List of Eastern Basketball Association seasons
The Eastern Basketball Association was a professional basketball league based in the United States. The league began in 1946 and was known as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League. After one season the league changed its name to the Eastern Professional Basketball League. In 1979, the league changed its name again to the Continental Basketball Association.
Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League / Eastern Professional Basketball League (1946–1970)
[edit]1946–47 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Rockets
- Binghamton Triplets (relocated to Pottsville, Pennsylvania during the season)
- Hazleton Mountaineers
- Lancaster Red Roses
- Pottsville Pros (relocated from Binghamton, New York during the season)
- Reading Keys
- Wilkes-Barre Barons
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 22 | 5 | .815 | — |
Lancaster Red Roses | 20 | 10 | .667 | 3.5 |
Reading Keys | 15 | 13 | .536 | 7.5 |
Hazleton Mountaineers | 11 | 17 | .393 | 11.5 |
Allentown Rockets | 8 | 18 | .308 | 13.5 |
Binghamton/Pottsville | 7 | 20 | .259 | 15 |
- Postseason
Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
1 | Wilkes-Barre Barons | 2 | |||||||
3 | Reading Keys | 0 | |||||||
1 | Wilkes-Barre Barons | 2 | |||||||
2 | Lancaster Red Roses | 1 | |||||||
2 | Lancaster Red Roses | 2 | |||||||
4 | Hazleton Mountaineers | 0 |
- Notes
- The Binghamton Triplets re-located to Pottsville, Pennsylvania in December 1946.[1]
1947–48 season
[edit]- Teams
- Harrisburg Senators
- Hazleton Mountaineers
- Lancaster Red Roses
- Philadelphia Lumberjacks
- Pottsville Packers
- Reading Keys
- Sunbury Mercuries
- Williamsport Billies
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pottsville Packers | 19 | 9 | .679 | — |
Reading Keys | 19 | 9 | .679 | — |
Hazleton Mountaineers | 18 | 10 | ..643 | 1 |
Lancaster Red Roses | 14 | 14 | .500 | 5 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 13 | 15 | .464 | 6 |
Harrisburg Senators | 11 | 16 | .407 | 7.5 |
Williamsport Billies | 9 | 18 | .333 | 9.5 |
Philadelphia Lumberjacks | 8 | 20 | .286 | 11 |
- Postseason
Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
1 | Pottsville Packers | 1 | |||||||
3 | Hazleton Mountaineers | 2 | |||||||
3 | Hazleton Mountaineers | 1 | |||||||
2 | Reading Keys | 2 | |||||||
2 | Reading Keys | 2 | |||||||
4 | Lancaster Red Roses | 1 |
1948–49 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Williamsport Billies | 18 | 12 | .600 | — |
Reading Keys | 18 | 12 | .600 | — |
Harrisburg Senators | 18 | 12 | .600 | — |
Pottsville Packers | 16 | 14 | .533 | 2 |
York Victory A.C. | 15 | 15 | .500 | 3 |
Lancaster Rockets | 11 | 19 | .367 | 7 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 9 | 24 | .300 | 9 |
- Postseason
Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||
1 | Williamsport Billies | 1 | |||||||
3 | Pottsville Packers | 2 | |||||||
3 | Pottsville Packers | 1 | |||||||
4 | Harrisburg Senators | 2 | |||||||
2 | Reading Keys | 1 | |||||||
4 | Harrisburg Senators | 2 |
1949–1950 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Division | ||||
Williamsport Billies | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Pottsville Packers | 16 | 12 | .571 | 4 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 14 | 14 | .500 | 8 |
Berwick Carbuilders | 8 | 17 | .320 | 10.5 |
Southern Division | ||||
Lancaster Rockets | 18 | 10 | .643 | — |
Harrisburg Senators | 16 | 12 | .571 | 2 |
York Victory A.C. | 9 | 17 | .346 | 8 |
Reading Rangers | 7 | 18 | .280 | 9.5 |
- Postseason
First Place Playoff | ||||
Williamsport Billies | 90 | |||
Lancaster Rockets | 87 |
Semifinals | EPBL Championship Series | ||||||||
1 | Williamsport Billies | 2 | |||||||
3 | Pottsville Packers | 1 | |||||||
1 | Williamsport Billies | 2 | |||||||
3 | Harrisburg Caps | 1 | |||||||
2 | Lancaster Rockets | 1 | |||||||
3 | Harrisburg Caps | 2 |
1950–51 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Division | ||||
Sunbury Mercuries | 23 | 5 | .822 | — |
Williamsport Billies | 16 | 12 | .571 | 7 |
Berwick Carbuilders | 15 | 13 | .536 | 8 |
Pottsville Packers | 12 | 16 | .426 | 11 |
Southern Division | ||||
