1939-40 Hartford Super 5 / Dovers (CSL)

1939-40 HARTFORD SUPER 5 / DOVERS

Frank Klimas

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 4-4, .500, 6th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, T-6th place

New to the league, the Hartford Super 5 were a local semi-pro team that played various opponents around New England before joining the Connecticut State League. Things looked bright as they won three of their first four games, but lost four of their next five to finish the first half in sixth place.

They changed coaches and management in the second half, becoming the Dovers, but the change didn't change their luck as they finished in sixth place again.

Head Coach:

• Pete DeCatiff (June 29, 1907 - October 27, 1980) 4-5
• Abe Silverman (April 5, 1906 - September 2, 1997) 3-4

PLAYERS:

Larry Bernabeo (November 7, 1916 - January 25, 1984)

Al Howard (March 11, 1915 - January 10, 1984)

Bill Hutt (September 28, 1918 - May 18, 2005)

Frank Klimas (July 28, 1918 - March 21, 1997)

Mitch Magora (December 9, 1915 - July 31, 1963)

Jiggs Mandell (July 5, 1918 - November 17, 1996)

Red Meade (March 28, 1920 - February 11, 2004)

Iggy Miller aka Iggy Murawski (December 17, 1916 - December 27, 2009) 

Joe Noce (August 30, 1920 - November 3, 2002)

Pete Sevetz (September 8, 1919 - November 9, 2004)

Jigger Sitarz (November 24, 1919 - September 21, 2005)

Freddie Ware (March 15, 1915 - October 31, 1996)

Larry Bernabeo

Jigger Sitarz

Joe Noce

1939-40 Danbury Guards (CSL)

1939-40 DANBURY GUARDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, t-3rd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place
Lost in Round Robin 2nd Half Tie-breaker

The defending champions, Danbury, started the first half on a high-note, and after 6 games were 5-1 and in the hunt. Unfortunately, they would drop the last two games of the half to Bridgeport and Meriden. 

They would play strong in the second half, finishing 6-2 and part of the three-way tie for first place. The Guards would eventually lose the round-robin.

Head Coach:

• Dr. Edward Fisher (September 27, 1904 - June 11, 1976)

PLAYERS:

Doc Milvid

Reg(?) Ketcham  

Jack McGuirk (November 8, 1915 - February 13, 1996)

Jim McNally (March 19, 1913 - May 11, 1979)

Tidy Millen (January 5, 1913 - March 4, 1983)

Doc Milvid (September 5, 1916 - May 10, 1990)

Joe Polcha (February 24, 1917 - March 27, 1959

Ken Ritchel (August 28, 1914 - October 1, 1988)

Norm Ritchel (January 28, 1919 - March 9, 1971)

Eddie Sadlon (February 5, 1920 - December 16, 1993)

Dutch Seifert (October 9, 1919 - August 13, 2012)

Dick Tuckey (September 29, 1913 - December 25, 1974)

Nat Volpe (May 15, 1916 - September 8, 1997)

Stan Wilson (September 6, 1917 - February 6, 1995)

1939-40 Bridgeport Springwoods (CSL)

1939-40 BRIDGEPORT SPRINGWOODS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, t-3rd place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, t-1st place
Lost in Round Robin 2nd Half Tie-breaker

Looking to improve on the last season, under new coach Eddie Reilly, the Springwoods dropped their first two games before winning five of the last six games to finish in third place in the first half. They played better in the second half of the season, finishing in a three-way tie for first. Sadly, they would lose in the round-robin tie-breaker and their season would end without the championship

Johnny Norko

Head Coach:

• Eddie Reilly  (March 26, 1886 - December 4, 1964) 

PLAYERS:

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

Torvie Holmes (March 19, 1914 - December 11, 1993)

Joe Hudak (May 10, 1916 - August 26, 1988)

Ernie Izzo (May 10, 1913 - June 9, 1989)

Slim Kurimsky (February 1, 1919 - October 8, 2006)

