Now part of the Eastern Basketball Association, the Connecticut State League entered its ninth season in existence with new by-laws and a new name. The Eastern Basketball League kicked off its season in mid-November, and it became clear pretty quick that two teams were much stronger than the rest. The Bristol Tramp finished the calendar year of 1946 with seven wins in 8 games, and after stumbling at home to Lenox on January 2, ran off 13 straight wins before losing the regular season finale to the same Lenox club to finish 20-3. In the Southern Division, the New Haven club started off 13-1, finishing with a 21-3 record and easily winning the division. Lenox and the Springwoods, both out of Bridgeport, played well but couldn't catch their division leaders. The Hartford Atlantics were expected to contend, but did not perform particularly for stretches throughout the season, and with a couple weeks left in the season and losing money at a torrid pace, the team folded up before finishing their schedule. The hapless Naugatuck team got pounded game after game, failing to win a single contest and outscored be an average of 15 points per game.
The two divisional champions met in a best-of-three championship series in March. Bristol rolled the Devils at home in the first game, 65-50, as four Tramps scored in double-figures. On the Devils' home court in West Haven for Game 2, the Tramps were defeated 74-62 to force a deciding game at a neutral site. Bristol would win the rubber game 78-61, behind Walt Kresge's 21 points and, to win the championship.
NORTH DIVISION
Bridgeport Lenox
Bristol Tramps
Hartford Atlantics*
New Britain Pros
Torrington Howards
SOUTH DIVISION
Bridgeport Springwoods
Naugatuck Zephyrs
New Haven Hulls Red Devils
Stamford Pros
Wallingford Vets
* - folded before season's end
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