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 (October 10, 1927 - April 23, 2025)

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 (January 12, 1927 - May 23, 2024)

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

1953-54 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)

1953-54 HAZLETON MOUNTAINEERS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA

15-15, .500, t-3rd place
Semi-finals: Lost to Williamsport, 2-1

Ed Warner

Hazleton started the season under George Feigenbaum and only won two of their first 8 before replacing Feigenbaum with Jim Brasco. By the end of January, the team climbed back to within a game of .500 with a record of 7-8 before hitting a four-game skid. Desperate for a change, the Mountaineers dropped a large portion of their squad and brough on the core of the travelling Jersey City Titans. The Titans had been a member of the defunct American Basketball League the prior season before the league disintegrated. The Titans had players like Sherman White who was implicated in the point-shaving scandals the wrecked the college game a few years prior. Under Paul Zeitin, the Jersey City coach now at the helm of the new Mountaineers, they would win 8 of their last 11 to grab a playoff spot. However, they were defeated by Williamsport in the semi-finals.

Abe Becker

Head Coach:

• George Feigenbaum (July 3, 1928 - December 25, 2000) 2-6  Also played. See below
• Jim Brasco (February 3, 1931 - March 21, 2014) 5-6  Also played. See below
• Paul Zeitlin (February 13, 1919 - May 1, 1974 ) 8-3

PLAYERS:

Abe Becker (d. October 7, 2018) 

Bill Berens 

Jim Brasco (February 3, 1931 - March 21, 2014)

Sherman White

Tommy Breslin (July 2, 1929 - February 25, 1962)

Nick Bruckner (August 20, 1930 - March 30, 1984)

Gerry Calabrese (February 4, 1925 - April 13, 2015)
Neil Cusate (November 2, 1933 - September 11, 1995)

Jim Davis (b. April 22, 1932)

Mike DeNoia (April 24, 1927 - May 27, 2009)

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

Jack Hageman (July 14, 1931 - July 12, 2007)

Buddy Hatchett (September 10, 1927 - October 14, 2011)

Lou Hill (March 22, 1936 - October 13, 2009)

Bob McDonald 

Johnny O'Boyle (March 7, 1928 - March 30, 1984)

Henry Singleton (March 24, 1925 - July 4, 2010)

Jack Stein (December 30, 1929 - May 21, 2015)

Rabbit Walthour (August 25, 1930 - September 10, 1977)

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

Leroy Watkins (October 3, 1925 - September 23, 2008)

George Wenz (May 30, 1930 - August 30, 2018)

Charley Whiteman  

Sherman White (December 16, 1928 - August 4, 2011)

Jim Davis

Jack Hageman

Charley Whiteman

1953-54 Berwick Carbuilders (EPBL)

1953-54 BERWICK CARBUILDERS

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
15-15, .500, t-3rd

Berwick added NBA veterans Red Meinhold and Bucky McConnell in hopes of finally making a run in the League. After a 6-6 start, they ran six games in a row to improve to 12-6 and were knocking at the door of the league lead 

but then went ice cold, losing 7 of their last 8 and finishing 15-15 and tied for third. However, They were the odd team out as Lancaster and Hazleton, both with identical 15-15 records, gained the two remaining playoff spots.

Carl Ternosky

Head Coach:

• Paul Stenn (Stenko)  (July 12, 1918 - August 2, 2003) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

Paul Arizin (April 9, 1928 - December 12, 2006)

Tommy Breslin (July 2, 1929 - February 25, 1962)

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

Al DeGatis (March 8, 1926 - February 10, 2001)

Claude Gross

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

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

Bucky McConnell (July 1, 1928 - April 1, 2019)

Red Meinhold (March 29, 1926 - February 23, 2019)

Johnny Murphy  

Andy O'Donnell (March 10, 1925 - April 22, 2019)

Shy Raiken (October 29, 1928 - January 16, 2009)

Wally Sheil (April 15, 1929 - June 23, 2002)

Paul Stenn (Stenko)  (July 12, 1918 - August 2, 2003)

Carl Ternosky (August 12, 1926 - February 3, 2016)

Leo Wolf (September 25, 1926 - November 27, 2006)

Gene/Judy Woodlock  

Mike Zedalis (January 5, 1927 - April 25, 2017)

1953-54 EPBL

The Eastern League was down to six teams for the 1953-54 season. The Harrisburg team dropped after one season, and Lancaster's representatives were now the Red Roses and the Rockets also dropped. The Lebanon Seltzers, after two dismal seasons, moved to Pottsville early on in the season. The shift to Pottsville did little for the team's finances and they would quit the league and forfeit their last ten games.

