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

1947-48 Neenah Bluejackets (WSBL)

1947-48 NEENAH BLUEJACKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

2nd Half: 9-3, .750, T-2nd place

Carlton Giese

The Neenah Police, also know as the Bluejackets, was a successful semi-pro team before being asked to join the WSBL for the second half to replace Plymouth who had withdrawn. They were tied for first with Manitowoc with the last game of the regular season against that club, but got drubbed 95-61 to finish in a tie for second with New Holstein.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

• Bill Ciske (b. May 23, 1928)
• Carlton Giese (April 28, 1928 - May 13, 2014)
• Don Hesselman (July 11, 1925 - February 19, 2004)
• Bert Huus (September 30, 1926 - February 17, 1999)
• Eugene Johnson (March 23, 1925 - February 4, 2005)

• 

  Fred Trish

  Jim Johnson (March 12, 1929 - August 21, 2004)
• Ed Kalfhaus (October 3, 1927 - February 22, 2013)
• Bob Koser (November 21, 1926 - January 2, 2012)
• Tom Stilp (July 11, 1927 - February 15, 2016)
• Fred Trish (September 12, 1913 - March 5, 1978)
• Bud Werner (August 11, 1921 - December 2, 2005)
  
• Bob Wessenberg (February 25, 1928 - December 13, 1999)
• Vern Wollerman (March 14, 1926 - June 24, 1992)

Bud Werner

Gene Johnson

1947-48 Manitowoc Braves (WSBL)

1947-48 MANITOWOC BRAVES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

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

Lost tie-breaker to New Holstein, 2-0
2nd Half: 10-2, .833, 1st place

Dick John

Finals: Lost to New Holstein, 2-0

The pre-season favorite, Manitowoc finished in a tie with New Holstein for the first half title, but lost the tie-breaker series. They would play even better in the second half, winning the division outright despite a good 2nd half performance from New Holstein and Neenah. In the finals with New Holstein, the two teams battled in close games but New Holstein would sweep the best-of-three series from the Braves.

Head Coach:

• Rube Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Ron Carlson 
• Joe Chavez (June 22, 1922 - October 4, 2014)
• Art Edinger (April 3, 1924 - January 22, 2001)
• Ted Fritsch (October 31, 1920 - October 4, 1979)
• Adolph Gorychka (April 8, 1911 - October 6, 2004)
• Dick John (October 21, 1919 - September 9, 1983)
• Ken Keuper (November 14, 1918 - May 23, 1997)
• Stan Kramer (June 3, 1921 - June 23, 1997)
• Rube Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992)
• Gene Muchowski (August 22, 1926 - August 25, 2006)
• Gordy Wotruba (November 19, 1928 - April 6, 1999)

 

1947-48 Kimberly Papermakers (WSBL)

1947-48 KIMBERLY PAPERMAKERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 6-6, .500, 4th place
2nd Half: 1-11, .083, 7th place

The Kimberly (Kimberley Recreation Association or KRA) team, aided by the three Van Cuyk brothers, had a decent first half of the season, winning half of their games. The second half would turn out to be disastrous, with a February 3 victory over Sheboygan being their only notch in the win column. Chris Van Cuyk, a minor league pitcher, was the high-scorer at 17.3 PPG. He would be named to the All-Star team, but failed to show for the All-Star game and on February 21 was suspended for the remainder of the season.

Head Coach:

• Elmer Vander Velden (March 3, 1916 - November 7, 1995) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Sven Bowman (July 30, 1912 - November 22, 1980) 

• Alan Dietzler (b. October 6, 1928)

• Arnie Leaman (February 17, 1919 - October 25, 1998)

• Bill Morris (June 24, 1923 - July 9, 2004)

• Carl Schnese (March 3, 1928 - March 22, 2019)

• Chris Van Cuyk (January 3, 1927 - November 3, 1992)

• Frank Van Cuyk (July 15, 1924 - May 18, 1987)

• John Van Cuyk (July 7, 1921 - July 10, 2010)

• Elmer Vanden Boogaard (July 20, 1920 - October 2, 2009)

• Jim Vanden Boom (October 7, 1925 - May 30, 1986)

• Elmer Vander Velden (March 3, 1916 - November 7, 1995)

• Francis Vander Velden (January 27, 1922 - February 6, 2008)

• Driek Van Dyke (November 13, 1920 - March 29, 2011)

• Red Williams (December 26, 1922 - November 8, 1994)

1947-48 WSBL

Small in scope and geography but fairly decent in talent, the Wisconsin State Basketball League kicked off in the fall of 1947. Not to be confused with the lesser Wisconsin-Michigan Basketball League which ran at the same time, the WSBL consisted of  seven teams, and would split their season into two halves, with the winner of each half meeting in a championship series to be played in the spring of 1948.

