1948-49 Chambersburg Cardinals (ESABL)

1948-49 CHAMBERSBURG CARDINALS

EASTERN STATES AMATEUR BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Northern Division
13-1, .929, 1st place

Championship - Defeated Hagerstown, 3-0

An absolute powerhouse, the Cardinals rolled through the regular season with the only blemish being a 2-point loss in Harrisburg. They would outscore their opponents by an average of 17 points and in the championship series pounded Hagerstown in three straight games, the last two being 39 and 24-point margins. Joe Howard of Gettysburg College lead the team with 14.2 point per game while Jack Dorsey chipped in 12.2 PPG.

Jack Dorsey

Co-Head Coaches:

L. Kenneth Barbour (May 16, 1904 - March 9, 1968)

Robert Rines (March 1, 1914 - April 16, 2004)

PLAYERS:

Jack Dorsey (March 12, 1926 - December 1, 2002)

Don Flory (December 30, 1929 - September 1, 2007)

Jim Gillespie (July 9, 1929 - November 1, 2003)

Jack Goulding (September 17, 1929 - December 5, 1995)

Bert Henry (May 22, 1929 - November 12, 2012)

Joe Howard (June 4, 1928 - December 17, 1993)

Nick Koutris

Nick Koutris (June 4, 1927 - February 13, 1989)

Merle Leisher (July 6, 1929 - December 23, 2012)

Clarence Lesher (July 9, 1927 - March 21, 2001)

Ted Lesher (October 12, 1926 - November 9, 2021)

Dick Naugle (January 13, 1930 - December 20, 2011)

Clarence Zweizig (March 23, 1921 - June 23, 1985)

Jim Goulding

Jim Gillespie

Merle "Doggie" Lesher

Dick Naugle

Clarence Lesher

Joe Howard

1946-47 Nashua / New Britain Newfields (NEBL)

1946-47 NASHUA / NEW BRITAIN NEWFIELDS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
11-10, .524, 3rd place
Round Robin: 8-3, 1st place

Starting the season in Nashua, they would drop their first four and quickly got intoi trouble with attendance and a decent home curt. The franchise was scrapped and relocated to New Britain on December 20, 1946. The benefits of a new squad was felt immediately, winning 9 of ten games and climbing back into the race.  The stumbled a bit, losing 5 of 7 to finish the regular season in third place. But the round-robin playoffs saw the Newfields shine. They would win their first 6 round robin matchups and claimed the President's Cup.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Walt Alesevich (October 7, 1925 - October 3, 2001)

Walt Alesevich

Johnny Barron (May 15, 1920 - November 28, 2017)

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

Jackie Bowden (September 7, 1917 - October 4, 1995)

Lindy Dobek (January 29, 1917 - February 23, 2015)

Johnny Dobrutsky (January 27, 1922 - March 1, 1996)

Zeke Fazekas (February 29, 1920 - October 1, 1998)

Flaherty 

Art Franks (May 14, 1917 - March 15, 2005)

Ernie Gomez (June 16, 1924 - June 19, 1963)

Guido 

Red Harding (June 6, 1921 - May 26, 1998)

Tom Hines  

Mickey Homa (October 16, 1923 - April 9, 2014)

Johnny Isaacs (September 15, 1915 - January 26, 2009)

Bobby Lynch (October 21, 1916 - March 13, 1982)

Al Mansi (July 14, 1921 - January 3, 2013)

Pat Mazzarella (June 18, 1923 - July 19, 1989)

Ross Merrick (July 20, 1922 - January 24, 2004)

Joe Oslai (January 27, 1923 - March 10, 1976)

Owen 

George Petrovick (August 23, 1921 - February 10, 2016)

Norm Ritchel (January 28, 1919 - March 9, 1971)

Jackie Bowden

Steve Roberts 

Fred Rodia (August 13, 1922 - January 23, 2004)

Steve Salata (August 25, 1923 - June 5, 2012)

Vic Swaller (September 13, 1922 - June 19, 2013)

Freddie Ware (March 15, 1915 - October 31, 1996)

