1954-55 Junior men

E. RD 1 (ONT): Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d Toronto Church of all Nations 88-54; x-x (2g-0) E. RD 1 (SASK): Regina Mercurys defeated Moose Jaw Tech Toilers 66-55, 2-0 (default) W. RD 1 (BC): Vancouver YMCA d’d U.B.C. Braves 65-32; x-x (Total: x-x) W. RD 2 (SASK): Regina Mercury’s d’d Saskatoon Westmount Bisons 59-45; 54-29 (Total: 113-74) W. RD 2 (BC): Alberni Chieftains d’d Victoria Fletchers 60-44; 36-49 (Total: 96-93) W. RD 2 (BC): Vancouver Marpoles d’d Vancouver YMCA 58-50; 57-66; 52-64; 70-63; 60-57 (3g-2) E. RD 2 (Ont): Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d St. Michael’s College 98-75; x-x (2g-0) E. RD 3 (Ont): Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d St. Catharines YMCA 108-50; x-x (2g-0) E. QF (Ont): Windsor AKO d’d Hamilton Cochranen Construction 72-52; 87-72 (Total: 159-127) W. QF (Man): Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs d’d U of Manitoba Bisons 72-75; 68-35; x-x; 63-55 (3g-) W. QF (BC): Vancouver Marpoles d’d Alberni Chieftains 74-60; 69-59 (Total: 143-119) E. SEMI (Ont): Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d Windsor AKO 111-81; 62-55 (Total: 173-136) E. SEMI (Que): Montreal YMHA defeated Montreal Southwestern Y 67-56; x-x (3g-0?) W. SEMI (Man/NONT): Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs d’d Fort William 66-27; 93-52 (2g-0) W. SEMI (Alta/BC): Raymond Comets d’d Vancouver Marpoles 87-78; 74-72 (2g-0) W: FINAL (Man/Alta): Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs d’d Raymond Comets 73-71; 77-58; 81-71 (3g-0) E. FINAL (Ont/Que): Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d Montreal YMHA 84-83; 72-67 (2g-0) CANADIAN TITLE: Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs 75-69; 73-61; 89-67 (3g-0)

In the Toronto city semis, the Nortown 88’s defeated Toronto Church of All Nations 88-54; x-x (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Nortown 88’s prevailed 88-54 as Howie Bobkin scored 24, Don Guest 20 and Bill Karpinski 16. Jim McNamara led Church of all Nations with 20. Joe Balazovic added 15.

In the Toronto city finals, the Nortown 88’s defeated St. Michael’s College 98-75; x-x (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the 88’s prevailed 98-75 as Doug Gaidy scored 23, Izzy Mandel 20, Mark Cohen 16, Bill Karpinski 14 and Jerry Edelist 10. Barry Callaghan paced St. Michael’s with 21. Ed Lynch added 21.

In the Ontario semis, the Toronto Nortown 88’s defeated St. Catharines YMCA 108-50; x-x (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Nortown prevailed 108-50 as Bill Karpinski scored 24, Izzie Mandel 23, Doug Gaidy 19, Don Guest 17 and Jerry Edelist 15. Jack Robinson led St. Catharines with 12. George James added 10 and Charley Yeager 8.

In the other semi, the Windsor AKO Fratmen defeated Hamilton Cochrane Construction 72-55; 87-71 (Total: 159-127). …………………………………………………… In game one, Windsor dusted Hamilton 72-52 as Dick Hames scored 19, George Rau 11, Al Lachowicz 10, Hamilton 8, Stan Young 8, Ted Zalba 8, A Hoffman 4, Kirk 2, Mahler 2 and Douglas 1, while J Hoffman and Grant were scoreless. Arkinson scored 21 to lead Hamilton (coached by Joey Marko). Amer added 15, Wilson 8, Ross 5 and Wade 2, while Bennie, Leedale, McDade, Hurley and Gibb were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Windsor prevailed 87-75 as Ted Zalba scored 24, Dick Hames 14, Stan Young 11, Bob Hamilton 10, Kay 9, Al Lackowitz 6, Jim Hoffman 2 and Alex Hoffman 1, while Jim Douglas, Bob Mahler, George Rau, Don Grant and Gord Kirk were scoreless. Murry Arkinson led Hamilton with 26. Bill Wilson added 16, Ron Ross 9, Jon Amer 8, Ken Kemp 5, Bob Leedale 5, Wads 2, Burly 2 and McDale 1, while Gibbs and Bennie were scoreless.

