1940-41 Willimantic Lounsbury Aces (CSL)

1940-41 WILLIMANTIC LOUNSBURY ACES
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 1-7, .125, 9th place
2nd Half: 2-6, .250, t-8th place

For the second year in a row, the Lounsbury Aces of Willimantic proved to be fodder for the rest of the league. They only won 3 games all year, and finished well out of the chase.

Head Coach:

• uncertain

  

  Walt Scranton

PLAYERS:

Steve Dubina (January 5, 1920 - December 16, 2019)

Jean Hall (June 16, 1911 - January 14, 1976)

Willie Monroe (December 8, 1914 - January 11, 1993) 

Wally Morehouse 

Murphy  

Murray Narotsky (July 3, 1923 - January 15, 1991)

Nate Rosen (March 12, 1921 - July 26, 2012)

Ben Sagal (May 9, 1919 - July 2, 2001)

Walt Scranton (April 28, 1917 - April 3, 1981)

Pete Staum (May 28, 1916 - September 23, 2002)

Carl Troester (May 27, 1916 - December 24, 1994)

Walker 

Earl Yost (August 14, 1921 - September 3, 2005)

1940-41 West Haven Red Devils (CSL)

Eddie Mucha

1940-41 WEST HAVEN RED DEVILS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 6-2, .750, 2nd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place

After a disappointing 1939-40 campaign, the Devils came back strong, going 6-2 in the first half. However, it wasn't good enough to catch the first place Norwalk club. In the second half, they managed to replicate their 6-2 record which got them into a three-way tie for first, but Rubenstein withdrew the team from a projected round-robin tie breaker and ended their CSL season.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

John Blasczyk (April 8, 1919 - January 21, 1984)

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

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

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

Chubby Malinconico (November 16, 1921 - March 14, 2007)

John McHugh

Eddie Mucha (June 12, 1919 - November 26, 1944)

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

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

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

1940-41 Waterbury West Side Speedboys (CSL)

Toots McNamara

1940-41 WATERBURY WEST SIDE SPEEDBOYS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place

Sponsored by Scovill Manufacturing in Waterbury, the Speedboys never made any real impact on the league, finishing 3-5 in 6th place in both halves. Popular local basketball figure Toots McNamara took over as head coach 4 games in but the team remained mired in mediocrity.

Head Coach:

• Mike Moore (March 8, 1907 - December 18, 1977) 0-3
• George "Toots" McNamara (April 27, 1897 - August 18, 1973) 6-7

PLAYERS:

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

John Brady (February 22, 1920 - March 1981)

John Casey (September 16, 1917 - May 4, 1995)

Herbie French (March 6, 1921 - April 15, 2000)

Stan Grey (October 11, 1918 - November 15, 1977)

Billy Kalosky (December 21, 1921 - December 11, 2008)

Joe Kalosky (September 3, 1919 - February 3, 2010)

Russ McLean (April 23, 1917 - March 1, 2002)

Joe Runividge (April 15, 1919 - January 13, 2007)

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

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

1940-41 Norwalk Newfields (CSL)

Ike Kern

1940-41 NORWALK NEWFIELDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 7-1, .875, 1st place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, t-4th place

Lost to New London finals, 2-1

New to the league, the Newfields rolled through the first half, with only a 4-poinmt loss in New London as a blemish on their record.  They only managed a .500 record in the second half, and the poor momentum seemed to carry into the Presidents Cup. They would lose to New London in 3 games.

