Bob Murphy (SPBL, AAU) Identified

 Identified as Robert Thomas Murphy, star athlete from Redwood City, California.

Bob Murphy (1928-2013)

Sterling Scott (SPBL) Identified

 

Southern league player Sterling Scott identified as Sterling Charles Scott, Valparaiso player from 1946.

Sterling Scott (1920-2008)

1950-51 Eastern Basketball League - Connecticut - Revisit

 Additions

Bristol

Foster is Joe "Chuck" Foster

Joyce is corrected to Mike Joyce

Hartford:

Added Johnny Barker

Manchester

Joyce corrected to Mike Joyce

Identified John Letvinchuk

Head coach corrected to John Falkowski

Meriden

Identified John Gaffney, Ed DiPersio

Torrington

Added Andy Hricko

Schick is Al Shiels

Identified Tom Gibbons

Wallingford

Added Joe "Chuck" Foster

Identified Frank O'Shea, Joe Di Stanislo, Milt Woolman

Added Frosty Frauham as coach

1949-50 Eastern Basketball League - Connecticut - Revisit

Some additions:

Bristol:

Raff is Bob Rafianello

Rosen is Norm Rosen

Danbury:

Added Ace Lengyel, Billy Smith, Sal Bafuma, Ed or John Ochman

Manchester:

Added Tommy Mason, Moe Felis, Norm Burke

Removed Bob Stefanowski (May 24, 1930 - November 27, 2022) (did not play in league game) and Bruce Gehrke

Meriden:

Added Jim Teagle, Connie Zimmer, Bob Jankowski, Bruce Gehrke

Middleton:

Added Larry Lohneiss, Bob Shea, John Seagrust, Sal Bafuma

New Britain:

Added Kelly Brofman, Jacovsky, Al Vieira, Pete Labanowski

Torrington:

Hawron is Jim Hanrahan

Added Adda Krulicki, Sam Ponzi, Frank Samele, Rosenko, Ed Krulicki, Luke Sapan

Wallingford

Added Wee Dinnie, Joe Stepanski, Weiss

Identified Allen Friedman and Nat Miller

Waterbury:

Added McGrath, Tom Gallagher, Pete Labanowski, Barnett, Ed Whalen, John Dolan, Cory, Emil Mele, Norm Brucker

Ed Anderson Identified

The 6'6 Ed Anderson was quite a mystery. All I really knew was his height and race and that he went to Long Island University.  I stumbled across an article recently that mentioned his hometown was Ansonia, Connecticut. I quick search of military draft records yielded one Edward Anderson from Ansonia who was the correct race and 6'4 at the age of 18. It must be the right guy.

Another ABL and New York Rens player identified.

Ed Anderson (1925-2007) 

Jack Speirs

John Jamieson Speirs, Jr 

Born:
June 28, 1925
New London, CT

Died:
July 8, 2002
New Lime, CT


Career
1939-40 Old Lyme High School - Connecticut (High School)

1940-41 Old Lyme High School - Connecticut (High School)

1941-42 Old Lyme High School - Connecticut (High School)

University of Connecticut (College) ???

1948-49 Middletown Guards (EBL-Ct)

1949-50 Middletown Guards (EBL-Ct)

Source:


Stats:

Tony Sisti Identified

A recent search for Sisti turned up his fraternity records that also mention Seton Hall and Semi-Pro basketball. It also mentioned he was a member of the harness racing hall of fame which then made it easy for him to be found.

Tony Sisti (1925-2005)

1948-49 Eastern Basketball League - Connecticut - Revisit

Some additions:

Bridgeport:

Added Julie Pereiro

ID'd Tony Rodrigues

Bristol:

Added Walt Kresge, Buzz Barton, Payne, Bob Rafaniello

Removed Ray Dombroski

ID'd Paul Nicoletti, Fred Rosi

Corrected Tom Markham's ID and merged with Tom Henry

Danbury:

Added Johnny Barron, Bruce Gehrke, Bob Gersten, Little John Wilson, Gaynor, Johnny Mills

Manchester:

Added Bob Ermisch, Johnny Gorman

Corrected Lloyd Wilson to Floyd Wilson, John Hazen to Bob Hazen

Middleton:

Added Tody Coleman, Iggy Kania

ID'd Jack Speir

New Haven:

Added John McHugh, Mickiewitz, Peterson, Ronnie and Wally Camp

Torrington:

Added Joe Deutsch, Jinx Oneglia, Brpnc Callahan, Burns, Leo Gottlieb

ID'd Clayton "Slim" Garrett

Coach corrected to Andy Pavlicovic

Wallingford

Added Ken Joost, Albert Vieira

Identified Al Skiff as pseudonym for Danny Finn

Added coaches Joseph Hugret and Fred Ferrie

1947-48 Eastern Basketball League - Connecticut - Revisit

Some additions:

Bridgeport Springwoods:

Added Bobby Lynch

Bristol:

Added George Ferrie, George Milhaven

Danbury:

Added Hasbell, Johnny Mills, Frank Reilly, Howie Sarath, Phil Wrona, Earl Yost

Identified Billy Smith

Naugatuck:

Added John Blazic, Henry Loman, Gene Czaplicki, Walter Yackowski, Krause, Frank Wojack

Identified Lefty Farrar, Ziggy Korowotny, Orky Garlinky

New Haven:

Added Wehr

Stamford:

Added Mike Arce, Julie Markiewicz, Lou Stowe

Torrington:

Added Joe Deutsch, Pat Riera, Ray Zucco, Jinx Oneglia, Eddie Sullivan, Chet Jaworski

ID'd Lloyd Miller, Gene Hayes, Art Jasmin

Wallingford:

Added Jack Curry, Bullet Jackson,  Jack O'Brien, Wheaties Perreault, Joe Wolcheski

Identified Harry Judenfriend

1946-47 Eastern Basketball League - Connecticut - Revisit

 

Found a few more box scores and articles for the 1946-47 Eastern League of Connecticut. Going to make the notes over the next few days

Some additions:

Bridgeport Lenox: 

Added Chet Gladchuk

Bridgeport Springwoods:

Added Gavlick, Joe Vancisin, Walt Yaskot

Bristol Tramps:

Added Hank Gerhardt, Joe Joyce, Billy Kalosky, Eddie Kobles, Joe Masi, George Redman, Tony Rinaldi, John Utke, Wally Utke.

Identified "Miller" as Robert Gordon Miller

Naugatuck:

Added Ed Mariano, Joe Bannon, Adams, Ralph Damiano, Bill Dunn, Jack Dunn, Frank Furs, John Galeski, Moran, Eddie O'Connor, Chet Wojack

Corrected "Hank Swinsky" to "Julius J. 'Hank' Swrisky"

New Britain:

Hayes identified as Gene Hayes

Removed Jackie Cusick, Nat Gordon, Sidney Starr

Assumed Nueswanger and Meuchanter to be the same player

Stamford:

Added Albert Calotto, Bernie Clay, Jack Cronin, Vito Devito, Phil Iasillo, John Nellie, Yosh

Kowles identified as Nick Koules

Torrington:

Merged Ray Foley with Ray Zucco.

Wallingford

Added Austin and Johnny Norton and Rocky Petrafessa, removed Will LaCroix, Pat Mazzarella, Rebenstein, Fred Norton and Harry Junderford

Identified Joe Kubeck, corrected coaches to Lester LaCroix and Johnny Riccitelli (who filled in as coach for two days while LaCroix was out)

1947-48 Worcester Table Talks (NEBL)

1946-47 WORCESTER TABLE TALKS

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-2, .500, t-2nd place

Stocked with staples from the Worcester basketball scene, the Table Tops scored 118 and 102 points in their two victories before the league folded, but only mustered 51 and 72 in their losses. Jack Bornheimer averaged 26 points per game while Bill Downey averaged 22.3 in three contests, including 41 on December 7, 1947, against Bridgeport.

To make matters worse, the team's locker room was looted during the game in Fitchburg on the evening of December 14.

Head Coach:

• Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988) Also played. See below. 

PLAYERS:

Jack Bornheimer (November 25, 1921 - July 2, 1989)

Buck Desorcy (December 17, 1916 - March 16, 1972)

Bill Downey (November 11, 1923 - September 5, 2015)

Mort Hill (October 24, 1922 - October 6, 1977)

Ray Manarel (July 13, 1915 - April 9, 2002)

Frank Seybolt (August 8, 1917 - March 12, 2000)

Lou Shopes (March 31, 1919 - December 18, 2015)

Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988)

Nick Zogas (April 12, 1918 - May 25, 2000)

1947-48 Hartford Pros (NEBL)

1947-48 HARTFORD PROS

Jim Hanrahan

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1-0, 1.000, 1st place

The league folded after the Pros won their first game of the season. When the Elizabeth Braves of the American League folded around the same time, the Pros took their slot in the ABL and finished the season as the Hartford Hurricanes. 

