Peach Basket Society: March 2022

Monday, March 21, 2022

1950-51 Two Rivers Seals (WSBL)

1950-51 TWO RIVERS SEALS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 2-8, .200, 6th place

2nd Half: 2-8, .200, 6th place

Two Rivers never could get it going, finishing in last place with a 2-8 record in each half.

Head Coach:

Hilary LeClair (December 18, 1918 - September 22, 2003)

PLAYERS:

Dean Cameron (June 4, 1931 - July 3, 1989)
Dick Wilsman
Carl Domenoski (October 29, 1930 - August 9, 2018)
Charlie Erban (October 20, 1926 - May 15, 1995)
Vic Gauthier (February 4, 1922 - January 13, 2001)
Art Klabunde (April 1, 1926 - October 19, 2003)
Carl Kuehl (b. March 14, 1927)
Hilary LeClair (December 18, 1918 - September 22, 2003)
Rube LeClair (September 7, 1923 - January 18, 2009)
Ernie Lupie (August 19, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
Dick Wilsman (June 9, 1929 - May 8, 2016)
Chet Wisniewski (January 31, 1927 - March 24, 2003)
Ken Wondrash (December 11, 1921 - February 14, 1981)

Carl Domenoski

1950-51 New Holstein Athletics (WSBL)

1950-51 NEW HOLSTEIN ATHLETICS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 8-2, .800, 1st place

2nd Half: 6-4, .600, 3rd place

Championship: Lost to Fond du Lac, 2-0

New Holstein rolled to the first half title, aided by the addition of professional players like Ed Dancker, Bobby Holm and Dick Schulz. They cooled off in the second half, finishing third before getting swept by Fond du Lac for the WSBL Championship.

Head Coach:

Norm Peterson (September 15, 1912 - July 11, 1986)

PLAYERS:

Ed Dancker (March 14, 1914 - October 3, 1991)
Ray Heim (June 23, 1926 - November 4, 2011)
Bob Holm (January 22, 1919 - April 14, 2002)
Casey Koniezcka (December 22, 1919 - June 11, 2007)
Rube Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992)
Larry Luft (February 24, 1928 - December 3, 1987)
Doug Rogers (December 22, 1927 - September 6, 2007)
Ken Ruh (b. May 28, 1932)
Charlie Ryan (August 16, 1923 - January 20, 2005
Dick Schroeder (December 30, 1928 - January 1, 2023)
Hank Schuette (July 5, 1927 - April 10, 2008)
Dick Schulz (January 3, 1917 - June 26, 1998)

1950-51 Neenah-Menasha Jaycees (WSBL)

1950-51 NEENAH-MENASHA JAYCEES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-6, .400, T-4th Place

2nd Half: 4-6, .400, 4th place

No longer sponsored by the local police squad, Neenah split their home with Menasha. Vern Wollerman stepped down as head coach on the eve of the start of the season. They never really contended and finished in fourth place in both halves.

Ralph McClone

Head Coach:

Chuck Shepard (January 19, 1924 - October 21, 2011) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

Bob Kloss (November 13, 1921 - October 21, 1988)
Fritz Lautenschlager (September 7, 1915 - January 5, 1992)
Ralph McClone (December 23, 1925 - May 31, 2008)
Claude Peotter (October 14, 1924 - July 15, 2002)
Joe Rahn (June 28, 1922 - January 2, 2012)
Chuck Shepard (January 19, 1924 - October 21, 2011)
Carlton Springer (July 4, 1930 - March 25, 2020)
Don Sudkamp (March 10, 1926 - August 6, 2019)
Joe Rahn
Chris Van Cuyk (January 3, 1927 - November 3, 1992)
Bob Williams (October 1, 1926 - February 24, 2012)
Bob Kloss

Friday, March 18, 2022

1950-51 Manitowoc Braves (WSBL)

1950-51 MANITOWOC BRAVES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 5-5, .500, 5th place

2nd Half: 3-7, .300, 6th place

Bob Sullivan took over as head coach for Manitowoc this year, all the while averaging 17.1 points per game. The Braves were never really a factor, enduring long cold stretches throughout the season.

