Pottsville High
School's basketball team finished last in the East Penn League for the first time in the history of basketball at this institution.
This was a disappointment in the face of the fact that a varsity team consisting of experienced players was expected from
the preceding year. But, as we have most bitterly learned in high school, one cannot be dependant upon returning players.
Withdrawal from school and ineligibility took its toll, leaving one veteran, Captain Dimmerling.
It was about this one player that Coach Howard Flack built his team. The first
sacrifice was Dimmerling's removal from forward, in which position he was thoroughly proficient, to guard, where he prevented
much scoring, although managing to score himself. The winning of a berth on the all-league teams and finishing among the first
group of scorers, were the honors bestowed upon him.
Ed Merrick, a veteran of the previous year, was only available to the team for three games, when the age limit set by the
P.I.A.A., removed him from the lineup. Coach Flack managed to get a team that, although individually, was not on par with
any of their opponents, but as a team gave the leaders much competition. Many of the games were not won until the final whistle
brought the finish.
As usual, Port Carbon opened the
season, giving the home towner's an opportunity to look over the boys. The Crimsons' defense was the feature of the game,
allowing the visitor but 12 points, and receiving 24 to their credit. The league opener with Bethlehem was a real thriller
and although Pottsville finished at the short end of the scoring, the Bethlehemites were forced into an extra period and final
score 23-20 score was the first, but not the last final minute defeat.
The Alumni were met and defeated after four periods of slow, irregular playing, the 20-14 victory being of little consequence.
The Allentown Canaries took advantage of a Crimson and White off-night to give Pottsville its second league setback, 22-12,
Pottsvillemaking but two of the possible 17 free tosses. An attempt at Saturday night exhibitions proved a figure financially
when Pottsville, after trailing for three quarters, took the game from Danville, 31-22, before a handful of spectators.
Pottsville was unable to stop the accurate Easton shots, and a one-sided 48-23
count spelled the third defeat. Hazleton, with its usual strong team, again won league honors and Pottsville was among those
vanquished, The respective tallies 32-14. Stroudsburg, a new entrant into the league, had an unusually strong team being the
only team to make Hazleton suffer a defeat. The game was exciting, and the crowd stood, during the last five minutes. The
final score, 25-24 is ample proof of the fine exhibition.
Lbanon Freshmen had little trouble taking the local boys into camp. With a team composed of finished players, their fast passing
and clever shooting enabled them to tally a total of 27 points. This being one of the few game in which Merricck played, he
managed to accumulate 11 of his team's 17 points.
The
second half of the season opened verus Bethlehem, Pottsville, after leading three-quarters of the game, were tied with only
a few seconds to play and a long shot by a Bethlehem player brought defeat by the close score of 17-15. a disorganized Pottsville
five traveled to Allentown and after a miserable showing, returned with a 24-14 defeat. Easton repeated its win, but the score
showed Pottsville in a more favorable light. The count for this tilt was 28-21.
Spectacular shooting on the part of Bill Dimmerling accounted for a fine first half showing on the large Hazleton floor, but
the league leaders won out 38-18. The Stroudsburg game was slow and uninteresting, Pottsville, after a half of many unsuccessful
shots and the removal of Dimmerling by personals, took a sound trouncing, 38-15. Minersville, at home, and away, and Port
Carbon away, were three post-season victories for Pottsville, by the respective scoring, 43-17, 33-19, and 44-9.
The following players will return to the squad next season: Conrad, Buchinsky,
Stephenson, Wolf, McCormick, Dietrich, and Freeze.