Head Coach:

• Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bob Blinn (April 9, 1926 - January 11, 1990)

Verne Cox (January 2, 1920 - September 7, 1991)

Jim Hanrahan (September 14, 1923 - May 31, 2006)

Arnold Jones (b. March 2, 1921)

Paul Klapprodt (July 10, 1923 - April 21, 2011)

Al Nichols (February 20, 1924 - December 13, 2004)
Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994)
Bob Sherman (January 12, 1920 - December 23, 2016)

Bill Wade (January 31, 1927 - August 30, 1991)

Bill Wade

Verne Cox

1947-48 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)

1947-48 FITCHBURG PAMCO's

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-2, .500, t-2nd place

The popular Fitchburg team had its last gasp, and with the fortunes of NEBL so went the PAMCO's

Head Coach:

• Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984) 
  

PLAYERS:

Red Allen

Red Allen (b. 1922)

Bruce Benner (August 2, 1922 - May 20, 1978)

Jackie Curran 

Red Dehnert (January 24, 1924 - September 23, 1994)

Harry Johnson 

Mutt Johnson (June 9, 1910 - February 18, 1991)

Leo Kane (November 16, 1918 - February 10, 2003)

Ronnie Lyons (January 5, 1923 - January 20, 1985)

Francis Quinlan (January 17, 1921 - April 19, 1971)

Bill Ryan 

Jim Sherry (January 7, 1921 - January 19, 2006)

Bruce Benner

1947-48 Bridgeport Brass Bears (NEBL)

1947-48 BRIDGEPORT BRASS BEARS

Morris Felis

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
2-3, .400, 4th place

Len Cocco lead the team with 72 points in four games.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Lenny Cocco (September 10, 1924 - June 14, 2008)

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

Morris Felis 

George Pastushok (July 13, 1922 - December 12, 2003)

Tony Santone (May 30, 1919 - November 15, 1986)

Irish Sheehy (December 26, 1915 - June 19, 1985)

Hank Tonges (December 19, 1927 - October 14, 1990)

Walter "Ham" Wilson 

Big John Wilson 

Hank Tonges

1947-48 New England Basketball League (NEBL)

What was once a promising minor basketball league with decent talent, the New England Basketball League found itself hastily falling apart by its third season. Robert Zaiman (1921-2016) of Hartford was named the league president, and he fully intended to go with a six team league. As late as Thanksgiving, a league schedule was released with 5 teams signed up and space for a sixth team. Faced with being a five-team league, New Haven would drop out before the season even began so the league would go with  merely four team. The season commenced on December 5, 1947 but only played seven games before suspending operation on December 15, 1947

• Bridgeport Brass Bears
• Fitchburg PAMCO's
• Hartford Pros
• Worcester Table Talks
• New Haven - dropped before season began

1946-47 Worcester Irish-Americans (NEBL)

1946-47 WORCESTER IRISH-AMERICANS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
11-13, .458, 4th place

Round Robin: 4-6, 4th place

Located in Clinton last year, the team moved to Worcester. They played some home games in Marlboro, Massachusetts, as the Bears. They never could muster together a decent winning streak and finished in 4th place. They would be eliminated from the Cup during the Round-Robin tournament.

Head Coach:

• Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993) Also played. See below. 11-12
• Bill Kasper (April 8, 1902 - December 2, 1986) Also played. See below. 0-1

PLAYERS:

Bill Bornheimer (November 25, 1921 - Jul

Dean Hennessy

y 2, 1989)

Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993)

George Burditt (September 21, 1922 - March 12, 2013)

George Delmarek 

Buck Desorcy (December 17, 1916 - March 16, 1972)

Paul Dolan (July 11, 1923 - September 3, 2000)

Bill Downey (November 11, 1923 - September 5, 2015)

Dean Hennessy (June 13, 1923 - March 16, 2011)

Mort Hill (October 24, 1922 - October 6, 1977)

Vince Hurley (October 27, 1924 - June 8, 2008)

Jim Jeffrey (July 24, 1908 - May 13, 1987)

Arnold Jones (b. March 2, 1921)

Bill Kalbaugh (September 16, 1921 - September 14, 2013)

Bill Kasper (April 8, 1902 - December 2, 1986)