Frank Macey (December 21, 1914 - July 7, 2000)

Steve Nemergut (September 22, 1915 - June 22, 1996)

George Norko (January 20, 1916 - October 10, 2000)

Johnny Norko (April 16, 1916 - March 28, 2010)

Jule Olah (October 11, 1919 - October 29, 2008)

George Norko

1939-40 Connecticut State League (CSL)

Still a nine-team league in the CSL's second season, but only Bridgeport, Danbury and West Haven stayed on board. The New London Electric Boats, a popular touring team, joined the league, as did New Britain Cremos, the Hartford Super 5, the Stamford Holy Names and the Willimantic Aces. With the Endees dropping out, Meriden would be represented by the Silverworkers of Insilco. Once again, the season was split into two eight-game halves.  They would play two-halves with each team playing each other once in each half. Box scores and game results were still a little difficult to locate for a good portion of the games, so rosters may be incomplete.

The first half ended with Meriden and Stamford finishing tied atop the league with 6-2 records. A quick best-of-three series to determine the first half champion saw Meriden beat Stamford in two straight games.

The second half would also end in a tie, but this time, it was a three-team deadlock with New Britain, Bridgeport and Danbury (the defending champions.) A round-robin tie-breaker was scheduled, and it would take almost a month for New Britain to be the victors of the round robin. 

In the finals for the President's Cup, New Britain down Meriden, 42-41, in the opener of the best-of-five series. Meriden would roar back to win Games Two and Three to put New Britain on the ropes. However, backed by Glownia's 19 points, New Britain would even the series with a narrow 46-43 win leading to a deciding game in Meriden. New Britain would defeat the Silverworkers in Game 5, 53-47, to claim the President's Cup.

• Bridgeport Springwoods
• Danbury Guards
• Hartford Super 5 / Dovers
• Meriden Insilco Silverworkers
• New Britain Cremos
• New London Electric Boats
• Stamford Holy Names
• West Haven Hull Red Devils
• Willimantic Lounsbury Aces

1938-39 West Haven Red Devils (CSL)

1938-39 WEST HAVEN RED DEVILS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 8-0, 1.000, 1st place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, t-4th place

Championship: Lost to Danbury, 3-1

One of the more well-known independent teams in Connecticut, West Haven did exactly what was expected of them: they ran the table in the first half, with Freddie Ferrie leading the way. In the second half, though they ran into trouble and would split their games. Having won the first half title, they clashed with the Danbury Guards for the President's Cup, but would lose in the best-of-five series in four games.

Head Coach:

• Herky Rubenstein (October 16, 1902 - October 4, 1975)
  

PLAYERS:

Ernie Collins (January 17, 1916 - January 3, 2001)

Steve Collins (May 2, 1915 - September 30, 1990)

Freddie Ferrie (April 2, 1917 - April 14, 1995)

Dick Ferriter (October 21, 1916 - April 23, 1993)

Frank Iwanski (October 11, 1914 - October 29, 2003)

John McHugh 

Milt Northrop (June 14, 1912 - January 18, 2004)

Rocky Petrafessa (February 22, 1917 - February 6, 2003)

Herky Rubenstein (October 16, 1902 - October 4, 1975)

Joe Semenkovitch (July 15, 1917 - April 24, 1986)

Steve Collins

John McHugh

1938-39 Waterbury Ashleys (CSL)

1938-39 WATERBURY ASHLEYS / SPEEDBOYS

Paddy Damelio

CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-5th place
2nd Half: 0-7, .000, 9th place

Waterbury was represented by the Ashleys and despite poor offensive output, managed to split their first four games. At this point, however, the Ashleys were replaced with the West Side Speedboys, a local semi-pro club lead by Henny Carrington. Despite what was thought to be a boost to Waterbury's fortunes, the Speedboys would only win one league game, finishing the first half with a 3-5 record and then getting swept out in the second half, failing to win a single contest. Bobby Ray was the only Ashley who was kept on when the clubs changed personnel.