York Professionals | 15 | 11 | .577 | — |
Lancaster Rockets | 12 | 15 | .445 | 3.5 |
Harrisburg Senators | 9 | 18 | .333 | 6.5 |
Reading Rangers | 8 | 20 | .285 | 8 |
- Postseason
EPBL Regular Season Championship Game | ||||
1 | Sunbury Mercuries | 80 | ||
1 | York Victory A.C. | 75 |
Semifinals | EPBL Championship Series | ||||||||
1 | Sunbury Mercuries | 2 | |||||||
2 | Williamsport Billies | 1 | |||||||
1 | Sunbury Mercuries | 2 | |||||||
1 | York Victory A.C. | 0 | |||||||
1 | York Victory A.C. | 2 | |||||||
2 | Lancaster Rockets | 0 |
1951–52 season
[edit]- Teams
- Ashland Greens (relocated to Hazleton, Pennsylvania after 10 days in Ashland)
- Lancaster Rockets
- Hazleton Mountaineers
- Pottsville Packers
- Reading Merchants
- Sunbury Mercuries
- Williamsport Billies
- York Cleaners (relocated to Ashland, Pennsylvania after 11 games)
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pottsville Packers | 21 | 9 | .700 | — |
Sunbury Mercuries | 20 | 10 | .667 | 1 |
Williamsport Billies | 17 | 12 | .586 | 3.5 |
Lancaster Rockets | 13 | 16 | .448 | 7.5 |
Reading Merchants | 11 | 17 | .393 | 9 |
Hazleton Mountaineers | 6 | 20 | .200 | 15 |
- Postseason
Semifinals | EPBL Championship Series | ||||||||
1 | Pottsville Packers | 2 | |||||||
3 | Williamsport Billies | 0 | |||||||
1 | Pottsville Packers | 3 | |||||||
2 | Sunbury Mercuries | 0 | |||||||
2 | Sunbury Mercuries | 2 | |||||||
4 | Lancaster Rockets | 0 |
1952–53 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunbury Mercuries | 17 | 3 | .850 | — |
Williamsport Billies | 13 | 7 | .650 | 4 |
Lancaster Rockets | 9 | 10 | .474 | 7.5 |
Berwick Carbuilders | 8 | 12 | .400 | 9 |
Harrisburg Capitols | 7 | 12 | .369 | 9.5 |
Lebanon Seltzers | 5 | 15 | .333 | 12 |
- Postseason
Semifinals | EPBL Championship Series | ||||||||
1 | Sunbury Mercuries | 2 | |||||||
4 | Berwick Carbuilders | 1 | |||||||
1 | Sunbury Mercuries | 1 | |||||||
2 | Williamsport Billies | 2 | |||||||
2 | Williamsport Billies | 1 | |||||||
3 | Lancaster Rockets | 0 |
1953–54 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunbury Mercuries | 22 | 8 | .733 | — |
Williamsport Billies | 20 | 10 | ..667 | 2 |
Hazleton Hawks | 15 | 15 | .500 | 5 |
Lancaster Red Roses | 15 | 15 | .500 | 5 |
Berwick Carbuilders | 14 | 16 | .467 | 6 |
Lebanon Seltzers | 4 | 26 | .133 | 16 |
- Postseason
Semifinals | EPBL Championship Series | ||||||||
1 | Sunbury Mercuries | 0 | |||||||
4 | Lancaster Red Roses | 2 | |||||||
4 | Lancaster Red Roses | 1 | |||||||
2 | Williamsport Billies | 2 | |||||||
2 | Williamsport Billies | 2 | |||||||
3 | Hazleton Hawks | 1 |
1954–55 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Williamsport Billies | 19 | 11 | .633 | — |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 18 | 12 | .600 | 1 |
Scranton Miners | 15 | 15 | .500 | 4 |
Hazleton Hawks | 15 | 15 | .500 | 4 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 13 | 17 | .433 | 6 |
Lancaster Red Roses | 10 | 20 | .333 | 9 |
- Notes
- William Morgan, the league commissioner since its inception, was succeeded by Harry Rudolph.[2]
1955–56 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Williamsport Billies | 18 | 9 | .667 | — |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 18 | 12 | .600 | 1.5 |
Scranton Miners | 14 | 13 | .519 | 4 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 13 | 13 | .500 | 4.5 |
Hazleton Hawks | 11 | 15 | .423 | 6.5 |
Trenton Capitols New York–Harlem Yankees§ | 2 | 14 | .125 | 10.5 |
- § New York–Harlem Yankees took over the Trenton Capitols schedule and record after Trenton folded during the season
1956–57 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Scranton Miners | 21 | 9 | .700 | — |
Hazleton Hawks | 20 | 10 | .667 | 1 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 14 | 16 | .467 | 7 |
Williamsport Billies | 13 | 17 | .433 | 8 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 11 | 18 | .379 | 9.5 |
Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons | 10 | 19 | .345 | 10.5 |
1957–58 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 19 | 10 | .655 | — |
Hazleton Hawks | 19 | 11 | .633 | .5 |
Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons | 18 | 11 | .621 | 1 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 18 | 11 | .621 | 1 |