Ed Krause (February 2, 1913 - December 11, 1992)

John Malawka (April 20, 1921 - July 15, 2001)

Ray Manarel (July 13, 1915 - April 9, 2002)

Jim Martin  

McCarthy  

Dick Redding (July 23, 1918 - August 27, 2004)

Ed  Rothschild (November 6, 1921 - July 31, 2011)

Frank Seybolt (August 8, 1917 - March 12, 2000)

Lou Shopes (March 31, 1919 - December 18, 2015)

Ed Steitz (November 7, 1920 - May 21, 1990)

Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988)

Frank Taylor (June 8, 1919 - February 13, 1985)

Whitney  

Ed Rothschild

George Burditt

Bill Kalbaugh

Ray Manarel

Lou Shopes

Dick Redding

Bill Kasper

1946-47 Salem / Lynn Pros (NEBL)

1946-47 SALEM  / LYNN PROS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
4-17, .190, 5th place

Salem had a decent enough start, winning 4 of their first seven, but their 58-53 victory of Hartford on December 15, 1946, was their last victory. The team hit the skids and lost their next 8 games, culminating in a 60-point loss to the aforementioned Hartford club. The 116-56 loss was partially as a result of the one of the team's vehicles being detained by the police for suspicion of armed robbery on their way to the game. The team moved to Lynn the next day, but still kept losing, finishing on a 14-game losing streak.

Head Coach:

• Teddy Wollerscheid (January 15, 1918 - February 25, 2000) 4-11
• Edward "Nipper" Clancy (December 2, 1916 -  June 6, 1977) 0-5
• Lou Falkoff (April 2, 1920 - October 10, 1990) 0-1

PLAYERS:

Sam Alper (January 22, 1922 - February 24, 1992)

Art Barresi (August 12, 1924 - January 16, 2000)

Dick Benirowski (September 2, 1922 - March 21, 2023)

Tom Birmingham (November 4, 1923 - August 26, 2006)

Hank Brenner (November 23, 1918 - July 2, 2012)

Lyle Bullard (December 16, 1916 - September 6, 1970)

Herb Chandler (February 11, 1923 - January 2, 1992)

Russ Gaudet (August 19, 1911 - February 17, 1994)

Pete Heraty (May 27, 1923 - October 16, 1999)

Fred Katin (May 12, 1924 - March 3, 2011)

Soph Kritikos (November 25, 1919 - April 25, 2014)

Norman Landry (June 20, 1921 - July 25, 1984)

Hetchy Lipson (October 15, 1920 - February 2, 1988)

Rocky Mitchell (May 29, 1919 - May 18, 2006)

Wank Nagle (July 1, 1924 - August 15, 2014)

Horace Raimo (January 12, 1919 - February 4, 1998)

Mertie Rice (September 29, 1913 - June 4, 1970)

Abe Russell (February 16, 1920 - December 22, 1995)

Walter Sears (December 31, 1919 - July 11, 1992)

Frank Seybolt (August 8, 1917 - March 12, 2000)

Cos Sfikas (May 30, 1925 - December 5, 2023)

Turk Sullivan (December 5, 1917 - February 21, 1988)

Mertie Rice

Fred Katin

1946-47 Nashua / New Britain Newfields (NEBL)

1946-47 NASHUA / NEW BRITAIN NEWFIELDS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
11-10, .524, 3rd place
Round Robin: 8-3, 1st place

Starting the season in Nashua, they would drop their first four and quickly got intoi trouble with attendance and a decent home curt. The franchise was scrapped and relocated to New Britain on December 20, 1946. The benefits of a new squad was felt immediately, winning 9 of ten games and climbing back into the race.  The stumbled a bit, losing 5 of 7 to finish the regular season in third place. But the round-robin playoffs saw the Newfields shine. They would win their first 6 round robin matchups and claimed the President's Cup.

