1939-40 New London Electric Boats (CSL)

1939-40 NEW LONDON ELECTRIC BOATS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 1-7, .125, t-8th place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, t-4th place

Joe Murphy

The Electric Boats were a local semi-pro team that joined the CSL for the 1939-40 season after a few years of barnstorming around New England. Despite a decent enough history, the Electric Boats faltered and finished the first half in a tie for last place. After dumping Jim Butler, George Chihowski and John LaCastro, they picked up Mike Severin, Eddie Sullivan and Bill Tuneski for the second half.The addition of these players, especially Sullivan who would average a team-best 10 points per game, bolstered the team in the second half but not enough to overcome the top teams. They finished the second have 4-4 and tied for 4th place.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

John LaCastro

Henry Apanaschik (August 9, 1919 - November 30, 1993)

Charlie Brown (April 24, 1913 - Juner 14, 1974)

Mike Butchka (February 25, 1915 - April 2, 2008)

Jim Butler (April 16, 1915 - April 3, 2004)

George Chihowski (August 18, 1917 - December 20, 1987)

John LaCastro (July 29, 1917 - March 24, 1944)

Abe Lariviere (February 15, 1920 - May 1, 1997)

Francis Murphy (May 12, 1907 - December 6, 1997)

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

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

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)

Charlie Brown

Tony Osinski

Billy Rose

Eddie Sullivan

Henry Apanschik

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)

1939-40 Meriden Insilco Silverworkers (CSL)

1939-40 MERIDEN INSILCO SILVERWORKERS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, t-4th place

Defeated Stamford in First Half tiebreaker, 2-0

Ed Gormely

Lost Finals to New Britain, 3-2

The Silverworkers started on a hot streak, winning their first 4 games and finishing in a tie for the first place title. In a best-of-three playoff, they swept Stamford to claim the first have title.

After winning their first two in the second half, they hit a three-game skid and lost 4 of 5 to fall out of contention. They would finish 4-4, but their first record title got them into the President's Cup finals against second-half champion New Britain. They lost the first game of the best-of-five series in New Britain, 42-21, but stormed back to win the next two to get within a win of the Cup. Seemed like an easy shot, given they hosted the remaining games, but lost them both to lose the crown to New Britain.

Head Coach:

• Tony Tomkievicz (May 8, 1910 - April 23, 1975) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Pete Golanski (June 29, 1917 - November 25, 1980)

Ed Gormley (April 1, 1916 - September 29, 2006)

Joe Nessing (March 16, 1920 - June 3, 1977)

Bobby Orentlicherman (March 30, 1919 - March 6, 1998)

Charlie Paddock (April 28, 1915 - June 16, 1982)

Ray Parmentier (September 18, 1919 - September 18, 2016)

Lloyd Slavin (May 30, 1918 - August 12, 2006)

Stan Sokol (February 27, 1919 - August 16, 2003)

Tony Tomkievicz (May 8, 1910 - April 23, 1975)

Walt Urban (June 27, 1915 - December 8, 1994)

Steve Wesnefski (November 11, 1914 - July 26, 1994)

Charlie Paddock

Joe Nessing

Walt Urban

1939-40 Hartford Super 5 / Dovers (CSL)

1939-40 HARTFORD SUPER 5 / DOVERS

Frank Klimas

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 4-4, .500, 6th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, T-6th place

New to the league, the Hartford Super 5 were a local semi-pro team that played various opponents around New England before joining the Connecticut State League. Things looked bright as they won three of their first four games, but lost four of their next five to finish the first half in sixth place.

They changed coaches and management in the second half, becoming the Dovers, but the change didn't change their luck as they finished in sixth place again.

