1947-48 Eastern Basketball League - Connecticut - Revisit

Some additions:

Bridgeport Springwoods:

Added Bobby Lynch

Bristol:

Added George Ferrie, George Milhaven

Danbury:

Added Hasbell, Johnny Mills, Frank Reilly, Howie Sarath, Phil Wrona, Earl Yost

Identified Billy Smith

Naugatuck:

Added John Blazic, Henry Loman, Gene Czaplicki, Walter Yackowski, Krause, Frank Wojack

Identified Lefty Farrar, Ziggy Korowotny, Orky Garlinky

New Haven:

Added Wehr

Stamford:

Added Mike Arce, Julie Markiewicz, Lou Stowe

Torrington:

Added Joe Deutsch, Pat Riera, Ray Zucco, Jinx Oneglia, Eddie Sullivan, Chet Jaworski

ID'd Lloyd Miller, Gene Hayes, Art Jasmin

Wallingford:

Added Jack Curry, Bullet Jackson,  Jack O'Brien, Wheaties Perreault, Joe Wolcheski

Identified Harry Judenfriend

1947-48 Worcester Table Talks (NEBL)

1946-47 WORCESTER TABLE TALKS

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-2, .500, t-2nd place

Stocked with staples from the Worcester basketball scene, the Table Tops scored 118 and 102 points in their two victories before the league folded, but only mustered 51 and 72 in their losses. Jack Bornheimer averaged 26 points per game while Bill Downey averaged 22.3 in three contests, including 41 on December 7, 1947, against Bridgeport.

To make matters worse, the team's locker room was looted during the game in Fitchburg on the evening of December 14.

Head Coach:

• Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988) Also played. See below. 

PLAYERS:

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

Buck Desorcy (December 17, 1916 - March 16, 1972)

Bill Downey (November 11, 1923 - September 5, 2015)

Mort Hill (October 24, 1922 - October 6, 1977)

Ray Manarel (July 13, 1915 - April 9, 2002)

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

Lou Shopes (March 31, 1919 - December 18, 2015)

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

Nick Zogas (April 12, 1918 - May 25, 2000)

1947-48 Hartford Pros (NEBL)

1947-48 HARTFORD PROS

Jim Hanrahan

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1-0, 1.000, 1st place

The league folded after the Pros won their first game of the season. When the Elizabeth Braves of the American League folded around the same time, the Pros took their slot in the ABL and finished the season as the Hartford Hurricanes. 

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

Bob Blinn (April 9, 1926 - January 11, 1990)

Verne Cox (January 2, 1920 - September 7, 1991)

Jim Hanrahan (September 14, 1923 - May 31, 2006)

Arnold Jones (b. March 2, 1921)

Paul Klapprodt (July 10, 1923 - April 21, 2011)

Al Nichols (February 20, 1924 - December 13, 2004)
Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994)
Bob Sherman (January 12, 1920 - December 23, 2016)

Bill Wade (January 31, 1927 - August 30, 1991)

Bill Wade

Verne Cox

1947-48 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)

1947-48 FITCHBURG PAMCO's

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-2, .500, t-2nd place

The popular Fitchburg team had its last gasp, and with the fortunes of NEBL so went the PAMCO's

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

Red Allen

Red Allen (b. 1922)

Bruce Benner (August 2, 1922 - May 20, 1978)

Jackie Curran 

Red Dehnert (January 24, 1924 - September 23, 1994)

Harry Johnson 

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

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

Ronnie Lyons (January 5, 1923 - January 20, 1985)

Francis Quinlan (January 17, 1921 - April 19, 1971)

Bill Ryan 

Jim Sherry (January 7, 1921 - January 19, 2006)

Bruce Benner

1947-48 Bridgeport Brass Bears (NEBL)

1947-48 BRIDGEPORT BRASS BEARS

Morris Felis

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-3, .400, 4th place

Len Cocco lead the team with 72 points in four games.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

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

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

Morris Felis 

George Pastushok (July 13, 1922 - December 12, 2003)

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

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

Hank Tonges (December 19, 1927 - October 14, 1990)

Walter "Ham" Wilson 

Big John Wilson 

Hank Tonges

1947-48 New England Basketball League (NEBL)