Head Coach:

• 
  

PLAYERS:

Walt Alesevich (October 7, 1925 - October 3, 2001)

Walt Alesevich

Johnny Barron (May 15, 1920 - November 28, 2017)

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

Jackie Bowden (September 7, 1917 - October 4, 1995)

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

Johnny Dobrutsky (January 27, 1922 - March 1, 1996)

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

Flaherty 

Art Franks (May 14, 1917 - March 15, 2005)

Ernie Gomez (June 16, 1924 - June 19, 1963)

Guido 

Red Harding (June 6, 1921 - May 26, 1998)

Tom Hines  

Mickey Homa (October 16, 1923 - April 9, 2014)

Johnny Isaacs (September 15, 1915 - January 26, 2009)

Bobby Lynch (October 21, 1916 - March 13, 1982)

Al Mansi (July 14, 1921 - January 3, 2013)

Pat Mazzarella (June 18, 1923 - July 19, 1989)

Ross Merrick (July 20, 1922 - January 24, 2004)

Joe Oslai (January 27, 1923 - March 10, 1976)

Owen 

George Petrovick (August 23, 1921 - February 10, 2016)

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

Jackie Bowden

Steve Roberts 

Fred Rodia (August 13, 1922 - January 23, 2004)

Steve Salata (August 25, 1923 - June 5, 2012)

Vic Swaller (September 13, 1922 - June 19, 2013)

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

Lenny Wentworth (May 29, 1922 - August 5, 2021)

Jimmy (or Don) Wilson

George Petrovick

New updates, identifications, corrections, July 2025

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

DETAILS ADDED:

Jake Bornheimer, BAA, NBA, NYSL, NEBL - Added middle name

Bill Downey, BAA - Added middle name, places of birth and death

PROPERLY IDENTIFIED:

Leerah, NPBL - Thanks to a reader tip, this player was identified as Gene Kurash who was the KC coach at the time and was pressed into duty.

CORRECTED:

NEW LEADS UNRESOLVED:

1946-47 Manchester Giants / British-Americans (NEBL)

Ziggy Strzelecki

1946-47 MANCHESTER GIANTS / BRITISH-AMERICANS

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1-2, .333, withdrew

After three games, the Manchester club withdrew on December 17, 1946.

Head Coach:

• Steve Fallon (March 20, 1918 - January 25, 2003) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Don Bennett 

Leo Connerton (May 18, 1912 - March 1985)

Jerry Donovan 

Ed Dunn 

Leo Connerton

Don Ellison 

Steve Fallon (March 20, 1918 - January 25, 2003)

Whitey Klevas (December 9, 1915 - November 6, 1980)

McLaughlin  

Frank Seybolt (August 8, 1917 - March 12, 2000)

Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988)

Dan Sullivan (July 15, 1918 - April 20, 1969)

1946-47 Hartford Pros (NEBL)

1946-47 HARTFORD PROS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
19-8, .704, 2nd place
Round Robin: 5-7, 3rd place

With their eyes fixed on the title, the Hartford Pros came in with a strong lineup under returning coach Jack O'Brien. They would win their first 5 games and ten of their first 13. The Pros and PAMCO's were battling it out for first place all season with no other true contenders, but three road losses in the last month gave the Pros a second-place finish, one mere game behind the frontrunning Fitchburg team.

Heading into the round robin tournament, Hartford dropped their first four games; two to Fitchburg and two to New Britain. They would recover to win their next four but dropped three of the last four to be eliminated from the tournament. Bob Hubbard would average 16.7 points per game, supported by Paul Klapprodt and Verne Cox, who averaged 15.8 and 13.7 PPG, respectively.

Head Coach:

• Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Frank Bores (October 15, 1920 - January 7, 1982)

Bob Cady (July 6, 1918 - February 28, 1993)

Verne Cox (January 2, 1920 - September 7, 1991)

Wee Dinnie (March 17, 1923 - March 13, 2015)

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

Bob Hubbard (December 27, 1922 - August 27, 2011)

Paul Klapprodt (July 10, 1923 - April 21, 2011)

Dick Kowaleski (October 2, 1920 - September 12, 1988)

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

Pat Mazzarella (June 18, 1923 - July 19, 1989)

Jack O'Brien (July 25, 1916 - June 18, 1994)

George Pajak (August12, 1916 - June 26, 2011)

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

Chick Sposito (February 23, 1925 - May 9, 1994

Chet Zabek (August 4, 1917 - August 30, 1973)

Bob Cady

Bob Hubbard

George Pajak

Pat Mazzarella

Verne Cox

Al Howard

Paul Klapprodt

Chet Zabek

Dick Kowaleski

1946-47 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)

1946-47 FITCHBURG PAMCO's
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
19-6, .760, 1st place
Round Robin: 5-6, 2nd place

Lou Pick

The defending champions of the league, the Fitchburg PAMCO's jumped out to an 8-1 start on the way to a 19-6 record and a first place finish. High scorers on Lou Pick's team were Bob Kitterman (15.1 ppg), Mutt Johnson (12.5) and Sam Lieberman (11.2). When it came to the round robin tournament for the President's Cup, the PAMCO's won 3 of their first 4 before slumping and dropping 5 of seven games, eliminating them from a repeat crown.

