1951-52 Senior men - From Naismith to Nash

E. Rd 1 (Ont): Tillsonburg Livingstons d’d Windsor Jaycees 80-69; 68-54 (Total: 148-123)
E. RD 1 (Ont): St. Catharines Legion d’d Hamilton Y 52-40;
W. RD 1 (Sask): Regina Caterpillars d’d Moose Jaw Kings 46-36; 57-46 (Total: 103-82)
W. RD 1 (BC): Vancouver Cloverleafs d’d Vancouver Arctic Club 39-47; 57-48; 53-38; 51-50 (3g-1)
E. RD 2 (Ont): Toronto Tri-Bells d’d St. Catharines Legion Vets 81-37; 66-48 (Total: 147-85)
W. RD 2 (BC): Vancouver Eilers d’d Vancouver Cloverleafs 48-42; 51-52; 56-47; 66-55; 52-61; 48-40 (4g-2)
W. RD 2 (BC): Alberni Athletics d’d Victoria Individuals 49-48; 44-50; 47-46; 48-33 (3g-1)
E. QF (OttV): Ottawa Brookes d’d Ottawa Mormon Elders 23-53; 52-37; 34-37; 51-50; 55-51 (3g-2)
W. RD 3 (BC): Vancouver Eilers d’d Alberni Athletics 60-66; 59-50; 62-61; 63-62 (3g-1)
W. RD 3 (BC): Prince Rupert Challengers d’d Penticton Omegas 58-52; 63-67; 60-56 (2g-1)
E. QF (Que): Montreal YMHA d’d McGill U Grads 76-46; 53-51; 60-49 (3g-0)
E. QF (Ont): Tillsonburg Livingstons d’d Toronto Tri-Bells 60-62; 87-46 (Total: 147-108)
W. QF (BC): Vancouver Eilers d’d Prince Rupert Challengers 75-44; 86-41 (2g-0)
W. QF (Alta): Edmonton Waterloo Meteors d’d Magrath Rockets 81-74; 50-52; 63-42 (2g-1)
W. QF (Sask): U of Saskatchewan Huskies d’d Regina Caterpillars 54-39; 58-66 (Total: 112-105)
E. SEMI (Que/OV): Montreal YMHA d’d Ottawa Brookes 63-53; 75-48 (Total: 138-101)
E. SEMI (Ont): Tillsonburg Livingstons d’d Sault Ste Marie Gunners 90-52; 97-57 (2g-0)
W. SEMI: Vancouver Eilers d’d Edmonton Waterloo Meteors 58-62; 67-65; 65-52 (2g-1)
W. SEMI (Man): Manitoba Varsity Grads d’d Winnipeg Paulins 68-63; 72-68; 54-58; 60-57; 64-57 (3g-2)
W. FINAL (Man/BC): Manitoba Varsity Grads d’d Vancouver Eilers 68-61; 72-62; 66-60 (3g-0)
E. FINAL: Tillsonburg Livingstons d’d the Montreal YMHA Blues 52-51; 47-53; 57-49 (2g-1)
CANADIAN TITLE: Tillsonburg Livingstons d’d U. of Manitoba Varsity Grads 61-63; 70-56; 79-60; 55-54 (3g-1)

In the Toronto city finals, the Nortown Tri-Bells defeated Toronto YMHA 70-52; 92-44 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game two, the Tri-Bells took the series with a 92-44 win as Fred Thomas scored 18, Umie Cooper 15, George Wearring 15, Johnny Braithwaite 11, Charlie Watson 9, Sharpy Litvack 8, M Grossman 5, R Thomas 5, B Freedman 4 and D Marshall 2, while J Gray was scoreless. Willie Silverman led YMHA with 18. John Palma added 15, G Ruiter 4, A Richmond 3, H Zigelstein 2 and F Folger 2, while C Rotman was scoreless.

In the Ontario quarterfinals and East opening round, the Tillsonburg Livingstons dumped the Windsor Jaycees 80-69; 68-54 (Total: 148-123). …………………………………………………… In game one, Tillsonburg dusted Windsor 80-69 as Harry Wade scored 16, Bob Phibbs 16, Bill Coulthard 14, Tommie Gibbons 12, Bob Simpson 9, Woody Campbell 7, Chuck Dalton 5 and Jim Curren 1, while playing coach Paul Thomas and Gord Davidson were scoreless. Ian Howie scored 17 to lead the Jaycees (coached by Red Wiseman). Tom Docherty added 12, Ado Rorai 10, Bill Jamieson 7, F Wade 5, Tolmie 5, Bill Bridgeman 2 and Lloyd Pare 1. …………………………………………………… In game two, Tillsonburg clipped Windsor 68-54 as Harry Wade scored 18, Chuck Dalton 12, Bob Phibbs 8, Woody Campbell 8, Bill Coulthard 6, Tommie Gibbons 5, Bob Simpson 5, Jim Curren 2, Gord Davidson 2 and playing coach Paul Thomas 2. Bill Jamieson led the Jaycees with 13. Ado Rorai added 11, F Wade 11, Tolmie 10, Ian Howie 6, Bill Bridgeman 2 and Lloyd Pare 1.