Scranton Miners | 18 | 12 | .600 | 1.5 |
Williamsport Billies | 17 | 12 | .586 | 2 |
Wilmington Jets | 6 | 22 | .214 | 12.5 |
Reading Keys | 1 | 27 | .036 | 17.5 |
- Notes and events
- Two expansion franchises were admitted to the league in September 1957. They were clubs in Reading, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware which would become the Reading Keys and Wilmington Jets, respectively.[3]
- Harry Rudolph was elected league president in September 1957. Barry Sherman was elected secretary and public relations director. Elected members of the board of governors were Clem Palevitch, Richard Smith and Jack Agnor.[3]
1958–59 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Scranton Miners | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 19 | 9 | .679 | 2 |
Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons | 17 | 11 | .607 | 4 |
Hazleton Hawks | 16 | 12 | .571 | 5 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 12 | 16 | .429 | 9 |
Baltimore Bullets | 12 | 16 | .429 | 9 |
Williamsport Billies | 9 | 19 | .321 | 12 |
Allentown Jets | 6 | 22 | .214 | 15 |
- Notes and events
- League president Harry Rudolph announced that Bill Spivey of the Wilkes-Barre team was fined $10 for fighting during a game. It was Spivey's second fine of the season and Rudolph said if another incident occurred it would result in a suspension.[4]
1959–1960 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Baltimore Bullets | 20 | 8 | .714 | 1 |
Allentown Jets | 15 | 12 | .556 | 5.5 |
Scranton Miners | 15 | 13 | .536 | 6 |
Williamsport Billies | 12 | 16 | .439 | 9 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 10 | 18 | .357 | 11 |
Hazleton Hawks | 9 | 18 | .333 | 11.5 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 9 | 19 | .321 | 12 |
- Notes and events
- During the offseason before the 1959–1960 season, the league announced their collegiate draft was postponed so the league could vote on an expansion franchise from Baltimore, Maryland (which became the Baltimore Bullets).[5]
- In January 1960, the league announced it had scrapped a rule permitting National Basketball Association (NBA) teams only one option per season on players. This rule would allow NBA team to call-up and send down players as much as they wished.[6]
1960–61 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Baltimore Bullets | 19 | 9 | .679 | — |
Allentown Jets | 19 | 9 | .679 | — |
Scranton Miners | 15 | 13 | .536 | 4 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 13 | 15 | .464 | 6 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 13 | 15 | .464 | 6 |
Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons | 11 | 16 | .407 | 7.5 |
Williamsport Billies | 11 | 16 | .407 | 7.5 |
Hazleton Hawks | 10 | 18 | .357 | 9 |
- Notes and events
- The league held its annual preseason meeting on June 13, 1960 where league president Harry Rudolph was re-elected to a two-year term. He was also elected treasurer of the league. Ray Saul was re-elected as public relations director and secretary.[7]
- EPBL president Harry Rudolph announced plans to file a $1,000,000 defamation of character lawsuit against National Football League (NFL) commissioner Pete Rozelle for saying, "several players in the Eastern Basketball [League] were accused of gambling on games involving teams for which they formerly played." The comment was about Rozelle's decision to bar NFL player Gene Lipscomb from joining the EPBL Baltimore Bullets.[8]
1961–62 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Jets
- Camden Bullets (relocated from Baltimore, Maryland preseason)
- Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons (relocated to Trenton, New Jersey midseason)
- Hazleton Hawks
- Scranton Miners
- Sunbury Mercuries
- Trenton Colonials (relocated from Easton-Phillipsburg midseason)
- Wilkes-Barre Barons
- Williamsport Billies
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 22 | 5 | .815 | — |
Williamsport Billies | 18 | 8 | .692 | 3.5 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 16 | 11 | .593 | 6 |
Trenton Colonials | 13 | 13 | .500 | 8.5 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 13 | 15 | .464 | 9.5 |