The first half turned out to be competitive. The Manitowoc Braves and the New Holstein AC finished knotted at 9-3 and would play a one-game playoff to settle the first half champions. North Fond du Lac had started 6-2 befor esliding out of contention and finishing 3rd. The Plymouth Legionnaires would finish in last and would drop out after the first half. They would be replaced by a team from Neenah.  Manitowoc and New Holstein continued their battle for league supremacy in the second half. However, the new entry from Neenah would also make a run for the second half title. When the final game had been played, Manitowoc would win ten of twelve in the second half and finish one game ahead of New Holstein and Neenah.

The championship series would pit the second-half champ Manitowoc Braves against New Holstein, who won the playoff over Manitowoc for the first half title. In the best-of-three series, New Holstein would sweep the  Braves in two closely-fought games. Manitowoc's Art Edinger averaged 19.3 PPG, second behind New Holstein's Fritz Engel, who had 20.1 PPG. Engel had been attending the University of Wisconsin as a sophomore but was declared academically ineligible, clearing the way for him to play for New Holstein..

Teams
Kimberly Papermakers 
Manitowoc Braves

Neenah Bluejackets (played in second half only)

New Holstein Cheesemakers

North Fond du Lac Tigers

Plymouth Legion Lions (left after first half)

Sheboygan Dicks

Two Rivers Kriseas

Wisconsin State Basketball League (WSBL)

The Wisconsin State Basketball League has another basketball minor league that sprang up out of the post-war boom. Many states and regions were getting into basketball as the sport's popularity was growing.It lasted fur season before disbanding, but the reason I am looking at it is because it was the final league for the one-time major league team, the Oshkosh All-Stars. Oshkosh had been one of the premier teams of the National Basketball League, joining the circuit in 1937 and over their 12 seasons in the NBL would win the NBL title in 1941 and 1942 after three seasons of losing the finals. In 1949, after the All-Stars lost the NBL title to Anderson, the NBL merged with the BAA, and Oshkosh, being a smaller market, was not invited to join the new NBA, and the team looked to join the WSBL. They only played one season in the WSBl, the 1949-50 season, before disbanding for good. 

The WSB footprint is minor, with mainly local players making up the rosters, but since it was the final resting place of on of the earlier successful major league teams, I figured at four seasons, it was worth a look.

Milestone #13 - All-American Basketball League 1947-1951 (AABL)

The All-American Basketball League was another regional minor league that sprung up after World War 2. They did feature a few BAA/NBL cast-off players or coaches and had some moderate success before disbanding as so many minor leagues did as the NBA grew in strength. 

The AABL did get decent coverage by their local media so I was able to identify a lot of the players and record a lot of box scores, although a few players and boxes still elude me.

Here is the AABL by the numbers:


Number of AABL players: 264
Unidentified/unknown whereabouts:21 
Surviving AABL players: 7 assumed to be alive, but none are confirmed survivors. Of the 21 unknown, it is possible there are a few who are still with us.

Longevity:
Of the 264 players, 39 players (14.77%) lived to see the age of 90. 14 men (5.3%) died before the age of 50. (Numbers could obviously change as unknown players get identified.

1950-51 Wheeling Blues (AABL)

1950-51 WHEELING BLUES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

18-6, .750, 1st place
Semi-Finals: Defeated Cumberland, 2-0
Finals: Defeated Erie, 3-0

The Blues, coached by Andy Tonkovich, rolled easily to their second AABL crown, going 18-6 in the regular season and swept their way throug hthe playoffs.  Lead by Eddie Sterling (20.3 ppg), stumbled out to a 2-3 start before rattling off 10 wins in a row. Tonkovich himself add 13 ppg.

Head Coach:

• Andy Tonkovich (November 1, 1922 - September 2, 2006) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Ed Beach (January 25, 1929 - March 15, 1996)

• Gene Britt (October 13, 1921 - November 29, 2004)

• Joe Dougherty (March 17, 1928 - January 10, 2004)

• Bill Feeney (February 7, 1924 - January 31, 1990)

• Clyde Green (May 16, 1927 - December 8, 2002)

• Pug Heinz (September 8, 1929 - November 11, 2018)

• Paul Herman (July 5, 1921 - July 20, 1972)

• Jim Mohan (January 6, 1926 - March 14, 2011)

• Bob Pelaez (November 10, 1925 - August 10, 2016)

• Julie Rivlin (February 2, 1917 - September 23, 2002)

• Jim Springer (June 17, 1926 - February 19, 2018)

• Eddie Sterling (October 31, 1925 - April 2, 1986)

• Andy Tonkovich (November 1, 1922 - September 2, 2006)

1950-51 Johnstown Clippers (AABL)

1950-51 JOHNSTOWN CLIPPERS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

2-8 .200, withdrew January 24, 1951

Hailing from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the CLippers joined the AAB with pro basketball veteran Nat Hickey as coach. Hickey, a long-time star with the Original Celtics during the Depression, had most recently coached the Providence Steamrollers in the BAA. The team wound up struggling before being hit with the worst of tragedies.