What was once a promising minor basketball league with decent talent, the New England Basketball League found itself hastily falling apart by its third season. Robert Zaiman (1921-2016) of Hartford was named the league president, and he fully intended to go with a six team league. As late as Thanksgiving, a league schedule was released with 5 teams signed up and space for a sixth team. Faced with being a five-team league, New Haven would drop out before the season even began so the league would go with  merely four team. The season commenced on December 5, 1947 but only played seven games before suspending operation on December 15, 1947

• Bridgeport Brass Bears
• Fitchburg PAMCO's
• Hartford Pros
• Worcester Table Talks
• New Haven - dropped before season began

1947-48 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1947-48 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
9-18, .333, 7th place

Coach Hal Poust

New to the league, the Billis started off decently, splitting their first 10 games. Unfortunately, they would only win 4 of their remaining 17 games to finish a distant 7th place. Ray Kodish would lead the team in scoring with 377 points (17.1 PPG)

Head Coach:

• Hal Poust (March 14, 1906 - November 23, 1962) 

PLAYERS:

Bernie Bobst (May 25, 1926 - April 30, 1986)

Bob Brenner (March 2, 1923 - November 11, 2013)

Ollie Byers (October 24, 1916 - July 26, 2004)

Paul Coront (July 4, 1921 - February 26, 1994)

Larry Disque (March 27, 1921 - March 3, 1994)

Rocco English (January 30, 1919 - September 14, 2017)

Frank Frascella (July 28, 1922 - December 10, 2014)

Earl Hafner (July 29, 1921 - March 15, 1988)

Ray Kodish (June 10, 1923 - March 14, 2012)

Don Manno (May 4, 1915 - March 11, 1995)

Wes Myers

Fran McGrath (November 29, 1926 - September 21, 2014)

Wes Myers (December 21, 1927 - February 1, 2002)

Emil Piestrak (December 19, 1918 - June 7, 2011)

Frank Sebest (September 24, 1923 - November 28, 2010)

Andy Sember (July 6, 1923 - April 17. 2007)

Perk Stabley (January 24, 1925 - September 25, 1994)

Tom Sweeney (October 15, 1922 - June 27, 2017)

Joey Thomas (November 12, 1919 - November 24, 1997)

Jack Walsh (November 11, 1920 - May 9, 1976)

1947-48 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1947-48 SUNBURY MERCURIES

Coach Auten

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
13-15, .464, 5th place

First year in the league, the Mercuries won their first two games if the season, including an opening night victory over eventual champions Reading. They would float around the .500 mark for the entire season, never winning more than two in a row and never being more than 2 games within the .500 mark on either side. Johnny Rusinko would score 398 points in the season for an average of 14.2 PPG. 

Head Coach:

• Johnny Auten (April 26, 1903 - September 22, 1981) 

PLAYERS:

Wade Ackley (June 8, 1919 - January 24, 2007)

Paul Chadick (May 25, 1918 - December 28, 1999)

Jack Colberg (February 4, 1924 - December 17, 2013)

Lou Decsi (February 9, 1923 - November 19, 2018)

George Deitrick (November 27, 1917 - April 21, 1996)

Nick Dietterick (May 22, 1921 - May 16, 2014)

Jackie Goepfert (May 24, 1932 - May 1, 2002)

Dave Hornstein (August 16, 1922 - September 25, 1997)

Jesse Mair (January 9, 1919 - June 19, 2003)

Cliff Maunder (June 6, 1920 - March 9, 2006)

Fran McGrath (November 29, 1926 - September 21, 2014)

Charlie Prosser (July 15, 1916 - August 5, 1961)

John Rusinko (March 1, 1925 - October 23, 2013)

Johnny Shadle (December 26, 1919 - May 4, 1999)

Andy Siket (December 29, 1918 - September 19, 1995)

Johnny Simmons (July 7, 1924 - August 1, 2008)

Andy Skvoretz (October 29, 1924 - July 12, 1988)

Kermit Smith (February 2, 1926 - August 23, 2005)

Red Wallace (July 12, 1918 - July 7, 1977)

Jack Watson (November 6, 1918 - August 2, 1974)

1947-48 Reading Keys (EPBL)

1947-48 READING KEYS

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
19-9 .679, 2nd place

Lost to Pottsville in one-game playoff for regular-season championship

Semi-finals: Defeated Lancaster, 2-1

Finals: Defeated Hazleton, 2-1

With very little resemblance to last years bluc, including a new coach in Stan Schwiemler, the improved Reading Keys added talented players like Russ Guensch and Joe Lord, complemented by Dewey Boltz and Billy Budd. They would possession of first place in late December and  held it through January. Entering the final month of the season, they would win 8 of their final 11 but that was still not enough to keep Pottsville from catching them in the final days of the season.

