HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL PENN BOYS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

1916 to 1979

 
 
SAMPLES FROM THE BOOK:

HOW TEAMS FARED IN DISTRICT AND STATE PLAYOFFS:

1916 to 1919 - No District or State Playoffs
1920 - Harrisburg Tech was automatic Southeast champion. In the state tourney they defeated Oakmont 35-18, Lansford 31-12, Pittsburgh Fifth Avenue 23-18 and Bellevue

1950 - York won their third consecutive District 3 championship by beating Ephrata 43-37 in the semifinals and Chambersburg 64-39 in the finals. In the PIAA quarterfinals, York lost to Haverford 41-40.

1951 - Lebanon was upset in the District 3 semifinals by Wilson 48-46.

1952 - Reading defeated Hanover 58-39 to win the District 3 championship. In the PIAA state tournament they lost to Catasauqua 46-44 in the quarterfinals

1977 - Steelton-Highspire defeated Milton Hershey 79-76, Cedar Cliff 84-59 and Carlisle 71-66 to reach the District 3 championship. Then they were beaten in a great triple-overtime game by Reading 65-63. 2nd place, Reading defeated Lower Dauphin 53-26, York Suburban 65-51, Wilson 52-46, Hempfield 51-48 and Steelton-Highspire 65-63 in triple-overtime to take the District 3 title. 3rd place, York defeated Cumberland Valley 63-56, Lancaster McCaskey 66-56 but then lost to Carlisle 54-53 in the District 3 tournament. 4th place, Harrisburg lost to Lebanon 56-55 in the district’s first round…..Steelton-Highspire came back from the loss to Reading to reach the PIAA state championship game, before losing to Fox Chapel 81-71. To reach the championship game, they defeated Allentown Allen 89-82, Nanticoke 87-83, Shamokin 93-83 and avenged the loss to Reading with a convincing 65-51 victory…..Reading started state tourney play with a 59-26 romp over Parkland, then beat Norristown 64-54 and Boyertown 61-57 before the 65-51 loss to Steelton-Highspire in the eastern final. But they got another game as the PIAA had a consolation game for 3rd place and Reading beat Norwin 65-62 to bring home the 3rd place metal.

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ELITE PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE
Editor’s Note: This is in no way an exact list. It was made up after looking mostly at All-State teams, 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams. There was no AP All-State teams before 1938, so players before were found from newspaper articles and all-league teams. There are surely many other deserving players, but we couldn’t mention all players who made all-league. The players on this list are not in any order, either by best to worst or by years played.

Johnny Dietrick, Reading Dick Nyquist, Reading
Possum Miller, Lebanon Curly Christian, Reading
Bud Lingle, Harrisburg Tech Merle Ellis, Harrisburg Tech

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TOP COACHES IN THE LEAGUE

Marty’s teams won 20 or more games six times during his Central Penn days, with a high of 29 coming with the 1977 team. Marty coached three more years at S-H and his 19 year record was 345 and 133 at Steel-High. Earlier he had coached at Shamokin St. Edwards/Lourdes Regional and his career record was 421-161.
J. Nelson Hoffman, Steelton - 218-85 - Coached 16 years from 1925 through 1941. His teams won 6 league title in his tenure. He also won 6 District 3 championships. His 1927 team won the state championship and the 1937 team lost in the east final to Newport.

A BRIEF LOOK AT HOW THE LEAGUE WAS FORMED

NO OTHER STORIES ON ABOUT THE LEAGUE

THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE BOOKLET

Year-By-Year Champions
Year-By-Year Final Standings
Composite Standings - All-Time

HOW THE TEAMS FARED IN PLAYOFFS

Top Players and Coaches

HOW TO GET IT:
Anyone wanting a copy of the History of Central Penn League, can get one by
sending $7.00 to Jerry Shenk @ 607 Fairway Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603.

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