Camden Bullets | 10 | 15 | .400 | 11 |
Scranton Miners | 8 | 16 | .333 | 12.5 |
Hazleton Hawks | 4 | 21 | .160 | 17 |
- Notes and events
- At the league's annual meeting during the offseason before the 1961–62 season a proposal to relocate the Baltimore franchise to New England was to be proposed. The potential move would have been to either Bridgeport or Milton, Connecticut as facilitated by the prospective owner, Herb Kables.[9] The proposal was ultimately rejected.[10]
- The league postponed its collegiate draft due to the 1961 NCAA University Division men's basketball gambling scandal.[10]
- Rules were adopted before the 1961–62 season to mirror the rules of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[10]
- The Allentown Jets announced they had signed Andrew "Fuzzy" Levane to a one-year contract as coach in September 1961.[11]
- In October 1961, the EPBL passed a resolution that would give a lifetime ban to any player who left an EPBL team for another league. The rule came in response to players who left the league the fledgling American Basketball League (ABL).[12]
- In December 1961, a "State Basketball Championship" for Pennsylvania was proposed by Pittsburgh Rens owner Lenny Litman between his ABL team, the NBA Philadelphia Warriors and the EPBL Sunbury Mercuries.[13]
- EPBL president Harry Rudolph announced that the Camden franchise had been fined $150 for failing to have the required seven players in uniform for a game on January 27, 1962 in which Camden lost to Williamsport 153–126. According to the Associated Press several Camden players were delayed by car trouble forcing the team to play with six players.[14]
- EPBL president Harry Rudolph announced that Trenton Colonials coach Harry Landa had been fined for pushing a referee during a game on February 3, 1962. According to Rudolph, if Landa failed to pay the fine he would be suspended for the remainder of the season. [15]
1962–63 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Camden Bullets | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 15 | 13 | .536 | 5 |
Williamsport Billies | 12 | 16 | .429 | 8 |
Scranton Miners | 11 | 17 | .393 | 9 |
Trenton Colonials | 10 | 18 | .357 | 10 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 10 | 18 | .357 | 10 |
- Notes and events
- During the offseason before the 1962–63 season, the EPBL considered admitting two new franchises in Philadelphia and Carbondale, Pennsylvania/[16] The Philadelphia franchise was not approved as the team's owners could not find a suitable venue. The Carbondale franchise was admitted to the league, but that deal was eventually voided when team owners failed to meet their financial obligations according to league president Harry Rudolph.[17][18]
- In November 1962, after the American Basketball League (ABL) folded, EPBL president Harry Rudolph announced that players who were banned for leaving their EPBL teams for the ABL could apply for re-admittance to the league if they wrote a letter to the league president with $25 as payment for a fine. Players affected by the ban were: Hal Lear, David Gunther, Hershel Thurner, Kelly Coleman and Spike Gibson.[19]
- In April 1963, EPBL president Harry Rudolph announced that Camden Bullets player Tom Hoover was fined $100 and suspended for four games following a physical altercation with referee Jim Armstong.[20]
1963–64 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camden Bullets | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Allentown Jets | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Scranton Miners | 19 | 9 | .679 | 2 |
Trenton Colonials | 16 | 12 | .571 | 5 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 10 | 18 | .357 | 11 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 9 | 17 | .346 | 11 |
Williamsport Billies | 7 | 19 | .269 | 13 |
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 7 | 21 | .250 | 14 |
- Notes and events
- During the offseason before the 1963–64, the Wilmington Blue Bombers of Wilmington, Delaware were admitted into the league. The league also announced it had abolished its territorial draft.[21]
- The Wilmington Blue Bombers announced they had hired Alexander Severance as coach during the offseason before the 1963–64 season.[22]