In the Ontario final, the Toronto Nortown 88’s d’d Windsor AKO 111-81; 62-55 (Total: 173-136). AKO was appearing in its eight straight provincial final under coach Frank Wansborough. …………………………………………………. In game one, Toronto led 59-50 at the half and took command when Windsor star Ted Zalba was injured early in the second frame. Bill Karpinski paced Toronto with 26 points. Izzie Mandel added 23, Don Guest 22, Joe Druck 4, Jerry Edelist 9 and Doug Gaidy 15. Al Lachowicz led Windsor with 22. Dick Hames scored 22, Ted Zalba 16, Grant 0, J. Hoffman 0, A. Hoffman 2, Young 0, Kirk 10, Jack Hamilton 6, Rau 2, Mahler 2 and Douglas 0. …………………………………………………… In game two, Toronto prevailed 62-55 as Bill Karpinski scored 20, Izzy Mandel 16, Jerry Edelist 11, Guest 9 and Gaidy 6, while Cohen was scoreless. Toronto hit 22-62 from the floor and 18-20 from the line. Dick Hames led Windsor with 20. Ted Zalba added 10, Al Lachowicz 9, Young 4, A Hoffman 4, Rau 4 and Kirk 2, while Hamilton, J Hoffman, Douglas and Mohler were scoreless. Windsor hit 23-90 from the floor and 9-12 from the line.

In the best of three Montreal finals, Montreal YMHA defeated Southwestern YMCA 67-56; x-x; x-x (3g-0?). …………………………………………………… In game one, YMHA prevailed 67-56 as Raphael scored 15, Beloff 11 and Wasserman 11. Turnbull led Southwestern with 16. Mawhinney added 12.

In the Eastern final, the Toronto Nortown 88’s, who’d finished as national runners-up in 1954 while known as the Marvel Jewellers, clipped Montreal YMHA 84-83; 72-67 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, Doug Gaidy hit a hoop with seven seconds to play as Toronto pulled out an 84-83 win. Bill Karpinski paced Toronto with 28. Marv Cohen added 18. …………………………………………………… In game two, Montreal built a 44-35 lead at the half but the 88s won 72-67 after rallying behind the defensive boardwork of Doug Gaidy, who scored 19. Bill Karpinski added 18, Izzy Mandel 14, Karpinski 13, Edelist 8, Guest 6, Roblin 6 and Cohen 4. Mel Ellen led Montreal with 14. Sol Appel added 12, Wasserman 11, Irv Beloff 10, Ellis 6, Bob Vogel 6, Irving Altman 5 and Lutterman 1. YMHA (coached by Joey Richman) also included Howard Rafael.

In the Saskatchewan finals, the Regina Mercurys defeated the Saskatoon Westmount Bisons 59-45; 54-29 (Total: 113-74). …………………………………………………… In game, Regina prevailed 59-45 as Brian Nicurity scored 16, Maxwell 9, Campbell 8, Lorenz 7, Cross 7, Schwartz 6, Lax 6 and Purdy 2, while Turner was scoreless. Doug Lindberg led the Bisons with 16. Allan Rogers added 15, Smith 8, Luckwell 3, Fisher 2 and Unger 1. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Mercurys took the series with a 54-29 win as Brian Nicurity scored 17, Jim Cross 13, Purdy 8, Lorenzen 6, Schwartz 6, Maxwell 2 and Turner 2, while Lax and Campbell were scoreless. Doug Lindberg led the Bisons with 13. Alan Rodgers added 7, Smith 4, Unger 2, Luckwell 2 and Berg 1, while Fisher was scoreless.

In the Manitoba finals and West quarterfinals, the Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs d’d University of Manitoba Bisons 72-75; 68-35; x-x; 63-55 (3g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Bisons edged the Oak Leafs 75-72 as Bill Lindsay scored 6, Don Johnson 15, Gene Walker 4, Don Collins 14, Don McLean 13, Baines 2 and Kennedy 1, while Dennis Wooley were scoreless. Ross McKenzie paced the Oak Leafs with 22. Ken Hartas added 16, Ab Hansford 14, Barney Shane 9, Mitch Czaja 5, Ed Melnyk 4 and Rauhaus were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Oak Leafs 68-35 as Mitch Czaja scored 16, Ab Hansford 12, Russ McKenzie 8, Norm Rauhaus 8, Ken Hartas 8, Melnyk 5, Sumter 4, Lastiwka 3, Shane 2 and Harvey 2. Don Johnson led the Bisons with 11. Don Collins added 9, Don MacLean 5, Bill Lindsey 5, Gene Walker 3 and Dennis Woolley 2, while Baynes, Kennedy and Pierce were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Leafs took the series with a 63-55 win as Ross McKenzie scored 18, Ab Hansford 16, Mitch Czaja 11, Harvey 7, Rauhaus 6, Hartas 3 and Shane 2, while Sumpter, Lastiwka and Melnyk were scoreless. Don Collins paced the Bisons (coached by Kas Vidruk) with 26. Gene Walker added 7, Don Johnson 7, Dennis Woolley 6, Don McLean 5, Lindsay 3 and Pierce 1, while Kennedy and Baynes were scoreless.

