1945-46 Worcester Nortons / Lynn Americans (NEBL)

1945-46 WORCESTER NORTONS / 

Lyle Bullard

LYNN AMERICANS

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
4-11, .267, 7th place

The Worcester Nortons started the season good enough, winning two of their first three games. In late January, the franchise was shifted to Lynn. The newly-minted Americans would only win two more games as they stumbled to a 4-11 finish, setting them well into last place. 

Head Coach:

• Fink Rea (March 12, 1902 - March 14, 1974)
  

PLAYERS:

Bob Allen (December 11, 1922 - September 15, 2011)

Anderson 

Eddie Bell

Lyle Bullard (December 16, 1916 - September 6, 1970)

Joe Sheehan

Frank Cochran (May 10, 1922 - February 10, 1968)

Frank Collins (Oftring) (June 4, 1924 - October 4, 1982)

Ike Creeden (April 15, 1919 - July 12, 2003)

Frank (?) Crowley 

Fred Cruickshank (December 31, 1920 - January 6, 2020)

Jack Earl (April 19, 1927 - July 5, 2012)

Whitey Klevas (December 9, 1915 - November 6, 1980)

Soph Kritikos (November 25, 1919 - April 25, 2014)

Warren Lewis (November 21, 1924 - July 17, 1976)

Mike Mello 

Rocky Mitchell (May 29, 1919 - May 18, 2006)

Peters 

Horace Raimo (January 12, 1919 - February 4, 1998)

Abe Russell (February 16, 1920 - December 22, 1995)

Joe Sheehan (January 18, 1921 - June 30, 1959)

Jim Stuart (or Stewart) 

Therman  

George Vangel (October 6, 1916 - August 17, 2018)

Teddy Wollerscheid (January 15, 1918 - February 25, 2000)

Sophocles Kritikos

1945-46 Portland Millionaires (NEBL)

1945-46 PORTLAND MILLIONAIRES

Lou Belanger

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
10-11, .476, 2nd place
First Round: Lost to Clinton, 2-1

Lead by players like Ziggy Strzelecki (16.4 ppg), Speedy Houpt (11.7 ppg) and player-coach Lou Belanger (11.0 ppg), Portland had started 6-2 before stumbling down the stretch to finish below .500. Despite the losing record, the Millionaires did finish in second place before losing to the upstart Clinton team in the first round of the playoffs.

Head Coach:

• Lou Belanger (June 11, 1917 - April 3, 2006) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

John "Beaner" Balsavich (August 6, 1919 - April 25, 2007)

Lou Belanger (June 11, 1917 - April 3, 2006)

Hank Brenner (November 23, 1918 - July 2, 2012)

Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993)

Bobby Curran (September 29, 1921 - October 18, 1977)

Tiffy Denton (June 14, 1920 - January 20, 2013)

Joe or Bob Dexter 

Jim Hegan (August 3, 1920 - June 17, 1984)

Art Hillhouse (June 12, 1916 - October 27, 1980)

Speedy Houpt (February 1, 1919 - July 24, 1991)

Fred Katin (May 12, 1924 - March 3, 2011)

(Ed?) Makowski 

Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988)

Ted Wollerscheid (January 15, 1918 - February 25, 2000)

Eddie Buckley

Ziggy Strzelecki

Dexter

1945-46 Pawtucket Collegians (NEBL)

1945-46 PAWTUCKET COLLEGIANS

Morris Fabricant

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
7-10, .412, 6th place
First Round: Lost to Hartford, 2-0

Pawtucket got off to a poor start, dropping their first 3 games. They played .500 ball the rest of the season to finish in 6th place and the last playoff slot. Hartford  would knock them out in two games, including a 73-45 lopsided loss to end the season.

