Thursday, February 22, 2024

1947-48 Reading Keys (EPBL)

1947-48 READING KEYS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
19-9 .679, 2nd place

Lost to Pottsville in one-game playoff for regular-season championship
Semi-finals: Defeated Lancaster, 2-1
Finals: Defeated Hazleton, 2-1

With very little resemblance to last years bluc, including a new coach in Stan Schwiemler, the improved Reading Keys added talented players like Russ Guensch and Joe Lord, complemented by Dewey Boltz and Billy Budd. They would possession of first place in late December and  held it through January. Entering the final month of the season, they would win 8 of their final 11 but that was still not enough to keep Pottsville from catching them in the final days of the season.

Wrapping up the season with a 19-9 record that was identical to the Packers, the two teams would meet in a one-game playoff to determine the regular season champions. Played in neutral Hazleton, Reading would fall to Pottsville, 60-57. 

Three days later, the Eastern League semi-finals began, with Reading stunned by a ten-point defeat at Lancaster in the series opener. The club rallied to beat Lancaster in the next two games on their home court to salt away the series victory. Facing Hazleton in the finals, Reading once again stumbled on the series opener on the road 61-53. However, just like the semis, the Keys bounced back to win the next two games at home to claim the Eastern League championship, two games to one.


Head Coach:
  • Stan Schweimler (October 15, 1897 - March 6 , 1974)
PLAYERS:

Dewey Boltz (May 18, 1920 - September 18, 2015)
Bill Budd (January 24, 1921 - July 31, 2016)
Jimmy Bunn (September 2, 1923 - January 22, 2009)
Norm Butz (September 28, 1919 - March 21, 1999)
George Dracha (August 18, 1921 - April 6, 1995)
Johnny Dracha (July 20, 1927 - January 13, 2008)
George Dries (June 9, 1926 - August 1, 1991)
Russ Guensch (January 12, 1924 - June 14, 2014)
Kenny Hopkins (November 2, 1919 - June 12, 2015)
Joe Lord (December 28, 1922 - December 1986)
Jack McGaffney (April 1, 1924 - February 3, 2020)
Chin Rhoads (September 11, 1918 - April 1, 2007)
Bob Rothenberger (May 4, 1918 - April 2, 1994)
Woozy Smith (January 13, 1915 - June 3, 1971)

No comments:

Post a Comment