The Clippers managed to be competitive, but more often on the wrong end of the score. They finished the 1951 calendar year with only two wins in 8 games, but only one loss was more than a ten-point defecit. Their worst beating of the season was on January 10, 1951, when they were pounded by the Wheeling Blues, 107-72, at the court of the West Virginia city. But that was not to be the worst part of that trip.

On the way back to Johnstown after the game, a car driven by Nat Hickey and carrying a few members of the team slid on an icy highway and crossed over into oncoming traffic. Chuck Karmarkovich, the team's leading scorer with 15 points per game, suffered a fractured skull and died early the next morning in the hospital. The team opted to take time off to grieve, but two weeks later decided to withdraw from competition.

Chuck Karmarkovich

Head Coach:

• Nat Hickey (January 30, 1902 - September 16, 1979)
  

PLAYERS:

• Jim Atkins (August 25, 1924 - March 10, 2012)

• Al Bair (November 25, 1925 - October 8, 2014)

• Harold Barr (September 6, 1928 - May 1, 1992)

• Joe Camic (November 28, 1922 - April 3, 2011)

• Eddie Dzubak (May 12, 1930 - February 21, 2018)

• Jackie Joll (May 28, 1926 - November 19, 2019)

• Chuck Karmarkovich (March 17, 1927 - January 11, 1951)

• John Karpinski (May 5, 1923 - August 7, 2002)

• Bill Pavlick (April 13, 1927 - November 11, 2014)

• Jim Reynolds (February 21, 1926 - December 13, 2007)

• Roberts   

• Steve Slobozien (October 14, 1926 - January 4, 2013)

• Mike Starchok (b. May 6, 1931)

• Ed Tavalsky (November 11, 1926 - June 28, 2013)

• Bill Vitale (b/ February 12, 1929)

1950-51 Erie Admirals (AABL)

1950-51 ERIE ADMIRALS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

11-6 .647, 2nd place

Semi-finals: Defeated Beaver Falls, 2-1

Finals: Lost to Wheeling, 3-0

The Erie Admirals (also referred to as the Commodores at various points)  brought in veteran player Paul Birch to coach and he brought with him some new talent. Fred Schwab, Lennie Rhodes and Don McCullough were the top scorers as the club finished in second place. The battled a tough Beaver Falls club in the semifinals and were off to meet Wheeling for the championship. Unfortunately, Birch's crew was no match for the powerful Wheeling club, getting swept in the best-of-five series.

Head Coach:

• Paul Birch  (January 4, 1910 - June 5, 1982)  Also played. See below
  

Mark Calak

PLAYERS:

• Paul Anthony (January 23, 1924 - May 21, 1993)

• Moose Billingham (October 29, 1916 - December 21, 1998)

• Paul Birch (January 4, 1910 - June 5, 1982)

• Frank Bohun (April 2, 1915 - February 19, 2014)

• Mark Calak (October 15, 1923 - August 6, 2005)

• Jim Farrell (April 25, 1924 - October 22, 2017)

• John Lipchik (June 21, 1922 - February 13, 2011)

• Donald McCullough (March 24, 1926 - March 13, 2021)

Jim White

• Henry O'Keeffe (December 12, 1923 - December 27, 2011)

• Lennie Rhodes (May 18, 1927 - October 18, 2014)

• Bill Roach (September 25, 1927 - January 14, 2022)

• Fred Schwab (May 13, 1924 - January 28, 2008)

• Naz Servidio (October 25, 1920 - February 1, 2003)

• Steve Skendronch (September 9, 1925 - September 9, 2008)

• George Washington (November 29, 1925 - December 9, 1971)

• Jim White (June 3, 1929 - December 24, 2004)

1950-51 Cumberland SPHA's (AABL)

1950-51 CUMBERLAND SPHA's

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

13-12 .520, 3rd place

Semi-finals: Lost to Wheeling, 2-0

The defending champions underwent a few changes. First, a change of sponsor lead to them dropping the Dukes moniker and would go by the SPHA's. This lead to a new coach, Bill Keegan. From Elk Garden, West Virginia, Keegan was also the head coach at LaSalle High School in Cumberland as well as being the Police Commissioner. 

Cumberland's season got off to a decent enough start, winning 4 of their first six games, before hitting a six-game losing streak. The regained their winning ways in February and climbed back into third place and a spot in the playoffs. They met their rivals, Wheeling, in the first round and were quickly dispatched

Head Coach:

• Bill Keegan (March 31, 1902 - February 5, 1987) 
  

PLAYERS:

• Ed Athey (October 26, 1921 - February 28, 2010)

• Joe Becker (January 1, 1927 - October 31, 2000)

• Lou Bell (August 10. 1922 - August 16, 1993)  

• Jim Clevenger (March 16, 1926 - April 10, 2017)  

• Roger Day (April 4, 1925 - August 31, 2001)

Ike Owen

• Jim Fahey (August 6, 1926 - December 22, 2011)

• George Geatz (January 26, 1924 - March 9, 1995)  

• Buddy Giles (October 6, 1927 - October 26, 2020)

• Babe Johnson (July 14, 1925 - June 1, 2002)

• Jeff Kelly (b. 1929?)

