For the WSBL's second season, they managed to get all 7 teams returning from the inaugural season. Neenah, who joined the WSBL half way into the 1947-48 season, were set to enjoy a full-season of league play. A popular travelling semi-pro team, the Bluejackets, made up largely of police officers and their friends, had a couple rough losses in the first half, but won the second half crown and a birth in the championship series. Manitowoc rolled to a first-half pennant, winning ten of 12, while finishing second half. Check Shepard lead Neenah with 14.4 PPG, while Manitowoc was lead by Ronnie Blomberg (14.0 PPG) and Stan Kraemer (13.7). The rest of the league was fairly evenly balanced in the first half, but in the second half Kimberly and Sheboygan fell into deep funks while the other five squads fought for the second half title.
Manitowoc and Neenah met of March 9, 1949, for game one of a best-of-five series for the WSBL championship. Manitowoc defending their home court in Game 1, winning by 17 behind Blomberg's 26 points. Manitowoc won game two the next night in Neenah in a hard-fought overtime game, but Neenah staved off elimination in Game 3 with a four-point victory in Manitowoc. Heading back to Neenah for Game 4, Neenah fought hard in the high-scoring affair but fell to the Braves, handing the title to Manitowoc.
Kimberly Papermakers
Manitowoc Braves
No comments:
Post a Comment