In the Ontario quarterfinals and East second round, the Toronto Tri-Bells defeated the St. Catharines Legion Vets 81-37; 66-48 (Total: 147-85). …………………………………………………… In game one, Toronto prevailed 81-37 as Umie Cooper scored 27, Max Grossman 16, Freddy Thomas 10, Wearring 6, R Thomas 6, Freedman 6, Grey 5, Marshall 4, Braithwaite 3, Litvack 2 and Watson 2. Dick Farley paced St. Catharines with 23. McKenna added 5, Marrack 4, Daniels 3, Crumb 1 and Anthony 1, while Ashdown, Pickard, S Greenlaw and J Greenlaw were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Toronto breezed to a 66-48 win as Umie Cooper scored 16, George Wearring 14, Max Grossman 9, Tootie Freedman 8, J Braithwaite 6, F Thomas 5, C Watson 3, R Thomas 2, H Litvack 2 and J Gray 2, while D Marshall was scoreless. Tony Fisher led the Legion with 16. Jack Anthony added 12, Dick Farley 9, H Daniels 5, A Ashdown 4 and T McKenna 2, while A Cromb and C Greenlaw were scoreless.

In the Ontario semis and East quarterfinals, the Tillsonburg Livingstons d’d the Toronto Tri-Bells 60-62; 87-46 (Total: 147-108). …………………………………………………… In game one, Toronto eked out a 62-60 win as Max Grossman scored the winning bucket at the buzzer. Umie Cooper had hit three free throws with 30 seconds to play to knot the score at 60. The refs whistled the teams for 52 fouls. Freddie Thomas scored 11. Umie Cooper added 8, Harry Litvack 4, Grossman 10, Paul Thomas 1, George Wearring 12, Gray 0, Watson 0, Atnott 3 and Braithwaite 4. Harry Wade led Tillsonburg with 22. Tommy Gibbons added 18, Chuck Dalton 0, Bob Phibbs 7, Bill Coulthard 2, Bill Curren 0, Bob Simpson 4, George Davidson 0, Woody Campbell 2 and Paul Thomas 2. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Livingstons set a torrid up-tempo pace that Toronto simply couldn’t play at or maintain. Tillsonburg led 48-21 at the half and romped to an 87-46 win. Bob Phibbs paced Tillsonburg with 21. Bill Coulthard added 20, Bob Simpson 3 while defending magnificently, Tom Gibbons 8, Harry Wade 7, Paul Thomas 3, Woody Campbell 8, Gord Davidson 0, Bill Curren 5, Chuck Dalton 14 and Bob Simpson 3. Fred Thomas led Toronto with 13. George Wearring added 13, Max Grossman 5, John Braithwaite 5, Harry Litvack 4, Cooper 4, Marshall 2, R. Thomas 3, Gray 0, Watson 2, Arnott 3 and Freedman 0.

In the East quarterfinals and Ottawa city finals, the Ottawa Brookes defeated the Ottawa Mormon Elders 23-53; 52-37; 34-37; 51-50; 55-51 (3g-2). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Mormons prevailed 53-23 as Doug Shepherd scored 18, Tom Holmes 17, Dale Geddes 5, Gleave 5, Randall 4, Gleed 2 and Neilson 2, while Lauder, clay, Brinley, Lovey and Madsen were scoreless. Mike Sharpe led Brookes with 10. Bun Wiseman added 6, Nuth 4, Stockman 2 and Overall 1, while Axon, Anthony, Orpen, Davies, McGowan, Kazas and Tommy were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Brookes clocked Mormons 52-37 as Mike Sharpe scored 19, Bill Stockman 19, Bun Wiseman 6, Overall 4, Axon 2 and Nuth 2, while Anthony, Orpen, Davis, McGowan, Kazas and Tommy were scoreless. Dale Geddes led Mormons with 15. Tom Holmes added 11, Brimley 8 and Shepherd 3, while Gleed, Lauder, Gleave, Neilson, Clay, Randall, Lovell and Madsen were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, Mormons edged Brookes 37-34 as Tom Holmes scored 17, Doug Shepherd 7, Dale Geddes 4, Neilson 3, Gleed 2, Brimley 2 and Gleave 2, while Lauder, Clay, Randall, Lovell and Madsen were scoreless. Mike Sharpe paced Brookes with 11. Bun Wiseman added 9, Bill Stockman 7, Hal Axon 4, Ernie Overall 2 and Matt Anthony 1, while Bob Nuth, Bud Davies, Alf McGowan and Kazas were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Brookes prevailed 51-50 as Bill Stockman hit a free throw to cut the lead to one and then Mike Sharpe hit the winner with eight seconds to play. Sharpe paced Brookes with 17. Stockman added 13, Ernie Overall 11, Bob Nuth 5, Bun Wiseman 3 and Hal Axon 3, while Matt Anthony, Bud Davies and Alf McGowan were scoreless. Tom Holmes paced the Elders with 14. Jay Gleave added 13, Jerry Neilson 10, Dale Geddes 5, Brimley 4, Randall 3 and Jay Gleed 2, while Shepherd, Lauder, Clay, Lovell and Madsen were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game five, Brookes took the series with a 55-51 win as Mike Sharpe scored 18, Bill Stockman 16, Bun Wiseman 12, Bob Nuth 4, Hal Axon 2, Ernie Overall 2 and Matt Anthony 1, while Bud Davies, Alf McGowan and Pat Orphen were scoreless. Tom Holmes paced the Elders with 17. Jay Gleave added 11, Doug Sheppard 6, Madsen 6, Randall 5, Dale Geddes 2 and Brimley 2, while Lauder, Jay Gleed, Clay and Lovell were scoreless. The Elders (coached by Solon Low) included Jerry Neilson.