Lenny Wentworth (May 29, 1922 - August 5, 2021)

Jimmy (or Don) Wilson

George Petrovick

1945-46 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)

1945-46 FITCHBURG PAMCO's

Lou Pick

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
18-5, .783, 1st place
First Round: Defeated Boston, Fitchburg, 2-0

Semi-Finals: bye

Finals: Defeated Clinton Irish-Americans, 2-1

Lou Pick's team was expected to be the front-runner of the league, and the PAMCO's did not disappoint. After jumping off to a 4-0 start, they hit a slight rough patch that saw them lose 3 of four games, including 2 to Portland. At that point, Fitchburg rattled of 12 straight win and finished the season 18-5, far ahead of any other competitor. The playoffs had a strange lay-out, with Fitchburg getting a bye in the semi-finals after defeated the Boston Goodwins in the first round. Facing the upstart Clinton club in the finals, Fitchburg was upset in the first game before winning the last two to claim the Cup. Ted Bokina and Mutt Johnson both averaged over 13 points per game.

Head Coach:

• Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984) Also played. See below
  

PLAYERS:

Red Allen (b. 1922)

Mutt Johnson

Mike Anderson 

Russ Anderson (October 27, 1911 - January 11, 2002)

Albert Bellos (June 28, 1920 - July 9, 2001)

Gerry Belliveau (November 11, 1916 - July 20, 1992)

Ted Bokina (January 12, 1922 - December 5, 2011)

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993)

Butler 

Frank Collins (Oftring) (June 4, 1924 - October 4, 1982)

Dobeck  

Johnny Dobrutsky (January 27, 1922 - March 1, 1996)

Mutt Johnson (June 9, 1910 - February 18, 1991)

Bill Kasper (April 8, 1902 - December 2, 1986)

Bill Kasper

Bob Kitterman (April 2, 1923 - November 14, 2000)

Walt Kresge (September 25, 1920 - August 14, 2000)

John Long  

Clarence Lynch (May 1, 1920 - April 14, 2001)

Bill Mackie (December 20, 1914 - January 13, 2016)

Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984)

Hal Potrina  

Joe Rusenas (November 9, 1916 - April 28, 1999)

Scott

Jim Stuart (or Stewart) 

Jack Swenson (Laffey) (February 24, 1924 - November 24, 1989)

John Utke (October 12, 1922 - November 24, 1986)

White 

Bill Mackie

1941-42 New London Electric Boats (CSL)

1941-42 NEW LONDON ELECTRIC BOAT DIESELS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Joe Murphy

15-5, .750, 1st place

Semi-finals: Defeated Bridgeport Springwoods, 2-1

Finals: Defeated Hartford, 2-1

New London had a good team the previous year, but the additions of players like Red Wallace and Jackie Goldsmith really bolstered the team (although Goldsmith left the team in January after scoring 120 points in ten game). Wallace would average 15.2 points while Chet Jaworski averaged 9.9. New London won the regular season title and would battle through the Springwoods and Hartford to win the cup.

Head Coach:

• Joe Murphy (December 10, 1913 - August 2, 1986) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Tony Osinski

Joe Brennan (February 8, 1917 - March 18, 2006)

Moe Dubilier (February 20, 1915 - April 22, 2003)

Jackie Goldsmith (January 18, 1921 - October 23, 1968)

Chet Jaworski (November 8, 1916 - October 16, 2003)

Joe Kane (April 12, 1913 - January 10, 1988)

Joe Maryeski (July 3, 1923 - January 6, 2022)

Joe Murphy (December 10, 1913 - August 2, 1986)

Tony Osinski (January 6, 1918 - May 8, 1991)

George Petrovick (August 23, 1921 - February 10, 2016)

Ash Resnick (March 6, 1916 - January 18, 1989)

Eddie Sullivan (February 3, 1919 - May 3, 1987)

Red Wallace (July 12, 1918 - July 7, 1977)

Jackie Goldsmith

Joe Kane

Joe Maryeski

Red Wallace

Moe Dubilier

George Petrovick

Chet Jaworski

Joe Brennan

Ash Resnick

1940-41 New London Electric Boats (CSL)

