1940-41 Danbury Gaels (CSL)

1940-41 DANBURY GAELS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 2-6, .250, 8th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place

The Danbury Guards dropped from the state league, but the Gaels stepped in to represent the Hat City. Eddie Sadlon was the only carry-over from the Guards. They were never in the running and finsihed the season poorly.

Head Coach:

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PLAYERS:

Alexander Baran (November 15, 1919 - June 15, 1944)

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

John "Carl" Baur (July 10, 1915 - January 3, 1965)

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

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

Bob Lougheed (March 19, 1919 - October 15, 1993)

Joe Maggiola (January 9, 1918 - December 20, 1969)

Jake May (February 6, 1921 - February 3, 1984)

Miller 

George Morgan (February 22, 1921 - October 11, 2006)

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

Dick Thompson (May 28, 1914 - November 26, 1993)

Ace Vince (October 19, 1916 - December 15, 2002)

Jack Walsh (March 22, 1916 - August 6, 1987)

1940-41 Bridgeport Springwoods (CSL)

1940-41 BRIDGEPORT SPRINGWOODS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place
Lost to New London in 2nd Half Tie-breaker, 2-1

John Norko took over as coach at the onset of the season, but Eddie Reilly returned to coach the second half. Under Reilly, the Springwoods returned to form and finished in a tie for first in the second place. Unfortunately, they lost to New London in a tie-breaker and their season came to an end.

Head Coach:

• Johnny Norko (April 16, 1916 - March 28, 2010) 3-5  Also played. See below
• Eddie Reilly (March 26, 1886 - December 4, 1964)  6-2

PLAYERS:

Mal Baxter (November 10, 1921 - September 17, 2010)

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

Johnny Chirsky (August 20, 1928 - June  27,2002)

Diker  

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)

Charlie Petrushonis (January 8, 1921 - d. 1987-2010)

Dave Roberts (March 18, 1921 - April 17, 1992)

Jim Whaley (May 6, 1915 - unknown)

1940-41 Connecticut State League (CSL)

New season and still nine teams, with a few new teams replacing dropped squads. Again, the season was split into two halves, with the winners of each half slated to face each other for a series to win the President's trophy. The Norwalk Bluefields (also called the Newfields) entered the circuit from the barnstorming world, and after splitting their first 2 games, rattled off 6 straight wins to claim the first half title.  Norwalk would struggle in the second half while New London, West Haven and Bridgeport battled for the second half crown. All three clubs finished with 6 wins, but West Haven shut their season down so New London and Bridgeport would meet in a tie-breaking series.

New London dropped the opener of the best-of-3 series before besting the Springwoods in the next two matches to earn the right to play Norwalk for the Cup. Norwalk won the opener on the road, but dropped the next to (played in Bridgeport to handle larger attendance) to give the Cup to the Boats.

• Bridgeport Springwoods
• Danbury Gaels
• Hartford Gems
• New Britain Emeralds
• New London Electric Boats
• Norwalk Bluefields
• Waterbury West Side Speedboys
• West Haven Hull Red Devils
• Willimantic Lounsbury Aces