In the East quarterfinals and Quebec finals, the Montreal YMHA Blues defeated the McGill Grads 76-46; 53-51; 60-49 (3g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Blues dusted McGill 76-46 as Myer Knobovitch scored 23, Benny Lands 19 and Mindy Morein 12. Hal Wilson led the Grads with 10. Ron Bower added 8, Don Finlayson 8 and Ron Rutherford 8, while Pat Kyle, Red Wilson and Tink Kyle did not play because of illness. …………………………………………………… In game two, YMHA prevailed 53-51 as Benny Lands scored 16. Suss Susslin led the Grads with 19. Smiley Wilson added 10. …………………………………………………… In game three, YMHA took the series with a 60-49 win as Benny Lands scored 18 and Murray Waxman 16. Smiley Wilson led the Grads with 11.

In the Ontario final and East semis, Tillsonburg dumped Sault Ste. Marie Gunners 90-52; 97-57 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, Tillsonburg torched Sault Ste. Marie 90-52 as Wade scored 19, Phibbs 13, Simpson 13, Campbell 11, Coulthard 10, Davidson 4, Dalton 4 and Thomas 3, while Curren was scoreless. Siltanen led the Gunners with 15. Robertson added 8, Kahle 8, Forster 7, Harris 6, Nichols 4 and Godfrey 4, while Klyn and Lapointe were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Tillsonburg led 30-15; 47-20 and 66-38 at the quarters. Bill Coulthard paced Tillsonburg with 18 despite playing less than half the game. Bob Phibbs added 5, Harry Wade 11, Tom Gibbons 12, Paul Thomas 9, Chuck Dalton 6, Woody Campbell 14, Bill Curren 6, Gord Davidson 6 and Bob Simpson 5. Kahle paced Sault Ste. Marie with 14. Robertson added 9, Siltanen 7, Nichols 4, Harris 4, Godfrey 7, Klyn 6, Forster 6 and Lapointe 0.

In the East semis, Montreal YMHA d’d Ottawa Brookes 63-53; 75-48 (Total: 138-101). …………………………………………………… In game one, Montreal YMHA prevailed 63-53 as Ben Lands scored 20, Murray Waxman 11, Cy Strulovitch 11, Myer Knobovitch 10, Endman 4, Golfman 3, Morein 3 and Davidon 1. Mike Sharpe led Brookes with 21. Bill Stockman added 20, Hal Axon 9 and Matt Anthony 3, while Bob Nuth, Ernie Overall, Bun Wiseman, Alf McGowan, Bud Davies and Pat Orphen were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Montreal took the series by pounding Ottawa 75-48 as Myer Knobovitch scored 19, Golfman 18, Murray Waxman 9, Morein 9, Cy Strulovitch 8, Endman 6, Ben Lands 4 and Davidon 2, while Ruddy and Rothstein were scoreless. Mike Sharpe led the Brookes with 16. Bill Stockman added 10, Bun Wiseman 8, Bob Nuth 5, Matt Anthony 4, Alf McGowan 2, Ernie Overall 2 and Hal Axon 1, while Pat Orphen and Bud Davies were scoreless. The Brookes (coached by Bob Douglas) also included Kaszas, Tommy and Stew Brookes.

In the Eastern finals, the Tillsonburg Livingstons won the Bunny Sabbath Trophy by defeating Montreal YMHA 52-51; 47-53; 57-49 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Tillsonburg prevailed 52-51 on a free throw by playing coach Paul Thomas with 30 seconds to play. Harry Wade led the Livingstons with 14. Bob Phibbs, Tom Gibbons and Bob Simpson each added 9, Campbell 1, Dalton 3, Curren 0, Fred Thomas 7 and Simpson 0. Murray Waxman led the hosts with 14. Myer Knobovitch added 12, Mendy Morein 9, Davidon 5, Strulovitch 4, Benny Lands 2, Golfman 4, and Endman 0. …………………………………………………… In game two, Montreal prevailed 53-47 as they pushed the pace to a furious tempo. The Y led 15-11 at the quarter and 27-25 at the half before wearing Tillsonburg down in the second half. Benny Lands and Murray Waxman each scored 13 for Montreal. Davidon added 2, Strulovitch 2, Myer Knobovitch 11, Golfman 3, Mendy Morein 9 and Endman 0. Harry Wade led Tillsonburg with 17. Dalton added 4, Curren 4, Tom Gibbons 2, Bob Simpson 8, Campbell 4, Thomas 7 and Bob Phibbs 1. …………………………………………………… In game three, Tillsonburg overpowered Montreal 57-49 to win the series. Simpson paced the Livingstons with 16. Harry Wade added 11, Thomas 5, Curren 5, Tom Gibbons 5, Dalton 5, Bob Phibbs 6 and Campbell 2. Benny Lands led Montreal with 11. Myer Knobovitch added 10, Mendy Morein 9, Davidon 2, Strulovitch 8, Golfman 6, Murray Waxman 4 and Endman 2.

In the West opening round and Saskatchewan semis, the Regina Caterpillars defeated the Moose Jaw Kings 46-36; 57-46 (Total: 103-82). …………………………………………………… In game two, the Caterpillars clipped Moose Jaw 57-46 as Don Leier scored 12, Alex Jolly 11, Fred Howard 8, Gordie Hammond 8, Lysack 5, Fieldgate 4, Ciuca 4, Heaton 4 and Lynd 1, while Walsh and Chomay were scoreless. Jack Sutcliffe led the Kings with 12. Bob Yeomans added 11, Mark Adams 10, Hanson 4, Couzens 4, Ramsdell 3 and Eliott 2, while Necker was scoreless.