In the West and British Columbia opening round, Vancouver YMCA defeated the U.B.C. Braves 65-32; x-x (Total: x-x). …………………………………………………… In game one, YMCA torched U.B.C. 65-32. Dave Milne scored 18 to pace YMCA (coached by Lance Hudson). Robbins added 13, Sankey 11, Pennington 8, Keller 7, Holyoak 5, Treleaven 2 and Wheeler 1, while Brundage and Poole were scoreless. Hill led the Braves with 10. Knowles added 7, Langhout 4, Forward 4, Puddy 2, Horton 2, Pletcher 2 and Larsen 1, while Johnston and Redford were scoreless.

In the West second round, B.C. semis and Island finals, the Alberni Athletics defeated Victoria Cec Fletchers 60-44; 36-49 (Total: 96-93. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberni dusted Victoria 60-44 as Norm Bailey scored 11. Paul Simpson led Fletchers with 14. The Fletchers led 23-18 at the half. …………………………………………………… In game two, Fletchers clipped Alberni 49-36 but fell three points short of capturing the total-point series. Ron Marin led Fletchers with 18. Paul Simpson added 17. Fletchers (coached by Lou McCorkall) also included Gary Bilbert, Dave Price, A McMeekin, Reg Derr and John Callerall. Gary Panton led the Athletics with 13.

In the other B.C. semi and Lower Mainland finals, Vancouver Marpoles d’d Vancouver YMCA 58-50; 57-66; 52-64; 70-63; 60-57 (3g-2). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Marpoles prevailed 58-50 as Lyall Levy scored 17, Norris Martin 13, Art Bunn 10, Yat Yip 8, Mort Schloss 7, Lynn Holmes 2 and John Gower 1, while Ed Malecki, Al Parks, Don Wallin and Jack Rebagliatti were scoreless. Terry Sankey led YMCA with 13. Fred Robbins added 10, Lorne Holyoak 9, Dave Treleaven 6, Dave Milne 7, Gary Pennington 3 and Larry Ketter 2, while Mike Poole and Glen Wheeler were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, YMCA evened the series with a 66-57 win as Milne scored 18, Pennington 14, Holyoak 13, Robbins 11, Sankey 6, Treleaven 2 and Keller 2, while Poole and Wheeler were scoreless. Bull led YMCA with 19. Yip added 10, Levy 9, Martin 6, Schloss 6, Parks 4, Malecki 2 and Holmes 1, while Gower and Rebagliatti were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, YMCA clipped the Marpoles 64-52 as Sankey scored 21, Pennington 14, Robbins 13, Milne 10, Holyoak 4 and Larry Keller 2, while Treleaven, Poole and Wheeler were scoreless. Malecki led the Marpole with 11. Bull added 8, Gower 8, Martin 7, Yip 6, Wallin 6, Levy 5 and Holmes 2, while Parks was scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Marpoles evened the series with a 70-63 win in double-overtime as Bull scored 13, Levy 12, Malecki 11, Yip 11, Martin 9, Wallin 8, Schloss 3 and Rebaliatti 2, while Gower, Holmes and Parks were scoreless. Pennington led YMCA with 18. Sankey added 11, Milne 10, Treleaven 9, Robbins 7, Holyoak 4, Keller 2 and Wheeler 2, while Poole was scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game five, the Marpoles took the series with a 60-57 win as Bull scored 16, Mort Schloss 9, Levy 8, Martin 7, Don Wallin 6, Yat Yip 6, Holmes 4 and Malecki 2, while Rebagliatti, Gower and Parks were scoreless. Gary Pennington led YMCA with 12. Robbins added 8, Treleaven 8, Keller 7, Sankey 5 and Holyoak 4, while Poole and Wheeler were scoreless.