• Whitey Mathieson (October 30, 1925 - June 10, 1981)

• Mutt Murphy (January 24, 1927 - May 13, 2001)

• Pete Nobile  

Matt Murphy

• Paul Oberhaus (September 7, 1920 - December 3, 1974)  

• Walt Orndorff (December 18, 1921 - August 25, 2019)  

• Ike Owen (b. September 17, 1926)

• Bob Pence (August 10, 1922 - August 17, 1991)  

• Jack Thomas (January 20, 1923 - January 18, 2004)

1950-51 Beaver Falls Tommies (AABL)

1950-51 BEAVER FALLS TOMMIES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

9-14 .391, 4th place

Semi-Finals: Lost to Erie, 2-1

The Tommies, coached Dom Casey, were a decent enough club at the start. Lead by Dan McComb (Geneva College) and local athlete Dick Peete, the TOmmies were 8-8 when they lost 6 of their remaining 7 games but still managed to grab the last playoff spot by a game over Altoona. In their playoff series, they managed to surprise the heavily-favored Erie club by winning game 2 and forcing the Admirals to a deciding game 3. Al Vlasic, who had wrapped up his season at Geneva College at the end of February, joined the Tommies and scored 30 in his debut against Cumberland, IN the playoff series against Erie, he had 57 points in the series to lead all scorers in defeat.

Hardy Barrett

Head Coach:

• Dom Casey (February 11, 1914 - August 20, 1999)

PLAYERS:

• Hardy Barrett (April 23, 1927 - September 7, 2013)

• Guy Bennett (January 27, 1924 - July 14, 2012)

• Tom Callahan (February 24, 1923 - August 28, 2010)

• Mike Linkovich (February 2, 1922 - December 4, 2022)

• Dan McComb (January 6, 1926 - April 27, 1984)

  

  Dan McComb

  
  

• George Mrvosh (May 8, 1914 - September 15, 1998)

• Stan Navage (April 23, 1924 - August 8, 1996)

• Felix Oliver (October 18, 1920 - March 17, 1990)

• Dick Peete (February 24, 1925 - July 10, 1960)

• Frank Perkovich (February 10, 1913 - April 25, 1962)

• Sciarro  

• Jack Stirling (November 16, 1917 - September 27, 1970)

• Lou Veltri (March 2, 1918 - September 23, 1985)

  

  Guy Bennett

  
  

• Al Vlasic (September 26, 1924 - September 15, 2014)

• Warren Walcott (January 26, 1921 - May 11, 1975)

Dick Peete

Lou Veltri

Felix Oliver

1950-51 Altoona Flyers (AABL)

1950-51 ALTOONA FLYERS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

8-15 .348, 5th place

With Bobby Artman being the head coach as well as one of the team's top scorers, the Flyers got off to a decent 6-4 start and in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, they hit a six-game losing streak in January and won only two of their final 13 games, capped off by a 54-point loss at Cumberland that saw them barely able to patch enough players together to make the trip. They were forced to pull at least one player (Kluckenheimer) from the stands to play. The player only known as V. Smith may also have been a spectator-turned-player. Altoona financially struggled and at various points were faced with disbanding.

Following the demise of the AABL at season's end, the Flyers existed for a few more years as an independent semi-pro team

Head Coach:

• Bobby Artman (February 8, 1922 - April 9, 1975) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Bobby Artman (February 8, 1922 - April 9, 1975)

• Dom Asmonga (February 15, 1928 - January 13, 2014)

  

  Jim Atkins

• Jim Atkins (August 25, 1924 - March 10, 2012)

• Al Bair (November 25, 1925 - October 8, 2014)

• Mike Bytzura (June 18, 1922 - January 24, 1989

• Dodo Conterna (October 29, 1926 - June 17, 2016)

• Ed Henk (February 6, 1927 - March 16, 2018)

• Jack Kelly (July 9, 1928 - May 28, 1952)

• Junior Kluckenheimer  

• Hank Knoche (January 14, 1925 - July 9, 2010)

• Ed Lally (July 28, 1931 - October 9, 2009)

• Jim Mewhirter (November 13, 1928 - September 7, 2018)

• Walt Miller (July 20, 1915 - January 21, 2001)

• Carl Nordbloom (March 11, 1924 - July 14, 1983)

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

• V Smith  

• Ed Stickel (February 10, 1928 - November 20, 2008)

• Joe Tocci (July 16, 1925 - January 21, 2010)

• Bill Zelinkly (Ron Selenski)  

1950-51 AABL

The fourth season of the AABL would wind up being its last. Altoona, Cumberland and Wheeling returned, but Sharon and Washington both departed. The league was able to coax clubs from three other Pennsylvanian towns (Beaver Falls, Erie and Johnstown) to join to bring the league back to six teams. 