In the Saskatchewan final, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the Regina Caterpillars 54-39; 58-66 (Total: 112-105). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Huskies whipped the Caterpillars 54-39 as Morris Anderson scored 16, Joe Mercier 10, Windy Hudon 8, Brian Ward 6, Wes Bolstad 6, Walter Cebrynsky 6 and Ken Biddell 1, while Scotty Cameron and Harvey Stinson were scoreless. Lou Lysack paced Regina with 13. Chuck Hinton added 5, Howard 5, Jolly 4, Hammond 4 and Ciuca 4, while Lier Walsh and Lind were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Caterpillars prevailed 66-58 but lost the total-point series by seven. Lou Lysack paced Regina with 14. Don Leier added 11, Alex Jolly 8, Norm Fieldgate 8, Howard 7, Chomay 6, Ciuca 5, Hinton 4 and Lund 3. Brian Ward led the Huskies with 15. Morris Anderson added 12, Ken Biddell 12, Walter Cebrynsky 10, Joe Mercier 4, Wes Bolstad 3 and Scotty Cameron 2, while Windy Hudon and Harvey Stinson were scoreless.

The University of Saskatchewan declined to participate in the national playoffs. The Huskies (coached by Fran Pyne, manager Buck Whiteman) included Harvey Stinson, Walt Cebrynsky, Scotty Cameron, Joe Mercier, Ken Biddell, Wes Bolstad, Brian Ward, Windy Hudon and Morris Anderson.

In the West and British Columbia opening rounds and Lower Mainland semis, Vancouver Cloverleafs d’d Vancouver Arctic Club 39-47; 57-48; 53-38; 51-50 (3g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Arctic Club notched its first win of the season (the Vancouver & District league had only 3 teams and the 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers were meeting in the sole semi) by clipping the Cloverleafs 47-39 as Al Brown scored 17, Bodeck 11, Vic Chapman 8, Sykes 6, Byford 2, Holloway 2 and Inkster 1, while Sakich, Porteous and Bohnen were scoreless. Craig led the Cloverleafs with 8. Chuck Dean added 8, Neil Desaulniers 8, McKinnon 6, Sandy Robertson (who came out of retirement 10 days earlier) 5, Steen 2 and Watson 2, while Kyle, Henwood, O’Dell and Olsen were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Cloverleafs evened the series with a 57-48 win as Sandy Robertson scored 15, Craig 12, Mulhern 7, Watson 7, Dean 6, Kyle 5, Henwood 2, Desaulniers 2 and McKinnon 1, while O’Dell, Olsen and Steen were scoreless. Inkster led Arctic Club with 14. Chapman added 10, Sykes 6, Byford 6, Holloway 5, Bodeck 4 and Brown 3, while Bohnen, Porteous and Sakich were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Cloverleafs prevailed 53-38 as Robertson scored 14, Kyle 9, McKinnon 7, Desaulniers 7, Henwood 5, Mulhern 5, Craig 4 and Dean 2, while Steen, Watson, O’Dell and Olsen were scoreless. Sykes led the Arctics with 14. Chapman added 9, Inkster 6, Brown 5, Holloway 3 and Byford 1, while Bohnen, Sakich, Bodeck and Porteous were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Cloverleafs took the series by nipping the Arctics 51-50 as Craig scored 14, Dean 11, Mulhern 7, Kyle 5, Robertson 4, Desaulniers 4, Watson 2, O’Dell 2, Steen 1 and McKinnon 1, while Henwood and Olsen were scoreless. Inkster led the Arctics with 13. Brown added 10, Holloway 8, Bodeck 6, Sykes 4, Byford 4, Chapman 4 and Bohnen 1, while Sakich was scoreless.

In the B.C. second round and Lower Mainland finals, Vancouver Eilers d’d Vancouver Cloverleafs 48-42; 51-52; 56-47; 66-55; 52-61; 48-40 (4g-2). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Eilers clipped the Cloverleafs 48-41 as Neville Munro scored 15, John Forsyth 15, Denny Wotherspoon 6, Moses 5, Watt 4, Lizee 2 and Mitchell 1, while Ken Lawn was scoreless. Chuck Dean scored 10 to lead the Coverleafs (coached by Ron Weber). Jeff Craig added 9, Sandy Robertson 6, Jack McKinnon 6, Neil Desaulnier 5, Leo Mulhern 4, Jack Kyle 1 and Olsen 1, while Steen, Henwood, Watson and O’Dell wee scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Cloverleafs edged the Eilers 52-51 as Jack Kyle hit the winning free throw with 22 seconds to play. Craig led the Cloverleafs with 11. Dean added 11, Robertson 9, McKinnon 8, Mulhern 6, Kyle 4, Watson 2 and Henwood 1, while Steen, Desaulnier, O’Dell and Olsen were scoreless. Mitchell led the Eilers with 13. Munro added 10, Moses 6, Wotherspoon 6, Lawn 5, Watt 5 and Forsyth 4. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Eilers dispatched the Cloverleafs 56-47 as Mitchell scored 17, Munro 16, Wotherspoon 10, Lawn 7, Watt 4 and Lizee 3, while Moses, Forsyth and Bardsley were scoreless. Craig led the Cloverleafs with 9. Mulhern added 9, Dean 7, Robertson 6, Watson 5, Desaulnier 3, Kyle 3, McKinnon 3 and Henwood 2, while Steen, O’Dell and Olsen were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Eilers prevailed 66-55 as Munro scored 14, Watt 11, Moses 8, Lizee 8, Mitchell 7, Wotherspoon 7, Lawn 6 and Forsyth 5. Craig led the Cloverleafs with 18. Dean added 9, Robertson 7, Mulhern 7, Desaulniers 6, McKinnon 5, Watson 1 and Henwood 1, while Steen, O’Dell and Olsen were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game five, the Cloverleafs notched a 61-52 win as Craig scored 14, Mulhern 12, McKinnon 9, Robertson 8, Dean 8, Kyle 5, Watson 3, Henwood 1 and Desaulniers 1, while Steen and Olsen were scoreless. Munro led the Eilers with 14. Forsyth added 12, Watt 9, Moses 7, Mitchell 4, Wotherspoon 3 and Lawn 3, while Lizee and Bardsley were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game six, the Eilers took the series with a 48-40 win as Munro scored 22, Forsyth 6, Moses 5, Wotherspoon 4, Watt 4, Mitchell 3, Lizee 2 and Lawn 2, while Bardsley was scoreless. Craig led the Cloverleafs with 13. Dean added 8, Mulhern 7, McKinnon 5, Robertson 3, Desaulniers 2 and Watson 2, while Steen, Kyle, Henwood, Webber and Olsen were scoreless.