Head Coach:

• Morris Fabricant (April 21, 1914 - July 8, 2011) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Lyn/Len Anderson 

Glenn Bailey (March 12, 1919 - October 25, 1961)

Bill Barlow (July 7, 1922 - August 19, 1990)

Jim Brown 

Cotton Cowan  

Currie 

Morris Fabricant (April 21, 1914 - July 8, 2011)

Joe Milosz

Steve Fallon (March 20, 1918 - January 25, 2003)

Dave Gifford 

Ed Glancy (January 13, 1917 - August 21, 1990)

Joe Hardy (September 13, 1916 - December 2004)

Walter Johnson 

Joe Kline 

March 

Ted McConnon (November 28, 1919 - January 25, 1998)

Joe Milosz (October 15, 1917 - December 31, 1999)

Jim O'Brien 

Harry Platt (January 3, 1918 - April 6, 1997)

Bill Rutledge (June 30, 1920 - December 22, 2003)

Bob Sims (July 3, 1915 - May 17, 1994)

Hank Soar (August 17, 1914 - December 24, 2001)

Bill Thomas (January 5, 1918 - July 25, 1996)

Don Wehr (August 23, 1921 - October 13, 1989)

1945-46 Hartford Pros (NEBL)

1945-46 HARTFORD PROS

Jack O'Brien

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
9-9, .500, 2nd place
First Round: Defeated Pawtucket, 2-0

Semi-finals: Lost to Clinton, 2-0

After some debate by the management, the Hartford Pros joined the NEBL and although running hot and cold all season, they finished 9-9 and a distant second place behind the Fitchburg club. In the playoffs, Hartford blew out Pawtucket in 2 games before losing to Clinton in the semi-finals. George Pajak lead the team with 10.6 PPG. 

Head Coach:

• Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Frank Bores

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

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

Jerry Bussell (October 17, 1919 - October 2, 1995)

Clark  

Wee Dinnie (March 17, 1923 - March 13, 2015)

Moe Dubilier (February 20, 1915 - April 22, 2003)

Bob Ermisch (July 12, 1924 - December 10, 1994)

Bernie Fisher (December 23, 1925 - December 6, 2014)

Frido Frey (October 26, 1921 - May 16, 2000)

Leo Gottlieb (November 28, 1920 - August 16, 1972)

Bob Harfst (April 12, 1921 - December 1, 2001)

Art Hillhouse (June 12, 1916 - October 27, 1980)

Charley Hoefer (September 16, 1921 - June 12, 1983)

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

Ralph Kaplowitz (May 18, 1919 - February 2, 2009)

Joe Keating (December 28, 1919 - February 25, 1995)

Jerry Kelly (June 14, 1918 - July 23, 1996)

Don Kotter (December 29, 1920 - November 11, 1985)

Tony Krygier (September 25, 1915 - November 5, 2010)

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

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

George Pajak (August12, 1916 - June 26, 2011)

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

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

Virgil Vaughn (May 15, 1918 - February 26, 2007)

Barney Wilk (June 7, 1920 - April 25, 1993)

Tony Krygier

George Pajak

Leo Gottlieb

1945-46 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)

1945-46 FITCHBURG PAMCO's

Lou Pick

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
18-5, .783, 1st place
First Round: Defeated Boston, Fitchburg, 2-0

Semi-Finals: bye

Finals: Defeated Clinton Irish-Americans, 2-1

Lou Pick's team was expected to be the front-runner of the league, and the PAMCO's did not disappoint. After jumping off to a 4-0 start, they hit a slight rough patch that saw them lose 3 of four games, including 2 to Portland. At that point, Fitchburg rattled of 12 straight win and finished the season 18-5, far ahead of any other competitor. The playoffs had a strange lay-out, with Fitchburg getting a bye in the semi-finals after defeated the Boston Goodwins in the first round. Facing the upstart Clinton club in the finals, Fitchburg was upset in the first game before winning the last two to claim the Cup. Ted Bokina and Mutt Johnson both averaged over 13 points per game.

Head Coach:

• Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984) Also played. See below
  

PLAYERS:

Red Allen (b. 1922)

Mutt Johnson

Mike Anderson 

Russ Anderson (October 27, 1911 - January 11, 2002)

Albert Bellos (June 28, 1920 - July 9, 2001)

Gerry Belliveau (November 11, 1916 - July 20, 1992)

Ted Bokina (January 12, 1922 - December 5, 2011)

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993)

Butler 

Frank Collins (Oftring) (June 4, 1924 - October 4, 1982)

Dobeck  

Johnny Dobrutsky (January 27, 1922 - March 1, 1996)