Tragedy struck the sport after midnight on January 11. The Johnstown club, coached by veteran basketball figure Nat Hickey, had finished a game in Wheeling that saw the Clippers on the losing end of a 107-72 pounding. On the way back towards Johnstown, a car driven by coach Nat Hickey slid on ice near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and hit a guardrail and then slid into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head-on. A third car, driven by Clippers business manager Harry Finley, also hit a guardrail trying to avoid hitting other vehicles. Coach Hickey, along with players Jim Reynolds, Bill Zitalie Jackie Joll, Bill Pavlick and Chuck Karmakovich, were injured and hospitalized. Karmakovich died the following afternoon, having a fractured skull. The Johnstown team announced an immediate suspension of the season, and on January 24, they chose to not continue the season.

Defending champions Cumberland changed their moniker to the SPHA's, and with dwindling attendance and an early six-game skid, they failed to make the playoffs and defend their title. The Wheeling Blues returned to form, going 18-6 to win the regular season crown before defeating upstart Erie in the championship series.

It was evident by the end of the season that the league would not survive, and although it wasn't until late summer of 1951 that it became apparent none of the remaining teams had interest in continuing in this fashion.

Teams:
Altoona Flyers
Beaver Falls Tommies
Cumberland SPHA's
Erie Admirals
Johnstown Clippers
Wheeling Blues

1949-50 Wheeling Blues (AABL)

1949-50 WHEELING BLUES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 9-3 .750, 1st place
2nd Half: 5-6 .455 3rd place
Finals: Lost to Cumberland, 3-2

The defending champions started off on fire, winning 7 of their first 8 games en route to winning the first half-title. They slumped in the second half, finishing a distant third. They valiantly fought to defend their title, but lost to Cumberland in five games. Gee Walker lead the team in scoring, approaching 18 PPG in the regular season and 34.7 PPG in the four games I found box scores for in the playoffs.

Head Coach:

• Julie Rivlin (February 2, 1917 - September 23, 2002)

PLAYERS:

• Gee Becker (March 7, 1922 - April 29, 1996)

• Gene Britt (October 13, 1921 - November 29, 2004)

• Bobby Carroll (July 11, 1925 - January 31, 2022)

• Hank Ellis (August 18, 1921 - October 29, 2015)

• Hal Geisler (December 24, 1916 - May 12, 1975)

• Paul Herman (July 5, 1921 - July 20, 1972)

• Floats Pelaez (January 3, 1920 - January 29, 1995)

• Julie Rivlin (February 2, 1917 - September 23, 2002)

• Jim Ruch (August 15, 1920 - July 2, 1984)

• Andy Tonkovich (November 1, 1922 - September 2, 2006)

• Dick Wehr (December 9, 1926 - December 1, 2011)

1949-50 Washington Jewels (AABL)

1949-50 WASHINGTON JEWELS / GUNNERS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 3-8 .273, 5th place

2nd Half: 4-8 .333, 4th place


Like Sharon, Washington is another Pennsylvania town with a population around 26,000 in 1950 that would be cut in half over the next 70 years. Their basketball team, the Jewels (also referred to as the Gunners) would finish in last place in the first half, and second-to-last in the second. Billy Reese was the main star all season long, but Marion Levers joined the team heading into the second half and was the teams- leading scorer from there on, averaging almost 18 PPG over the last 14 games.

Head Coaches:

• Bud Heatley (December 5, 1916 - May 25, 2007)

PLAYERS:

• Nate Apple (February 16, 1925 - December 1, 2001)

• Elmer Benyak (January 11, 1922 - June 24, 2011)

• Kenny Blake (December 30, 1924 - January 15, 1998)

• Buchanan  

• Bob Coudrec (October 4, 1925 - February 23, 2008)

• Sammy David (November 19, 1928 - May 8, 1999)

• Ralph Forquer (February 19, 1923 - March 21, 2013)

• Joe Frick (June 24, 1923 - August 7, 2020)

• Bud Heatley (December 5, 1916 - May 25, 2007)

• David Hornstein (August 16, 1922 - September 25, 1997)

• Marion Levers (December 1, 1929 - January 3, 2002) 

• Tay Malarkey (November 6, 1920 - March 3, 1996)

• Bill McLhinney (August 15, 1920 - February 19, 2019)

• Midge Mitchell

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

• Bill Reese (August 24, 1924 - November 24, 2016)

• Bob Renovich (August 23, 1925 - October 13, 2013)

• Bud Sharp 

• Harvey Stuart (March 30, 1928 - July 1968)

• Jimmy Stuart (July 1, 1929 - January 25, 2000)

• Lyman Stough (December 29, 1928 - December 16, 2001)

• Matt Vaniel (November 14, 1919 - January 1, 1981)

• Labe Wardle (January 16, 1908 - October 25, 1991)

• Peck White

• Stan Yaros (February 23, 1924 - March 24, 2016)

• Casimir Ziarko (October 10, 1924 - March 18, 2001)

1949-50 Sharon Pioneers (AABL)

 1949-50 SHARON PIONEERS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 5-5 .500, 3rd place

2nd Half: 2-9 .182,  5th place

The Pioneers played out of Sharon, Pennsylvania, a town of 26,000 (the town's population would be cut in half by the time of this post.)  After a decent first half where they finished in 3rd and scored victories over Altoona and Cumberland. It all fell apart in the second half, using a 7-game losing streak to throw them into the cellar.

