STEUBENVILLE - Strasburg (21-0) and Bridgeport (17-4) cross paths for the 2nd straight year in District play at 8:30PM following the Dennison St. Mary-Mt. Pleasant contest. The Bulldogs tamed the Tigers 54-47, not quite forgotten by the Bengals due to the fact the entire starting Tiger lineup has returned. Bridgeport rolled to 25 straight victories last year before bowing to a highly touted Dalton club in the Regional Tournament in Canton.
Head Coach Frank Baxter, 6th year at the Bridgeport, helm boasts of 4 lettermen averaging double figure scoring for the season and will give the starting assignments to forwards Sherrod Clark, 6-0 Senior (222) and Bill Schafer, 6-1 Junior (48). Schafer has recently worked into the starting lineup. Jeff Jeannette (344) 6-3 veteran performer sets the pace for the Bulldogs. Always a scoring threat, the big boy is counted on for strong support on the backboards. As for the guards, 5-10 Sophomore, Lou Burke (229) and Randy Massey (319) 5-10 Senior force the play for Bulldog opponents as both guards are top performers. Massey is a 4-year letterman. First replacement at a guard spot is Sophomore Jim Tomonis with 90 markers. A 6-2 Junior, Allen France gets 1st call for either center or forward relief.
Bridgeport's schedule is spotted with AA teams and while compiling the impressive record victories have come at the expense of Shadyside 63-57 and 75-64, Weirton Madonna 63-49 and 68-63, Union Local 77-43 and 59-57, St. Clairsville 99-52 and 81-40, Tiltonsville 74-64 and 73-64, Follansbee West Virginia 68-66, Bishop Donohue 81-55 and Linsley Military 62-58. The Bulldogs split with Martins Ferry, winning 60-53 and dropping an 81-64 verdict. Other losses came from Bellaire St. John 62-52 and 55-51 and Bellaire Big Red, 69-49. In Sectional Tournament competition, Bridgeport has conquered Shadyside 86-43, Stanton Local 65-54 and number one seeded Wayne, 51-47. Head Coach Charlie Huggins and his den of Tigers have enjoyed unmatched success this season. The Bengals have waltzed to 21 consecutive victories, while reaping State wide recognition.
All-Ohio John Studer, 6-3 Senior, a slick performer, who has netted 576 markers for the season paces the Tiger attack. Strasburg's list of victims have been Midvale 63-35 and 67-36, Tusky Valley 85-47 and 74-35, Dover St. Joseph's 88-36 and 81-35, Gnadenhutten 77-52 and 89-41, Hiland 84-57 and 77-63, Northwest 101-36, Port Washington 76-56, Dalton 88-68, Garaway 63-46, Cadiz 100-45, Zane Trace 74-29 and Conotton Valley 99-37. In winning the New Philadelphia Sectional laurels, the Tigers tamed Port Washington 86-45, Tuscarawas 67-40 and Hiland 74-53. Huggins, when asked about his starting lineup, stated it depended upon his bulwark on the boards, Ed Yackey. Yackey is nursing an ankle injury from the Sectional finals and is doubtful to be ready for the starting call.
In all indications, Studer will open at the pivot post and the forward spots will go to Ed Rusk, 6-1 Junior and Gene Bayer 6-3 Senior who has base number one swing man. Rusk has netted 214 season points, while Bayer caged 159 in backup assignments. Gary Phillips, surprise starter in the Hiland game, will be tapped along with Charlie Jones (289) for the guard slots. For 1st call from the bench, Huggins states it will depend on the situation. It could be any one of four.
Tuesday, February 28, 1967
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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