1941-42 Bridgeport Springwoods (CSL)

1941-42 BRIDGEPORT SPRINGWOODS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
13-7 .625, 3rd place

Semi-finals: Lost to New London, 2-1

Bridgeport started the season strong, winning 7 of their first nine before a 2-4 spot knocked them out of first. They rallied to win four of their last five (including a forfeit win over the Newfields) to lock a third-place finish. However, they would lose to New London in the semi-finals, ending their season.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

George Barney (February 20, 1921 - October 15, 2001)

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

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

Joe Binkert (February 18, 1922 - January 14, 1987)

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

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

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

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

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

Johnny Pyrch (May 7, 1919 - March 31, 2018)

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

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

Jim Whaley (May 6, 1915 - ????)

1941-42 Bridgeport Newfields (CSL)

1941-42 BRIDGEPORT NEWFIELDS

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-18, .100, 6th place

After their first CSL season in Norwalk, the Newfields moved to Bridgeport in the fall of 1941. Only Lynch, Ritchel, Santone and Sheehy stayed with the club into this season. Al Mansi, part of last year's team, only played one game before leaving the team.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Joe Binkert (February 18, 1922 - January 14, 1987)

Dennis Conley (May 29, 1921 - January 7, 1973)

John Cybul (January 9, 1920 - January 14, 2006)

Frank Dobek (October 28, 1918 - March 23, 1999)

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

Dickie Fontaine (May 3, 1918 - October 10, 1998)

Pat Kiely 

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

Jack Mackey (April 18, 1914 - February 5, 1993)

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

Gene Marko

Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994)

Phelan  

Johnny Pyrch (May 7, 1919 - March 31, 2018)

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

Jack Selavka (March 26, 1923 - January 4, 2012)

Tony Santone (May 30, 1919 - November 15, 1986)

Irish Sheehy (December 26, 1915 - June 19, 1985)

Muzzy Spalluto (February 29, 1920 - June 28, 1997)

Pete Sulzicki (August 21, 1919 - February 28, 2004)

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

Bob Synnott (September 27, 1912 - November 19, 1985)

1941-42 Connecticut State League (CSL)

The Connecticut State League dropped down to six teams for the 1941-42 season. The Danbury Gaels, New Britain Emeralds and Willimantic Aces dropped, and the Newfields relocated from Norwalk to Bridgeport, giving Bridgeport two teams representing the city. 

For the first time, the league abandoned its old system of splitting the season into two halves and just would run with each team playing a 20-game schedule with the top four teams playing in a playoff to determine the winner of the President's trophy. Barely a week into the season, the U.S. was drawn into World War 2 and the season carried that heavy load as it progressed. 

There wound up being a great divide between the top four and bottom two clubs. Waterbury and the Newfields finished in 5th and 6th, respectively, and well out of the playoff hunt. New London fought their way through to repeat as champions.

• Bridgeport Newfields
• Bridgeport Springwoods
• Hartford Gems
• New London Electric Boats
• Waterbury West Side Speedboys
• West Haven Hull Red Devils