1940-41 NEW LONDON ELECTRIC BOAT DIESELS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Joe Murphy

1st Half: 6-2, .750, t-2nd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place

Defeated Bridgeport in 2nd Half Tie-breaker, 2-1

Defeated Norwalk in Finals, 2-1

After a disappointing season, the Diesels were loaded for battle this year. They would go 6-2 in both halves, with the first half being a second place finish while the second was good enough to tie for first. They defeated Bridgeport in the tie-breaker for the second half title, and beat Norwalk for the President's Cup. Chet Jaworski, Rhode Island College phenom, joined the team after Christmas and averaged 15.1 points down the stretch.

Head Coach:

• Joe Murphy (December 10, 1913 - August 2, 1986) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Mike Petrosky

Jimmy Hoffman (May 9, 1917 - October 24, 2001)

Chet Jaworski (November 8, 1916 - October 16, 2003)

Joe Kane (April 12, 1913 - January 10, 1988)

Joe Murphy (December 10, 1913 - August 2, 1986)

Tony Osinski (January 6, 1918 - May 8, 1991)

Ed Petro (July 3, 1915 - July 8, 1987)

Mike Petrosky (April 15, 1915 - June 21, 1980)

Billy Rose (June 18, 1917 - October 7, 1951)

Mike Severin (November 20, 1919 - September 9, 1989)

Eddie Sullivan (February 3, 1919 - May 3, 1987)

Bill Tuneski (April 23, 1919 - December 17, 2000)

Tony Osinski

Ed Petro

Joe Kane

1939-40 New Britain Cremos (CSL)

Henry Ferony

1939-40 NEW BRITAIN CREMOS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, t-3rd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place

Won in Round Robin 2nd Half Tie-breaker

Won Finals over Meriden, 3-2

New Britain was a streaky team, winning three straight then losing three straight. At 3-3, they would win the last two of the half and enter the second half with five wins. In the final game against Danbury, a win would give them the second half title outright but Danbury routed them to force a three-way tie. New Britain would win the round robin tie breaker and move on to face Meriden, who they would clip in five games for the President's Cup.

Head Coach:

• Jimmy Murphy ( - ) 

PLAYERS:

Joe Joyce

Vic Baylock (January 18, 1913 - March 22, 1990)

Joe Boley (August 27, 1915 - January 1, 2000)

Lindy Dobek (January 29, 1917 - February 23, 2015)

Henry Ferony (April 29, 1915 - September 13, 2002)

Bob Gair (April 13, 1910 - August 10, 1992)

Joe Glownia (December 20, 1915 - July 2, 1962)

Joe Gurnicki (March 22, 1920 - June 27, 1983)

Pete Gut (January 12, 1916 - March 8, 2006)

Gene Hayes (July 24, 1920 - June 21, 2009)

Chick Jacobi (June 29, 1920 - July 11, 2014)

Joe Joyce (March 19, 1915 - March 26, 2013)

Henry Parsons (February 23, 1917 - April 29, 2010)

Matty Sheehan (November 15, 1908 - August 31, 1998)

King Zaleski (February 1, 1915 - December 4, 1977)

1938-39 Danbury Guards (CSL)

1938-39 DANBURY GUARDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 6-2, .750, 2nd place
2nd Half: 8-0, 1.000, 1st place
Championship: Defeated West Haven, 3-1

The Danbury Guards, coached by local dentist Dr. Edward T. Fischer, were the cream of the crop. After dropping their opener to a strong West Haven team by two points, the Guards won six of the remaining 7 but still finished second behind the undefeated West Haven quintet. In the second half, Danbury was perfect, winning all 8 games. They would play first-half champion West Haven in the championship series. Danbury would win the best-of-five series three games to one, with all four games being close, hard-fought battles.