In the B.C. second round and Island finals, Alberni Athletics d’d Victoria Individuals 49-48; 44-50; 47-46; 48-33 (3g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberni nipped Victoria 49-48 as Jack Forrest scored 11, Joe Samarin 10, Joe Buchanan 9, Harry Kermode 6, Gordy Lynn 5 and Don Hill 3, while Dave Mitchell, Norm Waugh, Roy Durante and John Groholski were scoreless. John Clarke led the Individuals with 19. Bob Boyes added 15, Elmer Curtis 6, Doug Peden 5 and Vince Clarkson 3, while Wes Maulstaid, Rookie Wright and John Fields were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Victoria evened the series with a 50-44 win as Clark scored 14, Clarkson 11, Peden 10, Boyes 8, Curtis 5, Wright 1 and Baxter 1, while Maulstaid and Fields were scoreless. Buchanan led Alberni with 14. Hill added 9, Samarin 8, Kermode 4, Forrest 3 and Waugh 1, while Durante, Lynn, Mitchell and Groholski were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, Alberni edged Victoria 47-46 as Kermode scored 13, Buchanan 11, Samarin 8, Durante 6, Groholski 4, Forrest 2, Lynn 2 and Mitchell 1. Clark led the Individuals with 17. Baxter added 11, Boyes 4, Curtis 4, Clarkson 3, Fields 3, Peden 2 and Wright 2, while Maulstaid was scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, Alberni took the series with a 48-33 win as Hill scored 11, Durante 10, Kermode 9, Samarin 6 and Forrest 2, while Lynn, Waugh, Groholski and Mitchell were scoreless. Clark led Victoria with 22. Boyes added 4, Curtis 3, Peden 2 and Wright 2, while Clarkson, Maulstaid, Fields and Baxter were scoreless.

In the B.C. semis and Coast finals, the Vancouver Eilers d’d Alberni Athletics 60-66; 59-50; 62-61; 63-62 (3g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberni edged Vancouver 66-60 as Harry Kermode scored 16, Joe Samarin 16, Groholski 8, Norm Waugh 7, Joe Buchanan 3, Jack Forrest 2, Durante 2, Lynn 1 and Mitchell 1. Nev Munro led the Eilers with 14. Denny Wotherspoon added 12, Ken Lawn 11, Mitchell 9, John Forsyth 6, Moses 5, Watt 2 and Lizee 1, while Bardsley was scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, Vancouver clipped Alberni 59-50 as Reid Mitchell scored 14, Norm Watt 12, Forsyth 9, Nev Munro 7, Moses 7, Wotherspoon 4 and Lizee 3, while Ken Lawn was scoreless. Harry Kermode led the Athletics with 17. Joe Buchanan added 9, Joe Samarin 8, Durante 5, Hill 5, Grobolski 4 and Lynn 2, while Mitchell, Forrest and Waugh were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Eilers edged Alberni 62-61 as John Forsythe scored 16, Mitchell 10, Watt 10, Munro 9, Wotherspoon 8, Lawn 6 and Moses 3, while Lizee and Bardsley were scoreless. Harry Kermode led the Athletics with 15. Hill added 12, Durante 10, Joe Buchanan 9, Jo Samarin 7, Forrest 4, Lynn 2 and Waugh 2, while Grobolski and Mitchell were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Eilers took the series with a 63-62 victory as Nev Munro scored 21, Watt 10, Forsyth 9, Mitchell 8, Lawn 7, Wotherspoon 5 and Moses 3, while Lizee was scoreless. Harry Kermode led the Athletics with 15. Waugh added 10, Buchanan 9, Samarin 9, Hill 8, Forrest 5, Durante 4, Lynn 1 and Groholski 1, while Mitchell was scoreless.

In the other B.C. semi, West third round and Interior finals, the Prince Rupert Challengers defeated the Penticton Omegas 58-52; 63-67; 60-56 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game two, Penticton evened the series with a 67-63 win as Bill Raptis scored 19.

