HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Contributors - Jack Black, Robert Bradley and Al Kirk
The Southern Basketball League, with Raymond Johnson, sports editor of The
Nashville Tenneseean, as commissioner and Jim Price of Birmingham as league
secretary was organized in the fall of 1947 with a planned 50-game schedule
as franchises were placed in Birmingham (Vulcans), Gadsden (Whiz Kids),
Jackson (Senators), Memphis (Legionnaires), Mobile (Bears), Montgomery
(Rebels), and Nashville (Vols). The league made its debut on November 29
as Nashville defeated Birmingham 51-50 with Nashville captain Dave Scobey
scoring a game-high 18 points.
Montgomery, led by player-coach Lenny Rader finshed with the league's best
record in the regular season at 43-6. The Memphis club relocated to Mobile,
AL where Bob Murphy would lead the league in scoring; and the Gadsden team
finished the season in Bessemer, AL.
A round robin playoff tournament between first-place Montgomery, third-place
Nashville and fourth-place Birmingham (the second-place club, Jackson declined
to participate due to player injuries) began on March 5 with Nashville and
Montgomery advancing to the league championship series. After losing the
opening game of the series, Montgomery won the next three to claim the league
title.
Bessemer, Birmingham, Jackson and Mobile all dropped out of the league
following the season and the Birmingham Steelers, Laurel Oilers and New
Orleans Sports (who had played in the Professional Basketball League of
America as the Hurricanes) were recruited to bring the league back up to five
clubs.
A mid-season All-Star Game was played on January 27 in Montgomery (the Rebels
earned the right to host the game by having the league's best record on
January 20), with the Rebels topping the All-Stars 110-83. Shorty after the
All-Star Game Bobby Lowther of Montgomery set a new league mark with a
41-point game in a 111-81 win over New Orleans. The Rebels went on to pace
the league until the end of the season, finishing three games ahead of
Birmingham (compared to a 16 game margin over Jackson in 1947-48). The
league's postseason tournament was cancelled just prior to the conclusion of
the regular season and the league disbanded after the season ended.
SBL MEMBERSHIP CHRONOLOGY 1947-48 - 1948-49
1947-48
In - Bessemer Whiz Kids 1947-48 [formerly Gadsden Whiz Kids,
moved during season]
Birmingham Vulcans 1947-48 [charter franchise]
Gadsden Whiz Kids 1947-48 [charter franchise]
Jackson Senators 1947-48 [charter franchise]
Memphis Legionnaires 1947-48 [charter franchise]
Mobile Bears 1947-48 [formerly Memphis Legionnaires,
moved during season]
Montgomery Rebels 1947-48 - 1948-49 [charter franchise]
Nashville Vols 1947-48 - 1948-49 [charter franchise]
Out - Gadsden Whiz Kids [to Bessemer Whiz Kids during
season]
Memphis Legionnaires [to Mobile Bears during season]
1948-49
In - Birmingham Steelers 1948-49 [expansion franchise]
Laurel Oilers 1948-49 [expansion franchise]
New Orleans Sports 1948-49 [expansion franchise]
Out - Bessemer Whiz Kids [disbanded]
Birmingham Vulcans [disbanded]
Jackson Senators [disbanded]
Mobile Bears [disbanded]
SBL FRANCHISES BY SEASON 1947-48 - 1948-49
BES - Bessemer Whiz Kids [Bessemer, AL] 1947-48
BIV - Birmingham Vulcans [Birmingham, AL] 1947-48
BIS - Birmingham Steelers [Birmingham, AL] 1948-49
GAS - Gadsden Whiz Kids [Gadsden, AL] 1947-48
JAC - Jackson Senators [Jackson, MS] 1947-48
LAU - Laurel Oilers [Laurel, MS] 1948-49
MEM - Memphis Legionnaires [Memphis, TN] 1947-48
MOB - Mobile Bears [Mobile, AL] 1947-48
MON - Montgomery Rebels [Montgomery, AL] 1947-48 - 1948-49
NAS - Nashville Vols [Nashville, TN] 1947-48 - 1948-49
NOS - New Orleans Sports [New Orleans, LA] 1948-49
1947-48 - BES BIV JAC MOB MON NAS
1948-49 - BIS LAU MON NAS NOS
Notes:
* - franchise disbanded or relocated after season
1947-48 Mobile Bears began season as Memphis Legionnaires
Bessemer Whiz Kids began season as Gadsden Whiz Kids
SBL YEARLY STANDINGS 1947-48 - 1948-49
1947-48 SBL W L Pct. GB
Montgomery Rebels 43 6 .876 ..