Head Coach:

• Dr. Edward Fisher (September 27, 1904 - June 11, 1976)

PLAYERS:

Stan Wilson

Ken Ritchel

Jim Feeley (February 13, 1915 - May 3, 1984)

John Gillotte (May 6, 1916 - June 25, 1996)

Joe Malinowski (June 5, 1913 - August 27, 2010)

Jack McGuirk (November 8, 1915 - February 13, 1996)

Jim McNally (March 19, 1913 - May 11, 1979)

Doc Milvid (September 5, 1916 - May 10, 1990)

Tilly Montesi (July 23, 1916 - August 19, 1991)

Ken Ritchel (August 28, 1914 - October 1, 1988)

Dick Tuckey (September 29, 1913 - December 25, 1974)

Stan Wilson (September 6, 1917 - February 6, 1995)

Dick Tuckey

1953-54 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1953-54 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
20-10, .667, 2nd place
Semi-finals: Defeated Hazleton, 2-1
Finals: Defeated Lancaster, 2-1

Williamsport was ready to defend their title but dropped their first two games and after 13 games there record sat at 6-7. That is when the Billies, now back under coach Hod Springman, added George Feigenbaum and Roy Belliveau and the team fortunes shifted. They won 12 of 13 (with two forfeit wins courtesy of the failed Lebanon franchise) and found themselves on the doorstep of the Sunbury Mercuries. They split their remaining 4 games and fell a single game short of first place. In the President's Cup, they fought they way past Hazleton to face Lancaster in the finals. After winning Game 1 by a score of 99-89, the Billies got pounded at Lancaster by 34 points. In the deciding Game 3, the Billies routed Lancaster, 110-87, to win their second cup in as many seasons and third in team history.

Head Coach:

• Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981) 5-5 Also played. See below
• Hod Springman (August 10, 1915 - August 13, 1996) 15-5 

PLAYERS:

Roy Belliveau (b. April 12, 1929)

Billy Chanecka (April 21, 1924 - January 27, 2010)

Chick Craig (July 23, 1922 - June 21, 2008)

Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981)

Jack Crossin (June 7, 1927 - December 6, 2005)

George Everett (November 3, 1928 - May 7, 1981)

George Feigenbaum (July 3, 1928 - December 25, 2000)

Ed Kassler (July 21, 1923 - March 7, 2011)

Tony Kazokas (October 9, 1930 - April 7, 2021)

Ray Kodish (June 10, 1923 - March 14, 2012)

Jack Leighton (January 25, 1928 - August 2, 1996)

Wes Myers (December 21, 1927 - February 1, 2002)

Bob Smith (October 8, 1930 - April 19, 2018)

Don Strassner (November 14, 1927 - June 29, 2010)

Vince Verdeschi (March 24, 1925 - August 16, 1965)

1952-53 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1952-53 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
13-7, .650, 2nd place
Semi-finals: Defeated Lancaster, 1-0

Finals: Defeated Berwick, 2-1

Local sports figure Hod Springman was brought in to coach the Billies, and the stumbled to a woeful 2-6 start. Floundering near the bottom of the standings in early January, the team was revamped, adding Billy Chanecka, Jack Leighton and Chink Crossin (who were available following the dissolution of the Wilkes-Barre Aces). Williamsport would win 11 of the remaining 12 games and climb all the way into second place. They met Lancaster in the semi-finals and after winning game 1 of the scheduled best-of-three series, they wer edeclared winner after Lancaster failed to find a home court. Facing Berwick (who had just upset Sunbury) in the finals, Williamsport lost the opener by a basket at home, but would rebound to win the next two to claim the Presidents Cup.