Head Coach:

• Steve Magula (December 26, 1924 - September 4, 2016)

PLAYERS:

• Don Blue 

• John Bosak (September 9, 1922 - December 6, 1994)

• Charlie Butler (August 15, 1920 - October 5, 2014)

• Alex Chrobak (January 19, 1925 - October 4, 2011)

• Steve Chuba (September 2, 1927 - May 16, 2022)

• Carmen DiMuzio (March 31, 1926 - January 1, 1999)

• Lou Gabriel (December 13, 1923 - January 4, 1973)

• Gene Koss (November 6, 1928 - August 29, 2008)

• Larry Kukura (September 1, 1927 - January 10, 2015)

• Gus Magula (July 24, 1920 - September 21, 1997)

• Steve Magula (December 26, 1924 - September 4, 2016)

• Harry Miller (July 28, 1923 - April 18, 2007)

• Mike (or Jack) Tebuck (Or T.Buck)

• Stan Wasik (December 24, 1919 - November 6, 2005)

1949-50 Cumberland Dukes (AABL)

1949-50 CUMBERLAND DUKES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

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

2nd Half: 10-2 .833, 1st place

Finals: Defeated Wheeling, 3-2

With a new coach for the new season, Cumberland looked to improve on their finish the previous season and contend for the AABL title. David Kauffman, a Cumberland-area lawyer who was a huge sports booster and figure in town, was named coach and he added some pieces to accent the returning players. They struggled in the first half of the season, only winning a third of the games and putting Kauffman on the hot seat. Come the second half, though, the club gelled, winning ten of twelve to pit them against first-half champ Wheeling in the championship series.

After losing Game 1 on the road by 53 points, they returned home to split Game 2 and 3, putting them on the brink of elimination. However, they out-scored the potent Wheeling offense in game 4, 112-106, before winning again in the rubber game to give Cumberland the AABL Championship.

George Geatz

Head Coach:

• Dave Kauffman (March 30, 1915 - October 10, 1956) 
  

PLAYERS:

• Lou Bell (August 10. 1922 - August 16, 1993)  

• Jim Clevenger (March 16, 1926 - April 10, 2017)  

• Bill Feeney (February 7, 1924 - January 31, 1990)

• George Geatz (January 26, 1924 - March 9, 1995)  

• Tom Geatz (September 1, 1926 - May 5, 2003)

• Don Graham (August 27, 1925 - April 18, 2009)

• Don Lilya (June 24, 1930 - April 25, 2010)

• George Lucia (March 2, 1928 - September 18, 1994)

Jack Thomas

• Paul Oberhaus (September 7, 1920 - December 3, 1974)  

• Walt Orndorff (December 18, 1921 - August 25, 2019)  

• Bob Pence (August 10, 1922 - August 17, 1991)  

• Bob Snaith (December 5, 1926 - January 28, 2014)

• Jack Thomas (January 20, 1923 - January 18, 2004)

• Jack Wright (July 13, 1920 - May 30, 2000)

Jack Wright

Bob Snaith

1949-50 Altoona Flyers (AABL)

1949-50 ALTOONA FLYERS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 7-4 .636, 2nd place

2nd Half: 8-4 .667, 2nd place

Wy Paris, who coached the Altoona entry two season ago, was back as head coach and Walt Miller returned to just being a full-time player. The Flyers would have the best overall record in the AABL this season, but finished second in both halves so therefore did not qualify for the playoffs.

Head Coach:

• Wy Paris (August 5, 1908 - May 21, 2001) 

PLAYERS:

• Johnny Alzo (May 10, 1925 - November 27, 2005)

• Bobby Artman (February 8, 1922 - April 9, 1975)

  

  Mike Bytzura

• Dom Asmonga (February 15, 1928 - January 13, 2014)

• Jim Atkins (August 25, 1924 - March 10, 2012)

• Mike Bytzura (June 18, 1922 - January 24, 1989

• John Gallagher* (June 24, 1923 - December 12, 2006)

• Bunny Gjurich (February 26, 1923 - September 3, 2013)

• Chuck Karmarkovich (March 17, 1927 - January 11, 1951)

• Jack Kelly (July 9, 1928 - May 28, 1952)

• George Kerlik (February 1, 1924 - December 1, 2003)

• Walt Miller (July 20, 1915 - January 21, 2001)

  

  Ron Richard

• Stan Noszka (September 9, 1920 - November 15, 1991)

• Ron Richard (June 8, 1926 - June 30, 2019)

• Ed Stickel (February 10, 1928 - November 20, 2008)

• Sam Zeman (April 30, 1927 - December 12, 2003)

* - I am uncertain Gallagher appeared in a game. He does not appear in any box score I found. He was signed to the team, and the only box score I do not have for Altoona is their opening game against Washington.