Wrapping up the season with a 19-9 record that was identical to the Packers, the two teams would meet in a one-game playoff to determine the regular season champions. Played in neutral Hazleton, Reading would fall to Pottsville, 60-57. 

Three days later, the Eastern League semi-finals began, with Reading stunned by a ten-point defeat at Lancaster in the series opener. The club rallied to beat Lancaster in the next two games on their home court to salt away the series victory. Facing Hazleton in the finals, Reading once again stumbled on the series opener on the road 61-53. However, just like the semis, the Keys bounced back to win the next two games at home to claim the Eastern League championship, two games to one.

Head Coach:

• Stan Schweimler (October 15, 1897 - March 6 , 1974)

PLAYERS:

Dewey Boltz (May 18, 1920 - September 18, 2015)

Bill Budd (January 24, 1921 - July 31, 2016)

Jimmy Bunn (September 2, 1923 - January 22, 2009)

Norm Butz (September 28, 1919 - March 21, 1999)

George Dracha (August 18, 1921 - April 6, 1995)

Johnny Dracha (July 20, 1927 - January 13, 2008)

George Dries (June 9, 1926 - August 1, 1991)

Russ Guensch (January 12, 1924 - June 14, 2014)

Kenny Hopkins (November 2, 1919 - June 12, 2015)

Joe Lord (December 28, 1922 - December 1986)

Jack McGaffney (April 1, 1924 - February 3, 2020)

Chin Rhoads (September 11, 1918 - April 1, 2007)

Bob Rothenberger (May 4, 1918 - April 2, 1994)

Woozy Smith (January 13, 1915 - June 3, 1971)

1947-48 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)

1947-48 POTTSVILLE PACKERS

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
19-9, .259, 1st place
Defeated Reading in one-game playoff for regular-season championship

Semi-finals: Lost to Hazleton, 2-1

Taking over from the defunct franchise that moved to Pottsville from Binghamton during the previous season, this iteration of Pottsville's team was coached by George Syby.  After a mediocre start of 6-6, the tPackers caught fire, winning four straight. They would then win 3 of their next six before winning the last six games of the regular season and catching Reading to tie for first place. A one-game playoff game against Reading was scheduled to determine the regular season champion, and Pottsville snuck off with a 60-57 win. 

The Pack headed in to the playoffs with a seven-game winning streak and 9 of the last ten, and beat Hazleton on the road in the opener of their best-of-three game series. However, Pottsville would drop both games at home to lose the series in three games.

The Packers were lead this season by Bill McClure, who averaged 11.1 PPG, and Jack Flannery with 10.9 PPG.Player/coach Syby would finish fourth on the team in scoring, behind Joe Doherty.

Head Coach:

• George Syby (November 26, 1915 - December 27, 2000)  Also played.  See below

PLAYERS:

Hank Baietti (October 1, 1920 - June 26, 2006)

Alfy Burch (November 2, 1928 - September 1, 2000)

Eddie Deitch (December 1, 1910 - June 20, 1997)

Joe Dougherty 

Jack Flannery (December 7, 1925 - January 22, 2007)

Jack Harvey (March 10, 1928 - August 30, 2006)

Joe Kelly (November 27, 1924 - August 27, 2009)

Bill McClure (December 21, 1927 - September 7, 2001)

Bob Morris (February 17, 1913 - June 1, 1985)

Dan Murphy  

Al Palatella 

Ossie Prokopic (December 21, 1919 - March 19, 2010)

Bogey Rosenberger (July 12, 1923 - October 26, 2000)

Woozy Smith (January 13, 1915 - June 3, 1971)

George Syby (November 26, 1915 - December 27, 2000)

Vince Verdeschi (March 24, 1925 - August 16, 1965)

Al Yanushonis (June 20, 1927 - February 27, 2014)

Pete Yousaitis (September 10, 1917 - December 23, 1995)

1947-48 Philadelphia Lumberjacks (EPBL)

1947-48 PHILADELPHIA LUMBERJACKS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA

8-20, .286, 8th place

The Eastern League got its first franchise in the state' largest city, Philadelphia, for the second season of its existence. Being a hotbed of basketball for two decades, much was expected from the Lumberjacks. Coached by Skeets Fiorella, who would later operate his father's sausage company with his sons, the Lumberjacks started off admirably enough, winning 8 of their first 15 games. However, they hit the skids on January 25 when they began a 13-game losing streak to finish the season. They plummeted to last place and the franchise would fold shortly after the season.