- In October 1963, the Camden Bullets announced that Charles "Buddy" Donnelly was hired as coach.[23]
1964–65 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camden Bullets | 18 | 10 | .643 | — |
Sunbury Mercuries | 17 | 11 | .607 | 1 |
Scranton Miners | 17 | 11 | .607 | 1 |
Allentown Jets | 16 | 12 | .571 | 2 |
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 12 | 16 | .429 | 6 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 11 | 17 | .393 | 7 |
Trenton Colonials | 7 | 21 | .250 | 11 |
- Notes and events
- EPBL president Harry Rudolph was re-elected to a two-year term during the offseason before the 1964–65 season. The league also re-elected Ray Saul as secretary. David Waters was newly elected to the position of vice president. Hal Simon, Spike Shandelman and Arthur Pachter were elected to the board of governors.[24]
- In June 1964, the EPBL held its annual collegiate draft in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[25]
- Before the 1964–65 season, the EPBL established a three-point field goal from 25 feet away from the basket.[26]
- Brendan McCann replaced Pete Monska as the Allentown Jets' head coach during the offseason before the 1964–65 season.[27]
1965–66 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Division | ||||
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Trenton Colonials | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Allentown Jets | 15 | 13 | .536 | 5 |
Camden Bullets | 14 | 14 | .500 | 6 |
New Haven Elms | 8 | 20 | .286 | 12 |
Western Division | ||||
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 19 | 9 | .679 | — |
Sunbury Mercuries | 18 | 10 | .643 | 1 |
Scranton Miners | 13 | 15 | .464 | 6 |
Harrisburg Patriots | 10 | 18 | .357 | 9 |
Johnstown C-J's | 3 | 25 | .107 | 16 |
1966–67 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Division | ||||
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Hartford Capitols | 13 | 15 | .464 | 8 |
Trenton Colonials | 13 | 15 | .464 | 8 |
New Haven Elms | 7 | 21 | .250 | 14 |
Asbury Park Boardwalkers | 2 | 26 | .071 | 19 |
Western Division | ||||
Scranton Miners | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Allentown Jets | 19 | 9 | .679 | 2 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 19 | 9 | .679 | 2 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 14 | 13 | .519 | 6.5 |
Harrisburg Patriots | 10 | 17 | .370 | 10.5 |
1967–68 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Jets
- Asbury Park Boardwalkers
- Binghamton Flyers (relocated from Bridgeport, Connecticut midseason)
- Bridgeport Flyers (relocated to Binghamton, New York midseason)
- Hartford Capitols
- Scranton Miners
- Sunbury Mercuries
- Trenton Colonials
- Wilkes-Barre Barons
- Wilmington Blue Bombers
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 23 | 9 | .719 | — |
Hartford Capitols | 21 | 11 | .656 | 2 |
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 21 | 12 | .636 | 3 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 20 | 12 | .625 | 3.5 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 18 | 14 | .563 | 5 |
Scranton Miners | 16 | 16 | .500 | 7 |
Binghamton Flyers | 10 | 22 | .313 | 13 |
Asbury Park Boardwalkers | 9 | 23 | .281 | 14 |
Trenton Colonials | 7 | 25 | .219 | 16 |
1968–69 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Jets
- Binghamton Flyers
- Hartford Capitols
- New Haven Elms
- Scranton Miners
- Springfield Hall of Famers (folded after an 0–7 start to the season)
- Sunbury Mercuries
- Trenton Colonials
- Wilkes-Barre Barons
- Wilmington Blue Bombers
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Division | ||||
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 20 | 7 | .741 | — |
Trenton Colonials | 13 | 12 | .520 | 6 |
Hartford Capitols | 11 | 15 | .423 | 8.5 |
New Haven Elms | 10 | 16 | .385 | 9.5 |
Springfield Hall of Famers§ | 0 | 18 | .000 | — |
Western Division | ||||
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 26 | 2 | .929 | — |
Scranton Miners | 15 | 12 | .556 | 10.5 |
Allentown Jets | 15 | 13 | .536 | 11 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 10 | 16 | .385 | 15 |
Binghamton Flyers | 9 | 19 | .333 | 16.5 |