Head Coach:

• uncertain 2-2
• Henny Carrington (March 27, 1901 - December 21, 1980) 1-10 Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

Mike Baran (December 4, 1914 - February 18, 2002)

Sunny Bowler (July 31, 1913 - August 5, 1988)

Ralph Bradley (August 21, 1916 - March 19, 2007)

Henny Carrington (March 27, 1901 - December 21, 1980)

Paddy Damelio (February 21, 1914 - November 26, 1999)

John Grebauskas (September 23, 1911 - March 2, 1979)

Harry Grey  

Sid Himmelstein (September 29, 1914 - January 15, 1982)

John Grebauskas

Slugger Mannion (February 2, 1916 - June 26, 1990)

Charlie Paddock (April 28, 1915 - June 16, 1982)

Bobby Ray (August 28, 1918 - March 20, 1989)

Seeley 

Henry Slepski (August 19, 1913 - January 26, 1996)

Johnny Stollar (April 10, 1917 - June 6, 2003)

Freddie Sullivan (October 21, 1916 - January 22, 2013)

Wally Utke (August 11, 1914 - March 31, 1988)

Elton Wilmot (September 22, 1915 - April 18, 1997)

Charlie Paddock

Bobby Ray

Henry Slepski

1938-39 Torrington Full Fashions (CSL)

1938-39 TORRINGTON FULL FASHIONS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 2-6, .250, t-8th place
2nd Half: 2-5, .286, 8th place

Fay Baccei

Light on talent, Torrington made little impact in the league, only winning a couple of games in each half and finishing in 8th place. Twice the Full Fashions failed to score 30 points in a game.

Head Coach:

• Carl Bozenski (December 26, 1915 - October 13, 1986)

PLAYERS:

Fay Baccei  

Frank Beauty (June 4, 1913 - August 12, 2000)

Joe Boley (August 27, 1915 - January 1, 2000)

Hugh Cannon (March 14, 1914 - August 11, 1995)

Al Dankin (February 10, 1916 - February 4, 2008)

Frank Dranginis (March 24, 1916 - November 4, 1993)

Joe Joyce (March 19, 1915 - March 26, 2013)

Del Knox (December 27, 1913 - November 23, 2001)

Whip McLaughlin (August 17, 1917 - July 23, 2998)

Charlie Miller (August 14, 1915 - November 25, 1993)

Huddie Richard (October 16, 1916 - April 27, 2006)

Andy York (March 19, 1914 - March 10, 2002)

Frank Dranginis

Al Dankin

Del Knox

Joe Boley

Joe Joyce

1938-39 Naugatuck Keds (CSL)

1938-39 NAUGATUCK KEDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 2-6, .250, t-8th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place

Babe Sweeney

Sponsored by U.S. Rubber in Naugatuck and coached Heimie Rabinovich, an engineer with the company who was a star athlete in high school and college, Naugatuck struggled off the start, losing their first four and finishing the first half tied for the cellar. They would also lose their first four of the second half, too, not many any impact on the league chase.

Head Coach:

• Heimie Rabinovich* (May 11, 1908 - December 23, 2002)

PLAYERS:

John Balinski (September 22, 1917 - April 7, 1985)

Henry Cieslewski (November 4, 1908 - October 24, 1999)

Tom Edmonds (January 29, 1919 - October 2, 1970)

Ed Enamait (September 14, 1915 - February 28, 2003)

Bob Gair (April 13, 1910 - August 10, 1992)

Ziggy Korowotny (May 30, 1919 - February 5, 1999)

Henry Loman (December 27, 1916 - January 26, 2003)

Red Mariano (March 13, 1920 - May 9, 1994)

Butch Sterniak (August 11, 1916 - May 30, 2017)

Babe Sweeney (July 1, 1917 - September 9, 1979)

Cliff Swirski (July 1, 1914 - June 9, 2001)

Russ Weaving (March 7, 1917 - June 5, 1993)