Head Coach:

• Lou "Skeets" Fiorella (May 30, 1922 - January 29, 2008) 
  

PLAYERS:

Billy Chappell 

Sidney Chilnick (June 19, 1922 - August 1, 1965)

Zack Clayton (April 17, 1918 - November 20, 1997)

Milt Cohen (August 12, 1926 - November 8, 1999)

Jim Coughlin (August 18, 1919 - March 27, 1969)

Tony Derago (October 11, 1928 - March 21, 2006)

Dick DeWees (March 18, 1929 - July 19, 1986)

Jim Furey (March 28, 1928 - February 20, 1985)

Ken or Jim McAndrews  

Rocco Parisi (October 27, 1923 - February 8, 2015)

Pepper Petrella (May 7, 1920 - December 21, 1991)

Max Siani (Ju;y 2, 1919 - February 26, 1988)

Frank Washington (April 4, 1921 - January 24, 2013)

1947-48 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)

1947-48 LANCASTER RED ROSES

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
14-14 .500, 4th place

Semi-finals: Lost to Reading, 2-1

Lancaster started the 1947-48 season in the American Basketball League. After starting 1-5, they dropped for the ABL and returned to the Eastern League December 3. Coming back from a season that saw them be the runner-up to the crown, the Red Roses had high aspirations but could not put together the hot streak they needed to compete.  Never being more than two games over .500 or one game under, they finished the season at 14-14 and a fourth place finish. They would lose in the first round of the playoffs.

 

Head Coaches:

• Woody Sponaugle (September 24, 1915 -  April 30, 1967)
  

PLAYERS:

Tommy Bell (September 11, 1922 - December 17, 1949)

Hen Burger (November 18, 1922 - July 25, 2009)

Norm Butz (September 28, 1919 - March 21, 1999)

Jim DiGiacomo (December 19, 1928 - November 18, 2025)

George Ehemann (September 11, 1918 - July 10, 1991)

Walt Funk (October 13, 1922 - January 13, 2015)

Steve Juenger (February 10, 1915 - November 18, 2003)

Bud Long (February 10, 1924 - January 9, 2009)

Don Markward (April 2, 1919 - June 14, 1985)

Ed Masterson (January 24, 1923 - May 21, 1991)

Jack McCloskey (September 19, 1925 - June 1, 2017)

Ken McKee (June 7, 1926 - June 19, 1950)

John Murphy (September 13, 1924 - January 29, 2003)

Tom O'Connell (November 10, 1923 - February 5, 2011)

Fred Sheffield (November 5, 1923 - December 8, 2009)

Stan Waxman (May 20, 1922 - February 22, 2013)

Pete Yousaitis (September 10, 1917 - December 23, 1995)

Bill Zubic (August 7, 1918 - July 24, 1994)

1947-48 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)

1947-48 HAZLETON MOUNTAINEERS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA

18-10 .643, 3rd place

Semi-finals: Defeated Pottsville, 2-1

Finals: Lost to Reading, 1-2

Looking to improve on the past season, Hazleton started the season with a 44-36 loss at Harrisburg. Head coach Frank Serany immediately released almost his entire roster, letting go of Tommy Gorman, Hal Korovin, John Kostic, Billy Letcher, and Eddie McCluskey and bringing back Rookie Brown and Pete Yousaitis as well as signing a new batch of players like Bink Manning and Moon Mullen. It still took a little while for the new-look lineup to pick things up, only winning 3 games at the end of calendar year 1947. But after that 3-5 start, Hazleton would go 6-2 in both January and February and win 9 of eleven before losing the season finale at Pottsville. They entered the playoffs and defeated those same Pottsville Packers in a hard-fought best of three that went all three games. In the championship against Reading, Hazleton defeated Reading, 61-53, in the opener at home, but would lose games 2 and 3 on the road, ending the season as the runner-up. 

