1948-49 Reading / Allentown Keys (EPBL)

1948-49 READING / ALLENTOWN KEYS

Jeb Stewart

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
18-12, .600, T-1st place

Tie-breaker: Defeated Harrisburg, 68-66

Tie-breaker: Lost to Williamsport, 100-77

Semi-finals: Lost to Harrisburg, 2-1

Owned and coached by local businessman Arlie Robitzer, Reading got off to a hot start, winning six of their first eight. Attendance, however, lagged a bit and the club was moved to Allentown during the week of Christmas. Their attendance and support in Allentown never really took hold, and the team returned to Reading at the end of January. 

The Keys struggled after returning to Reading, and on February 16 fell to 11-11. The team had made a few roster changes, adding Doug Holcomb and Jim Joyce, and they helped the team take off. They would win 6 of 7 plus a forfeit victory over Lancaster to finish in a three--way tie for first place. They failed to win the playoff for the regular season title, and would then lose to Harrisburg in the playoffs, ending their season.

Jim Joyce

Head Coach:

• Arlie Robitzer (April 23, 1915 - April 20, 1988)

PLAYERS:

Oscar Baldwin (January 7, 1925 - October 31, 2005)

Dewey Boltz (May 18, 1920 - September 18, 2015)

Norm Butz (September 28, 1919 - March 21, 1999)

George Dracha (August 18, 1921 - April 6, 1995)

Russ Guensch (January 12, 1924 - June 14, 2014)

Doug Holcomb (February 9, 1921 - February 3, 2008)

Kenny Hopkins (November 2, 1919 - June 12, 2015)

Jim Joyce (October 23, 1924 - October 24, 2006)

Joe Lord (December 28, 1922 - December 1986)

Paul Marcincin (June 22, 1921 - October 26, 2009)

Don Markward (April 2, 1919 - June 14, 1985)

Jeb Stewart (November 15, 1924 - January 10, 1993)

Herm Wickel 

Pete Yousaitis (September 10, 1917 - December 23, 1995)