Head Coach:

• Hod Springman (August 10, 1915 - August 13, 1996) 

PLAYERS:

Billy Chanecka (April 21, 1924 - January 27, 2010)

Chick Craig (July 23, 1922 - June 21, 2008)

Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981)

Jack Crossin (June 7, 1927 - December 6, 2005)

Joe Gallagher (May 25, 1928 - April 10, 2013)

Ed Jones (July 8, 1928 - April 28, 2020)

Ray Kodish (June 10, 1923 - March 14, 2012)

Jack Leighton (January 25, 1928 - August 2, 1996)

Marty McKibbin (August 24, 1927 - December 6, 2009)

John Rusinko (March 1, 1925 - October 23, 2013)

Bob Smith (October 8, 1930 - April 19, 2018)

Perk Stabley (January 24, 1925 - September 25, 1994)

1951-52 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)

1951-52 POTTSVILLE PACKERS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
21-9, .700, 1st place

Joe Huth

Semi-finals: Defeated Williamsport, 3-0

Finals: Defeated Sunbury, 2-1

With Chink Crossin at the helm again, the Packers got off to a horrible start, dropping 4 of their first 5. They added Milt Ticco, Billy Chacka and Hank Dudek, and the fortunes of the club changed slightly. They got evened their record at 5-5 by the end of January but dropped two games to defending champion and first-place occupier Sunbury to leave them at 5-7. Adding college star Jack Leighton and Art Lentz, the Packers went on a tear. They won their next nine games before falling to Sunbury yet again, then won another 7 and passed the Mercuries for first place in the last week of the regular season.

Pottsville swept through Williamsport in the semi-finals for the President's Trophy and would defeat Sunbury to stake their claim as the Eastern League champions.

Head Coach:

• Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

George Kinek

Hank Belber (November 27, 1926 - December 25, 2014)

Jack Booros (May 4, 1928 - December 2, 2018)

Billy Chanecka (April 21, 1924 - January 27, 2010)

Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981)

Hank Dudek (September 11, 1925 - September 14, 2015)

Jack Flannery (December 7, 1925 - January 22, 2007)

Joe Huth (September 28, 1927 - June 11, 2014)

Karl Kauterman (January 4, 1932 - January 15, 1994)

George Kinek (January 13, 1928 - January 21, 1995)

Dick Koecher (March 30, 1926 - February 4, 2020)

Jack Leighton (January 25, 1928 - August 2, 1996)

Art Lentz (June 27, 1926 - December 8, 2018)

Ed Lyons (July 1, 1926 - October 28, 2011)

Bill McClure (December 21, 1927 - September 7, 2001)

Cas Ostrowski (July 24, 1924 - March 2, 2000)

Milt Ticco (September 22, 1922 - January 26, 2002)

Bill Zubic (August 7, 1918 - July 24, 1994)

Jack Leighton

Jack Booros

1950-51 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1950-51 SUNBURY MERCURIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
Northern Division
23-5, 821, 1st place

Defeated York 80-75 in one-game matchup for regular season championship

Semi-finals: Defeated Williamsport, 3-0

Finals: Defeated York, 2-0

The Mercuries finally put everything together. Adding Paul Senesky and Duane Warrick, coach Stan Novak had a team that rolled through the league. They won their first seven games and never looked back. Finishing the regular season 23-5 and 8 games ahead of second-place Williamsport. They had to play a game against York, the other division champion, for the regular season title, despite their record being so much more superior. After that win, they entered the playoffs for the Cup and never lost.

Head Coach:

• Stan Novak (April 10, 1923 - October 21, 2006)  Also played. See below

  

  Tom Sabol

PLAYERS:

Bart "Jabbo" Adams

Dave Fox  (May 24, 1926 - May 9, 1984)

Ed Lerner (March 23, 1926 - January 19, 2022)

Paul McDermitt (June 2, 1923 - August 20, 2007)

Stan Novak (April 10, 1923 - October 21, 2006)

Jerry Rullo (June 23, 1922 - October 21, 2016)

Tommy Sabol (June 2, 1927 - March 3, 2006)

Dave Werther

Paul Senesky (January 24, 1925 - July 11, 1994)

Duane Warrick (August 26, 1923 - September 12, 2006)

Dave Werther (December 4, 1928 - October 24, 1997)

1949-50 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1949-50 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
20-8, .714, 1st place
Northern Division

Semi-finals: Defeated Pottsville, 2-1

Finals: Defeated Harrisburg, 2-1

After falling in the semi-finals the year before, the Billies were determined to win the championship and Larry Disque beefed up his team with the addition of Johnny Rusinko and Milt Simon. They ran off to a 6-1 start and held on the first place in the Northern Division the rest of the way. Perk Stabley led the team with a 15.9 PPG average. Once in the playoffs, they defeated Pottsville before squaring up with Harrisburg in the finals. After splitting the first two games, Williamsport dropped Harrisburg in the deciding game, winning 100-94 and claiming the Eastern League title.