Head Coach:

• Frank Serany (May 4, 1911 - April 27, 1982) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Tommy Bell (September 11, 1922 - December 17, 1949)

William "Rookie" Brown - (February 15, 1925 - May 22, 1971)

Joe Chepulis (July 26, 1917 - June 25, 2009)

Tommy Gorman (March 16, 1919 - August 11, 1986)

Bernie Griggs (October 1, 1977 - June 27, 2001)

Louis Hilf (March 24, 1920 - May 27, 2002)

Hal Korovin (April 19, 1925 - June 5, 2021)

John Kostic (April 5, 1926 - October 17, 2011)

Billy Letcher (February 10, 1929 - October 21, 2010)

Bink Manning (August 29, 1920 - April 7, 1986)

Johnny Mascavage (January 14, 1918 - April 12, 1990)

Eddie McCluskey (January 29, 1926 - March 2, 2016)

Moon Mullen 

Fred Paine (December 7, 1925 - October 26, 2004)

Emil Piestrak (December 19, 1918 - June 7, 2011)

Ossie Prokopic (December 21, 1919 - March 19, 2010)

Gene Resnick (December 26, 1924 - December 13, 2019)

Pete Schneider (June 29, 1919 - September 22, 1996)

Frank Serany (May 4, 1911 - April 27, 1982)

Leroy Watley (March 11, 1925 - January 15, 1996)

Pete Yousaitis (September 10, 1917 - December 23, 1995)

1947-48 Harrisburg Senators (EPBL)

1947-48 HARRISBURG SENATORS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
11-16, .407, 6th place

The Harrisburg Senators joined the league this season, with Barney Goldberg as player / head coach and lead by Fran and Vinny Bock, Sid Roche and former Penn State star Herb Currie. After stunning Hazleton in their opener, the Senators would then drop their next six games before Goldberg was fired and released and replaced by Duke Maronic, an offensive lineman for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. Only Joe Cackovic, the Steelton HS star who j9ined the team in their fourth game, and Roche, survived the coaching change. A new and revamped Harrisburg won 3 of their first 5 under Maronic, but the team's fortunes did not change enough to claim a playoff spot. Cackovic averaged 17.9 PPG and Jimmy Hernjak would average 10.6.  They finished 11-16, good enough for sixth place.

Head Coaches:

• Barney Goldberg (October 14, 1921 - December 12, 2011)  1-6 Also played. See below
• Duke Maronic (October 19, 1918 - November 13, 2009) 10-10 

PLAYERS:

Franny Bock (September 29, 1921 - October 2, 2006)

Vic Bock (August 31, 1920 - September 3, 1951)

Joe Cackovic (February 21, 1923 - December 16, 1984)

Herb Currie (April 23, 1921 - June 18, 2005)

Harry DeFrank (January 27, 1926 - June 26, 2007)

Danny Ernst (b. November 22, 1922)

Dick Giles (November 22, 1923 - November 1, 1984)

Barney Goldberg (October 14, 1921 - December 12, 2011)

Frankie Haas (June 1, 1926 - April 16, 2015)

Stretch Hall (June 23, 1926 - December 10, 1989)

Art Heffner (December 12, 1916 - August 12, 2010)

Jimmy Hernjak (June 10, 1927 - December 27, 1980)

Albie Kitch (December 31, 1915 - March 14, 1980)

Sid Roche (May 16, 1926 - January 21, 2010)

Don Schuerholz (August 28, 1922 - May 2, 2009)

Wilson Schuerholz (December 13, 1920 - September 3, 1997)

Andy Siket (December 29, 1918 - September 19, 1995)

Vince Smith (August 20, 1922 - January 17, 2019)

Mike Yovic (July 23, 1923 - July 19, 2001)

1947-48 EPBL

The Eastern Penn League went into it second season with 8 teams. The Pottsville Maroons (aka Pros) and Allentown Rockets disbanded, and the Wilkes-Barre Barons left the league to join the ABL, which was no longer a top-tier league but more of a feeder league for the BAA.  The Harrisburg Senators joined the league EPBL as did a different Pottsville club known as the Packers. The largest city in the state, Philadelphia, would also be represented by the Lumberjacks. Also joining the league were the Sunbury Mercuries and the Williamsport Billies.