Head Coach:

Bob Sullivan (July 1, 1921 - April 12, 2007) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bob Wessenberg

Joe Chavez (June 22, 1922 - October 4, 2014)
Stan Check (February 2, 1933 - December 17, 2013)
Bill Ciske (b. May 23, 1928)
Art Edinger (April 3, 1924 - January 22, 2001)
Dick John (October 21, 1919 - September 9, 1983)
Stan Kramer (June 3, 1921 - June 23, 1997)
Ed Mills (February 23, 1922 - September 27, 2002)

Fred Rehm (May 18, 1921 - December 28, 2012)
Bob Sullivan (July 1, 1921 - April 12, 2007)
Bob Wessenberg (February 25, 1928 - December 13, 1999)

1950-51 Green Bay Majors (WSBL)

Jim Carter

1950-51 GREEN BAY MAJORS

(also referred to as the GeeBees)

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 4-6 .400, T-4th place

2nd Half: 7-3, .700, 2nd place

Coached by Art Schroeder who coached New Holstein a couple seasons ago, Green Bay finally put a team together after failing to do so the previous year. Despite some decent players (Ronnie Blomberg, Wimpy Cartier, Joe Meeuwsen and Mel Peterson), Green Bay got off to a poor start, winning only 2 or their first eight games. When they added Jim Carter in late December, the team's fortune changed, winning the last two games of the half and the first two of the second half. They would win 5 of their last six but fell short of first place, missing out on the championship series.

Mel Peterson

Head Coach:

Art Schroeder (December 1, 1909 - May 23, 1995)

PLAYERS:

Ron Blomberg (December 17, 1927 - December 7, 2015)
Jim Carter (July 29, 1928 - September 14, 2017)
Wimpy Cartier (December 9, 1924 - April 23, 2006)
Frannie Dashner (b. August 2, 1931)
Jug Girard (January 25, 1927 - January 17, 1997)
Harvey Jackson (b. November 17, 1928)
Patrick Maloney (January 19, 1924 - February 14, 1987)
Gene Mathews (November 1, 1925 - November 21, 2004)
Joe Meeuwsen (August 29, 1926 - May 15, 2012)
Wimpy Cartier
Mel Peterson (August 30, 1926 - August 13, 2012)
Jim Pressentin (November 3, 1927 - May 1, 2000)
Herman Reckelberg (October 24, 1927 - July 19, 2019)
Billy Reed (November 12, 1922 - December 5, 2005)
Joe Schradle (December 27, 1928 - April 10, 1989)
Carl Steffin (August 6, 1918 - August 23, 2014)
Hal Wenzel (August 8, 1928 - March 25, 2016)
Jack Woulf (October 13, 1926 - October 5, 1996)

Gene Mathews

Frannie Dashner

Carl Steffin

Thursday, March 17, 2022

1950-51 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)

1950-51 FOND du LAC ROCKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 7-3, .700, 2nd place

2nd Half: 8-2, .800, 1st place

WSBL Championship: Defeated New Holstein, 2-0

With a new coach in Joe Jaeger, Fond du Lac got off to a mediocre 4-3 start before winning the last three games of the first half to finish in second place behind New Holstein. They continued winning in the second half, claiming victory in the first six contest to stretch their streak to 9 straight wins. They would win the second half with an 8-2 record, and swept New Holstein in the best-of-three championship series to be the last champion of the WSBL.

Head Coach:

Joe Jaeger (September 23, 1919 - January 27, 1974)

PLAYERS:
Bruce Fossum

Ken Buehler (November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
John Erickson (June 19, 1927 - March 18, 2020)
Bruce Fossum (January 16, 1928 - March 12, 2014)
Jim Johnson (March 12, 1929 - August 21, 2004)
Bob Krueger (September 8, 1922 - March 8, 2005)
Ambrose McTrusty (August 29, 1927 - January 22, 2019)
Exner Menzel (September 9, 1922 - October 10, 2016)
John Orr (June 10, 1927 - December 30, 2013)
Ray Patterson (January 15, 1922 - August 3, 2011)
Jed Rashid (January 11, 1930 - September 25, 2006)
Doug Richie (April 24, 1926 - January 2, 2015)
Francis Stahr (December 30, 1926 - December 5, 1995)
Kermit Weiske (May 18, 1929 - March 17, 2016)

1950-51 WSBL

More shuffling in for the Wisconsin State Basketball League heading into its fourth season. Oshkosh and Kimberly disbanded, but after a year where they failed to get a team together, Green Bay joined the fold. Neenah reformed, splitting between Neenah and Menasha. Down to 6 teams, they would still utilize the two-half format, but now just 10 games per half, playing each time twice.