- § Springfield Hall of Famers folded midseason
1969–1970 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Wilmington Blue Bombers | 19 | 9 | .679 | 1 |
Hamden Bics | 18 | 10 | .643 | 2 |
Hartford Capitols | 15 | 12 | .556 | 4.5 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 13 | 14 | .481 | 4.5 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 10 | 18 | .357 | 10 |
Scranton Miners | 8 | 19 | .296 | 11.5 |
Binghamton Flyers | 7 | 20 | .256 | 12.5 |
Eastern Basketball Association (1970–78)
[edit]1970–71 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Division | ||||
Hamden Bics | 19 | 9 | .679 | — |
Hartford Capitols | 15 | 13 | .536 | 4 |
Camden Bullets | 12 | 16 | .429 | 7 |
Delaware Blue Bombers | 11 | 17 | .393 | 8 |
Western Division | ||||
Scranton Apollos | 21 | 7 | .750 | — |
Allentown Jets | 15 | 13 | .536 | 6 |
Sunbury Mercuries | 14 | 14 | .500 | 7 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 13 | 15 | ,464 | 8 |
Trenton Pat Pavers | 6 | 22 | .214 | 15 |
- Postseason
Division Semifinals | Division Finals | EBA Championship Series | ||||||||||||
1 | Hamden Bics | 2 | ||||||||||||
2 | Hartford Capitols | 2 | 2 | Hartford Capitols | 1 | |||||||||
3 | Camden Bullets | 0 | 1 | Hamden Bics | 3 | |||||||||
1 | Scranton Apollos | 1 | ||||||||||||
1 | Scranton Apollos | 2 | ||||||||||||
2 | Allentown Jets | 2 | 2 | Allentown Jets | 1 | |||||||||
3 | Sunbury Mercuries | 1 |
- Notes
- William J. Montzman is named the commissioner of the league, making him the third person to serve in that capacity. He succeeded Harry Rudolph, who was commissioner since 1955.[2]
- ABA and NBA affiliations
- Hartford Capitols: Boston Celtics (NBA), Dallas Chaparrals (ABA)[28]
1971–72 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Jets
- Cherry Hill Demons (relocated from Camden, New Jersey preseason, relocated to Hazleton, Pennsylvania mid-season)
- Hamden Bics
- Hartford Capitols
- Hazleton Bits (relocated from Cherry Hill, New Jersey mid-season)
- Scranton Apollos
- Trenton Pat Pavers
- Wilkes-Barre Barons
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 21 | 9 | .700 | — |
Scranton Apollos | 17 | 13 | .567 | 4 |
Hartford Capitols | 17 | 13 | .567 | 4 |
Trenton Pat Pavers | 13 | 17 | .433 | 8 |
Hazleton Bits | 11 | 19 | .367 | 10 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 11 | 19 | .367 | 10 |
- Postseason
EBA Semifinals | EBA Championship Series | ||||||||
1 | Allentown Jets | 2 | |||||||
4 | Trenton Pat Pavers | 0 | |||||||
1 | Allentown Jets | 3 | |||||||
2 | Scranton Apollos | 2 | |||||||
2 | Scranton Apollos | 2 | |||||||
3 | Hartford Capitols | 1 |
- ABA and NBA affiliations
- Hartford Capitols: Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Dallas Chaparrals (ABA)[28]
1972–73 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Jets
- Garden State Colonials
- Hamden Bics
- Hamburg Bullets (relocated from Hazleton, Pennsylvania before the season, but moved back midseason)
- Hartford Capitols
- Hazleton Bullets (relocated to Hamburg, Pennsylvania before the season, but moved back midseason)
- Scranton Apollos
- Trenton Pat Pavers
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hartford Capitols | 25 | 17 | .781 | — |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 22 | 10 | .688 | 3 |
Scranton Apollos | 20 | 12 | .625 | 5 |
Allentown Jets | 15 | 17 | .469 | 10 |
Garden State Colonials | 13 | 19 | .406 | 12 |
Hamilton Pat Pavers | 11 | 19 | .367 | 13 |
Hamburg/Hazleton Bullets | 4 | 26 | .133 | 20 |
1973–74 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Division | ||||
Hartford Capitols | 19 | 8 | .703 | — |
Hamilton Pat Pavers | 14 | 13 | .519 | 5 |
East Orange Colonials | 8 | 19 | .296 | 11 |
Cherry Hill Rookies | 5 | 22 | .185 | 14 |
Western Division | ||||
Allentown Jets | 20 | 8 | .714 | — |
Scranton Apollos | 17 | 11 | .607 | 3 |
Hazleton Bullets | 15 | 12 | .556 | 4.5 |
- Notes
- The East Orange Colonials (originally the Garden State Colonials) were owned by author Larry Armour and his 14 year-old son, Andy Armour, who was the youngest team owner in EBA history. The Colonials had a working agreement with three NBA teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons.[29]
1974–75 season