The season commences on November 30, 1947, and with the exception of the Senators, the league was tightly bunched at the end of the calendar year, with only three games separating first place from seventh. Once the new year began, Reading began to pull away and enjoyed a three-game cushion in early February, but late charges from Pottsville and Hazleton brought the regular season to an exciting climax. The Packers won their last six games and 13 of their last 16 to catch Reading on the final weekend of the season with both clubs sporting a 19-9 record. The Mountaineers had a 9-1 stretch and lost to Pottsville in the season finale, keeping them just one game back at 18-10. Lancaster grabbed the 4th playoff spot, and on March 16, 1948, Pottsville defeated Reading, 60-52, in a playoff game that served to determine the regular season champion.

The playoffs began On March 18, with Pottsville facing Hazleton, followed the next day with Reading and Lancaster. Pottsville  won the hard-fought opener against Hazleton, but the Mountaineers came back to win the next two and steal the series from the regular-season champions. Meanwhile, Lancaster stunned Reading with an opening-game victory, but would drop the next two to allow the Keys to win. 

Reading was  to face Hazleton in the best-of-three series to determine the champion. As was the case with the semi-final series, the team that won the opener wound up losing the series. After falling, 61-53, to Hazleton, Reading would rebound to win the second and third game, and therefore the championship of the league for the 1947-48 season.

• Harrisburg Senators
• Hazleton Mountaineers
• Lancaster Red Roses
• Philadelphia Lumberjacks
• Pottsville Packers
• Reading Keys
• Sunbury Mercuries
• Williamsport Billies

1947-48 Two Rivers Krisea's (WSBL)

Vic Gauthier

1947-48 TWO RIVERS KRISEA'S

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-8, .333, T-5th place

2nd Half: 5-6, .455, 5th place

Head Coach:

• 
  

Ken Wondrash

PLAYERS:

• Vic Gauthier (February 4, 1922 - January 13, 2001)
• Lewis Hrdina (May 25, 1923 - January 5, 1999)
• Marty Kozlowski (January 6, 1917 - October 6, 1961)
• Ken Kreisa (January 3, 1922 - May 21, 1984)
• Carl Kuehl (b. March 14, 1927)
• Danny LeClair (June 6, 1927 - September 22, 2003)
• Hilary LeClair (December 18, 1918 - September 22, 2003)
• Rube LeClair (September 7, 1923 - January 18, 2009)

• 

  Rube LeClair

  Ernie Lupie (August 19, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
• Francis Rehrauer (April 11, 1921 - December 6, 2009)
• Schaffer   
• Ervin Smogoleski (January 17, 1925 - December 24, 2010)
• George Stangel (May 28, 1924 - March 28, 2009)
• Ken Wondrash (December 11, 1921 - February 14, 1981)

Ervin Smogoleski

Marty Kozlowski

1947-48 Sheboygan Dick's (WSBL)

Don Caan

1947-48 SHEBOYGAN DICK'S 

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-8, .333, T-5th place

2nd Half: 1-10, .091, 6th place

Sheboygan expected much at the beginning of the season, but they dropped their first three games and were 2-7 when Bill Schroeder took over as head coach. Bill had joined the team in the week before Christmas when his commitment to the Chicago Rockets football team (of the AAFC) closed. He was named head coach in January but it made little difference. After a poor first half, the team only won one game in the second half.

Head Coaches:

•  
• Bill Schroeder (April 11, 1923 - December 9, 2003) 3-11  Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• 

  Dick Schoreder

  Don Caan (March 16, 1929 - July 28, 2014)
• Eddie Fessler (November 30, 1921 - August 31, 2000)
• Roger Forsterling (March 22, 1925 - July 25, 1985)
• Harlan Huibregtse (November 29, 1926 - September 14, 2016)
• Hugh Jannsen (January 16, 1922 - March 19, 1990)
• Kenny Kurtz (December 15, 1928 - June 28, 1999)
• Don Lampe (July 5, 1924 - April 20, 2011)
• George Manus (March 8, 1925 - November 11, 1962)
• Dick Primc (August 26, 1926 - January 10, 1992)
• Bill Schroeder (April 11, 1923 - December 9, 2003)
• Dick Schroeder (December 30, 1928 - January 1, 2023)
• Dave Soderberg (November 6, 1922 - November 21, 1990)
• Art Toston (January 12, 1924 - January 29, 1986)
• Buddy Wagner (September 10, 1927 - August 23, 2007)