In the West quarterfinals and B.C. finals, Vancouver Marpoles d’d Alberni Chieftains 74-60; 69-59 (Total: 143-119). …………………………………………………… In game one, Vancouver prevailed 74-60 as Lyall Levy scored 29. Gary Panton led the Chieftains with 12. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Marpoles took the title with a 69-59 win as Bull scored 16, Yip 12, Schloss 10, Levy 8, Malecki 5, Holmes 4, Martin 4, Gower 4, Wallin 3 and Rebagliatti 2. Panton led Albernie with 13. Price added 13, Ninkovic 12, Bailey 6, Gailloux 5, Harcus 4, Andrews 2 and Ward 2.

In the West semis, the Raymond Comets defeated the Vancouver Marpoles 87-78; 79-72 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, Raymond prevailed 87-78 after leading 15-1 at the start and 47-31 at the half. Jess Gibb paced the Comets with 28. Jack Hicken added 24, Don Attwood 15, Henderson 8, Minion 7 and Hirsche 5, while Stone and Scott were scoreless. Art Bull led the Marpoles with 22. John Gower added 16, Lyall Levy 12, Martin 8, Yip 7, Wallin 5, Malecki 4 and Holmes 4, while Rebaliatti and Schloss were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Comets completed the series sweep by edging the Marpoles 79-72. Jess Gibb paced the Comets with 24. Don Attwood added 24, Delynne Hirsche 13, Dennis Minion 10 and Jack Hicken 8, while Stone, Vance and Henderson were scoreless. Lyle Levy paced coach Fred Cullen’s Marpoles with 16. Yat Yip added 13, Norris Martin 13, Art Bull 10, Mort Schloss 6, Ed Malecki 2, Gower 2 and Don Wallin 2, while Len Holmes and Jack Rebagliatti were scoreless. The Comets hit 32-66 (.485) from the floor, while the Marpoles hit 28-82 (.377). The Marpoles outrebounded the Comets 41-30.

In the other West semi and Manitoba/Northern Ontario playoff, the Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs defeated the Fort William Court Kings 66-27; 93-52 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Leafs whipped the Court Kings 66-27 as Mitch Czaja scored 16, Abbis Hansford 12, Ross McKenzie 12, John Lastiwka 6, Walter Sumter 6, Ed Melnyk 5, Barney Shane 4, Norm Rauhaus 4 and Ken Hartas 2, while Don Harvey was scoreless. Jim Johnson led Fort Williams with 8. Ray Maio added 6, Jack Schnob 5, Terry Cody 3, Bob Beda 3 and Bob Brown 2, while Walt Kwasny, Walt Matyzuk, Jim Schnob and Mike McMahon were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Leafs completed the series sweep by pounding Fort William 93-52 as Mitch Czaja scored 22, Abbis Hansford 19, Ross McKenzie 12, Ed Melnyk 12, Norm Rauhaus 6, Barney Shane 6, John Lastiwka 5 and Don Harvey 3, while McBride was scoreless. Jim Johnson led the Court Kings with 15. Jack Schnob added 13, Bob Brown 9, Ray Malo 4, Bob Beda 4, Walt Matyzuk 3, Terry Cody 2 and Walt Kwasny 2, while Mike McMahon and Jim Schnob were scoreless.

In the Western final, Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs swept the Raymond Comets 73-71; 77-58; 81-71 (3g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, Winnipeg prevailed 73-71 as Mitch Czaja knifed in for the winner in the final minute to make the score 73-69. Winnipeg 21-15, 33-25 and 55-50 at the quarters. The Oak Leafs dominated the boards and led by nine early in the fourth quarter but Jack Hicken, Jess Gibbs and Don Attwood rallied the Comets to within two before Czaja notched the decisive bucket. Czaja paced the Oak Leafs with 18. Norm Rauhaus added 16, Ab Hansford 13, Doug Mckenzie 10 Johnny Lastiwka 6, Ron Harvey 6, Melnyk 3 and Barney Shane 1, while Ken Hartas and Barry McBride were scoreless. Jess Gibb led Lyman Jacob’s Comets with 19. Don Attwood added 16, Jack Hicken 13, Delynne Hirsche 11 and Dennis Minion 6 and Henderson 1, while Vance and Stone were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Oak Leafs whipped Raymond 77-59 after leading 38-36 at the half. Ab Hansford paced the Oak Leafs with 21. Doug McKenzie added 12, Norm Rauhaus 11, Mitch Czaja 8, Ed Melnyk 8, Ken Hertas 5 and John Lastiwka 4, while Barney Shane and Barry McBride were scoreless. Jess Gibb led the Comets with 18. Don Attwood added 16, Harker 11, Minion 9, Delynne Hirsche 3 and Stone 1, while Henderson and Vance were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, Ab Hansford scored 21 to pace the Oak Leafs to an 81-71 win. The Comets led 17-13 after one quarter and 39-27 at the half. Winnipeg led 56-54 after three quarters. The Oak Leafs ragged the ball and won it at the free throw line. Abbie Hansford and Norm Rauhaus each scored 18 to pace the Oak Leafs. Ron Harvey added 14, Mitch Czaja 11, Ken Hartas 8, Ross McKenzie 5, Barney Shane 3, Ed Melnyk 2 and John Lastiwka 2, while Barry McBride was scoreless. Dennis Minion paced the Comets with 18. Delynne Hirsch added 16, Tom Attwood 12, Jack Hicken 10, Jess Gibb 10, and Vance 4, while Stone and Henderson were scoreless. Raymond was led by Jack Hicken, who later starred at the University of Alberta, where he enrolled after a two-year missionary stint in South Africa, where he led his mission team to the South African title.