Head Coach:

• Pete DeCatiff (June 29, 1907 - October 27, 1980) 4-5
• Abe Silverman (April 5, 1906 - September 2, 1997) 3-4

PLAYERS:

Larry Bernabeo (November 7, 1916 - January 25, 1984)

Al Howard (March 11, 1915 - January 10, 1984)

Bill Hutt (September 28, 1918 - May 18, 2005)

Frank Klimas (July 28, 1918 - March 21, 1997)

Mitch Magora (December 9, 1915 - July 31, 1963)

Jiggs Mandell (July 5, 1918 - November 17, 1996)

Red Meade (March 28, 1920 - February 11, 2004)

Iggy Miller aka Iggy Murawski (December 17, 1916 - December 27, 2009) 

Joe Noce (August 30, 1920 - November 3, 2002)

Pete Sevetz (September 8, 1919 - November 9, 2004)

Jigger Sitarz (November 24, 1919 - September 21, 2005)

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

Larry Bernabeo

Jigger Sitarz

Joe Noce

1939-40 Danbury Guards (CSL)

1939-40 DANBURY GUARDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, t-3rd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place
Lost in Round Robin 2nd Half Tie-breaker

The defending champions, Danbury, started the first half on a high-note, and after 6 games were 5-1 and in the hunt. Unfortunately, they would drop the last two games of the half to Bridgeport and Meriden. 

They would play strong in the second half, finishing 6-2 and part of the three-way tie for first place. The Guards would eventually lose the round-robin.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

Doc Milvid

Reg(?) Ketcham  

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

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

Tidy Millen (January 5, 1913 - March 4, 1983)

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

Joe Polcha (February 24, 1917 - March 27, 1959

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

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

Eddie Sadlon (February 5, 1920 - December 16, 1993)

Dutch Seifert (October 9, 1919 - August 13, 2012)

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

Nat Volpe (May 15, 1916 - September 8, 1997)

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

1939-40 Bridgeport Springwoods (CSL)

1939-40 BRIDGEPORT SPRINGWOODS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, t-3rd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place
Lost in Round Robin 2nd Half Tie-breaker

Looking to improve on the last season, under new coach Eddie Reilly, the Springwoods dropped their first two games before winning five of the last six games to finish in third place in the first half. They played better in the second half of the season, finishing in a three-way tie for first. Sadly, they would lose in the round-robin tie-breaker and their season would end without the championship

Johnny Norko

Head Coach:

• Eddie Reilly  (March 26, 1886 - December 4, 1964) 

PLAYERS:

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

Torvie Holmes (March 19, 1914 - December 11, 1993)

Joe Hudak (May 10, 1916 - August 26, 1988)

Ernie Izzo (May 10, 1913 - June 9, 1989)

Slim Kurimsky (February 1, 1919 - October 8, 2006)

Frank Macey (December 21, 1914 - July 7, 2000)

Steve Nemergut (September 22, 1915 - June 22, 1996)

George Norko (January 20, 1916 - October 10, 2000)

Johnny Norko (April 16, 1916 - March 28, 2010)

Jule Olah (October 11, 1919 - October 29, 2008)

George Norko

1939-40 Connecticut State League (CSL)

Still a nine-team league in the CSL's second season, but only Bridgeport, Danbury and West Haven stayed on board. The New London Electric Boats, a popular touring team, joined the league, as did New Britain Cremos, the Hartford Super 5, the Stamford Holy Names and the Willimantic Aces. With the Endees dropping out, Meriden would be represented by the Silverworkers of Insilco. Once again, the season was split into two eight-game halves.  They would play two-halves with each team playing each other once in each half. Box scores and game results were still a little difficult to locate for a good portion of the games, so rosters may be incomplete.

The first half ended with Meriden and Stamford finishing tied atop the league with 6-2 records. A quick best-of-three series to determine the first half champion saw Meriden beat Stamford in two straight games.

The second half would also end in a tie, but this time, it was a three-team deadlock with New Britain, Bridgeport and Danbury (the defending champions.) A round-robin tie-breaker was scheduled, and it would take almost a month for New Britain to be the victors of the round robin. 

In the finals for the President's Cup, New Britain down Meriden, 42-41, in the opener of the best-of-five series. Meriden would roar back to win Games Two and Three to put New Britain on the ropes. However, backed by Glownia's 19 points, New Britain would even the series with a narrow 46-43 win leading to a deciding game in Meriden. New Britain would defeat the Silverworkers in Game 5, 53-47, to claim the President's Cup.

