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)

1948-49 Altoona Flyers (AABL)

1948-49 ALTOONA FLYERS

ALL-AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Finished: 18-12 .600, 2nd place
Semi-Finals: Lost to Cumberland, 2-1

Altoona had good lineup featuring Dom Asmonga, Mike Bytzura and Bobby Artman. BAA cast-off Moe Becker was released by Altoona on December 21 and he would move on to coach the Pittsburgh team. After a slow 2-4 start, the Flyers rattled off six straight wins and 12 of 15 to make a charge at frontrunning Wheeling. However, after dropping four of five, the Flyers were relegated to remain in second place. They would lose to Cumberland in the league semi-finals, having to forfeit the final game of the series when they could not procure a court to play on.

Moe Becker

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

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

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

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

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

• 

  John Karpinski

  Jack Barry (November 20, 1922 - July 26, 2011)

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

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

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

• Joe Cypher (September 5, 1926 - February 22, 1975)

• Red Davies (March 5, 1917 - April 21, 2001)

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

• Ed Humeniuk (December 17, 1920 - May 15, 2006)

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

  

  Walt Miller

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

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

• John Kolodziek (January 24, 1926 - May 12, 1969)

• Tom Lytle (October 10, 1927 - January 25, 2005)

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

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

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

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

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

Herb Currie

1948-49 AABL

Heading into the AABL's second season, the defending champion Dayton Metropolitans departed as did the popular Youngstown club and the Pioneers from Zanesville. Pittsburgh was granted a franchise but they would move to McKeesport partly through the season. Washington (not the nation's capitol but a town in  Pennsylvania), fielded a team coached by Moe Becker.

Sitting at six teams, Wheeling was the favorite and would stay atop the standings all season long, with Altoona providing their only real competition. Cumberland drew well but had a rough February. Come playoff time, Wheeling easily dispatched McKeesport while Altoona and Cumberland battled in close contests where they split the first two games of the best-of-3 series. Unfortunately, the series was decided with Cumberland was declared the winner of game 3 with a forfeit due to Altoona not having a court to host the game.

Wheeling faced Cumberland in the 3-game championship series. The Flyers, lead by 30 points from Jimmy Quinlan of Canisius, won the first game. Cumberland came back to tie the series in game 2 nut Wheeling would win a thrilling deciding game to win the AABL championship.

Teams:
Altoona Flyers
Butler Cubs

Cumberland Dukes

Pittsburgh / McKeesport Merchants / Pirates

Washington Jewels / Generals
Wheeling Blues

Dan Markhoff Identified

The Philadelphia SPHA's player that was previously listed as Phil Markhoff has been determined to be Dan Markhoff, the CCNY player from New York.

Markhoff

Updates: Kitk, "Yellis" of Carbondale Aces" identified

 I took some time off from my research to focus on other things, so when I came back to the blog I had a lot of posts and emails to attend to. One such post was related to the Carbondale Aces, who played in the ABL in the 1951-52 season. 

Thanks to fellow researcher Steve Holroyd, he surmised the the player listed as "Kitic" or "Kitik" was probably Simpson, Pennsylvania, native Nick Kitik who would play briefly in the Eastern League in the later 50's. After poking through some newspapers, I found that Kitik had played in late 50s on various clubs for Red Wallace, so it seemed natural that when Wallace became head coach of the Carbondale Aces, he bring along the young Kitik who played for him on many occasions. So thank you, Steve for the tip.

The tip was fortunate, too, because another of  Red Wallace's players on these lesser clubs was Mike Yelovich. There was a player I had listed for Carbondale who only appears in box scores as "Yello" and "Yellis." I am certain this player was indeed Kitik's friend Mike. There is a possibility that it could be MIke's younger brother Joe, who was also a prominent local athlete in the area, but Mike is a better fit given his age and basketball skills.