The regular season was largely a battle between Sunbury and last year's champions, Williamsport.  Hazleton and Lancaster snuck in to the last to playoff spots with 15-15 records. Lancaster upset Sunbury while Williamsport bounced Hazleton but not without a struggle. In the finals, Williamsport defeated Lancaster wo win their second straight President's Cup.

• Berwick Carbuilders
• Hazleton Mountaineers
• Lancaster Red Roses
• Lebanon / Pottsville Seltzer Bologna
• Sunbury Mercuries
• Williamsport Billies

1952-53 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1952-53 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
13-7, .650, 2nd place
Semi-finals: Defeated Lancaster, 1-0

Finals: Defeated Berwick, 2-1

Local sports figure Hod Springman was brought in to coach the Billies, and the stumbled to a woeful 2-6 start. Floundering near the bottom of the standings in early January, the team was revamped, adding Billy Chanecka, Jack Leighton and Chink Crossin (who were available following the dissolution of the Wilkes-Barre Aces). Williamsport would win 11 of the remaining 12 games and climb all the way into second place. They met Lancaster in the semi-finals and after winning game 1 of the scheduled best-of-three series, they wer edeclared winner after Lancaster failed to find a home court. Facing Berwick (who had just upset Sunbury) in the finals, Williamsport lost the opener by a basket at home, but would rebound to win the next two to claim the Presidents Cup.

Head Coach:

• Hod Springman (August 10, 1915 - August 13, 1996) 

PLAYERS:

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)

Joe Gallagher (May 25, 1928 - April 10, 2013)

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

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

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

Marty McKibbin (August 24, 1927 - December 6, 2009)

John Rusinko (March 1, 1925 - October 23, 2013)

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

Perk Stabley (January 24, 1925 - September 25, 1994)

1952-53 Wilkes-Barre Aces (EPBL)

1952-53 WILKES-BARRE ACES

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
1-3, .250

The Packers, the defending champions of Pottsville, moved to Wilkes-Barre for the 1952-53 season. They would defeat Berwick in the opener, but then lose their next three games on the road. Unable to find a secure place for home games, they kept moving and rescheduling games until realizing that their viability was just not there and the team dropped after Christmas. Having played only four contests, their games were removed from the official league record.

Head Coach:

Bob McGrane

• Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

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

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

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

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

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

Bob McGrane (September 28, 1929 - October 6, 1967)

Cas Ostrowski (July 24, 1924 - March 2, 2000)

Bob Patton (July 19, 1928 - October 17, 2012)

Art Spector (October 17, 1918 - June 18, 1987)

1952-53 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1952-53 SUNBURY MERCURIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
17-3*, 850, 1st place
Semi-finals: Lost to Berwick, 2-1

* doesn't include victory over Wilkes-Barre Aces

Stan Novak's Sunbury Mercuries scored 200 points combined in their first two games of the season, both lopsided victories over Lebanon before being stunned at Harrisburg. From that point on, the Mercuries were essentially unstoppable. They rattled off 11-straight wins (not including a vacated win over Wilkes-Barre) before falling at Lancaster over 2 months after their Harrisburg loss. They won another four before losing the last game of the year to the Williamsport Billies. Their 17-3 record was a whole four games ahead of the second-place Billies, and the Mercuries were poised to roll through to the cup but were upset by the underdog Berwick club. Veteran star of the state Jack McCloskey averaged 20.5 points, with Jack Ramsay (15.7), Hank Dudek (13.8) and Jerry Rullo (13.7) contributing a large share of points.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

Art Nazigian

Bart "Jabbo" Adams 

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

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

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

Herb Lyon (August 4, 1927 - October 21, 1966)

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

Art Nazigian (March 24, 1930 - December 21, 2014)

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

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

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

John Weglicki (August 13, 1928 - September 4, 1985)

Dave Werther (December 4, 1928 - October 24, 1997)

John Weglicki

1952-53 Lebanon Seltzers (EPBL)

1952-53 LEBANON SELTZERS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
5-15, .250, 6th place

Frank Shupper

Joining the Eastern League from the town of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the over-matched Seltzers lost their first 8 games en route to a last place 5-15 finish. Floyd Becker lead the team averaging 19.6 PPG white Eddie Krause shipped in 14.6 PPG.