Head Coach:

• Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984) Also played. See below
  

PLAYERS:

Red Allen (b. 1922)

Vin Aromandi (July 18, 1921 - September 26, 1991)

Stu Bicknell (March 1, 1920 - November 11, 2013)

Jack Daurton  

Jack Foches 

Ken Haggerty (January 31, 1924 - April 3, 2009)

Dick Irvin (Wright??)

Mutt Johnson (June 9, 1910 - February 18, 1991)

Leo Kane (November 16, 1918 - February 10, 2003)

Bob Kitterman (April 2, 1923 - November 14, 2000)

Johnny Lee (November 11, 1919 - October 22, 2005)

Sam Lieberman (September 20, 1921 - September 5, 1993)

Bill Mackie (December 20, 1914 - January 13, 2016)

Frank Mangiapane (August 5, 1925 - July 31, 2005)

Bob Masterson (January 17, 1925 - January 7, 2024)

Dick Olds (Young)  

Jack Oves 

Lou Pick (February 7, 1908 - April 25, 1984)

Harry Platt (January 3, 1918 - April 6, 1997)

Francis Quinlan (January 17, 1921 - April 19, 1971)

Vic Siegel (August 24, 1920 - July 7, 2017)

Jack Swenson (Laffey) (February 24, 1924 - November 24, 1989)

Johnny Williams 

Bob Kitterman

Bill Mackie

Sam Lieberman

Jack Swenson (Laffey)

1946-47 Fall River Trojans / Pawtucket Collegians (NEBL)

1946-47 FALL RIVER TROJANS / PAWTUCKET COLLEGIANS
NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
4-13, .235, 5th place

Ham Tozier

Fall River's entry in the NEBL got off to an impressive start, winning two of their first three. From there, though, Fall River struggled on the court as well as at the turnstyle. They dropped four straight before head coach Ham Tozier was replaced by Bill Rutledge. The team was victorious in Rutledge's first game as coach, but the success was short lived. On January 12, 1947, stuck with a 4-9 record, the co-owners George Dramby and Pete Begnoche had developed a rift between them and Dramby took the franchise and merged with the touring Pawtucket Collegians. They continued losing and the team dropped from the circuit January 22, 1947.

Head Coach:

• Howard "Ham" Tozier (April 8, 1906 - March 22, 1981) 2-5
• Bill Rutledge (June 30, 1920 - December 22, 2003) 2-7 Also played. See below
• Joe Hardy (September 13, 1916 - December 2004) 0-1 (Was team trainer, filled in as coach on January 4, 1947, when Rutledge was sick.

PLAYERS:

Vin Aromandi (July 18, 1921 - September 26, 1991)

Lou Belanger (June 11, 1917 - April 3, 2006)

Jim Cassidy (August 20, 1920 - May 9, 2016)

Bud Conley (September 19, 1918 - January 24,2012)

George Duffy (September 22, 1920 - May 23, 2015) 

Henri Ethier (June 14, 1923 - August 15, 2010)

Ed Glancy (January 13, 1917 - August 21, 1990)

Francis Healey (December 20, 1927 - February 24, 2017)

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

Ed Krause (February 2, 1913 - December 11, 1992)

Johnny Lee (November 11, 1919 - October 22, 2005)

Vin Martley (May 16, 1928 - July 7, 1993)

Bob Masterson (January 17, 1925 - January 7, 2024)

Tommy McKenna (January 10, 1918 - September 7, 1990)

Mike Pappas (September 16, 1925 - December 29, 2011)

Harry Platt (January 3, 1918 - April 6, 1997)

Bill Rutledge (June 30, 1920 - December 22, 2003)

Jim Spencer (May 10, 1922 - February 27, 1993)

Hank Sperling (September 4, 1921 - July 14, 2011)

Bob Sullivan (June 18, 1921 - January 7, 2001)

Jack Swenson (Laffey) (February 24, 1924 - November 24, 1989)

Joe Szalicki (May 15, 1915 - August 30, 1970)

Bud Tyrance (February 3, 1911 - November 4, 1987)

Ralph Wicks (July 2, 1921 - January 15, 2004)