[edit]- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hazleton Bullets | 18 | 12 | .600 | — |
Allentown Jets | 16 | 14 | .533 | 3 |
Scranton Apollos | 16 | 14 | .533 | 3 |
Cherry Hill Pros | 10 | 20 | .333 | 8 |
1975–76 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 24 | 3 | .889 | — |
Scranton Apollos | 21 | 5 | .808 | 2.5 |
Lancaster Red Roses | 19 | 5 | .792 | 3.5 |
Hazleton Bullets | 14 | 9 | .609 | 8 |
Long Island Sounds | 8 | 15 | .348 | 14 |
Trenton Capitols | 6 | 16 | .261 | 16 |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 6 | 18 | .250 | 6.5 |
Gold Coast§ | — | — | — | — |
- § Gold Coast disbanded midseason
- ABA and NBA affiliations
- Gold Coast Stars: Phoenix Suns (NBA), Houston Rockets (NBA), San Antonio Spurs (ABA)[30]
- Scranton Apollos: Buffalo Braves (NBA), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Spirits of St. Louis (ABA)[31]
1976–77 season
[edit]- Teams
- Allentown Jets
- Brooklyn Pros (relocated to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania midseason)
- Hartford Downtowners
- Hazleton Bullets (relocated to New Jersey midseason)
- Jersey Shore Bullets (relocated from Hazleton, Pennsylvania midseason)
- Lancaster Red Roses
- Scranton Apollos
- Syracuse Centennials
- Wilkes-Barre Barons (relocated from Brooklyn, New York)
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allentown Jets | 21 | 5 | .808 | — |
Scranton Apollos | 20 | 6 | .769 | 1 |
Lancaster Red Roses | 12 | 10 | .545 | 7 |
Brooklyn/Wilkes-Barre | 8 | 10 | .444 | 9 |
Hartford Downtowners | 5 | 19 | .208 | 15 |
Hazleton/Jersey Shore | 3 | 18 | .143 | 15.5 |
Syracuse Centennials§ | 8 | 9 | .471 | — |
- § Syracuse Centennials folded midseason
- Timeline
- October 25, 1976: Syracuse was admitted into the EBA. Team owners were professional football players Walt Patulski, Jim Braxton, Mike Kruczek, Mike Kadish and Tony Greene.[32]
- NBA affiliations
- Allentown Jets: New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets[33][34]
- Brooklyn Pros: New York Nets, New Orleans Jazz, Kansas City Kings[34]
- Scranton Apollos: Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers[33]
- Syracuse Centennials: Buffalo Braves, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons[32]
- Hartford Downtowners: Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets[34]
- Hazleton Bullets: Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers[34]
- Lancaster Red Roses: Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Bullets[34]
1977–78 season
[edit]- Teams
- Regular season standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Division | ||||
Jersey Shore Bullets | 20 | 11 | .645 | — |
Long Island Ducks | 15 | 15 | .500 | 4.5 |
Quincy Chiefs | 12 | 16 | .387 | 8 |
Providence Shooting Stars | 9 | 19 | .321 | 9.5 |
Brooklyn Dodgers | 8 | 22 | .267 | 11.5 |
Western Division | ||||
Anchorage Northern Knights | 24 | 7 | .774 | — |
Wilkes-Barre Barons | 23 | 8 | .742 | 1 |
Lancaster Red Roses | 19 | 12 | .613 | 5 |
Allentown Jets | 17 | 14 | .548 | 7 |
Washington Metros | 5 | 26 | .167 | 18.5 |
- Postseason
Quarterfinals | Semifinals | EBA Championship Series | ||||||||||||
1 | Jersey Shore Bullets | 1 | ||||||||||||
2 | Wilkes-Barre Barons | 2 | 2 | Wilkes-Barre Barons | 3 | |||||||||
3 | Quincy Chiefs | 0 | 2 | Wilkes-Barre Barons | 3 | |||||||||
3 | Lancaster Red Roses | 2 | ||||||||||||
1 | Anchorage N. Knights | 2 | ||||||||||||
2 | Long Island Ducks | 0 | 3 | Lancaster Red Roses | 3 | |||||||||
3 | Lancaster Red Roses | 2 |
- NBA affiliations
- Anchorage Northern Knights: Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics[35]
- Jersey Shore Bullets: Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz[36]
- Quincy Chiefs: Boston Celtics, Kansas City Kings[36]
References
[edit]- ^ "Pottsville to Play First League Game". The Plain Speaker. Hazelton, Pennsylvania. 26 December 1946. p. 17. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ a b Keatly, Don (11 December 1970). "On the Sports Front; Barons Lone Original Franchise As EBA Observes Silver Jubilee". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ a b "EBL Adds Two Teams". Chester Times. Chester, Philadelphia. Associated Press. September 16, 1957. p. 17.