Head Coach:

• Frank Shupper (January 14, 1923 - February 25, 2012) 

PLAYERS:

Frankie Ail (April 6, 1933 - February 18, 2021)

Eddie Frazier

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

Bob Bowman (August 17, 1928 - August 9, 2005)

John Brunner (October 10, 1927 - April 23, 2025)

Hank DiJohnson (May 18, 1924 - September 21, 2003)

Eddie Frazier (May 30, 1926 - November 24, 2008)

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

Jimmy "Honey Boy" Harris (January 29, 1934 - September 5, 1994)

Frank Keath (August 4, 1927 - January 5, 2016)

Nels King (March 15, 1928 - August 11, 2010)

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

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

Jack Welsh (August 21, 1925 - December 17, 2007)

Chuck Zimmerman (June 11, 1927 - December 11, 2004)

John Brunner

Floyd Becker

Bob Bowman

Honey Boy Harris

Hank DiJohnson

Ed Krause

Chuck Zimmerman

Cal Gardner

1952-53 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1952-53 LANCASTER ROCKETS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
9-10* .474, 3rd place
Semi-finals: Lost to Williamsport, 1-0

Coached by the popular Whitey Von Nieda, who would also average 7.8 points per game, HArry Donovan and Eddie Lyons contributed over 10 points all season long, helping Lancaster off to a 6-3 start. They didn't play well in the second half of the season, but finished in third place. They were to face Williamsport in the semi-finals and got crushed in the first game of the series, 90-64. Unfortunately, Lancaster could not secure a home court to host game two and the league declared Williamsport the victor based on the one game played.

 

Head Coaches:

• Whitey Von Nieda (June 19, 1922 - September 7, 2023) Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Don Keener

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

Eddie Donovan (September 3, 1925 - May 7, 1999)

Harry Donovan (b. September 10, 1926)

Tom Frein (September 20, 1926 - February 4, 2006)

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

Jack Haggerty (July 6, 1926 - December 19, 2010)

Bill Hoover (September 27, 1920 - October 17, 1999)

Don Keener (June 23, 1930 - March 5, 2025)

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

Frank Martello (b. March 11, 1926)

Whitey Von Nieda (June 19, 1922 - September 7, 2023)

1952-53 Harrisburg Senators (EPBL)

1952-53 HARRISBURG SENATORS

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
7-12*, .368, 4th place

* doesn't include win over Wilkes-Barre Aces

Harrisburg bolted out to a 6-1 start (7-1 if you count the vacated win over Wilkes-Barre). Walt Hirsch, star from the University of Kentucky helped the team to its solid start, as well as Kermit Weiske and player-coach Joe Cackovic. Following the team's second loss of the season at Sunbury, Hirsch got into an altercation with a referee after the game and punched him. He was suspend by the league for the remainder of the season and Harrisburg fell into a tailspin. They went 1-10 after Hirsch's suspension and fell out of the playoff chase. 

Head Coach:

• Joe Cackovic (February 21, 1923 - December 16, 1984)  Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Rags Furjnic

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

Joe Cackovic (February 21, 1923 - December 16, 1984)

Leo Corkery (February 7, 1930 - January 3, 2011)

Harry DeFrank (January 27, 1926 - January 26, 2007)

Fred Diute (January 9, 1929 - July 19, 2004)

Jim Furey (March 28, 1928 - February 20, 1985)

Rags Furjnic (August 8, 1910 - July 4, 1991)

Harper 

Wally Hatkevich (November 7, 1924 - June 10, 2006)

Hedrick 

Jimmy Hernjak (June 10, 1927 - December 27, 1980)

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

Bill Hoffer (b. November 17, 1931)

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

Art Richards  

Kermit Weiske (May 18, 1929 - March 17, 2016)

Mike Yovic (July 23, 1923 - July 19, 2001)

Zimmerman 

Bill Zlogar (February 21, 1928 - November 12, 2013)

1952-53 Berwick Carbuilders (EPBL)

1952-53 BERWICK CARBUILDERS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
8-12*, .400, 5th

Semi-finals: Defeated Sunbury, 2-1

Finals: Lost to Williamsport, 2-1

* doesn't include loss to Wilkes-Barre Aces

Back in the league after a year absence, the could only manage 3 wins in the ir first 11 games. They rallied and went 5-4 the rest of the way but didn't climb into the playoffs. Brooks Ricca averaged 14.2 PPG before leaving the team in late January. Bells Colone took his spot on the roster and averaged 13.2 PPG in 9 games.