Head Coach:

• Eugene "Ike" Kern (November 26, 1909 - November 28, 1978) 

PLAYERS:

Bobby Lynch

Anso "Al" Belardinelli (January 1, 1915 - March 22, 2001)

Jack Burns 

George Fasulas (April 20, 1921 - October 23, 2000)

Jim Impilito

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

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

George Petrovich (August 23, 1921 - February 10, 2016)

Al Raslavsky (April 24, 1917 - November 11, 1993)

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

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

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

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

1940-41 New London Electric Boats (CSL)

1940-41 NEW LONDON ELECTRIC BOAT DIESELS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Joe Murphy

1st Half: 6-2, .750, t-2nd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place

Defeated Bridgeport in 2nd Half Tie-breaker, 2-1

Defeated Norwalk in Finals, 2-1

After a disappointing season, the Diesels were loaded for battle this year. They would go 6-2 in both halves, with the first half being a second place finish while the second was good enough to tie for first. They defeated Bridgeport in the tie-breaker for the second half title, and beat Norwalk for the President's Cup. Chet Jaworski, Rhode Island College phenom, joined the team after Christmas and averaged 15.1 points down the stretch.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

Mike Petrosky

Jimmy Hoffman (May 9, 1917 - October 24, 2001)

Chet Jaworski (November 8, 1916 - October 16, 2003)

Joe Kane (April 12, 1913 - January 10, 1988)

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

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

Ed Petro (July 3, 1915 - July 8, 1987)

Mike Petrosky (April 15, 1915 - June 21, 1980)

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)

Tony Osinski

Ed Petro

Joe Kane

1940-41 New Britain Emeralds (CSL)

1940-41 NEW BRITAIN EMERALDS

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-4, .500, t-6th place
2nd Half: 2-6, .250, t-8th place

New Britain's Cremos won the Cup last season, but this year known as the Emeralds and returned a the core and coach so everyone expected the Emeralds to be competitive. Unfortunately, however, they dropped their first four games and quickly fell out of contention. They rallied to finish they last four of the half and took the first contest of the second half. However, the momentum ended there as they would drop 6 of their remaining 7 games and finish the second half in a tie for last place.

Head Coach:

• Jimmy Murphy ( - ) 

PLAYERS:

Vic Baylock (January 18, 1913 - March 22, 1990)

Joe Bellis (November 30, 1913 - May 27, 1967)

Joe Capodice (January 12, 1918 - July 4, 1998)

Jack Cronin 

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

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

Joe Glownia (December 20, 1915 - July 2, 1962)

Joe Gurnicki (March 22, 1920 - June 27, 1983)

Pete Gut (January 12, 1916 - March 8, 2006)

Chick Jacobi (June 29, 1920 - July 11, 2014)

Walt Kresge (September 25, 1920 - August 14, 2000)

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

Art Pfeiffer (October 5, 1915 - July 15, 1969)

Hermie Schmarr (October 10, 1912 - March 13, 1989)

George Weber  

1940-41 Hartford Gems (CSL)

1940-41 HARTFORD GEMS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 4-4, .500, 4th place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, 4th place

Herb Peterson

Sponsored by Bill Savitt, local jeweler, Hartford had local basketball figure John Malin at the helm. Last year's Hartford entry was a disappointment, but this years Gems couldn't fare much better than breaking even in both halves and missing the championship series. Malin would be replaced by Herb Peterson two games into the second half.

Head Coach:

• John Malin (May 21, 1910 - January 20, 1988) 5-5
• Herb Peterson (December 25, 1915 - May 12, 1975) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Joe Bellis (November 30, 1913 - May 27, 1967)

Harry Smith

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

Jack Cronin 

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

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

Joe Kaslauskas (November 1, 1918 - June 14, 2006)

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

Wendell Kristofak (December 19, 1919 - October 7, 1992)

John Lachovich (KIA c. 1944)

Frank Leonard (April 27, 1918 - February 13, 2013)

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

Herb Peterson (December 25, 1915 - May 12, 1975)

Harry Smith (December 2, 1921 - October 19, 20210)

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

George Wamsley (August 25, 1919 - December 17, 2013)

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

Paul Worobel (July 2, 1919 - June 3, 2004)

Henry Zajac (April 6, 1914 - September 23, 1977)

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.