Mutt Johnson (June 9, 1910 - February 18, 1991)

Bill Kasper (April 8, 1902 - December 2, 1986)

Bill Kasper

Bob Kitterman (April 2, 1923 - November 14, 2000)

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

John Long  

Clarence Lynch (May 1, 1920 - April 14, 2001)

Bill Mackie (December 20, 1914 - January 13, 2016)

Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984)

Hal Potrina  

Joe Rusenas (November 9, 1916 - April 28, 1999)

Scott

Jim Stuart (or Stewart) 

Jack Swenson (Laffey) (February 24, 1924 - November 24, 1989)

John Utke (October 12, 1922 - November 24, 1986)

White 

Bill Mackie

1945-46 Clinton Legionnaires / Irish-Americans (NEBL)

1945-46 CLINTON LEGIONNAIRES / IRISH-AMERICANS

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
7-8, .474, 4th place
First Round: Defeated Portland, 2-1

Semi-finals: Defeated Hartford 2-0

Finals: Lost to Fitchburg, 2-1

The Clinton Irish-Americans started the season with three losses before revamping the rosters. They added players like Frank Matris, Jack Stone and Mort McMurk who were in the U.S. Navy and serving nearby at Squantam Naval Base. After struggling for a few more games, pitting them with a 1-6 record, the team began to gel and won 6 of their last 8 games to earn a spot in the playoffs,

Their run didn't end there. After dropping the opening game in their first round series against Portland, they rebounded to win the series and moved on to face Hartford, who they swept in two game. Facing the powerhouse from Fitchburg in the finals, they stunned the league with a hard fought 38-35 win in the opening game. However, their run quickly ended as Fiitchburg routed Clinton 60-38 and 52-40 to give the PAMCO's the championship.

Head Coach:

• Bill Bornheimer (November 25, 1921 - July 2, 1989) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Ed Buckley

Lou Angler  

Frank Baylor 

Bob Bleir 

Bill Bornheimer (November 25, 1921 - July 2, 1989)

Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993)

Ike Creeden (April 15, 1919 - July 12, 2003)

Fred Cruickshank (December 31, 1920 - January 6, 2020)

Ted Edelson (December 26, 1916 - September 15, 1995)

Frscher  

George Garber (February 26, 1918 - July 13, 1984)

Al Griffin

Jim Jeffrey (July 24, 1908 - May 13, 1987)

Roy Lund (September 28, 1923 - February 21, 2018)

Frank Matris 

Mort McMurk  (c.1922 - ????)

Walt Melanson 

Norm O'Brien 

Bob O'Malley (May 15, 1917 - January 10, 1998)

Russell

Jack Stone (Bornheimer) (November 25, 1921 - July 2, 1989)

Nick Sudac 

Joe Tolhurst (October 30, 1916 - January 24, 2016)

Ralph Wicks (July 2, 1921 - January 15, 2004)

1945-46 Boston Goodwins (NEBL)

1945-46 BOSTON GOODWINS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
9-10, .474, 3rd place
First Round: Lost to Fitchburg, 2-0

Vic Siegel

A popular and renown traveling squad, the Goodwins were expected to be one of the best teams in the New England League.  They roared off to a 4-0 start but their fortunes turned quickly. They would drop 6 of their next 7 and stumbled to a 9-10 finish. The Goodwins were swept from the playoffs in two games by the PAMCO's of Fitchburg.

Head Coach:

• Foxy Flumere (June 17, 1912 - September 20, 1990)
  

PLAYERS:

Ted Bokina (January 12, 1922 - December 5, 2011)

Bill Bornheimer (November 25, 1921 - July 2, 1989)

Paul Cloyd (June 13, 1920 - December 28, 2005)

DelRino  

Don Elser (August 4, 1913 - October 18, 1968)

Harry Fitzpatrick (May 22, 1913 - November 19, 1979)

Mike Genevrino (March 4, 1922 - June 17, 2002)

Leo Kane (November 16, 1918 - February 10, 2003)

Bob Luchsinger (July 21, 1921 - November 19, 2017)

Walt Perry (June 5, 1922 - January 19, 2008)

Frank Seybolt (August 8, 1917 - March 12, 2000)

