Monday, October 28, 2024

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)




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