Although this would be the final year of the league, it went fairly smoothly. New Holstein won the first half by a single game, and Fond du Lac took the second half, with Fondy winning the championship series.

Teams

Fond du Lac Rockets

Green Bay Majors
Manitowoc Braves

Neenah Bluejackets

New Holstein Athletics

Two Rivers Seals

1949-50 Two Rivers Seals (WSBL)

1949-50 TWO RIVERS SEALS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 8-3, .727, 2nd place

Harold Krizizke

2nd Half: 7-4, .636, 3rd place

Two Rivers, under a new sponsor and name, put together a solid team and performed well in both halves, but could not catch the front-runner.

Head Coach:

PLAYERS:

Del Burke (September 1, 1927 - December 29, 1980)
Dana
Ken Wondrash
Ed Fessler (November 30, 1921 - August 31, 2000)
Vic Gauthier (February 4, 1922 - January 13, 2001)
Ken Kirchman (March 10, 1930 - May 28, 2023)
Art Klabunde (April 1, 1926 - October 19, 2003)
Harold Krizizke (March 20, 1925 - April 19, 2018)
Carl Kuehl (b. March 14, 1927)
Jerry LeClair (July 13, 1929 - February 19, 2016)
Rube LeClair (September 7, 1923 - January 18, 2009)
Ernie Lupie (August 19, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
Russ Smikle (b. December 13, 1926)
George Stangel (May 28, 1924 - March 28, 2009)
Ken Wondrash (December 11, 1921 - February 14, 1981)
Chet Wisniewski (January 31, 1927 - March 24, 2003)

Russ Smikle

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

1949-50 Oshkosh All-Stars (WSBL)

1949-50 OSHKOSH ALL-STARS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 9-3, .750, 2nd place

2nd Half: 6-6, .500, 3rd place

When the BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA in the summer of 1949, the Oshkosh All-Stars, who had just lost the NBL championship series, were left out. The NBA leadership cited the size of Oshkosh's population as well as its home facility as the main reason, although the team ownership considered a move to Milwaukee to pacify the NBA. They were denied entry and joined the Wisconsin State League. Given their pedigree of playing in the much-more talented NBL for years, were expected to runaway with the title. A few players (Gene Berce, Leroy Edwards) had stuck around from the previous year with solid professional experience, while other local players filled in the rest of the roster. Under a new coach, David Leibsenson, who was a star player in the area in the 30's and 40's, Oshkosh had an impressive 9-3 record in the first half, but fell short of first place. They struggled in the second have and finished a distant third. The club disbanded after the season, ending the legacy of the Oshkosh AllStars. One of the more successful teams in the NBL, they had made it to the NBL championship in the first 5 season of the NBL's existence, winning the title in 1940-41 and 1941-42.

There had been belief over the years the had Oshkosh been allowed to remain as an NBA team, they could have continued to compete in the league. Wisconsin as a state is very supportive of their local teams, drawing from all around, as the Green Bay Packer's success would show over the years.

Head Coach:

Dave Leibenson (December 25, 1910 - February 23, 1981

PLAYERS:

Gene Berce (November 22, 1926 - November 17, 2018)
Ken Buehler (November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
Paul Cloyd (June 13, 1920 - December 26, 2005)
Leroy Edwards (April 11, 1914 - August 25, 1971)
Gene Englund (October 21, 1917 - November 5, 1995)

Charlie Erban (October 20, 1926 - May 15, 1995)
Eddie Erban (July 6, 1921 - May 17, 2008)
Jug Girard (January 25, 1927 - January 17, 1997)
Gil Hertz (May 23, 1922 - December 25, 1999)
Bill McDonald (November 5, 1916 - February 7, 1994)
Bob Mulvihill (March 9, 1924 - May 17, 2016)
Joe Rahn (June 28, 1922 - January 2, 2012)
Billy Reed (November 12, 1922 - December 5, 2005)
Spencer Van Ess (April 30, 1924 - September 16, 1982)
Don Weaver (September 2, 1926 - June 9, 1996)