Head Coach:

• Paul Stenn (Stenko)  (July 12, 1918 - August 2, 2003) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

Henry Goodman

Bill Byham (December 12, 1928 - May 30, 2017)

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

Henry Goodman (November 22, 1930 - November 24, 2023)

Ted Hanauer (January 1, 1924 - October 1, 2013) 

Joe Hannon (September 18, 1926 - April 7, 1982)

Lockland  

Johnny Mazur (June 17, 1930 - November 1, 2013)

Bucky McConnell (July 1, 1928 - April 1, 2019)

Bob Moroski (June 15, 1930 - January 3, 2011)

Andy O'Donnell (March 10, 1925 - April 22, 2019)

Cas Ostrowski (July 24, 1924 - March 2, 2000)

Shy Raiken (October 29, 1928 - January 16, 2009)

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

Art Spector (October 17, 1918 - June 18, 1987)

Paul Stenn (Stenko)  (July 12, 1918 - August 2, 2003)

Leroy Watley (March 11, 1925 - January 15, 1996)

Leo Wolf (September 25, 1926 - November 27, 2006)

Gene/Judy Woodlock  

Mike Zedalis (January 5, 1927 - April 25, 2017)

Brooks Ricca

1952-53 EPBL

Defending champion Pottsville relocated to Wilkes-Barre for the 1952-53 Eastern League season and became the Aces, but the new locale didn't work out and the team dropped four games into the season. The Sunbury Mercuries, last years runner-up, rolled off an 18-3 record and ran away with the regular season crown. Williamsport finished a distant second. The Berwick Carbuilders returned to the league after a year absence and slipped past Harrisburg for the final spot in the playoffs. The Harrisburg Senators, in what would be their only year in the league, finished a half-game out of the playoffs. The new entry from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the Seltzers, dropped their first 8 en route to a last-place finish.

In the playoffs, Berwick shocked Sunbury, beating them in 3 games in the semi-finals. Lancaster was unable to secure a home court for the playoffs, so their series with Williamsport was converted to a single game, which the Billies won. Williamsport dropped the opening game to Berwick in the best-of-three championship series before Williamsport won games 2 and 3 to win the title.

• Berwick Carbuilders
• Harrisburg Senators
• Lancaster Rockets 
• Lebanon Seltzers
• Sunbury Mercuries
• Wilkes-Barre Aces
• Williamsport Billies

1951-52 York White Roses / Ashland Greens / Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)

1951-52 YORK WHITE ROSES / ASHLAND GREENS / HAZLETON MOUNTAINEERS
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
Southern Division
6-24, .300, 6th place

With York Victory departing, the White Roses of York Athletic Club stepped in to take their place in the league. Under Jabbo Adams, the White Roses got off to a decent start, winning 6 of their first ten games. Despite the team's play, they attendance figures were just to low and the club moved to Ashland  and renamed to the Greens. Their fortunes there did not brighten and after three game they were on the move again; this time to Hazleton. Under the moniker of the Mountaineers, Jabbo was let go and Joe Hannon took over as head coach. The new town and a slew of new players did not improve the fortune of the club. The continued to slide and would drop the first 8 games as the Mountaineers before deciding to forfeit the remaining nine games on the schedule and call it a season.

YORK WHITE ROSES

Snitz Osherow

Head Coach:

• Bart "Jabbo" Adams - 6-4. Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bart "Jabbo" Adams

Bill Brown (August 2, 1922 - January 15, 2007)

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

Tom Frein (September 20, 1926 - February 4, 2006)

Joe Hannon (September 18, 1926 - April 7, 1982)

Jack Kane (June 18, 1928 - October 12, 1987)

Paul McDermitt (June 2, 1923 - August 20, 2007)

Pete Monska (February 23, 1926 - March 17, 2005)

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

Shy Raiken (October 29, 1928 - January 16, 2009)

Harold Swayze (June 3, 1930 - July 28, 1980)

Jackie Williams  

Joe Hannon

ASHLAND GREENS

Head Coach:

• Bart "Jabbo" Adams - 0-3. Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bart "Jabbo" Adams

Tom Frein (September 20, 1926 - February 4, 2006)

Joe Hannon (September 18, 1926 - April 7, 1982)

Jack Kane (June 18, 1928 - October 12, 1987)

Paul McDermitt (June 2, 1923 - August 20, 2007)

Mullin  

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

Shy Raiken (October 29, 1928 - January 16, 2009)

Harold Swayze (June 3, 1930 - July 28, 1980)

Bill Thomas (May 2, 1925 - October 27, 1999)

Bill Wetzel (June 16, 1930 - September 27, 2004)

Leo Wolf (September 25, 1926 - November 27, 2006)

HAZLETON MOUNTAINEERS

Head Coach:

• Bart Adams - 0-1. Also played. See below
• Joe Hannon (September 18, 1926 - April 7, 1982) - 0-16. Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

Bart "Jabbo" Adams

Johnny Ballots

Johnny Ballots (November 28, 1927 - April 18, 1989)

Gene Belletiere (September 7, 1931 - October 15, 1996)

Ike Borsavage (July 25, 1924 - January 10, 2014)

Neil Cusate (November 2, 1933 - September 11, 1995)

Al DeGatis (March 8, 1926 - February 10, 2001)

Mike DeNoia (April 24, 1927 - May 27, 2009)

Nick Dietterick (May 22, 1921 - May 16, 2014)

Tom Frein (September 20, 1926 - February 4, 2006)

Joe Hannon (September 18, 1926 - April 7, 1982)

Jack Kane (June 18, 1928 - October 12, 1987)

Chick Lamonica (May 17, 1928 - October 1, 1999)

Paul McDermitt (June 2, 1923 - August 20, 2007)

Andy O'Donnell (March 10, 1925 - April 22, 2019)

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

John Rusinko (March 1, 1925 - October 23, 2013)

Don Smith (b. January 12, 1927)

Harold Swayze (June 3, 1930 - July 28, 1980)

Shy Raiken

Don Smith

Leo Wolf

1951-52 Williamsport Billies (EPBL)

1951-52 WILLIAMSPORT BILLIES
EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
17-12, .586, 3rd place
Semi-finals: Lost to Pottsville, 2-0

Jack Crossin

Williamsport continued to be one of the better teams in the circuit, lead again by Perk Stabley (20.7 PPG) and  Ray Kodish (18.0 PPG). Wally Hatkevich and Jack Crossin also played huge roles, but they managed to only finish third and lost in the semi-finals for the Cup. 

Head Coach:

• Larry Disque (March 27, 1921 - March 3, 1994) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

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

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

Larry Disque (March 27, 1921 - March 3, 1994)

Oscar Grossman (June 26, 1923 - September 22, 1993)

Wally Hatkevich (November 7, 1924 - June 10, 2006)

Jerry Hayes (January 2, 1926 - October 12, 1993)

Stu Kane (August 19, 1923 - March 3, 1973)

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

Joe Majikes (July 14, 1929 - March 22, 2007)

Tom McLaughlin (August 14, 1926 - August 27, 1998)

Pete Pasko (September 9, 1919 - March 31, 2004)

John Rusinko (March 1, 1925 - October 23, 2013)

Perk Stabley (January 24, 1925 - September 25, 1994)

1951-52 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1951-52 SUNBURY MERCURIES

EASTERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - PENNSYLVANIA
20-10, 667, 2nd place

Semi-finals: Defeated Lancaster, 3-0

Finals: Lost to Pottsville, 2-1

The defending Cup-winners in Sunbury looked to repeat in 1951-52. Loaded with talented veterans like Jack McCloskey, Jack Ramsay, Jerry Rullo, Dave Fox and Stretch Hall, they held on to first place for most of t he season until Pottsville caught fire and passed them in the season's twilight. The Mercuries defeated Lancaster in the semi-finals before falling to the Pottsville PAckers in the finals.

Head Coach:

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

PLAYERS:

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

Stretch Hall (June 23, 1926 - December 10, 1989)

Pug Heinz (September 8, 1929 - November 11, 2018)

Herb Lyon (August 4, 1927 - October 21, 1966)

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

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

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

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

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

Paul Senesky (January 24, 1925 - July 11, 1994)

Dave Werther (December 4, 1928 - October 24, 1997)

Eddie Lyons