Vic Siegel (August 24, 1920 - July 7, 2017)

Swensky 

Joe Tolhurst (October 30, 1916 - January 24, 2016)

Joe Tolhurst

Pat Walsh (February 1, 1918 - March 10, 2007)

Walters 

Webster 

Mike Genevrino

Williams 

1945-46 New England Basketball League (NEBL)

The bolstered post-war interest in basketball not only brought back the Connecticut League from its hiatus, but also allowed for the creation of the New England Basketball League. Considered to possess players as good as the Connecticut or New York leagues, the New England league included a couple well-known touring teams: the Boston Goodwins, the Hartford Pros and the Fitchburg PAMCO's.

The seven-team circuit formed in late 1945 and started its season before Christmas. However, after some team shuffling it was decided to scrap  the coup[le games played to restart the season just a couple days prior to New Years Day 1946. The Goodwins got off to a good start but fell apart really quickly. No other team was able to challenge Fitchburg as they ran off the regular season title, winning by 6.5 games over Hartford. Fitchburg would sweep through the playoffs and won the inaugural season's championship.

• Boston Goodwins
• Clinton Legionnaires / Irish-Americans
• Fitchburg PAMCO's
• Hartford Pros
• Pawtucket Collegians
• Portland Millionaires
• Worcester Nortons / Lynn Americans

1945-46 New Haven Red Devils (CSL)

1945-46 NEW HAVEN RED DEVILS

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
16-6, .727, 2nd place

Semi-Finals: Lost to Bristol, 2-0

Hull's Red Devils put together a great season, starting off winning 12 of fourteen league games. They had a short slump in mid-January, losing 3 of four before finishing the regular season with four straight wins and finishing in second place.  Facing first-place Bristol in the playoffs, the Red Devils were bounced in two games.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

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

Sal Concordino  

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

George Ferrie (March 2, 1928 - October 18, 2011)

Chet Gladchuk (April 10, 1917 - September 4, 1967)

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

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

John McHugh 

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

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

Joe St. John (February 14, 1920 - October 4, 2003)

Johnny Slab (May 1, 1920 - August 20, 1980)

1945-46 Naugatuck Zephyrs (CSL)

1945-46 NAUGATUCK ZEPHYRS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1-18, .053, 7th place

It was a brutally difficult season for the hapless Zephyrs, only managing a single victory in 19 league games.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

John Galeski

Adams  

Bill Dunn (July 4, 1926 - October 9, 2013)

Jack Dunn (July 29, 1921 - April 7, 1999)

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

Frankie Furs (August 18, 1925 - July 15, 1953)

John Galeski (March 22, 1917 - July 19, 1995)

Lyon  

Carl Manti (May 23, 1915 - August 5, 2000)

Ace McDermott (June 13, 1921 - June 14, 2014)

Frank Neary (July 1, 1918 - September 28, 1994)

Eddie O'Connor (March 25, 1921 - December 4, 2010)

Dick Pistarelli (January 4, 1923 - December 19, 2006)

Rafferty  

Buck Reilly (August 9, 1924 - November 20, 1985)

Red Ryan (September 22, 1924 - July 10, 2005)

Chet Wojack (February 19, 1923 - September 4, 1999)

Wally Yackowski (March 24, 1922 - January 29, 2012)

Chet Wojack

1945-46 Middletown Speedboys (CSL)

1945-46 MIDDLETOWN SPEEDBOYS

Drade Bogacz

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
3-12, .200, 5th place

Middletown lost their first 5 games and were 1-7 when they revamped the team. They brought in the New Britain Pros to take over the franchise on January 10 and after losing two more they rebounded to grab a pair of wins against Lenox and Hartford. Their good fortune ended there and the lost the remaining games.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Eddie Bloom  

Drade Bogacz (December 4, 1917 - May 26, 2010)

John Bransfield (October 12, 1922 - June 22, 1993)

Tommy Bryant  

Joe Burek (December 27, 1923 - March 20, 2013)

Bub Daniels

Bub Daniels (November 12, 1920 - July 20, 2003)

John Emmette (June 8, 1917 - February 11, 2016)

Jack French (July 30, 1924 - November 29, 2004)