1949-50 AABL

The Butler club dropped from the AABL before the 1949-50 season, and the Pittsburgh / McKeesport Pirates returned to independent status. The Sharon (PA) Pioneers came into the fold as did a team from Ford City (PA). However, on the eve of the season, Ford City had trouble securing a suitable home court and withdrew, leaving the league with only five teams.

The season was to be split into two 12-game halves, with the winner of each half to meet in the championship series. The defending champion Wheeling Blues got off to a hot start, but then had to hold off a late-charge from the Altoona team do win the first-half crown. Cumberland, who struggled to s 4-8 finish in the first half, rolled to a 10-2 second half and finished 2 games ahead of  Altoona, who despite having the best composite record  that season were shut out of the playoffs.

Wheeling took a 2-1 lead over Cumberland in the best-of-five championship series before the Dukes won the last two games to win the AABL Championship.

Teams:
Altoona Flyers

Cumberland Dukes

Sharon Pioneers

Washington Jewels
Wheeling Blues

1948-49 Wheeling Blues (AABL)

 1948-49 WHEELING BLUES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 21-9 .700, 1st place
Semi-Finals: Defeated McKeesport, 2-0
Finals: Defeated Cumberland, 2-1

The Wheeling Blues, the AABL entry from the West Virginia city that carried over four players from last year's entry known as the Puritans, put it together to run off with the championship. Winning their first four games and 8 of their first ten, Wheeling weer at the top of the standings from start to finish. They would win 7 of their 8 February games to put the regular season title out of reach, lead by Jim Quinlan with 10.6 PPG. They swept two games from McKeesport in the semi-finals and took down Cumberland in a hard-fought championship series.

Head Coach:

• Julie Rivlin (February 2, 1917 - September 23, 2002)

PLAYERS:

• Ken Becker (November 10, 1923 - February 11, 2014)

• Gene Britt (October 13, 1921 - November 29, 2004)

• Bobby Carroll (July 11, 1925 - January 31, 2022)

• Sam Chickerella (November 2, 1924 - March 30, 2011)

• Hank Ellis (August 18, 1921 - October 29, 2015)

• Hal Geisler (December 24, 1916 - May 12, 1975)

• Paul Herman (July 5, 1921 - July 20, 1972)

• Floats Pelaez (January 3, 1920 - January 29, 1995)

• Jim Quinlan (May 29, 1922 - July 13, 2003)

• Julie Rivlin (February 2, 1917 - September 23, 2002)

• Jim Ruch (August 15, 1920 - July 2, 1984)

• Andy Tonkovich (November 1, 1922 - September 2, 2006)

• Dick Wehr (December 9, 1926 - December 1, 2011)

1948-49 Washington Jewels / Generals (AABL)

 1948-49 WASHINGTON JEWELS / GENERALS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 11-19 .367, 5th place


Moe Becker, who joined Washington on January 7, 1949, after being let go from Altoona, also became the head coach but he could not change the fortunes of the Jewels. 

Head Coaches:

• ??  2-8
• Moe Becker (February 24, 1917 - January 9, 1996)  9-11

PLAYERS:

Elmer Benyak

• Atkins 

• Moe Becker (February 24, 1917 - January 9, 1996)

• Elmer Benyak (January 11, 1922 - June 24, 2011)

• Kenny Blake (December 30, 1924 - January 15, 1998)

• Booth

• Emery

• Bill Feeney (February 7, 1924 - January 31, 1990)

• Ralph Forquer (February 19, 1923 - March 21, 2013)

• 

  Jerry Unites

  Ray Forquer (February 19, 1923 - January 4, 2010)

• Don Graham (August 27, 1925 - April 18, 2009)

• Bud Heatley (December 5, 1916 - May 25, 2007)

• David Hornstein (August 16, 1922 - September 25, 1997)

• Bill Reese (August 24, 1924 - November 24, 2016)

• Art Sandusky (December 1, 1919 - September 14, 1996)

• Bud Sharp

• George Slava (May 8, 1923 - January 7, 1988)

• Eddie Strall (January 1, 1919 - October 29, 1996)

• Jerry Unites (June 10, 1922 - November 8, 1973)

• Watson 

1948-49 Pittsburgh / McKeesport Merchants / Pirates (AABL)

 1948-49 PITTSBURGH / McKEESPORT MERCHANTS / PIRATES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 15-15 .500, T-3rd place
Semi-Finals: Lost to Wheeling, 2-0


The Pittsburgh Pirates (or East Pittsburgh Pirates), named in tribute to the city's baseball team, had been a prominent independent semi-pro team around western Pennsylvania for the better part of a decade when they joined the AABL in the fall of 1948. Lead by popular Pittsburgh basketball figure Freddie Crum, the Pittsburgh club had a core of renown local players but ran hot and cold all season. On February 20, the team shifted their home base to nearby McKeesport to finish out the season. Also referred to as the Merchants or Tubers at various points through the season, they finished tied with Cumberland for third place and thus earned a spot in the playoffs, but lost in the opening round. 