Head Coach:

• Larry Disque (March 27, 1921 - March 3, 1994) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

Wally Hatkevich

Larry Disque (March 27, 1921 - March 3, 1994)

Pop Goodwin (December 22, 1920 - May 16, 2005)

John Gozdenovich (March 8, 1924 - July 7, 1997)

Wally Hatkevich (November 7, 1924 - June 10, 2006)

Ray Kodish (June 10, 1923 - March 14, 2012)

Johnny Mascavage (January 14, 1918 - April 12, 1990)

Wes Myers (December 21, 1927 - February 1, 2002)

Marty Powers (March 27, 1928 - December 21, 1991)

John Rusinko (March 1, 1925 - October 23, 2013)

Frank Sebest (September 24, 1923 - November 28, 2010)

Milt Simon (July 31, 1925 - March 17, 2018)

Perk Stabley (January 24, 1925 - September 25, 1994)

1948-49 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)

1948-49 POTTSVILLE PACKERS

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
16-14, .533, 4th place
Semi-finals: Defeated Williamsport, 2-1

Finals: Defeated Harrisburg, 2-1

The previous season's runner-up, Pottsville came in hoping to achieve what they couldn't last year: a Eastern League title. With Obie O'Brien now the head coach, the Packers stumbled out of the gate O'Brien was fired after six games. Veteran Red Dehnert, who started the season with Saratoga in the New York State league, was brought in as player coach but the team saw little improvement and Dehnert was let go ten games later over a dispute with compensation. Co-owners Felix Kadel and Eddie Romance named veteran player Tommy Bell as player/coach. The Packers played noticeably better and by the first week of March had climbed over .500 and on the verge of a playoff berth when tragedy struck. 

Bell was at home in Philadelphia when he collapsed. Rushed to the hospital, he was in critical condition with internal hemorrhaging. A benefit league-wide All-Star game was played to help defray the hospital costs of Bell, but he remained hospitalized. Kadel took over as coach as the team won their final two games of the regular season and claimed the fourth playoff spot. 

When the playoffs began March 25, Pottsville defeated Williamsport in three games and then dispatched Harrisburg in three games to claim the Eastern League's President's Trophy.

Meanwhile, Tommy Bell's illness turned out to be lymphoma, and he would die in December of 1949 at the young age of 27. The league would name the annual MVP Award after Bell.

Head Coaches:

• Obie O'Brien (January 5, 1909 - August 20, 1978) 2-4
• Red Dehnert (January 24, 1924 - September 23, 1994) 6-5  Also played. See below.
• Tommy Bell (September 11, 1922 - December 17, 1949) 6-5 Also played. See below.
• Felix Kadel (May 30, 1912 - December 7, 2003) 2-0

PLAYERS:

Tommy Bell (September 11, 1922 - December 17, 1949)

Fred Bernhart (September 14, 1923 - June 1, 2011)

Alfy Burch (November 2, 1928 - September 1, 2000)

Neal Conway (November 24, 1924 - February 15, 1997)

Red Dehnert (January 24, 1924 - September 23, 1994)

Joe Dougherty 

Jack Flannery (December 7, 1925 - January 22, 2007)

Dave Fox  (May 24, 1926 - May 9, 1984)

Walt Geoghan (March 28, 1925 - Mar 22, 1997)

Pop Goodwin (December 22, 1920 - May 16, 2005)

John Gozdenovich (March 8, 1924 - July 7, 1997)

Oscar Grossman (June 26, 1923 - September 22, 1993)

Jack Harvey (March 10, 1928 - August 30, 2006)

Bill Henry (May 23, 1924 - April 24, 1999)

Jack Kane (June 18, 1928 - October 12, 1987)