Uncertain the Hertz and Girard appeared in a game. They were signed, but haven't seen them appears in a league box score. The only league game I do not have boxscores for is the December 28, 1949 game at New Holstein. I will keep them on the roster until this last game is located.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

1949-50 New Holstein Athletics (WSBL)

1949-50 NEW HOLSTEIN ATHLETICS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 6-6, .500, T-3rd place

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

New Holstein started the season with a 4-6 record before adding Glen Selbo. Selbo, who would average 16 points the rest of the year, was a jumpstart to the lineup. They won last last two games of the first half and 9 of 12 in the second half, giving them an 11-3 with Selbo. They fell short of catching the powerful Fond du Lac club, missing out on a possible championship series.

Head Coach:

Kurt Weber

PLAYERS:

Ken Buehler November 19, 1919 - April 18, 2019)
Ray Heim (June 23, 1926 - November 4, 2011)
Kenny Kurtz (December 15, 1928 - June 28, 1999)
Larry Luft (February 24, 1928 - December 3, 1987)
John Meier (November 24, 1923 - March 4, 2006)
Benny Nord (November 30, 1927 - October 5, 1991)
Charlie Ryan (August 16, 1923 - January 20, 2005
Hank Schuette (July 5, 1927 - April 10, 2008)
Dick Schroeder (December 30, 1928 - January 1, 2023)
Glen Selbo (March 29, 1926 - May 29, 1995)
Ed Shimon (April 17, 1923 - October 22, 2007)
Stephany
Bob Vander Putten (November 1, 1924 - December 9, 1996)
Kurt Weber (January 9, 1929 - November 6, 1996)

1949-50 Neenah Bluejackets (WSBL)

1949-50 NEENAH BLUEJACKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 6-6, .500, T-3rd Place

2nd Half: 5-7, .417, T-4th place

With a largely revamped roster, the Bluejackets failed to repeat their success from the prior season, falling short of a winning record in either half. Chuck Shepard lead the team with 14 points per game. Following the last game of the season, the Bluejackets announced they were leaving the league.

On February 23, 1950, Neenah didn't have enough players and pulled a couple local players in attendance, Jerry Schmidt and Tom Rosenow, to suit up.

Bob Brandt

Head Coach:

Vern Wollerman (March 14, 1926 - January 24, 1992)

PLAYERS:

Bob Brandt (May 22, 1930 - July 31, 2015)
Bill Ciske (b. May 23, 1928)
Bob Kloss (November 13, 1921 - October 21, 1988)
Bob Koser (November 21, 1926 - January 2, 2012)
Pat McCullough (April 13, 1926 - July 14, 2019)
Matt Otte (September 8, 1925 - April 25, 2012)
Claude Peotter (October 14, 1924 - July 15, 2002)
Jerry Schmidt
Rube Prunuske (June 21, 1921 - May 26, 1996)
Tom Rosenow (b. January 7, 1928)
Jerry Schmidt (July 30, 1931 - November 29, 1987)
Chuck Shepard (January 19, 1924 - October 21, 2011)
Carlton Springer (July 4, 1930 - March 25, 2020)
Jim Stern (December 14, 1931 - February 25, 1996)
Bob Wessenberg (February 25, 1928 - December 13, 1999)
Jim Young (May 19, 1926 - June 7, 1996)

Jim Stern

Tom Rosenow

Friday, March 11, 2022

1949-50 Manitowoc Braves (WSBL)

1949-50 MANITOWOC BRAVES

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

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

2nd Half: 4-8, .333, 6th place

The defending champions fell out of contention quick with a 1-4 start. They would finish both halves with an identical 4-8 record and no where near repeating the WSBL championship.