Head Coach:

• Freddie Crum (December 3, 1912 - July 11, 1987) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bill Nunn

• Johnny Alzo (May 10, 1925 - November 27, 2005)

• Freddie Crum (December 3, 1912 - July 11, 1987)

• Ed Dolnack (March 22, 1927 - February 3, 1980)

• Joe Fabel (May 15, 1917 - January 31, 1967)

• Frank Griffin (February 24, 1919 - October 25, 1997)

• Ed Janicki (November 4, 1918 - July 10, 2011)

• Jack Kelly (July 9, 1928 - May 28, 1952)

• Sid Levine (July 9, 1918 - June 10, 1999)

• George Levkulich (March 1, 1917 - July 31, 2003)

Frank Griffin

• Bill McLhinney (August 15, 1920 - February 19, 2019)

• Bill Nunn (September 30, 1924 - May 6, 2014)

• Sam Radakovich (December 13, 1919 - May 10, 2001)

• Mike Semyan (April 3, 1927 - July 20, 1978)

• Joe Urso (September 17, 1916 - April 27, 1991)

• Matt Vaniel (November 14, 1919 - January 1, 1981)

• John Wakefield (April 20, 1920  - February 1, 1973)

John Wakefield

1948-49 Cumberland Dukes (AABL)

1948-49 CUMBERLAND DUKES

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 15-15 .500, 4th place

Semi-Finals: Defeated Altoona, 2-1

Finals: Lost to Wheeling, 2-1

The Dukes performed better this season, qualifying for the playoffs with Red Klotz as head coach and player. Klotz averaged 11.4 PPG, second on the team behind Bob Pence's 12.0 PPG*. The Dukes made it to the Finals, losing to Wheeling in three games.

* - based on statstics for games I have found boxscores for, not from official league stats

Head Coach:

• Red Klotz (October 21, 1920 - July 12, 2014) Also played. See below
  

PLAYERS:

Jim Clevenger

• Lou Bell (August 10. 1922 - August 16, 1993)  

• Jim Clevenger (March 16, 1926 - April 10, 2017)  

• Bill Day (June 1, 1920 - August 30, 1989)  

• Gus Frizzell (January 12, 1921 - January 8, 2005)  

• George Geatz (January 26, 1924 - March 9, 1995)  

• Ken Haggerty (January 31, 1924 - April 3, 2009)  

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

• Babe Johnson (July 14, 1925 - June 1, 2002)

• 

  Bob Pence

  Red Klotz (October 21, 1920 - July 12, 2014)
  

• Paul Oberhaus (September 7, 1920 - December 3, 1974)  

• Walt Orndorff (December 18, 1921 - August 25, 2019)  

• Bob Pence (August 10, 1922 - August 17, 1991)  

• Johnny Ross (January 5, 1918 - May 29, 1955)  

1948-49 Butler Cubs (AABL)

 1948-49 BUTLER CUBS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 10-20 .333, 6th place

The Butler Cubs were part of the Pennsylvania town's athletic club, which also fielded a semi-pro football and a baseball team. The Butler Cubs Athletic and Social Association was helmed by Bill Hulton (1914-1980) and the basketball team joined the AABL in September of 1948. The freshman basketball coach of the local college, Slippery Rock, was coached by Jim Gazetos and he was named head coach for the AABL entry. 

Coach Jim Gazetos

The season started off decent enough for the Cubs, winning 3 of their first 5 including a thrilling upset of the powerful Wheeling club on their home court. Following that game, though, the Cubs went into a tailspin, losing 8 straight games and sending the team into last place. They never really regained their way, and finished the season buried deep in the cellar. Overmatched, the Cubs dropped from the league following the season.



Head Coach:

• Jim Gazetos (February 24, 1916 - November 15, 2002)

PLAYERS:

Mike Glowacki

• Nate Apple (February 16, 1925 - December 1, 2001)

• Dom Canterna (September 16, 1917 - February 21, 2008)

• Larry Duffy (February 12, 1918 - July 17, 1992)

• Joe Frick (June 24, 1923 - August 7, 2020)

• Mike Glowacki (November 16, 1923 - December 27, 1985)

• Merle Iannotti (December 4, 1923 - May 30, 1998)

• George Mavromatis (September 15, 1921 - October 21, 1994)

• Roy Miller 

• Larry Paffrath (August 5, 1919 - October 26, 1978)

• John Pataky (February 6, 1919 - July 24, 2003)

• Earl Paul (August 1, 1924 - January 30, 1969)

• Mike Pucci (September 7, 1920 - November 20, 1995)

  

  Earl Paul

• Steve Shuber (January 20, 1920 - October 30, 2003)

• Emil Sotnyk (August 21, 1921 - July 2, 2004)

• Frannie Webster (September 28, 1916 - January 3, 2003)

• Fred Wimer (January 16, 1927 - January 5, 1998)