Dover hosts New Philadelphia for boys basketball rivalry game

DOVER (WJER) (January 28, 2022) – The Dover-New Philadelphia rivalry marks another first today.

Tonight’s boys’ basketball game between the Quakers and the Crimson Tornadoes is the first time the teams will meet in Dover’s new gym without any crowd restrictions. Dover Coach Bob Von Kaenel hopes for a big crowd.

“When you’ve been through the game as many times as I have you know there’s always a high energy level,” he said. “I’ve been at Dover 31 years, and I see our kids get excited whether it’s a swim meet or a football game or a golf match. Dover-Phila is always a little bit special.”

New Philadelphia Coach Matt Voll expects another exciting rivalry game.

“Whatever sport it is, there’s always a little extra to it,” he said. “That’s the great thing about our communities and where we’re at. A lot of kids never have these opportunities. I think the communities will come out and support each of the teams and I know the kids are going give it their best.”

The Quakers are 10-3 and the Tornadoes are 14-1. That one loss came against New Philadelphia, 55 -45 on Dec. 17. Voll says his team must play even better today.

“They’re as good as anybody on our schedule or better,” he said. “We know they’re an outstanding basketball team. They have a lot of experience. They’re very well coached and they just play great basketball.”

Von Kaenel says his team must cut down on turnovers and convert foul shots if they want a different outcome against the Quakers’ big lineup.

“Their size is just a factor that beats a lot of teams down,” he said. “When you play three 6-6 guys at the high school level and one can play point and one can play a wing and the other is in the post, you have a lot of talent.”

Cavs play-by-play man Tim Alcorn will lend his voice to the rivalry on WJER tonight. He will join sports director Willie Grove and Jim Boose to call the game for us. Tipoff is scheduled for around 7 p.m. on 100.9 FM, 1450 AM and at wjer.com.

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