Fred Biesecker

Head Coach:

Adolph Gorychka (April 8, 1911 - October 6, 2004) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Fred Biesecker (October 3, 1923 - February 1, 2010)
Ron Blomberg (December 17, 1927 - December 7, 2015)
Joe Chavez (June 22, 1922 - October 4, 2014)
Art Edinger (April 3, 1924 - January 22, 2001)
Buck Edinger (February 26, 1930 - January 31, 2016)
Adolph Gorychka (April 8, 1911 - October 6, 2004)
Hal Haberman (December 28, 1927 - November 6, 2009)
Dick John (October 21, 1919 - September 9, 1983)
Stan Kramer (June 3, 1921 - June 23, 1997)
Herman Reckelberg (October 24, 1927 - July 19, 2019)
Dewey Rogala (January 21, 1922 - September 17, 2013)
Bob Sullivan (July 1, 1921 - April 12, 2007)
Gordy Wotruba (November 19, 1928 - April 6, 1999)
Jim Young (May 19, 1926 - June 7, 1996)

1949-50 Kimberly Papermakers (WSBL)

1949-50 KIMBERLY PAPERMAKERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 2-10, .167, 7th place
2nd Half: 2-10, .167, 7th place

Kimberly never could get anything going, finishing a dismal 2-10 and mired in last place in both halves of the season. The March 18 game against Oshkosh was a reported victory for Kimberly as a forfeit, but he official standings at the end of the year seemed to indicate Oshkosh got the win. I will stick with a Kimberly victory in the game for now until I can find evidence of it being reversed.

Dick Fieweger

Head Coach:

PLAYERS:

Adams
John Bartmann (July 26, 1923 0 April 18, 2004)
Alan Dietzler (b. October 6, 1928)
Dick Fieweger (December 15, 1930 - October 31, 2009)
Bill Goffard (June 13, 1929 - May 20, 2013)
Elwood Harke (June 18, 1929 - April 15, 1999)
John Bartmann
Cliff Hinkens (January 2, 1931 - October 17, 2020)
Pete Valentyne (March 30, 1930 - August 19, 2019)
Frank Van Boeckel (May 1, 1929 - April 28, 1995)
Carl Vanden Boom (June 29, 1929 - February 8, 2005)
Wilfred Vandenberg (March 14, 1931 - November 20, 1992)
Don Vander Zenden (November 6, 1930 - September 9, 1980)
Francis Vander Velden (January 27, 1922 - February 6, 2008)
Driek Van Dyke (November 13, 1920 - March 29, 2011)
Nig Van Dyke (June 6, 1922 - September 3, 1990)
Bob Wahlers (March 31, 1932 - June 27, 2009)

Cliff Hinkens

Thursday, March 10, 2022

1949-50 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)

1949-50 FOND du LAC ROCKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

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

2nd Half: 11-1, .917, 1st place

Exner Menzel

Fond du Lac entered the WSBL in the place of the North Fondy club, and immediately turned into the powerhouse of the league, winning their first 9 games. They battled with the similarly-powerful Oshkosh club for the first place title, finishing ahead of Oshkosh by a single game. They also started the second half with nine straight wins before falling to Neenah, but finished the second half 11-1 and two games ahead of New Holstein. As the winner of both halves of the season, they were declared the champions, without the need for a playoff series.

Head Coach:

PLAYERS:

Les Sander

Ed Goodwin
Bob Krueger (September 8, 1922 - March 8, 2005)
Land
Arlin Leonhardt (March 24, 1924 - March 9, 2013)
Bill Manis (September 24, 1930 - June 8, 2007)
Ambrose McTrusty (August 29, 1927 - January 22, 2019)
Exner Menzel (September 9, 1922 - October 10, 2016)
Ray Patterson (January 15, 1922 - August 3, 2011)
Doug Richie (April 24, 1926 - January 2, 2015)
Les Sander (January 6, 1920 - February 18, 2005)
Al Skat (October 7, 1921 - January 13, 2001)
Don Sudkamp (March 10, 1926 - August 6, 2019)
Gale Zimmerman (April 7, 1926 - March 24, 1987)

Al Skat

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

1949-50 WSBL

The summer of 1949 saw a major shift in t he world of professional basketball: The merger of the BAA and the NBL, forming the NBA. Four teams from the NBL joined the new NBA, and the other teams were left to their own devices. One such club was the Oshkosh All-Stars. In the 1948-49 season, Oshkosh won the NBL's Western Division and made the NBL championship, losing to Anderson in the finals. Despite the club's success, Oshkosh was too small of a city to be permitted to be part of the NBA. The All-Stars, or what was left of them, joined the WSBL for the 1949-50 season. Despite their pedigree, they could not muster a playoff spot and after the season they disbanded.