In the British Columbia finals, the Vancouver Eilers defeated the Prince Rupert Challengers 75-44; 86-41 (Total: 161-85). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Eilers thrashed Prince Rupert 75-44 as Norm Watt scored 21, Nev Munro 15, Forsyth 10, Reid Mitchell 8, Moses 8, Wotherspoon 7, Lizee 4 and Lawn 1. Scherk led the Challengers with 13. Spring added 11, Joe Davis 8, Flatten 3, Webster 3, Matthews 3, Olsen 2 and Holkestad 1, while Morgan and Carlson were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Eilers whipped the Challengers 86-41 as Nev Munro scored 17, Reid Mitchell 15, Wotherspoon 11, Lizee 11, John Forsythe 10, Moses 9, Lawn 9 and James Bardsley 4, while Norm Watt did not play because of an ankle injury. Flatten paced the Challengers with 11. Davis added 7, Spring 6, Scherk 5, Holkestad 3, Matthews 2, Carlson 1 and Olsen 1, while Webster and Morgan were scoreless.

In the Alberta finals, the Edmonton Waterloo Meteors defeated the Magrath Rockets 81-74; 50-52; 63-42 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Meteors prevailed 81-74 as Bob Pickell scored 26, Bob Burtwell 13, Bakken 10, Bill Price 8, Art Kruger 7, Pearce 4 and Leah 3, while Montcrieff, Martin and Stevenson were scoreless. Coach Maury van Vliet’s Meteors led 21-12 after one quarter and 35-34 at the half. Wes Rice led the Rockets with 21. Ty Alston added 14, Dick Sabey 11, Blair Sabey 9, Max Sabey 7, Cal Alston 6 and Eldon Coleman 6, while Matkin was scoreless. Rocket Eldon Coleman was tossed in the first quarter for fighting. …………………………………………………… In game two, Magrath evened the series with a 52-50 win as Wes Rice scored 17, Dick Sabey 7, Cal Alston 6, Tyler Alston 6, Blair Sabey 6, M Sabey 6, Matkin 3 and Eldon Coleman 1, while Hillmer was scoreless. Bill Price led the Meteors with 13. Art Kruger added 13, Bob Burtwell 7, Don Moncrieff 6, Bob Pickell 4, Bakken 2, Pearce 2, Leah 2 and Clark 1, while Martin and Stevenson were scoreless. The Meteors led 16-9 after one quarter and 24-24 at the half. The Rockets led 39-35 after three quarters. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Meteors took the series with a 63-42 win after leading 15-6, 36-19 and 49-28 at the quarters. Bob Pickell led the Meteors with 24. Montcrieff added 21, Kruger 12, Clark 11, Price 8, Pearce 4 and Burtwell 3, while Baaken was scoreless. Eldon Coleman paced the Meteors with 10. Wes Rice added 6, M Sabey 6, D Sabey 5, Matkin 5, C Alston 3, T Alston 3, Hillmer 2 and B Sabey 2.

In the Western semis, the Vancouver Eilers defeated the Edmonton Meteors 58-62; 67-65; 65-52 (2g-0).

…………………………………………………… In game one, the Meteors defeated Vancouver 62-58 as Bob Pickell scored 31, Billy Price 11, Bill Kruger 8, Bob Burtwell 7, Montcrieff 2, Clarke 2 and Pearce 1, while Bakken, Martin and Leah were scoreless. The Eilers led 17-14 after one quarter and 34-28 at the half. The Meteors led 50-45 after three quarters. Nev Munroe led the Eilers with 13. Jim Mitchell added 11, John Forsythe 8, Ron Bisset 8, Norm Watt 6, Moses 4 and Lizee 2, while Bardsley, Nev Munro, Lawn and Wotherspoon were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Eilers rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to nip the Meteors 67-65 as Jim Mitchell scored 18. Nev Munroe added 15, John Forsythe 13, Lawn 4, Moses 4, Wotherspoon 4, Lizee 4, Ron Bisset 3 and Norm Watt 2. Bob Pickell led the Meteors with 29. Billy Price added 13, Montcrieff 8, Bob Burtwell 6, Clarke 5, Art Kruger 2 and Pearce 2, while Bakken, Martin and Leah were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, Vancouver prevailed 65-52 to take the series as Jim Mitchell scored 15, Norm Watt 13, John Forsythe 11, Nev Munro 10, Lizee 4, Lawn 4, Wotherspoon 4, Ron Bissett 2 and Moses 2. Bob Pickell led the Meteors with 19. Billy Price added 14, Bob Burtwell 10, Clarke 4, Pearce 2, Bakken 2 and Art Kruger 1, while Montcrieff, Martin and Leah were scoreless. The Eilers (coached by Jim Bardsley) led 19-10, 35-24 and 50-39 at the quarters.