• Bridgeport Springwoods
• Danbury Guards
• Hartford Super 5 / Dovers
• Meriden Insilco Silverworkers
• New Britain Cremos
• New London Electric Boats
• Stamford Holy Names
• West Haven Hull Red Devils
• Willimantic Lounsbury Aces

1938-39 West Haven Red Devils (CSL)

1938-39 WEST HAVEN RED DEVILS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 8-0, 1.000, 1st place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, t-4th place

Championship: Lost to Danbury, 3-1

One of the more well-known independent teams in Connecticut, West Haven did exactly what was expected of them: they ran the table in the first half, with Freddie Ferrie leading the way. In the second half, though they ran into trouble and would split their games. Having won the first half title, they clashed with the Danbury Guards for the President's Cup, but would lose in the best-of-five series in four games.

Head Coach:

• Herky Rubenstein (October 16, 1902 - October 4, 1975)
  

PLAYERS:

Ernie Collins (January 17, 1916 - January 3, 2001)

Steve Collins (May 2, 1915 - September 30, 1990)

Freddie Ferrie (April 2, 1917 - April 14, 1995)

Dick Ferriter (October 21, 1916 - April 23, 1993)

Frank Iwanski (October 11, 1914 - October 29, 2003)

John McHugh 

Milt Northrop (June 14, 1912 - January 18, 2004)

Rocky Petrafessa (February 22, 1917 - February 6, 2003)

Herky Rubenstein (October 16, 1902 - October 4, 1975)

Joe Semenkovitch (July 15, 1917 - April 24, 1986)

Steve Collins

John McHugh

1938-39 Waterbury Ashleys (CSL)

1938-39 WATERBURY ASHLEYS / SPEEDBOYS

Paddy Damelio

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-5th place
2nd Half: 0-7, .000, 9th place

Waterbury was represented by the Ashleys and despite poor offensive output, managed to split their first four games. At this point, however, the Ashleys were replaced with the West Side Speedboys, a local semi-pro club lead by Henny Carrington. Despite what was thought to be a boost to Waterbury's fortunes, the Speedboys would only win one league game, finishing the first half with a 3-5 record and then getting swept out in the second half, failing to win a single contest. Bobby Ray was the only Ashley who was kept on when the clubs changed personnel.

Head Coach:

• uncertain 2-2
• Henny Carrington (March 27, 1901 - December 21, 1980) 1-10 Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

Mike Baran (December 4, 1914 - February 18, 2002)

Sunny Bowler (July 31, 1913 - August 5, 1988)

Ralph Bradley (August 21, 1916 - March 19, 2007)

Henny Carrington (March 27, 1901 - December 21, 1980)

Paddy Damelio (February 21, 1914 - November 26, 1999)

John Grebauskas (September 23, 1911 - March 2, 1979)

Harry Grey  

Sid Himmelstein (September 29, 1914 - January 15, 1982)

John Grebauskas

Slugger Mannion (February 2, 1916 - June 26, 1990)

Charlie Paddock (April 28, 1915 - June 16, 1982)

Bobby Ray (August 28, 1918 - March 20, 1989)

Seeley 

Henry Slepski (August 19, 1913 - January 26, 1996)

Johnny Stollar (April 10, 1917 - June 6, 2003)

Freddie Sullivan (October 21, 1916 - January 22, 2013)

Wally Utke (August 11, 1914 - March 31, 1988)

Elton Wilmot (September 22, 1915 - April 18, 1997)

Charlie Paddock

Bobby Ray

Henry Slepski

1938-39 Torrington Full Fashions (CSL)

1938-39 TORRINGTON FULL FASHIONS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 2-6, .250, t-8th place
2nd Half: 2-5, .286, 8th place

Fay Baccei

Light on talent, Torrington made little impact in the league, only winning a couple of games in each half and finishing in 8th place. Twice the Full Fashions failed to score 30 points in a game.

Head Coach:

• Carl Bozenski (December 26, 1915 - October 13, 1986)

PLAYERS:

Fay Baccei  

Frank Beauty (June 4, 1913 - August 12, 2000)

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

Hugh Cannon (March 14, 1914 - August 11, 1995)

Al Dankin (February 10, 1916 - February 4, 2008)

Frank Dranginis (March 24, 1916 - November 4, 1993)

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

Del Knox (December 27, 1913 - November 23, 2001)

Whip McLaughlin (August 17, 1917 - July 23, 2998)

Charlie Miller (August 14, 1915 - November 25, 1993)

Huddie Richard (October 16, 1916 - April 27, 2006)

Andy York (March 19, 1914 - March 10, 2002)

Frank Dranginis

Al Dankin

Del Knox

Joe Boley

Joe Joyce

1938-39 Naugatuck Keds (CSL)

1938-39 NAUGATUCK KEDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 2-6, .250, t-8th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place

Babe Sweeney

Sponsored by U.S. Rubber in Naugatuck and coached Heimie Rabinovich, an engineer with the company who was a star athlete in high school and college, Naugatuck struggled off the start, losing their first four and finishing the first half tied for the cellar. They would also lose their first four of the second half, too, not many any impact on the league chase.