Oshkosh had taken the place of the Sheboygan Dicks, who left the WSBL following a couple disappointing seasons. North Fond du Lac also dropped and were replaced by neighboring Fond du Lac. An 8th team was awarded to Green Bay, to be coached by Russ Young, but the team withdrew before the start of the season, forcing league president George Johansen to revamp the schedule at the last minute.

Oshkosh dropped their opener by a single point to Neenah but then went on to win 7 of eight. Heavily expected to win the league, they were bested by Fond du Lac who won their first nine contest and finished the first half 10-2, one game ahead of Oshkosh. In the second half, Fond du Lac continued rolling, winning 11 of twelce and capturing the second half title as well. Oshkosh stumbled after a 3-1 start and finished third. New Holstein showed life in the second half with a 9-3 record but were in no position to catch the loaded Rockets of Fond du Lac.

Having won both halves of the season, Fond du Lac was declared champion without a championship series required.

There was a lot of weird events near the end of the season with New Holstein allegedly losing illegal players in a game against Manitiwoc. There was also a disputed game between Kimberly and Oshkosh that was declared a forfeit, but the official league standings don't match what newspaper articles seemed to indicate. Any remaining information about the results of this questioned games is scarce. Until that gets sorted out in research (which may never be uncovered), I am using the records I have from my research any not the standings listed in newspaper accounts.

Teams

Fond du Lac Rockets

Kimberly Papermakers
Manitowoc Braves

Neenah Bluejackets

New Holstein Cheesemakers or Athletics

Oshkosh All-Stars

Two Rivers Seals

Thursday, March 3, 2022

1948-49 Two Rivers Krisea's (WSBL)

1948-49 TWO RIVERS KRISEA'S

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 8-3, .727, 2nd place

2nd Half: 7-4, .636, 3rd place

Two Rivers had a very competitive team, but couldn't quite get past the front-runners.They finished both halves on a winning streak, but too late to catch the first place clubs.

Vic Gauthier

Head Coach:

PLAYERS:

Ed Fessler (November 30, 1921 - August 31, 2000)
Vic Gauthier (February 4, 1922 - January 13, 2001)
Lewis Hrdina (May 25, 1923 - January 5, 1999)
Ken Kirchman (March 10, 1930 - May 28, 2023)
Carl Kuehl (b. March 14, 1927)
Lewis Hrdina
Danny LeClair (June 6, 1927 - September 22, 2003)
Hilary LeClair (December 18, 1918 - September 22, 2003)
Rube LeClair (September 7, 1923 - January 18, 2009)
Ernie Lupie (August 19, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
Bill Maigatter (March 18, 1928 - December 11, 2004)
Charlie Pelnar (September 9, 1927 - January 12, 2007)
Don Spletter (February 10, 1930 - January 11, 2022)
George Stangel (May 28, 1924 - March 28, 2009)

George Stangel

Ken Kirchman

1948-49 Sheboygan Dick's (WSBL)

1948-49 SHEBOYGAN DICK'S

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

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

2nd Half: 1-10, .091, 7th place

With a revamped team, Sheboygan hoped for better fortune. Unfortunately it was not meant to be. After an opening victory, they lost four straight before an improvement. However, after fighting back to a 4-5 record, they lost 11 in a row, stretching across the end of the first half and the first 8 games of the second half. They finished the second half in last place.

Fred Bauer

Oddly enough, Sheboygan had the identical record in both halves of the season as they had in the 1947-48 campaign. Following this dismal season, they dropped from the league.

