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was a successful semi-pro team before being asked to join the WSBL for the second half to replace Plymouth who had withdrawn.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)