Dick Jester (July 29, 1923 - August 9, 2005)

Don Kotter (December 29, 1920 - November 11, 1985)

Buzzy Levin (September 24, 1926 - June 2, 2017)

Chick Marino (November 8, 1923 - February 13, 2010)

Al Moschetti (January 1, 1920 - December 10, 2007)

Bill Nelson (July 2, 1916 - March 3, 1983)

Drade Nolan 

John Nolan (January 8, 1919 - December 8, 1994)

Bernie O'Rourke (November  24, 1918 - May 26, 1986)

Bill Salmonson (August 6, 1919 - July 4, 1968)

Irv Schneider (January 11, 1916 - February 22, 1988)

John Emmette

Joe Burek

1945-46 Hartford Atlantics (CSL)

Jack Wise

1945-46 HARTFORD ATLANTICS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
3-14, .176, 7th place

A long and suffering season for the Atlantics. They would only win one of the first 9 games and only the lowly Naugatuck team kept them from a secure place in the league cellar.

Head Coach:

• Jack Wise (Mar 17, 1916 - June 20, 1995) 3-12 Also played. See below
• Tony Crafa (May 19, 1920 - December 14, 1976) 0-2

PLAYERS:

Joe Bores (January 4, 1926 - March 10, 2018)

Moe Bower (September 5, 1922 - December 10, 1971)

Mike Diakon (March 12, 1917 - December 2, 2006)

Allan Dinnie (April 28, 1921 - April 21, 2015)

Wee Dinnie (March 17, 1923 - March 13, 2015)

Harry Dolinski (November 25, 1922 - May 27, 1996)

Frank Granato (b. September 23, 1924)

Joe Heavey (November 9, 1924 - November 27, 2016)

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

George Humphrey (May 20, 1923 - June 18, 1998)

Dick Kelly (September 25, 1922 - May 21, 2000)

Howy Krogh (October 16, 1921 - June 8, 1996)

Win Dinnie

Ed Lasko (Leszczynski)  (August 6, 1918 - January 22, 2013)

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

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

Al Nelson 

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

Danny Norkun (Oct 4, 1917 - September 12, 1991)

Ossie Oswald (February 14, 1911 - August 6, 1960)

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

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

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

Willie Ware (March 19, 1917 - September 14, 1991)

Williams 

Jack Wise (Mar 17, 1916 - June 20, 1995) 

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

Vince Wozniak (January 4, 1921 - February 7, 2003)

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

Allan Dinnie

Joe Heavey

Joe Bores

Moe Bower

Harry Dolinski

Vince Wozniak

1945-46 Bristol Tramps (CSL)

1945-46 BRISTOL TRAMPS

Johnny Dobrutsky

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT
Finished: 17-3 .850, 1st place
Semi-Finals: Defeated New Haven, 2-0

Finals: Split with Bridgeport Lenox, 1-1 (deciding game not played)

Bristol was a powerhouse. Lead by Johnny Dobrutsky and Walt Kresge, they ran off a 17-3 record to capture the regular season crown. In the playoffs, they swept the Red Devils in the semi finals to earn a berth against Lenox in the finals. After splitting the first two games, the teams failed to meet in a deciding game 3 and neither team won the President's Cup. 

Head Coach: 

• Julie Larese (July 16, 1917 - May 17, 1998) 
• Wally Utke (August 11, 1914 - March 31, 1988)

PLAYERS:

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)
Johnny Dobrutsky (January 27, 1922 - March 1, 1996)

Hank Gerhardt 

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

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

Eddie (Kolibczynski) Kobles (November 29, 1915 - October 5, 1971)

Ed Kobles

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

Clarence Lynch (May 1, 1920 - April 14, 2001)

Joe Lynch (March 20, 1922 - March 22, 1983)

Joe Masi (March 19, 1919 - May 16, 1998)

George Redman (October 15, 1924 - March 24, 2009)

Tony Rinaldi (January 3, 1913 - April 13, 1971)

John Utke (October 12, 1922 - November 24, 1986)

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

Hank Gerhardt

1945-46 Bridgeport Springwoods (CSL)

1945-46 BRIDGEPORT SPRINGWOODS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
15-8 .652, 3rd place