Head Coach:

• Heimie Rabinovich* (May 11, 1908 - December 23, 2002)

PLAYERS:

John Balinski (September 22, 1917 - April 7, 1985)

Henry Cieslewski (November 4, 1908 - October 24, 1999)

Tom Edmonds (January 29, 1919 - October 2, 1970)

Ed Enamait (September 14, 1915 - February 28, 2003)

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

Ziggy Korowotny (May 30, 1919 - February 5, 1999)

Henry Loman (December 27, 1916 - January 26, 2003)

Red Mariano (March 13, 1920 - May 9, 1994)

Butch Sterniak (August 11, 1916 - May 30, 2017)

Babe Sweeney (July 1, 1917 - September 9, 1979)

Cliff Swirski (July 1, 1914 - June 9, 2001)

Russ Weaving (March 7, 1917 - June 5, 1993)

* - later changed his name to Henry Robbins

Ed Enamait

Bob Gair

Ziggy Korowotny

Butch Sterniak

1938-39 Meriden Endees (CSL)

1938-39 MERIDEN ENDEES
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, 3rd place
2nd Half: 5-3, .625, 3rd place

Ed Gormley

The Endees were a successful semi-pro team for a few years before becoming one of the CSL's inaugural teams. Coached by Jack Barton, they began the season winning only one of their first four games but win win the last four for a respectable 5-3 record. Hoping the success would continue into the second half, they won four of the first five to stay within striking range of first-place Danbury, but lost two critical games to Ansonia and the afore-mentioned Danbury to fall out of contention. Benny Zajac lead the team averaging 10.4 PPG.

Head Coach:

• Jack Barton (November 28, 1898 - May 15, 1951)

PLAYERS:

Joe Dudek (February 16, 1915 - January 7, 1998)

Frank Ferrucci (April 17, 1913 - March 1, 1996)

Pete Golanski (June 29, 1917 - November 25, 1980)

Ed Gormley (April 1, 1916 - September 29, 2006)

Teddy Janiga (July 1, 1915 - January 10, 2008)

Tony Pechuck (April 24, 1915 - March 1, 1991)

Red Sheehan (August 21, 1915 - July 26, 1950)

Lloyd Slavin (May 30, 1918 - August 12, 2006)

Walt Urban (June 27, 1915 - December 8, 1994)

Benny Zajac (December 9, 1916 - September 25, 2007)

Joe Dudek

Teddy "Red" Janiga

Tony Pechuck

Walt Urban

Benny Zajac

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

1938-39 Bristol West Ends (CSL)

1938-39 BRISTOL WEST ENDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-5th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place


After  winning three straight to start the first half, Bristol lost the last five. In the second half, the West Ends did drastic changes to their roster but the results were the same: 3-5.

Head Coach:

• Lawrence "Steg" Zetarski (August 15, 1906 - August 8, 1994)

PLAYERS:

Chuz Johnson

Ben Allaire (September 12, 1911 - March 1, 1980)

Ace D'Aprile (June 29, 1918 - April 2, 1994)

Pluggy DiGiovanni (September 17, 1914 - December 29, 1991)

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

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

Albie Gurske (August 11, 1913 - October 31, 1997)

Chuz Johnson (February 24, 1919 - September 19, 2006)

Ed Kose (September 29, 1919 - July 12, 1997)

Tom Lincoln (July 19, 1912 - December 24, 1997)

Joe Maro (January 11, 1915 - May 4, 2001)

Alphonse Obuchowski (November 21, 1917 - May 16, 1994)

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

Jimmy Pickett (September 23, 1916 - October 17, 1984)

Putt Salmond (January 15, 1916 - March 13, 1994)

Zulu Zaino (November 21, 1917 - August 22, 2001)

Pluggy DiGiovani

Ace D'Aprile