Mike Rieger is lost for the remainder of the undefeated Strasburg Tigers' basketball season...but not forgotten. The veteran starting guard, felled by mononucleosis, was presented the game ball from Saturday night's Regional Championship contest this morning by Gene Bayer, ably plugging the hardwood gap for his Senior teammate. The victory was dedicated to the stricken youth. Joining the entourage was John Studer, Gary Phillips, Charlie Jones, Ed Yackey, Ed Rusk and Tom Ferris. A 4-mile auto caravan saluted Rieger at his home after the game.
Only 8 schools are left in bids for Ohio schoolboy basketball championships...but Tuscarawas County has a decided interest in three. Joining Strasburg Head Coach Charles Huggins in a huddle during yesterday's pre-tournament meeting were Ken Newlon, Canton Lincoln mentor who coached at Stone Creek and Strasburg before moving up the ladder and Dick Graeff, a 1946 Dover High School grad whose Arcanum squad will compete with Strasburg for Class A laurels. Assistant Ohio High School Athletic Association Commissioner Harold Meyer isn't involved in the coaching end, but he served in that capacity at Dennison in 1934-35-36 before becoming that school's principal.
DOVER - Strasburg's unbeaten Tigers (25-0) are Columbus-bound, just 2 games away from a State Championship which has "escaped" the grasp of Tuscarawas County teams since 1940 when New Philadelphia won the Class AA bunting. Now the only undefeated team in Ohio, Strasburg will make its bid for Class A honors Friday afternoon at 1:30, meeting Ross County's Southeastern (21-4) in the 1st game of a twin bill in Ohio State University's St. John Arena. Arcanum (22-2), coached by 1946 Dover High graduate Dick Graeff, opposes Kalida (15-8) in the nightap. The Friday winners return to settle the issue Saturday afternoon at 2PM.
Strasburg gained the coveted Columbus trip Saturday night by running past Dalton 81-59 in the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse. The win represented the 25th straight for Head Coach Charles Huggins' crew. Saturday night's triumph brought Strasburg its 1st Regional Championship. Tiger basketeers lost in 1946, 1947, 1953 and 1955 finals on the same level. The current Strasburg edition will be the 4th to travel to Columbus for tournament competition. "Sweet Sixteen" tournament fields, which were eliminated during World War II, included Strasburg teams in 1928, 1933 and 1938...all losing in first-round competition. The Class AA field also will carry a county tinge...former Strasburg Head Coach Ken Newlon having led his Canton Lincoln Lions into a semi-final berth against Columbus Linden-McKinley Friday night at 7:30. Cleveland East Tech and Cincinnati Lasalle round out the cast, their meeting set at 9:30.
Strasburg Superintendent Maurice Helwick announced today that 1250 tickets...1000 adult and 250 student...have been allotted for the schoolboy extravaganza. Parents of players and cheerleaders, along with season ticketholders, were given 1st opportunity to buy tickets today. Tuesday sales will be limited to other Strasburg residents with a limit of 2 per person and remaining ducats will go on sale to the general public Wednesday at 8:30AM. Coaches and school officials were briefed on tournament procedure Sunday. There will be no practice on the St. John floor other than the usual pre-game practice. At least 30 minutes will be allowed before each game and between games for warmup drills.
Monday, March 13, 1967
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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