- ^ "Spivey Fined $10 for Fight". Chester Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 14, 1959. p. 16.
- ^ "Draft Postponed". Chester Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. August 5, 1959. p. 19.
- ^ "Eastern League Changes Rules". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 7, 1960. p. 25.
- ^ "Eastern League Sets Opening". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 14, 1960. p. 16.
- ^ "Lipscomb ruled out". The Cuero Record. Cuero, Texas. United Press International. January 22, 1961. p. 2.
- ^ "EBL to Vote on Baltimore Sale". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. May 15, 1961. p. 16.
- ^ a b c "Eastern League Rejects Transfers". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 7, 1961. p. 27.
- ^ "Levane to Coach Jets". The New York Times. New York, New York: The New York Times Company. Associated Press. September 20, 1961. p. 32.
- ^ "Eastern League Plans Lifetime Ban". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. October 24, 1961. p. 20.
- ^ "Rens Seek Tribe Tilt". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 22, 1961. p. 24.
- ^ "Camden Club Hit With Fine". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 29, 1962. p. 19.
- ^ "Pushes Ref, Coach Fined". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. February 12, 1962. p. 13.
- ^ "EBL Will Act". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. August 1, 1962. p. 22.
- ^ "Carbondale May Get Franchise". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. August 9, 1962. p. 23.
- ^ "Carbondale Out of EBL Picture". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. August 17, 1962. p. 23.
- ^ "E.B.L. to Readmit Players Who Joined Rival League". The New York Times. New York, New York: The New York Times Company. Associated Press. November 9, 1962. p. 56.
- ^ "Hoover Fined, Suspended". The Cuero Record. No. 69.78. Cuero, Texas. United Press International. April 2, 1963. p. 3.
- ^ "Wilmington Gets EBL Franchise". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. May 7, 1963. p. 42.
- ^ "Bombers Name Al Severance". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. May 27, 1963. p. 56.
- ^ "Camden Five Names Donnelly". The New York Times. New York, New York: The New York Times Company. Associated Press. October 10, 1963. p. 52.
- ^ "EBL re-elects Harry Rudolph". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. May 7, 1964. p. 27.
- ^ "Draft Slated". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 1, 1964. p. 17.
- ^ "EBL Drafts Courtin". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 2, 1964. p. 15.
- ^ "Allentown Picks Brendan McCann". Delaware County Daily Times. Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 27, 1964. p. 18.
- ^ a b Peltz, Bob (14 August 1971). "Caps' New Brass Introduced at Press Event". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Richman, Milton (19 September 1973). "But at 14, he doesn't look like club owner". Greensburg Daily News. Greebsburg, Indiana. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Mones, Jim (20 December 1975). "Garor Bowl will have local flavor". The Daily Item. Port Chester, New York. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ Jordan, Jack (5 November 1975). "Apollos Pick Criss and Rackley". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b Holdridge, Mike (26 October 1976). "Worst Kept Secret Revealed; Syracuse Joins Cage League". Syracuse Post Standard. Syracuse, New York. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Novak returns to Apollos". The Times Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. 17 October 1976. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "The Seven EBA Teams". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. 4 December 1976. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ "EBA strikes gold". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 10 February 1978. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ a b Haskel, Bob (21 February 1978). "Pro basketball envisioned for Bangor". The Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Maine. Retrieved 12 April 2022.