Semi-finals: Lost to Bridgeport Lenox, 2-1

Slim Kurimsky averaged around 15 points as the Springwoods would finish 15-8 and in third place. They lost in the semifinals for the Presidents Trophy to their crosstown rivals at Lenox.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Johnny Barron (May 15, 1920 - November 28, 2017)

George Bilcheck (March 26, 1924 - July 30, 1988)

Marty Hutt

Davis  

Debish  

House  

Marty Hutt (September 26, 1915 - August 28, 2008)

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

John Mozzi (February 7, 1922 - December 20, 2019)

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

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

Rogers  

Steve Salata (August 25, 1923 - June 5, 2012)

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

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

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

1945-46 Bridgeport Lenox (CSL)

1945-46 BRIDGEPORT LENOX

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - CONNECTICUT
Finished: 13-7 .650, 4th place
Semi-Finals: Defeated Bridgeport Springwoods, 2-1

Finals: Split with Bristol, 1-1 (deciding game not played)

The Lenox Athletic Association of Bridgeport were lead by Norm Ritchel, Joe Oslai and Red Harding. After a sluggish 3-4 start, they started January with a four game winning streak and would win 10 of 13 to climb into fourth place and a spot in the playoffs. Their hot streak continued as the bounced the favored Springwoods from across town. Heading into the championship with the powerhouse Tramps of Bristol, they split the first two games but a third and deciding game was never able to be played. 

Head Coach: 

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Bones Hamilton

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

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

Lenny Cocco (September 10, 1924 - June 14, 2008)

Chuck Cullen (June 7, 1919 - August 13, 1973)

Bones Hamilton (December 30, 1920 - April 28, 2000)

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

Mickey Homa (October 16, 1923 - April 9, 2014)

Kressti 

Marvin Loewith (March 10, 1919 - October 30, 2001)

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

Jim Nilan (September 27, 1924 - September 26, 1990)

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

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

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

Vin Roddy 

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

Roddy Stachecin

John Wilson (March 23, 1924 - July 1, 1986)

1945-46 Connecticut State League (CSL)

Coming back after a hiatus for World War 2, the Connecticut League returned with seven teams and optimism as the game of basketball was increasing in popularity. Bristol would roll to a 17-3 finish and a regular season title, despite strong challenges from Hull's Red Devils and the Springwoods. Lenox would upset the Springwoods in the semi-finals as Bristol bounced the Devils, but in the finals Bristol and Lenox would split the first two games but a deciding game was not played, leaving no winner of the President's Cup.

• Bridgeport Lenox
• Bridgeport Springwoods
• Bristol Tramps
• Hartford Atlantics
• Middletown Speedboys
• Naugatuck Zephyrs
• New Haven Hull Red Devils

1945-46 San Francisco Dardies (ABL-AAU)

1945-46 SAN FRANCISCO DARDIES
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - AAU
Finished: 9-7 .563, 4th place

Round Robin - Eliminated 3-1


Head Coach:

• Bill Mortola (February 17, 1917 - May 11, 1993)

PLAYERS:

• Bob Alameida (March 13, 1920 - April 7, 1994)

• Ernie Baldini (June 18, 1928 - January 17, 1987)

• Jack Butterworth (June 19, 1914 - October 19, 1998)

Biography

• Bill Cowden (September 6, 1920 - October 17, 2007)

• Gordon Cuneo (January 15, 1924 - January 14, 2010)

• Ken DeBrunner (November 21, 1922 - January 11, 1989)

• Ray Ellefson (November 18, 1922 - October 7, 1994)

Biography

• Bob Feerick (January 2, 1920 - June 8, 1976)

Biography

• Gene Gallette (February 22, 1919 - November 19, 1976)

Biography

• Jack Gray (October 6, 1920 - June 30, 2014)

• Paul Napolitano (February 3, 1923 - June 22, 1997)

Biography

• Fred Scolari (March 1, 1922 - October 17, 2002)

Biography

• Tom Siebert (January 14, 1918 - February 3, 2011)

• Trude Sperry (September 6, 1922 - June 11, 2004)

• Slats Taulbee (August 14, 1924 - April 6, 1998)