* - later changed his name to Henry Robbins

Ed Enamait

Bob Gair

Ziggy Korowotny

Butch Sterniak

1938-39 Meriden Endees (CSL)

1938-39 MERIDEN ENDEES
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 5-3, .625, 3rd place
2nd Half: 5-3, .625, 3rd place

Ed Gormley

The Endees were a successful semi-pro team for a few years before becoming one of the CSL's inaugural teams. Coached by Jack Barton, they began the season winning only one of their first four games but win win the last four for a respectable 5-3 record. Hoping the success would continue into the second half, they won four of the first five to stay within striking range of first-place Danbury, but lost two critical games to Ansonia and the afore-mentioned Danbury to fall out of contention. Benny Zajac lead the team averaging 10.4 PPG.

Head Coach:

• Jack Barton (November 28, 1898 - May 15, 1951)

PLAYERS:

Joe Dudek (February 16, 1915 - January 7, 1998)

Frank Ferrucci (April 17, 1913 - March 1, 1996)

Pete Golanski (June 29, 1917 - November 25, 1980)

Ed Gormley (April 1, 1916 - September 29, 2006)

Teddy Janiga (July 1, 1915 - January 10, 2008)

Tony Pechuck (April 24, 1915 - March 1, 1991)

Red Sheehan (August 21, 1915 - July 26, 1950)

Lloyd Slavin (May 30, 1918 - August 12, 2006)

Walt Urban (June 27, 1915 - December 8, 1994)

Benny Zajac (December 9, 1916 - September 25, 2007)

Joe Dudek

Teddy "Red" Janiga

Tony Pechuck

Walt Urban

Benny Zajac

1938-39 Danbury Guards (CSL)

1938-39 DANBURY GUARDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 6-2, .750, 2nd place
2nd Half: 8-0, 1.000, 1st place
Championship: Defeated West Haven, 3-1

The Danbury Guards, coached by local dentist Dr. Edward T. Fischer, were the cream of the crop. After dropping their opener to a strong West Haven team by two points, the Guards won six of the remaining 7 but still finished second behind the undefeated West Haven quintet. In the second half, Danbury was perfect, winning all 8 games. They would play first-half champion West Haven in the championship series. Danbury would win the best-of-five series three games to one, with all four games being close, hard-fought battles.

Head Coach:

• Dr. Edward Fisher (September 27, 1904 - June 11, 1976)

PLAYERS:

Stan Wilson

Ken Ritchel

Jim Feeley (February 13, 1915 - May 3, 1984)

John Gillotte (May 6, 1916 - June 25, 1996)

Joe Malinowski (June 5, 1913 - August 27, 2010)

Jack McGuirk (November 8, 1915 - February 13, 1996)

Jim McNally (March 19, 1913 - May 11, 1979)

Doc Milvid (September 5, 1916 - May 10, 1990)

Tilly Montesi (July 23, 1916 - August 19, 1991)

Ken Ritchel (August 28, 1914 - October 1, 1988)

Dick Tuckey (September 29, 1913 - December 25, 1974)

Stan Wilson (September 6, 1917 - February 6, 1995)

Dick Tuckey

1938-39 Bristol West Ends (CSL)

1938-39 BRISTOL WEST ENDS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-5th place
2nd Half: 3-5, .375, t-6th place


After  winning three straight to start the first half, Bristol lost the last five. In the second half, the West Ends did drastic changes to their roster but the results were the same: 3-5.