Jim Cassidy

Vin Aromandi

Bud Tyrance

Hank Sperling

Bob Masterson

Henri Ethier

1946-47 New England Basketball League (NEBL)

Basketball interest in New England was strong, with the New England League and the Eastern League in Connecticut competing for a lot of the same players and fans.  Fielding 7 teams, the NEBL saw a very competitive race between Fitchburg and Hartford. Fitchburg would win the regular season by a single game over Hartford, a sizable margin ahead of the third place team in New Britain. Worcester would finish fourth, finalizing the round-robin tournament to determine the champion. New Britain, who stumbled by dropping 5 of their last seven in the regular season, caught fire in the round robin, winning their first 6 and cruising to the crown.

• Fall River Trojans / Pawtucket Collegians
• Fitchburg PAMCO's
• Hartford Pros
• Manchester British Americans
• Nashua Picadillys / New Britain Newfields
• Salem Witches / Lynn Americans
• Worcester Irish Americans

1945-46 Worcester Nortons / Lynn Americans (NEBL)

1945-46 WORCESTER NORTONS / 

Lyle Bullard

LYNN AMERICANS

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
4-11, .267, 7th place

The Worcester Nortons started the season good enough, winning two of their first three games. In late January, the franchise was shifted to Lynn. The newly-minted Americans would only win two more games as they stumbled to a 4-11 finish, setting them well into last place. 

Head Coach:

• Fink Rea (March 12, 1902 - March 14, 1974)
  

PLAYERS:

Bob Allen (December 11, 1922 - September 15, 2011)

Anderson 

Eddie Bell

Lyle Bullard (December 16, 1916 - September 6, 1970)

Joe Sheehan

Frank Cochran (May 10, 1922 - February 10, 1968)

Frank Collins (Oftring) (June 4, 1924 - October 4, 1982)

Ike Creeden (April 15, 1919 - July 12, 2003)

Frank (?) Crowley 

Fred Cruickshank (December 31, 1920 - January 6, 2020)

Jack Earl (April 19, 1927 - July 5, 2012)

Whitey Klevas (December 9, 1915 - November 6, 1980)

Soph Kritikos (November 25, 1919 - April 25, 2014)

Warren Lewis (November 21, 1924 - July 17, 1976)

Mike Mello 

Rocky Mitchell (May 29, 1919 - May 18, 2006)

Peters 

Horace Raimo (January 12, 1919 - February 4, 1998)

Abe Russell (February 16, 1920 - December 22, 1995)

Joe Sheehan (January 18, 1921 - June 30, 1959)

Jim Stuart (or Stewart) 

Therman  

George Vangel (October 6, 1916 - August 17, 2018)

Teddy Wollerscheid (January 15, 1918 - February 25, 2000)

Sophocles Kritikos

1945-46 Portland Millionaires (NEBL)

1945-46 PORTLAND MILLIONAIRES

Lou Belanger

NEW ENGLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
10-11, .476, 2nd place
First Round: Lost to Clinton, 2-1

Lead by players like Ziggy Strzelecki (16.4 ppg), Speedy Houpt (11.7 ppg) and player-coach Lou Belanger (11.0 ppg), Portland had started 6-2 before stumbling down the stretch to finish below .500. Despite the losing record, the Millionaires did finish in second place before losing to the upstart Clinton team in the first round of the playoffs.

Head Coach:

• Lou Belanger (June 11, 1917 - April 3, 2006) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

John "Beaner" Balsavich (August 6, 1919 - April 25, 2007)

Lou Belanger (June 11, 1917 - April 3, 2006)

Hank Brenner (November 23, 1918 - July 2, 2012)

Ed Buckley (July 2, 1920 - September 15, 1993)

Bobby Curran (September 29, 1921 - October 18, 1977)

Tiffy Denton (June 14, 1920 - January 20, 2013)

Joe or Bob Dexter 

Jim Hegan (August 3, 1920 - June 17, 1984)

Art Hillhouse (June 12, 1916 - October 27, 1980)

Speedy Houpt (February 1, 1919 - July 24, 1991)

Fred Katin (May 12, 1924 - March 3, 2011)

(Ed?) Makowski 

Ziggy Strzelecki (January 19, 1919 - February 1, 1988)

Ted Wollerscheid (January 15, 1918 - February 25, 2000)

Eddie Buckley

Ziggy Strzelecki

Dexter