Head Coach:

PLAYERS:

Don Luft

Fred Bauer (April 4, 1928 - October 22, 2014)
Walter Brown (June 19, 1928 - March 9, 1998)
Jerry Carek (July 21, 1929 - November 11, 1976)
Dick Hurley (March 29, 1929 - February 16, 2016)
Harry Hurtienne (November 8, 1927 - May 21, 2021)
Kenny Kurtz (December 15, 1928 - June 28, 1999)
Don Luft (February 14, 1930 - June 19, 2002)
Larry Luft (February 24, 1928 - December 3, 1987)
Matt Marchiando (December 24, 1922 - January 31, 2001)
Marvin Neese (September 27, 1927 - July 15, 2003)
Ray Porter (May 3, 1924 - July 27, 2001)
Richard Schmitt (July 7, 1927 - August 27, 2011)
Carl Schuette (April 4, 1922 - December 9, 1975)
Bob Schuette (December 21, 1923 - July 24, 1990)
Art Toston (January 12, 1924 - January 29, 1986)
Bill Toston (July 19, 1928 - March 13,1968)
Joe Turk (September 30, 1922 - June 23, 2009)

Larry Luft

Buddy Wagner (September 10, 1927 - August 23, 2007)

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

1948-49 North Fond du Lac Tigers (WSBL)

1948-49 NORTH FOND du LAC TIGERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 1-11, .083, 7th place

2nd Half: 4-6, .400, 5th place

North Fondy's team hit the skids this year. With many new faces from last year's club which was slightly over .500, Fondy lost their first 11 games of the season before defeating Sheboygan in the first half finale for their sole win. They started the second half better, with three wins in their first 5 games, but then slumped and fell out of the race, finishing a distant fifth.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

Bernie Anderson (October 23, 1924 - May 14, 2000)
M Anderson
Dick Clark (December 6, 1927 - December 18, 1950)
Roger Kuehl
Bob Laske (January 5, 1926, Died May 28, 2022)
Arlin Leonhardt (March 24, 1924 - March 9, 2013)
Park
Rohe
Henry Schuette (July 5, 1927 - April 10, 2008)
Gordon Smith
L Smith
Sonnberg
Sweet
Spencer Van Ess (April 30, 1924 - September 16, 1982)
Whiteman
Chuck Winkler (June 26, 1925 - July 18, 2012)
Zerneke
Gale Zimmerman (April 7, 1926 - March 24, 1987)
Zock

1948-49 New Holstein Cheesemakers (WSBL)

Art Schroeder

1948-49 NEW HOLSTEIN CHEESEMAKERS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1st Half: 8-4, .667, 3rd place

2nd Half: 6-4, .600, 4th place

The defending champion Cheesemakers played well in the first half but could not catch the hot Manitowoc club. In the second half, a three game skid in their first four games was too big of a hole to climb out of, finishing 6-4 and in a distant 4th place.

Head Coach:

Art Schroeder (December 1, 1909 - May 23, 1995)

PLAYERS:

Dick Bixby (June 8, 1922 - March 1, 2014)
Ed Shimon
Bill Carnahan (May 11, 1921 - November 27, 2000)
Fritz Engel (January 12, 1928 - June 10, 2015)
Bill Fitzpatrick (April 16, 1923 - August 21, 2012)
Ray Heim (June 23, 1926 - November 4, 2011)
Harold Hoffman (June 1, 1924 - March 7, 2003)
Ernie Lupe (August 29, 1917 - March 23, 1995)
Bob Meier (October 3, 1922 - April 19, 1973)
John Meier (November 24, 1923 - March 4, 2006)
Fred Nimz (April 22, 1914 - May 9, 1992)
Norm Peterson (September 15, 1912 - July 11, 1986)
Orville Ross (April 17, 1920 - November 14, 2012)
Charlie Ryan (August 16, 1923 - January 20, 2005
Ed Shimon (April 17, 1923 - October 22, 2007)
Don Spletter (February 10, 1930 - January 11, 2022)
Dick Stier (February 11, 1920 - March 9, 1985)
Bob Vander Putten (November 1, 1924 - December 9, 1996)
Ralph Vander Putten (June 30, 1926 - September 17, 2001)

Bill Carnahan

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

1948-49 Neenah Bluejackets (WSBL)

1948-49 NEENAH BLUEJACKETS

WISCONSIN STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE

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

2nd Half: 9-2, .818, 1st place

Finals: Lost to Manitowoc, 3-1

Enjoying their first full season as a member of the Wisconsin League, they started the first half winning 5 of 7, but stumbled a bit at the end and faded from the race. In the second half, though, they won their first 9 games before droping their final two to win the second half title. They faced off against Manitowoc in the Championship and lost in four games. Chuck Shepard and Charlie Block were the top scorers.