Jack McCloskey (September 19, 1925 - June 1, 2017)

Bill McClure (December 21, 1927 - September 7, 2001)

Moon Mullen 

John Murphy (September 13, 1924 - January 29, 2003)

Tom O'Connell (November 10, 1923 - February 5, 2011)

Eddie O'Hallloran (January 4, 1926 - October 11, 2014)

Johnny Phoenix (April 2, 1924 - August 31, 1988)

George Prendergast (December 8, 1922 - July 1, 2009)

Bob Walters (November 15, 1926 - March 21, 1991)

1947-48 Reading Keys (EPBL)

1947-48 READING KEYS

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
19-9 .679, 2nd place

Lost to Pottsville in one-game playoff for regular-season championship

Semi-finals: Defeated Lancaster, 2-1

Finals: Defeated Hazleton, 2-1

With very little resemblance to last years bluc, including a new coach in Stan Schwiemler, the improved Reading Keys added talented players like Russ Guensch and Joe Lord, complemented by Dewey Boltz and Billy Budd. They would possession of first place in late December and  held it through January. Entering the final month of the season, they would win 8 of their final 11 but that was still not enough to keep Pottsville from catching them in the final days of the season.

Wrapping up the season with a 19-9 record that was identical to the Packers, the two teams would meet in a one-game playoff to determine the regular season champions. Played in neutral Hazleton, Reading would fall to Pottsville, 60-57. 

Three days later, the Eastern League semi-finals began, with Reading stunned by a ten-point defeat at Lancaster in the series opener. The club rallied to beat Lancaster in the next two games on their home court to salt away the series victory. Facing Hazleton in the finals, Reading once again stumbled on the series opener on the road 61-53. However, just like the semis, the Keys bounced back to win the next two games at home to claim the Eastern League championship, two games to one.

Head Coach:

• Stan Schweimler (October 15, 1897 - March 6 , 1974)

PLAYERS:

Dewey Boltz (May 18, 1920 - September 18, 2015)

Bill Budd (January 24, 1921 - July 31, 2016)

Jimmy Bunn (September 2, 1923 - January 22, 2009)

Norm Butz (September 28, 1919 - March 21, 1999)

George Dracha (August 18, 1921 - April 6, 1995)

Johnny Dracha (July 20, 1927 - January 13, 2008)

George Dries (June 9, 1926 - August 1, 1991)

Russ Guensch (January 12, 1924 - June 14, 2014)

Kenny Hopkins (November 2, 1919 - June 12, 2015)

Joe Lord (December 28, 1922 - December 1986)

Jack McGaffney (April 1, 1924 - February 3, 2020)

Chin Rhoads (September 11, 1918 - April 1, 2007)

Bob Rothenberger (May 4, 1918 - April 2, 1994)

Woozy Smith (January 13, 1915 - June 3, 1971)

1946-47 Wilkes-Barre Barons (EPBL)

1946-47 WILKES-BARRE BARONS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA  
22-5, .815, 1st place

Semi-finals: Defeated Reading, 2-0

Finals: Defeated Lancaster, 2-1

With a strong roster composed of some of the best players in the area, the Wilkes-Barre Barons won 10 of the first eleven games, grabbing first place and never looking back. They'd win 18 of 21 and finish with a 22-5 record and 3.5 games ahead of Lancaster. The Chanecka brothers (Billy and Steve) combined for over 19 point per game while Cas Ostrowski added 15.9 PPG on his own. They would battle past a difficult Reading team in the playoffs to mett Lancaster in the finals. After a stunning 59-54 set-back in the opener, they crushed Lancaster in games 2 and 3 to win the inaugural Eastern League crown. 