In the national finals, the Toronto Nortown 88’s swept the Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs 75-69; 73-61; 89-67 (3g-0). Star Winnipeg center Mitch Czaja was unable to make the trip East for the national finals because he was writing exams.

In game one, Toronto took a 40-30 lead at the half but Winnipeg rallied to within four on a raft of Toronto turnovers before the 88’s capitalized on aggressive defence by Jerry Edelist and six quick points by Don Guest to dispatch the Oak Leafs 75-69. Bill Karpinski and Doug Gaidy each scored 20 to pace Toronto. Izzy Mandel added 12, Ron Bezoff 0, Joe Druck 2, Jerry Edelist 8, Howie Bobkin 2, Don Guest 8, Marv Cohen 4 and Billy Karpinski 8. Norm Rauhaus paced Winnipeg with 23. Ron Harvey added 10, Ab Hansford 13, Ross McKenzie 4, Barney Shane 0, Ken Hartas 5, Barry McBride 2, John Lastiwka 2 and Junior Sumter 10.

In game two, Toronto erased a 37-34 deficit with a 15-0 run early in the second half and prevailed 73-61. Jerry Edelist ignited the outburst with a jumper. Doug Gaidy added a pair of free throws, Bill Karpinski a pair of layups and then guard Izzy Mandel scored seven straight points before the shell-shocked Oak Leafs could recover. Doug Gaidy paced Toronto with 20. Billy Karpinski added 19, Izzy Mandel 15, Marv Cohen 5, Ron Bezoff 0, Howie Bobkin 0, Joe Druck 0, Jerry Edelist 8 and Don Guest 5. Norm Rauhaus led Winnipeg with 23. Ab Hansford added 9, Ross McKenzie 4, John Lastiwka 5, Barney Shane 0, Ron Harvey 5, Ken Hartas 4, Ed Melnyk 6, Barry McBride 0 and Junior Sumter 4.

In game three, Toronto completed the sweep with an easy 89-67 win as Don Guest scored 30; including 13 in the first half as Toronto built a 42-29 lead. The 88s coasted to the win as four Winnipeg starters – Ed Melnyk, Ab Hansford, Norm Rauhaus and Barry McBride – fouled out but not before Winnipeg had rallied to within 59-53 with 10 minutes to play. Izzy Mandel added 17 for Toronto, Billy Karpinski 12, Jerry Edelist 10, Doug Gaidy 9, Marv Cohen 6, Joe Druck 4 and Ron Bezoff 1. Ron Harvey led Winnipeg with 19. Ab Hansford added 12, Norm Rauhaus 11, Ken Hartas 8, Ross Mckenzie 6, Barry McBride 5, Junior Sumter 3, Ed Melnyk 2 and Barney Shane 1. Toronto hit 25-46 from the line, while Winnipeg was 13-31.

After 1955 season, National Basketball Rules Committee in Kansas City decides to award one bonus free throw for the entire game. A second free throw is awarded if the first is made. The free throw lane is widened to 12 feet from six feet.

The runner-up Winnipeg Light Infantry Oak Leafs: Mitch Czaja; Norm Rauhaus; Don Harvey; Ab Hansford; Ross McKenzie; Barney Shane; Ken Hartas; Barry McBride; John Lastiwka; Junior Sumter; Ed Melnyk; Danny Baluk; Kirby Overton; John McFetridge; coach Harold Mauthe; assistant Sammy Dolhun; manager Ken Petrie

 The champion Toronto Nortown 88s: Billy Karpinski; Izzy Mandel; Don Guest; Doug Gaidy; Jerry Edelist; Joe Druck; Marv Cohen; Howie Bobkin; Joe Druck; Ron Bezoff; coach Dave Sherman; assistant Butch Fremont;