Head Coach:

• Lawrence "Steg" Zetarski (August 15, 1906 - August 8, 1994)

PLAYERS:

Chuz Johnson

Ben Allaire (September 12, 1911 - March 1, 1980)

Ace D'Aprile (June 29, 1918 - April 2, 1994)

Pluggy DiGiovanni (September 17, 1914 - December 29, 1991)

Lindy Dobek (January 29, 1917 - February 23, 2015)

Henry Ferony (April 29, 1915 - September 13, 2002)

Albie Gurske (August 11, 1913 - October 31, 1997)

Chuz Johnson (February 24, 1919 - September 19, 2006)

Ed Kose (September 29, 1919 - July 12, 1997)

Tom Lincoln (July 19, 1912 - December 24, 1997)

Joe Maro (January 11, 1915 - May 4, 2001)

Alphonse Obuchowski (November 21, 1917 - May 16, 1994)

Henry Parsons (February 23, 1917 - April 29, 2010)

Jimmy Pickett (September 23, 1916 - October 17, 1984)

Putt Salmond (January 15, 1916 - March 13, 1994)

Zulu Zaino (November 21, 1917 - August 22, 2001)

Pluggy DiGiovani

Ace D'Aprile

1938-39 Bridgeport Springwoods (CSL)

1938-39 BRIDGEPORT SPRINGWOODS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1st Half: 4-4, .500, 4th place
2nd Half: 6-2, .750, 2nd place


Lead by Al Bike, who also pitched in the Cardinals' system, The Springwoods lost their first three games before finishing the first have with 4 wins in five games. In the second half, Bridgeport played much better. only dropping two games and finishing in second place behind the perfect Danbury Guards

Head Coach:

• Al Bike (December 20, 1913 - April 25, 2012) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Torvie Holmes

Al Bike (December 20, 1913 - April 25, 2012)

Torvie Holmes (March 19, 1914 - December 11, 1993)

Joe Hudak (May 10, 1916 - August 26, 1988)

Ernie Izzo (May 10, 1913 - June 9, 1989)

Slim Kurimsky (February 1, 1919 - October 8, 2006)

Frank Macey (December 21, 1914 - July 7, 2000)

Steve Nemergut (September 22, 1915 - June 22, 1996)

George Norko (January 20, 1916 - October 10, 2000)

Johnny Norko (April 16, 1916 - March 28, 2010)

Johnny Onderko (July 12, 1913 - February 28, 2000)

1938-39 Ansonia Blue Devils (CSL)

1938-39 ANSONIA BLUE DEVILS
CONNECTICUT STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE 
1st Half: 3-5, .375, t-5th place
2nd Half: 4-4, .500, t-4th place

The Ansonia Blue Devils had been a successful semi-pro outfit in the Valley League, winning four titles in the early and mid 1930's. They won two of their first three with the only loss being to the West Haven powerhouse. However, despite the scoring prowess of Harry Kelley, who was near the top of the scoring leaders, they stumbled through the rest of the half and finished 3-5. They dropped the first three games of the second half before catching a hot streak and won 4 of five to finish the half at 4-4.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Carl Valentine

Larry Fair (February 19, 1912 - December 20, 1991)

Harry Kelley (December 15, 1905 - February 14, 1974)

John Musante (June 3, 1912 - February 7, 1990)

Rosenberg 

Charlie Sepkaski (March 4, 1911 - March 26, 1995)

Ed Skibo (April 19, 1918 - October 7, 1987)

Herb Stocking (February 27, 1913 - March 11, 1994)

Carl Valentine (March 6, 1914 - October 4, 1996)

Skip Woerner (February 22, 1912 - March 18, 2000)

1938-39 Connecticut State League (CSL)

(Sorry to be jumping around again. I hadn't planned on looking into another pre-war play-for-pay circuit, but I hadn't thought that the Eastern League of Connecticut that played in the late 40's and early 50's was actually a renamed and reorganized version of the Connecticut State League that started in 1938 and lasted until World War 2 made it non-viable. So I am backing up a bit to cover it. I will probably to the same with the New York State League at some point, since that was the same situation with the war interrupting business.)

The nine-team Connecticut League kicked off in November of 1938 with nine teams. They would play two-halves with each team playing each other once in each half. At the conclusion, the winner of each half would play for the league's championship trophy. Box scores and game results are hard to come by as of writing, so rosters may be incomplete.

