Gene Bayer (31) and surprise starter Ed Yackey (53), who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, provide Strasburg a tough two-some on the backboards in battling for this rebound. Also ready to move on the scene is Bengal Ed Rusk (21).
Tiger Gene Bayer (31) who picked off 8 rebounds, grabs this one from the out-stretched hands of Northwestern's Harold Kline (00). In the background is Jon Kinney (44) of the Huskies.
Strasburg All-Ohioan John Studer (23) makes a quick move to get out of Northwestern Territory. That's Gene Bayer (31) of theTigers and Larry Neumeyer (25) and MikeGrenert (22) of the Huskies.
CANTON - They Keep saying they've really never been tested! And "they" may be right because Strasburg's Tigers (24-0) clawed their way into tonight's Regional finals last night by whipping 3rd ranked Northwestern (22-2) in Canton Memorial Fieldhouse. In the preceding game Dalton simply outclassed and outran Summit County's Woodridge 86-68 to inherit the opportunity to stop the Tiger string of 24 consecutive wins and gain revenge for an 88-68 defeat earlier in the season. The powerful Bengals have found more ways than one to down their foes this season and last night was no exception. They gave 3rd ranked Wayne County Huskies a lesson in defensive basketball that has left over 5600 fans still shaking in disbelief. The Tigers elected to play the same brand of ball for which the Waynemen were highly publicized and gave a good team a dose of its own medicine.
The defensive machine was a full team effort as Strasburg's choking limited Northwestern to 11 points in the first 2 periods. Northwestern was no slouch on defense, itself. Strasburg, which had been averaging 70 plus points per outing, was held to its lowest tally of the season. Strasburg's previous low was 62 points against Wayne in the District Tournament opener. Head Coach Charles Huggins pulled the surprise of the season when he inserted 6-2 Senior veteran Ed Yackey into the starting lineup.
Yackey missed the District after suffering a severe ankle injury and Huggins said earlier this week he definitely would not start. But after hobbling into the fieldhouse on a crutch and having the ankle tightly dressed by team physician Dr. James Hougian of Dover, Yackey played 2.5 quarters. He scored 7 of the Tigers' 19 first half points and grabbed several key rebounds. After sitting out the 3rd period he returned to action midway through the 4th when Ed Rusk fouled out. The absence of guard Mike Rieger, stricken with mononucleosis this week, resulted in several other shifts by Huggins.
Gene Bayer moved into John Studer's forward slot as the versatile Studer went to guard to replace Rieger. Bayer filled the bill as he consistently cleaned the defensive boards, pulling down 8 rebounds; altogether. Charlie Jones and Rusk followed Huggins orders to the letter in a flawless-playing defense. First quarter action was highlighted by superb playing of both clubs. The sticky defenses would not yield as the high flying Tigers could manage only 7 shots. Studer, Jones and Yackey connected for 2 pointers along with 2 foul shots as Northwestern connected for 2 pointers along with 2 foul shots as Northwestern was held to baskets by Larry Newmeyer and Harold Kline. Only 3 more baskets were registered by the Huskies in the 2nd period as the Tigers netted 9 points for a 19-11 halftime cushion. It was with 5:50 left in the 3rd period before either team moved the scoreboard. Rusk then slipped a long side shot through the nets. Strasburg's defense again shined as the Bengals had 3 consecutive turnovers and the Husky quintet could not take advantage.
Northwestern's high scoring duo, Larry Newmeyer and Mike Grenert, were set down with a total of 17 points between them. Newmeyer had 11 for the only Husky to hit double figures. Grenert had 6. The Tiger attack was paced by the roaming John Studer who canned 19 for the only Tiger in double figures. Yackey assisted with 9. Strasburg picked its shots to the tune of 14 of 29 for a 48.3 percent. Northwestern could manage only 13 of 44 for 30 percent, far below its season average. The Bengal boardwork was another tribute to victory as Bayer and Studer set the pace in the 27-17 rebound margin. Each team lost a player via the personal foul route as Northwestern was whistled for 18 personals to 11 for Strasburg, Rusk left in the 4th period with 5:38 remaining and Jon Kinney with 6:49, as the winners outscored the losers 16-2 at the free throw line.
STRASBURG TIGERS - 44
John Studer 6-7-19
Ed Rusk 3-0-6
Gene Bayer 1-2-4
Charlie Jones 2-2-6
Ed Yackey 2-5-9
Tom Hall 0-0-0
NORTHWESTERN HUSKIES - 28
Larry Newmeyer 5-1-11
Mike Gerhert 3-0-6
Jon Kinney 1-0-2
Dick Jacobs 2-0-4
Harold Kline 2-1-5
Jerry Herman 0-0-0
Saturday, March 11, 1967
Ed Smith
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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