• Paul Valenti (September 10, 1920 - September 13, 2014)

• Hal Wood (August 20, 1918 - August 28, 2001)

1945-46 San Diego Dons (ABL-AAU)

1945-46 SAN DIEGO DONS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - AAU
Finished: 6-10 .375, 8th place

Round Robin - Eliminated 2-2


Head Coach:

• Tee Connelley (August 8, 1913 - February 8, 2003) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Aud Brindley (December 31, 1923 - November 19, 1957)

• Lou Campbell (March 19, 1918 - August 11, 2011)

• Tee Connelley (August 8, 1913 - February 8, 2003) 

• Garnett Corbin (July 1, 1918 - November 6, 1995)

• Bill Hance (July 9, 1924 - July 23, 2014)

• Troy Horton (b. June 3, 1923)

• Fon Johnson (February 7, 1916 - May 29, 2007)

• Martin

• Tommy McCarty (June 3, 1921 - February 23, 1965)

• Allie Paine (July 22, 1919 - March 21, 2008)

Biography

• Marty Pelka (May 16, 1920 - February 17, 2013)

• Jim Pollard (July 9, 1922 - January 22, 1993)

• Rice

• Estil Robertson (November 9, 1911 - November 28, 1978)

• Al Wells 

1945-46 Salt Lake City Deseret Simplots (ABL-AAU)

1945-46 SALE LAKE CITY DESERET SIMPLOTS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - AAU
Finished: 7-9 .438, T-6th place

Round Robin - Eliminated 4-2


Head Coach:

• Bill Wheatley (July 5, 1909 - February 5, 1992)

PLAYERS:

• Merlin Ahlquist (May 2, 1915 - March 21, 1998)

• Maynard Bailey (April 10, 1921 - February 3, 2010)

• Ralph Crowton (April 2, 1916 - October 11, 2010)

Biography

• Andy Duncan (April 17, 1922 - April 12, 2006)

Biography

• Arnie Ferrin (July 29, 1925 - December 27,2022)

Biography

• Frank Fullmer (September 15, 1918 - March 2, 1998)

• Laddie Gale (April 22, 1917 - July 29, 1996)

Biography

• Dave Howard  (February 26, 1921 - June 15, 1995)
  

Biography

• Walt Lozoski (August 20, 1917 - March 27, 2005)

• Clyde Morris (November 30, 1914 - April 30, 1982)

• Floyd Morris (December 23, 1916 - July 15, 2006)

• Bob Orr (January 1, 1920 - December 10, 1996)

• Berkeley Parkinson (July 15, 1915 - December 14, 2004)

• Deb Smith (January 7, 1920 - February 25, 2009)

Biography

• Ray Turner (Spetember 6, 1917 - September 29, 1995)

1945-46 Sacramento Senators (ABL-AAU)

1945-46 SACRAMENTO SENATORS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - AAU
Finished: 2-14 .125, 9th place

Round Robin - Eliminated 0-2


Head Coach:

• Dave Kelley (July 24, 1913 - August 31, 1991) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Jack Abell (March 26, 1926 - October 26, 1949)

• Jack Adie (October 30, 1922 - March 3, 1997)

Jack Simms

• Wally Borrevik (November 14, 1921 - December 9, 1988)

Biography

• Andy Curtiss (November 2, 1919 - April 26, 1995)

• Bunny Edwards (October 15, 1919 - March 9, 2007)

• Gaines

• Marvin Gilberb (February 3, 1921 - June 8, 2002)
  

• Norman Keller (October 26, 1923 - December 16, 2004)
  

• Dave Kelley (July 24, 1913 - August 31, 1991)

• Vidi Kriste (July 10, 1917 - October 16, 1988)

• Leon Lafaille (February 20, 1918 - May 21, 2019)

• Frank Laney (February 2, 1923 - May 27, 2007)

• Bob Leighton (February 1, 1926 - July 28, 2014)

• Jack Lozeau

• Gus Mota (May 6, 1919 - October 2, 1993)

• Bob Shaddock (November 15, 1920 - April 22, 1991)

Biography

• Jack Simms (July 23, 1920 - April 27, 1985)

• Jim Steen (May 23, 1926 - December 30, 2001)