Kenny Kurtz

Buddy Wagner

1947-48 Plymouth Legion Lions (WSBL)

1947-48 PLYMOUTH LEGION LIONS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 3-9, .250, 7th place

The Plymouth Legion team suffered through the first half of the season but managed to grab three wins. However, after the conclusion of the first half the Legionnaires withdrew from the league (to be replaced by Neenah)

Roy Bohnoff

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

• Roy Bohnoff (January 4, 1925 - May 11, 2015)
• Ed Fessler (November 30, 1921 - August 31, 2000)
• Steve Galbari (August 18, 1920 - July 17, 1996)
• Lou Gebler (October 23, 1920 - April 7, 1972)
• Gilbert Gilman (March 20, 1923 - January 29, 2014)
• Warren Ladwig (February 18, 1925 - January 4, 1985)

  

  Steve Galbari

• Wesley Ladwig (August 1, 1925 - July 9, 2000)
• Matt Marchiando (December 24, 1922 - January 31, 2001)
• Leonard Moersch (November 26, 1919 - August 2, 1979)
• Robert Mudrow (September 2, 1927 - December 24, 1983)
• Jim Pokel (March 30, 1928 - May 17, 1992)
• Henry Schuette (July 5, 1927 - April 10, 2008)

Gilbert Gilman

Walt Ladwig

1947-48 North Fond du Lac Tigers (WSBL)

1947-48 NORTH FOND du LAC TIGERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 7-5, .583, 3rd place

2nd Half: 6-6, .500, 4th place

North Fondy got off to a promising start, winning their first 3 and 6 of 8, but stumbled at the end of the first half and fell to third place. Hoping for a fresh start in the second half, North Fondy lost 5 of six in a stretch in February and finished in 4th.

Head Coach:

• Pete LePine (November 6, 1884 - April 19, 1963) 

PLAYERS:

• Bernie Anderson (October 23, 1924 - May 14, 2000)
• Dick Clarke (December 6, 1927 - December 18, 1950)
• Bob Detert (March 2, 1928 - December 1, 1974)
• Swede Erickson (August 19, 1920 - October 11, 1999)
• Gordon Giebel (January 11, 1928 - July 13, 1984)
• Gerald Haskett (June 20, 1925 - June 17, 1977)
• Roger Kuehl 
• Bob Laske (January 5, 1926, Died May 28, 2022)
• Bob Mateske (July 26, 1926 - August 31, 2017)
• Stan or Gordon Smith ??
• Darrell Toshner (September 26, 1924 - November 29, 2012)
• Spencer Van Ess (April 30, 1924 - September 16, 1982)
• Chuck Winkler (June 26, 1925 - July 18, 2012)
• Gale Zimmerman (April 7, 1926 - March 24, 1987)

1947-48 New Holstein Cheesemakers (WSBL)

1947-48 NEW HOLSTEIN CHEESEMAKERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 9-3, .750, T-1st place

Won tie-breaker over Manitowoc, 2-0
2nd Half: 9-3, .750, 1st place

Finals: Defeated Manitowoc, 2-0

The Cheesemakers were a strong team, wining the first half title in a play-off and then winning the league championship over Manitowoc. Fritz Engel, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin who joined the team after being declared academically ineligible, averaged over 20 points per game in the 18 games I found box scores for. Fred Nimz, a basketball veteran who had played in the NBL and ABL previously, joined the team in late December or early January  and averaged 15 points per game.

Head Coach:

• Norm Peterson (September 15, 1912 - July 11, 1986) Also played. See below

Fritz Engel

PLAYERS:

• Fritz Engel (January 12, 1928 - June 10, 2015)
• Ray Heim (June 23, 1926 - November 4, 2011)
• Harold Hoffman (June 1, 1924 - March 7, 2003)
• John Meier (November 24, 1923 - March 4, 2006)
• Fred Nimz (April 22, 1914 - May 9, 1992)
• Norm Peterson (September 15, 1912 - July 11, 1986)
• Marvin Pivonka (April 9, 1929 - February 28, 2008)
• Orville Ross (April 17, 1920 - November 14, 2012)
• Charlie Ryan (August 16, 1923 - January 20, 2005