackey and likes the board work. Mike Reiger and Gary Phillips share the remaining guard duty. Both are of equal size, shooting ability and excel in starting the offensive plays.
When confronting Huggins about the stiuations ahead he was slow to elaborate. He did state when asked whether Northwestern was tougher offensively or defensively, "They are better defensively." He was also slow with a direct answer about the other teams playing another tournament on the fieldhouse floor. Said Huggins, "What's the use to say anything. That's the way it is, we'll take 'em one at a time."
B E A T N O R T H W E S T E R N
Thursday, March 9, 1967
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
NOTE: From "Down The Line With Ed Smith" - Ed Bates, former Port Washington athlete now coaching at Bristol in Trumball County, has been tub thumping for one of his players to gain All-Ohio recognition. Ed is campaigning for Wes Mahan a 5-11 Senior who leads all statistic departments at Bristol.
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