West Haven swept through the first half, winning all eight games. The Danbury Guards would run the table in the second half and then defeat West Haven in the best-of-five championship.

• Ansonia Blue Devils
• Bridgeport Springwoods
• Bristol West Ends
• Danbury Guards
• Meriden Endees
• Naugatuck Keds
• Torrington Full Fashions
• Waterbury Ashleys
• West Haven Hull Red Devils

New updates, identifications, corrections, October 2024

Taking some time and looking back to fill in some holes or close some things out.

DETAILS ADDED:

Bill Bondanza, NYSL - Died March 4, 2021

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Vic Hanson, ABL, EBL-Ct, NYSL

CORRECTED:

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

1953-54 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1953-54 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
20-10, .667, 2nd place
Semi-finals: Defeated Hazleton, 2-1
Finals: Defeated Lancaster, 2-1

Williamsport was ready to defend their title but dropped their first two games and after 13 games there record sat at 6-7. That is when the Billies, now back under coach Hod Springman, added George Feigenbaum and Roy Belliveau and the team fortunes shifted. They won 12 of 13 (with two forfeit wins courtesy of the failed Lebanon franchise) and found themselves on the doorstep of the Sunbury Mercuries. They split their remaining 4 games and fell a single game short of first place. In the President's Cup, they fought they way past Hazleton to face Lancaster in the finals. After winning Game 1 by a score of 99-89, the Billies got pounded at Lancaster by 34 points. In the deciding Game 3, the Billies routed Lancaster, 110-87, to win their second cup in as many seasons and third in team history.

Head Coach:

• Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981) 5-5 Also played. See below
• Hod Springman (August 10, 1915 - August 13, 1996) 15-5 

PLAYERS:

Roy Belliveau (b. April 12, 1929)

Billy Chanecka (April 21, 1924 - January 27, 2010)

Chick Craig (July 23, 1922 - June 21, 2008)

Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981)

Jack Crossin (June 7, 1927 - December 6, 2005)

George Everett (November 3, 1928 - May 7, 1981)

George Feigenbaum (July 3, 1928 - December 25, 2000)

Ed Kassler (July 21, 1923 - March 7, 2011)

Tony Kazokas (October 9, 1930 - April 7, 2021)

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

Jack Leighton (January 25, 1928 - August 2, 1996)

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

Bob Smith (October 8, 1930 - April 19, 2018)

Don Strassner (November 14, 1927 - June 29, 2010)

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

1953-54 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1953-54 SUNBURY MERCURIES

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
21-9, 700, 1st place
Semi-finals: Lost to Lancaster, 2-0

Once again, Sunbury was the team to beat in the regular season. And once again, they exiting in the tournament for the President's Cup. The Mercuries won 12 of their first 14 and 19 of 24 (including to forfeit wins) behind stars like Bells Colone and Jack McCloskey. However, the Mercuries would limp to the finish line, losing four of 6 including their last two. They couldn't regroup when it came time for the playoffs and were swept out by Lancaster.

Head Coach:

• Stan Novak (April 10, 1923 - October 21, 2006)  Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Andy Maddox

Dick Adair (October 14, 1927 - July 10, 2011)

Bells Colone (January 23, 1924 - July 1, 2009)

Hank Dudek (September 11, 1925 - September 14, 2015)

Dave Fox  (May 24, 1926 - May 9, 1984)

Norm Grekin (June 22, 1930 - September 29, 1981)

Al Guokas (August 7, 1925 - August 2, 1990)

Ed Jones (July 8, 1928 - April 28, 2020)

Dick Koecher (March 30, 1926 - February 4, 2020)

Andy Maddox (November 20, 1933 - August 27, 2006)

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

Cecil Mosenson (December 11, 1929 - September 6, 2020)

Stan Novak (April 10, 1923 - October 21, 2006)

Jack Ramsay (February 21, 1925 - April 28, 2014)

Jerry Rullo (June 23, 1922 - October 21, 2016)