In the Manitoba finals and Western semis, the Manitoba Varsity Grads d’d Winnipeg Paulins 68-63; 72-68; 54-58; 60-57; 64-57 (3g-2). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Grads prevailed as Carl Ridd scored 26, Roy Williams 12, Don Reid 10, Mike Spack 9, Neil Wood 5, Jim Scott 3, Ross McCallion 2 and Don Leyden 1, while Jack Willett was scoreless. Andy Spack led the Paulins with 13. John Brown added 11, Ralph Watts 9, Wally Parobec 9, Roy Burkett 8, Ross Turner 8, Callis 3 and Matthews 2, while Jim Bulloch was scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Paulins prevailed 72-68 as John Brown scored 16 and Ralph Watts 14. Carl Ridd led the Varsity Grads with 34. Roy Williams added 14. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Paulins edged the Varsity Grads 58-54 as Wally Parobec scored 12, Roy Burkett 10, John Brown 10, Jim Bulloch 7, Ralph Watts 7, Andy Spack 6 and Ross Turner 6, while Callis was scoreless. Carl Ridd led the Varsity Grads with 17. Mike Spack added 13, Roy Williams 1, Neil Wood 0, Ross McCallion 2 and Don Reid 1, while Don Leyden, Jack Willett and Bud Fraser were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game four, the Varsity Grads edged the Paulins 60-57 as Carl Ridd scored 24 and Roy Williams 13. Wally Parobec led the Paulins with 20. John Brown added 16. …………………………………………………… In game five, the Varsity Grads took the series with a 64-57 victory as Carl Ridd scored 33, Mike Spack 10, Neil Wood 7, Roy Williams 6, Ross McCallion 4 and Don Reid 4, while Don Leyden and Jack Willett were scoreless. Wally Parobec led the Paulins with 8. John Brown added 2, Ralph Watts 9, Matthews 6, Roy Burkett 5, Andy Spack 4, Jansen 2 and Ross Turner 1, while Callis and Jim Bulloch were scoreless.

In the Western final, the U of Manitoba Varsity Grads dispatched the Vancouver Eilers 68-61; 72-62; 66-60 (3g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the University of Manitoba prevailed 68-61 as Carl Ridd scored 37, Roy Williams 12, Mike Spack 7, Don Reid 6, Jack Willett 3, Don Leyden 2 and Neil Wood 1, while Jim Scott, Ross McCallion and Bernie Parent were scoreless. Nev Munroe led the Eilers with 13. John Forsythe added 9, Jim Mitchell 8, Moses 8, Wotherspoon 7, Norm Watt 5, Lizee 5, Ron Bissett 4 and Lawn 2. The Eilers led 22-15 after one quarter. The Grads led 39-31 at the half and 54-44 after three quarters. …………………………………………………… In game two, the University of Manitoba Varsity Grads dusted the Eilers 72-62 as Carl Ridd scored 24, Roy Williams 22, Jack Willett 11, Mike Spack 6, Don Leyden 2, Don Reid 3, Jim Scott 3 and Neil Wood 1, while Bernie Parent and Ross McCallion were scoreless. Jack Willett held Eilers star Jim Mitchell to 2. John Forsythe paced the Eilers (coached by Jim Bardsley) with 15. Nev Munroe added 14, Norm Watt 12, Ron Bisset 5, Wotherspoon 5, Lizee 3, Moses 3, Lawn 3 and Mitchell 2. The Grads led 23-10, 39-23 and 55-41 at the quarters. The Eilers rallied no closer than nine. …………………………………………………… In game three, the University of Manitoba completed the series sweep by edging Vancouver 66-60. Jack Willett led the Grads with 17, while notching a bucket every time Vancouver threatened down the stretch. Roy Williams added 17, Carl Ridd 13, Mike Spack 9, Don Reid 7, Neil Wood 1, Don Leyden 1 and Jim Scott 1, while Bernie Parent and Ross McCallion were scoreless. The Grads led 19-14 after one quarter. The Eilers led 34-32 at the half and 49-48 after three quarters. Nev Munro led the Eilers with 18. Dave Wotherspoon added 10, Reid Mitchell 9, Moses 6, Ron Bissett 5, Norm Watt 4, Lawn 3, John Forsythe 3 and Lizzie 2.

In the national finals, Tillsonburg Livingstons defeated the University of Manitoba Varsity Grads 61-63; 70-56; 79-60; 55-54 (3g-1). The finals were held in Tillsonburg. Games typically began at 9 p.m. after Holy Week services at St. Paul’s United Church. The congregation would listen to the service and then dutifully troop over to the arena.

In game one, before a capacity crowd of 3,500, the Winnipeg Varsity Grads notched a 63-61 win when centre Don Leydon hit a layup with 25 seconds on the clock to go break a 61-61 tie. Winnipeg was paced by Carl Ridd’s 25 points. Roy Williams added 18, Reid 5, Jack Willet 4, Mike Spack 4, Neil Wood 2, Don Leyden 4, Ross McCallion 1, while Bernie Parent and Jim Scott were scoreless. The Varsity Grads led 21-17 after one quarter. The Livingstons led 35-32 at the half and 46-44 at the three-quarter mark. Neither team led by more than four. The Livingstons were led by Bob Simpson’s 20 points. Harry Wade added 13, Bob Phibbs 5, Tommy Gibbons 7, Paul Thomas 3, Bill Coulthard 9, Woody Campbell 0, Chuck Dalton 0, Bill Curren 1 and Gord Davidson 0. Varsity Grads coach Jack Carmichael noted afterwards: “we were afraid we would be beaten by Ontario officials. But I thought the game was fairly handled.” Tilsonburg sponsor Gerry Livingston said refereeing cost his team 10 points. But asking for a change in referees was worthless. “What’s the use. The CABA is bending over backwards to see that the Winnipeg boys don’t beef when they get home.”

In game two, before a crowd of 3500 rabid fans in the Tilsonburg (a town of only 5000) arena, the Livingstons, “known as the Livvies,” took a 20-16 lead at quarter; 34-31 at half and 51-43 at three quarter mark. Tillsonburg won 70-56 despite having Bill Curren, Tommy Gibbons, Bob Phibbs and Paul Thomas foul out. But Bill Coulthard came through in the clutch, scoring all seven of his points in the final quarter to seal the victory. Curren was magnificent on defence, holding Winnipeg star Carl Ridd, who’d scored 25 in game one, to a mere nine points. Bob Phibbs paced Tillsonburg with 19 points. Harry Wade added 15, Bill Coulthard 7, Tommy Gibbons 2, Paul Thomas 1, Chuck Dalton 4, Bob Simpson 11, Woody Campbell 3, Gord Davidson 0 and Bill Curren 9. Roy Williams led Winnipeg with 14. Neil Wood added 10, captain Mike Spack 8, Jim Scott 2, Carl Ridd 9, Bud Fraser 8, Ross McCallion 5 and Don Reid 3, while Bernie Parent, Don Leyden and Jack Willett were scoreless.