Jake May

Head Coach:

• 
  

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.

Charlie Petrushonis

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 - ????)

Dave Roberts

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 Cremos of New Britain withdrew and their franchise went to the Emeralds from the same city. The Hartford Dovers also withdrew, being replaced by the Gems. Merdien and Stamford also dropped, leaving more room for new teams. Waterbury Speedboys were granted admission., as were the Newfields from Norwalk. The Newfields (also occasionally referred to as the Bluefields) 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 Newfields
• Waterbury West Side Speedboys
• West Haven Hull Red Devils
• Willimantic Lounsbury Aces

Butch Weintraub

Abraham "Butch" Weintraub


Born:
October 8, 1917
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
October 20, 2003
Levittown, PA


Career
Northeast High School - Philadelphia (High School)
CCNY (College)
1939-40 Philadelphia Celtics (TCL)
1939-40 Allentown Jewish Center (Independent)
1940-41 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1940-41 Philadelphia Athletics (Independent)
1940-41 Warehouse Local - Philadelphia (Independent)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1946-47 Ohev Sholom - Philadelphia (Independent)
1947-48 Ohev Sholom - Philadelphia (Independent)

Weintraub served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/butch-weintraub/

Ed Stevens

Edward V. "Red" Stevens


Born:
1919


Died:




Career
1938-39 NYU (College)
1939-40 NYU (College)
1940-41 NYU (College)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1946-47 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Saratoga Indians (NYSL)

WW2 veteran

Possibly:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/172236781

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ed-stevens/

Bucky Pierson

William Edward "Bucky" Pierson


Born:
November 7, 1913
Rochester, NY

Died:
February 9, 1994
Clyde, NY


Career
1937-38 University of Baltimore (College)
1938-39 University of Baltimore (College)
1939-40 Statchur Dairymen - Baltimore (Independent)
1939-40 Bethlehem - Baltimore (Independent)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1941-42 YMHA - Baltimore (Independent)
1941-42 Westinghouse - Baltimore (Independent)

The Rochester native starred on the hardwood at the University of Baltimore before playing semi-pro and pro basketball around Baltimore. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942 to serve in World War 2.

He is the brother of fellow basketball player Irving Pierson, who confusingly went by the name "Buck."

Bucly was married to Nancy Barker (1920-2000).

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bucky-pierson/

Jackie Peters

John Marquette Peters


Born:
April 17, 1916
Tottenville, NY

Died:
January 27, 1995
Clearwater, FL


Career
St.John’s University - New York (College) Freshmen
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 Yonkers Caseys (Independent)
1941-42 Yonkers Caseys (Independent)
1942-43 New York Jewels (ABL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1941-42 Yonkers Caseys (Independent)
1944-45 Washington Capitols / Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1944-45 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 Worcester (NEBL)
1946-47 Newark Bobcats (ABL)
1946-47 Brooklyn (NYNJ)
1946-47 Queens (LIPBL)
1947-48 Long Island Bombers (Independent)

Peters played his freshmen year at St. John's before leaving. He played five years of pro basketball in the ABL as well as other leagues around New York and New Jersey. He served in the military during World War 2.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jackie-peters/

Dutch Newman

George David "Dutch" Newman


Born:
April 18, 1917
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
July, 1979
Brooklyn, NY


Career
1936-37 Long Island University (College)
1937-38 Long Island University (College)
1938-39 Long Island University (College)
1939-40 Syracuse (NYSL)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1942-43 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)

Born to Harry and Ida Newman. Dutch played basketball at LIU and after graduating we went to play with Syracuse in the New York State League. He then played three seasons in the ABL before serving in the military during World War 2.