1953-54 Lebanon / Pottsville Seltzer Bologna (EPBL)

Norm Grekin

1953-54 LEBANON / POTTSVILLE SELTZER BOLOGNA

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA

4-26*, .133, 6th place

* forfeit last ten games

The Seltzer Bologna team struggled last season, and this year would be no different. The team moved to Pottsville to start the season, now playing under veteran coach Cy Kaselman. The Seltzers played it pretty close with their opponents in the first 8 games, winning 3 and only once losing by over ten points. But that us when the wheels fell off.  They dropped six straight games, ending this skid with a triple-overtime win over Lancaster. That was the last good day for the club. At this point, the franchise  moved back to Lebanon for their home games, where they played last season. They dropped another 5 games before folding, forfeiting their last ten games. Norm Grekin lead the team with 225 points (15.0 ppg)

Head Coach:

• Cy Kaselman (May 1, 1909 - July 3, 1971) 4-15
• H. Jack Seltzer (August 12, 1922 - February 28, 2011) 0-1

PLAYERS:

John Brunner

Ed Altieri  (June 2, 1930 - February 27, 2019)

Floyd Becker (February 7, 1922 - March 7, 2008)

Nelson Bobb (February 25, 1924 - December 8, 2003)

Ed Brunner (February 26, 1929 - December 9, 1990)

John Brunner (b. October 10, 1927)

Bill Dougherty  

Bob Gainey (June 29, 1932 - June 9, 2004)

Cal Gardner (December 25, 1926 - December 27, 2016)

Bob Gearhart (May 19, 1932 - December 10, 2020)

Norm Grekin (June 22, 1930 - September 29, 1981)

Leon Miller

Claude Gross (December 19, 1934 - February 17, 2017)

Karl Kauterman (January 4, 1932 - January 15, 1994)

Eddie Krause (October 26, 1926 - March 25, 2011)

Leon Miller (November 23, 1931 - June 14, 2015)

Cecil Mosenson (December 11, 1929 - September 6, 2020)

Jim Phelan (March 19, 1929 - June 16, 2021)

Don Smith (b. January 12, 1927)

Jim Sottile (March 22, 1930 - June 23, 2019)

Ed Wagner (July 5, 1929 - September 7, 2002)

Bob Gearhart

1953-54 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1953-54 LANCASTER ROCKETS

Brooks Ricca

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
15-15 .500, t-3rd place
Semi-finals: Defeated Sunbury, 2-0

Finals: Lost to Williamsport, 2-1

The Rockets played pretty mediocre basketball over the first couple months, going 5-10 before reversing their record to win 10 of their last 15. (Three of those wins were by was of forfeited game from Lebanon). Player / coach Eddie Lyons scored 486 points in 25 games. 

Lancaster surprised Sunbury in the playoffs, knocking them out in two games. They would meet Williamsport on the finals, but after splitting the first two games, they got drubbed 110-87 in the deciding game

 

Bob Gainey

Head Coaches:

• Ed Lyons (July 1, 1926 - October 28, 2011) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bart "Jabbo" Adams  

Pete Carill (July 10, 1930 - August 15, 2022)

Bob Gainey (June 29, 1932 - June 9, 2004)

Sammy Glassmire (July 26, 1930 - July 7, 1994)

Herm Hedderick (January 10, 1930 - August 20, 2014)

Walt Hirsch (July 15, 1929 - May 10, 2022)

Eddie Krause (October 26, 1926 - March 25, 2011)

John Russell

Walt Lenz (August 21, 1931 - March 28, 2010)

Ed Lyons (July 1, 1926 - October 28, 2011)

Snitz Osherow (January 1, 1925 - January 20, 1995)

Paul Reibold (November 24, 1930 - March 30, 2019)

Brooks Ricca (April 22, 1827 - January 28, 2000)

John Russell (March 18, 1930 - September 4, 2020)

Milt Ticco (September 22, 1922 - January 26, 2002)

Herm Hedderick

Sammy Glassmire