Eddie White would not give his charges a chance to repeat next year. Feeling his team was too strong for the Eastern League, he applied for a franchise in the American League and was accepted The Barons moved to the east coast pro circuit for the 1947-48 where they won the ABL championship in the next two seasons/

Head Coach:

• Eddie White (February 4, 1910 - December 9, 1988) 

PLAYERS:

Billy Chanecka

Al Brightman (September 22, 1923 - June 10, 1992)

Billy Chanecka (April 21, 1924 - January 27, 2010)

Steve Chanecka (February 6, 1918 - February 1, 2000)

Chick Craig (July 23, 1922 - June 21, 2008)

Larry Disque (March 27, 1921 - March 3, 1994)

Paul Eike (August 15, 1919 - February 22, 2003)

Rocco English (January 30, 1919 - September 14, 2017)

Carl Frank (January 28, 1925 - May 18, 2023)

Earl Hafner (July 29, 1921 - March 15, 1988)

Ted Hanauer (January 1, 1924 - October 1, 2013) 

Joe Karpinski (April 28, 1917 - July 30, 2001)

Walter "Jake" Konitski (August 25, 1917 - February 27, 1975)

Johnny Mascavage (January 14, 1918 - April 12, 1990)

Billy Mock (November 2, 1920 - November 1, 2004)

Cas Ostrowski (July 24, 1924 - March 2, 2000)

Carl Zavada (June 6, 1929 - April 15, 2009)

1950-51 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)

 1950-51 FOND du LAC ROCKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 7-3, .700, 2nd place

2nd Half: 8-2, .800, 1st place

WSBL Championship: Defeated New Holstein, 2-0

With a new coach in Joe Jaeger, Fond du Lac got off to a mediocre 4-3 start before winning the last three games of the first half to finish in second place behind New Holstein.  They continued winning in the second half, claiming victory in the first six contest to stretch their streak to 9 straight wins.  They would win the second half with an 8-2 record, and swept New Holstein in the best-of-three championship series to be the last champion of the WSBL.

Head Coach:

• Joe Jaeger (September 23, 1919 - January 27, 1974)

PLAYERS:

Bruce Fossum

• Ken Buehler (November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
• John Erickson (June 19, 1927 - March 18, 2020)
• Bruce Fossum (January 16, 1928 - March 12, 2014)
• Jim Johnson (March 12, 1929 - August 21, 2004)
• Bob Krueger (September 8, 1922 - March 8, 2005)
• Ambrose McTrusty (August 29, 1927 - January 22, 2019)
• Exner Menzel (September 9, 1922 - October 10, 2016)
• John Orr (June 10, 1927 - December 30, 2013)
• Ray Patterson (January 15, 1922 - August 3, 2011)
• Jed Rashid (January 11, 1930 - September 25, 2006)
• Doug Richie (April 24, 1926 - January 2, 2015)
• Francis Stahr (December 30, 1926 - December 5, 1995)
• Kermit Weiske (May 18, 1929 - March 17, 2016)

1949-50 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)

1949-50 FOND du LAC ROCKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 10-2, .833, 1st place

2nd Half: 11-1, .917, 1st place

Exner Menzel

Fond du Lac entered the WSBL in the place of the North Fondy club, and immediately turned into the powerhouse of the league, winning their first 9 games. They battled with the similarly-powerful Oshkosh club for the first place title, finishing ahead of Oshkosh by a single game. They also started the second half with nine straight wins before falling to Neenah, but finished the second half 11-1 and two games ahead of New Holstein. As the winner of both halves of the season, they were declared the champions, without the need for a playoff series.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Les Sander

• Ed Goodwin 
• Bob Krueger (September 8, 1922 - March 8, 2005)
• Land
• Arlin Leonhardt (March 24, 1924 - March 9, 2013)
• Bill Manis (September 24, 1930 - June 8, 2007)
• Ambrose McTrusty (August 29, 1927 - January 22, 2019)
• Exner Menzel (September 9, 1922 - October 10, 2016)
• Ray Patterson (January 15, 1922 - August 3, 2011)
• Doug Richie (April 24, 1926 - January 2, 2015)
• Les Sander (January 6, 1920 - February 18, 2005) 
• Al Skat (October 7, 1921 - January 13, 2001)
• Don Sudkamp (March 10, 1926 - August 6, 2019)
• Gale Zimmerman (April 7, 1926 - March 24, 1987)

Al Skat