Also went by his middle name (David Newman) later in life.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/dutch-newman/

Johnny Mroczkowski

John Matthews "Moe the Pro" Mroczkowski


Born:
May 25, 1918
New York, NY

Died:
July 29, 1994
Cohoes, NY


Career
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1941-42 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1941-42 Glens Falls Commodores (NYSL)
1941-42 Kingston (NYSL)
1945-46 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1947-48 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
1947-48 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1947-48 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)
1947-48 Twin Cities Celtics (NYSL)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1954-55 Hudson Valley Technical Institute (College) Head coach
1955-56 Hudson Valley Technical Institute (College) Head coach
1956-57 Hudson Valley Technical Institute (College) Head coach
1957-58 Hudson Valley Technical Institute (College) Head coach
1958-59 Hudson Valley Technical Institute (College) Head coach 
1969-70 Lush Brushes - Cohes, NY (Independent) Head coach

The Brooklyn native played pro basketball through the 1940's with a break to serve in the U.S. during World War 2. After playing a few years in the New York State League, John coached at HVTI and later worked for the state government in the Department of Taxation and Finance.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/johnny-mroczkowski/

Bill Formwalt

William Swan Formwalt


Born:
October 11, 1913
Tuscumbia, AL

Died:
September 23, 2007
Lynchburg, VA


Career
1932-33 Hampden-Sydney College - Virginia (College) Freshmen
1933-34 Hampden-Sydney College - Virginia (College)
1934-35 Hampden-Sydney College - Virginia (College)
1935-36 Hampden-Sydney College - Virginia (College)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)

Born to Herbert and Louise Formwalt in Alabama, Bill grew up in Baltimore and was an All-American football player at Hampden-Sydney College. He also ran track and was a star on their basketball team, and played a little bit for the Clippers in the ABL. He also played some semi-pro football in the Virginia area. Formwalt served his country during World War 2


Source:
Hampden-Sydeny Athletics


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bill-formwalt/

Rex Ellis

Herschell Rex Ellis


Born:
July 8, 1919
Greens Fork, IN

Died:
December 18, 2001
Pasadena, CA


Career
1934-35 Greens Fork High School - Indiana (High School)
1935-36 Greens Fork High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Notre Dame (College)
1938-39 Notre Dame (College)
1939-40 Notre Dame (College)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Rider University (College) Head coach
1941-42 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1941-42 Rider University (College) Head coach 

Born to William and Katie Ellis, Rex was a standout baseball and basketball player at Greens Fork HS and then at Notre Dame. After a couple years of minor league baseball and pro basketball, as well as being athletic director and coach at Rider College, Ellis would work for the FBI, and later became and attorney in California.

Minor League Baseball Stats
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ellis-001rex

Source:
Nettls Creek School Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/rex-ellis/

Irv Davis

Irv Davis
born Irving D. Dubinsky


Born:
January 10, 1915
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
October 30, 2010
Fort Lauderdale, FL


Career
1940-41 NYU (College)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1941-42 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1941-42 Troy (NYSL)
1942-43 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1943-44 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1943-44 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1945-46 New York Gothasm (ABL)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1946-47 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/irv-davis/

Ben Auerbach

Benjamin Auerbach


Born:
March 1, 1919
New York, NY

Died:
June 18, 1993
Delray Beach, FL


Career
1936-37 DeWitt Clinton High School - New York (High School)
1936-37 DeWitt Clinton High School - New York (High School)
1938-39 NYU (College)
1939-40 NYU (College)
1940-41 NYU (College)
1940-41 Brooklyn Celtics (ABL)
1941-42 Brooklyn  (Independent)
1941-42 Saratoga (NYSL)
1943-44 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1943-44 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1944-45 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1945-46 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)

Auerbach was a member of the great NYU teams of the late 30's and early 40's. At the end of the 1940-41 season, Auerbach was declared ineligible and missed NYU's last two games. He joined the Kate Smith's Brooklyn Celtics, debuting in the pro game on March 15, 1941. He played basketball professionally through the 1940's, with an interruption to serve in the U.S. Army during World War 2.


Source:
Jews In Sports

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ben-auerbach/