Season Review
*** Information for the 1976 season comes from the TVHS yearbook and newspaper archives

The 1976 girls' basketball team had the unique experience of playing during the first season girls' basketball was sanctioned by the OHSAA. Because of this the girls had the opportunity to play in the first ever girls' basketball state tournament and test their skills against teams from across the state.

The girls were also playing for a new head coach as Terri Dobbins took over the program replacing Mary Sweitzer.

The season got off to a smooth start as the Trojans dominated Jewett-Scio and Tuscarawas Central Catholic by a combined score of 117-20. After defeating Indian Valley North and West Holmes, the Trojans improved to 5-0 by defeating Malvern 45-26.

Tusky Valley suffered their first loss of the season to Indian Valley South but quickly bounced back with a 49-36 victory at Newcomerstown as Linda Deibel scored 24 points for the Trojans.

The Trojans then split their next two contests as they defeated Hiland but dropped a tough 37-36 decision to Garaway. On February 26th the Trojans defeated Ridgewood 45-44 behind 20 points from Deibel and 10 points from Becky Boyd. The Ridgewood victory moved the Trojans into a tie for first place in the Inter-Valley Conference standings.

The Trojans improved to 9-2 on the season as Deibel scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Tusky Valley's 45-19 victory over Strasburg.

The Trojans then traveled to Freeport to take on Lakeland with a chance to grab a share of the Inter-Valley Conference title. The game was deadlocked at 27-27 as the end of regulation. The Ramblers were able to score the only point of overtime on a free throw by Donna Patterson and the Trojans dropped a 28-27 decision and lost their share of the IVC title.

The disappointment of losing the IVC quickly subsided as the Trojans prepared for the first ever state tournament. The Trojans opened tournament play on March 9, 1976 as they defeated the Morgan Raiders 47-33 behind 23 points and 12 points from Linda Deibel and 12 points from Becky Boyd.

Tusky Valley then moved on to the sectional finals vs. the Philo Electrics. The game was held at John Glenn High School and the Trojans fell behind early and trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half. The Trojans began working their way back into the game and had tied the game at 28-28 by the end of the 3rd quarter. The Trojans then outscored Philo 11-8 in the final period to pull out the victory and capture the sectional title. The Trojans were once again led by Linda Deibel as she scored 16 points and grabbed 21 rebounds.

Unfortunately the Trojans would be on the receiving end of a comeback as they fell to the River View Bears in the district tournament. The Trojans jumped to an early lead and held a 16-12 lead at halftime. River View's pressure defense was too much for the Trojans to handle in the second half as they pulled away for a 38-31 victory. The Trojans were led by Deibel's 20 point and 18 rebounds but the team was doomed by poor shooting as they connected on only 11-50 field goals on the night.

Deibel's sophomore campaign was nothing short of spectacular as she scored over 15 points in every game we have records for and scored over 20 points at least nine times.

Unfortunately there are some unknowns about the 1976 season. The 1976 TVHS yearbook only indicates if the team won or lost the game. There are no scores. Because of this we know Tusky Valley defeated Hiland and lost to Indian Valley South during the season but we do not have scores or any point totals for these games. We also know that Tusky Valley defeated Jewett-Scio 61-10 to open the 1976 season. Unfortunately the Times Reporter did not list any individual point totals for the Jewett-Scio game.

Deibel scored 242 points in the 11 games in which we can find individual point totals for an average 22 points per game.

Season Results