In game three, the Livingstons won 79-60 in a walkaway, dominated up 21-16 at quarter; 38-30 at half; 58-45 at three quarter mark. Tillsonburg appeared to finally be finding its normal form and led by as many as 21 in the second half, the largest margin of the series. Bill Curren was again stellar on defence, holding Carl Ridd, who was averaging 27 ppg, to a mere 11 points. Bob Phibbs scored 19 to pace Tillsonburg. Tommy Gibbons added 16, Bob Simpson 15, Harry Wade 11, Bill Curren 7, Gord Davidson 4, Woody Campbell 4, Paul Thomas 2 and Chuck Dalton 1, while Bill Coulthard was scoreless. Roy Williams paced Winnipeg with 28. Carl Ridd added 11, Don Reid 7, Mike Spack 4, Neil Wood 3, Ross McCallion 3, Bernie Parent 1 and Jim Scott 1, while Don Leyden was scoreless. Gerry Livingston noted “we’re hitting in that old style and it will take a very good team to beat us from here on in.” Livingston predicted a title in game four. We’ll take them again on Friday and end the series.” Winnipeg coach Jack Carmichael said “if we play the game we are capable of, we can beat the Livingstons and force the series to the limit. We didn’t play good basketball tonight and Tillsonburg played a wonderful game.” Tillsonburg hit 23-32 from the line, while Winnipeg hit 20-25. The Livingstons shot .320 from the floor, while Winnipeg shot .270.

In game four, the Livingstons won the title with a 55-54 victory and the Windsor Star reported that “the town went wild last night.” Some 4,000 fans attended the game, and the win, Gerry Livingston said, was “the greatest thrill of my life.” Curren scored winning basket with a minute and half to play. Winnipeg coach Jack Carmichael blamed poor free throw shooting. “We just didn’t seem to have it at the last of the game. In fact, we haven’t played a good game all series, including our win.” The Livingstons led 16-13; 31-27 and 44-34 at the quarters. But Roy Williams kept Winnipeg in the game. The Grads scrambled back and Ross McCallion hit a jumper to tie the score at 52. Thomas and Ridd exchanged free throws. Coulthard hit a free throw. And then Ridd hit a free throw to give Winnipeg the lead 54-53. Both Ridd and Jack Willet missed free throws which would have stretched the Winnipeg margin. But Bill Curren tipped in a rebound with a minute and a half to go. Ridd missed a free throw. The Livvies grabbed the rebound and then waved three successive fouls in favour of the ball and froze it til the end of the game. Harry Wade finished with 18 for Tillsonburg. Bob Phibbs added 5, Tommy Gibbons 5, Paul Thomas 5, Bill Coulthard 4, Woody Campbell 4, Chuck Dalton 2, Bob Simpson 4, Bill Curren 6 and Gord Davidson 0. Roy Williams led Winnipeg with 17. Carl Ridd added 16, Ross McCallion 7, Neil Wood 7, Mike Spack 3, Jim Scott 2 and Don Leyden 2, while Jack Willett, Don Reid and Bernie Parent were scoreless. The victory marked a remarkable passage for a youthful club program. In 1946, Gerry Livingston, owner of Livingston Wood Products was persuaded to buy uniforms for local high school grads to compete in an intermediate league. Livingston, a former Assumption College star and a U.S. pro, started shopping for players, hiring them to work in his Livingston Wood Products firm, including Bill Coulthard, Paul Thomas, Bobby Simpson and Gino Sovran. In 1949, they won the Ont. intermediate B title. In 1950, they lost out in the senior playoffs. In 1951, they lost the intermediate A title to the Hamilton Mormons. And then in 1952, they won the senior national crown defeating Winnipeg Varsity Grads. To qualify as Olympic representative, the Livingstons had to defeat the Canadian college champs, the U of Western Ontario or University of Alberta. The Livingstons won and finished 9th in Olympic tourney at Helsinki. The team was led by 24-year-old playing coach Paul Thomas, who later went on to a highly successful coaching career, after a brief stint at the U. of Saskatchewan, at the University of Windsor. The Livingstons team included U. of Western star Harry Wade, six former players from Windsor’s Assumption College; and ex-Seton Hall star Tommy Gibbons, as well as Bob Simpson, a former Ottawa Rough Rider football star.

The runner-up University of Manitoba Varsity Grads: Carl Ridd; Roy Williams; Don Reid; Ross Willet; Mike Spack; Neil Wood; Jim Scott; Don Leyden; Ross McCallion; Bernie Parent; Bud Fraser; coach Jack Carmichael; manager Jack Rogers; equipment manager Charlie Wade; equipment manager Ron Lord

The champion Tilsonburg Livingstons: captain Bob Phibbs; Bill Coulthard; Woody Campbell; Harry Wade; Bill ‘Red’ Curren; Bob Simpson; Chuck Dalton; Tommy Gibbons; Gord Davidson; playing coach Paul Thomas; manager Bud Redmond