Jackson Senators 23 18 .561 16
Nashville Vols 22 21 .512 18
Birmingham Vulcans 25 25 .500 18.5
Memphis Legionnaires/Mobile Bears* 13 33 .283 28.5
Gadsden Whiz Kids/Bessemer Whiz Kids** 7 30 .189 30
*Memphis moved to Mobile Dec47
**Gadsden moved to Bessemer Jan48
LEADING SCORERS G FG FT FTA PTS PPG
Bob Murphy, Mobile 45 384 142 214 910 20.2
Al Grenert, Montgomery 47 348 100 145 796 16.9
Russell Reid, Mobile 46 332 72 98 736 16.0
Grant Dunlap, Montgomery 49 306 68 100 680 13.9
Shag Hawkins, Birmingham 44 266 145 235 677 15.4
Lou Spitzer, Bessemer 36 287 106 171 660 18.3
Ken Spiker, Montgomery 49 273 97 144 643 13.1
Johnny Stroud, Jackson 31 228 144 208 600 19.4
Bob Skarda. Montgomery 47 259 79 129 597 12.7
Nelson Vinal, Jackson 41 242 77 122 561 13.7
SBL PLAYOFFS
Birmingham, Montgomery and Nashville participated in a round-robin playoff with
the first team with three losses eliminated (Jackson declined to participate due
to injuries)
REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS FOR PLAYOFF TEAMS
BIRMINGHAM VULCANS G FG FTM FTA PF PTS PPG
Shag Hawkins 44 266 145 235 118 677 15.4
Horace Peterson 29 127 32 53 45 286 9.9
Bubba Ball 42 97 41 59 77 235 5.6
Kontos 17 100 26 33 26 226 13.3
Billy Rigdon 31 136 33 57 61 205 6.6
Wheeler Leeth 17 56 23 31 29 135 7.9
Ralph Jones 12 55 24 44 34 134 11.2
Scruggs 14 44 24 42 36 112 8.0
Allen 13 27 9 16 16 63 4.8
Roberson 9 7 2 8 4 16 1.8
MONTGOMERY REBELS G FG FTM FTA PF PTS PPG
Al Grenert 47 348 100 145 82 798 17.0
Grant Dunlap 49 306 68 100 71 680 13.9
Ken Spiker 49 273 97 144 117 643 13.1
Bob Skarda 47 257 79 129 100 597 12.7
Lenny Rader 38 191 111 161 78 493 13.0
Douglas Condit 37 93 47 70 61 233 6.3
Julie Silverman 33 68 11 26 37 147 4.5
Manuel Dorsky 23 27 12 19 12 66 2.9
Shorty Irwin 10 21 5 7 33 47 4.7
John Hitson 7 9 2 6 9 20 2.9
NASVILLE VOLS G FG FTM FTA PF PTS PPG
Felix Ray 41 212 87 133 114 511 12.5
Bill Duvier 37 185 78 122 82 448 12.1
Dave Scobey 22 175 59 79 58 309 14.1
Ken Redmond 42 159 20 37 92 338 8.0
Joe Casey 36 134 19 36 35 287 8.0
Buck Snydor 14 97 58 89 12 252 18.0
Hunter 13 107 36 54 17 250 19.2
Dan Manning 41 85 17 33 11 187 4.6
DeJarnet 2 3 0 0 1 6 3.0
Sanford 2 1 0 1 0 2 1.0
SBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
10Mar48 Nashville 92, Montgomery 74
11Mar48 Montgomery 81, Nashville 81
12Mar48 Montgomery 98, Nashville 72
13Mar48 Montgomery 84, Nashville 57
TEAM ROSTERS
Gadsden/Bessemer - Avery, Raymond Carter, Jim 'Red' Glasgow, Jack Mims, Lindsey
Oden, Herb Spitzer, Lloyd Spitzer, Raymond Spitzer, Joe Tanner (coach)
Birmingham - Allen, Bubba Ball, Labet 'Fagan' Canzoneri, Manuel Dorsky, Epsman,
Frank Flemming, Wheeler Flemming (player-coach), Chuck Foster, Harry Gilmer, Jim
'Red' Glasgow, Ben Harrell, Shag Hawkins, Charles "Shorty" Irwin, Ralph Jones,
Kontos, Wheeler Leeth, Buford Maddox, Bobby O'Brien, Horace Peterson, Billy
Rigdon, Roberson, Scruggs
Jackson - Birard, Bledsoe, Pete Caldwell, Eager, Clay Gillam, Hardy, Hodges, Phil
Hudson (coach), McKissack, Johnny Stroud, Nelson Vinal, Ward, Everett Williams
Memphis/Mobile - Barger, Pete Deem, John Hitson, Danny Long, Bob Murphy, Rakestraw,
Russell Reid, Ocie 'Eyes' Richie, Wannaker
Montgomery - Douglas Condit, Manuel Dorsky, Grant Dunlap, Elmer Gainer, Al Grenert,
John Hitson, Charles 'Shorty' Irwin, Buddy Parker, Lenny Rader (player-coach),
Harry Shor, Julius Silverman, Bob Skarda, Ken Spiker
Nashville - Joe Casey, DeJarnet, Bill Duvier, Travis Howard, Hunter, Jess Mallory
(player-coach), Dan Manning, Felix "Rope" Ray, Ken Redmond, Sanford, Dave Scobey,
Buck Snydor, John Sullivan
1948-49 SBL W L Pct. GB
Montgomery Rebels 26 13 .667 ..
Birmingham Steelers 22 15 .595 3
Laurel Oilers 22 17 .564 4
Nashville Vols 15 23 .395 10.5
New Orleans Sports 7 24 .226 15
The Postseason tournament was cancelled prior to the end of the season.
LEADING SCORERS G FG FT FTA PTS PPG
Johnny Stroud, Laurel 37 251 153 223 655 17.7
Bob Murphy, Birmingham 36 194 246 299 634 17.6
Alex Athas, New Orleans 31 237 150 206 624 20.1
Darrell Lorence, Birmingham 37 253 71 106 577 15.6
Ken Spiker, Montgomery 39 224 120 160 568 14.6
John Murphy, Birmingham 37 241 65 107 547 14.7
Hal Kottman, Montgomery 39 207 108 165 522 13.4
Joe Casey, Nashville 38 215 64 101 494 13.0
Felix Ray, Nashville 38 187 119 179 493 13.0
Bob Pressley, Laurel 39 191 65 108 447 11.5
TEAM ROSTERS
Birmingham - Ben Chapman (coach), Walt Dropo (coach), Merrill Hubbard, Ralph
Jones, Darrell Lorance, Bob Murphy, John Murphy, Lindsey Oden, Joe Parker,
Jim Price (coach), Herbert Spitzer, Lloyd Spitzer
Laurel - Pete Caldwell, Art Grove, Frank Jennings, Jones, Dave Madison, Bob
Pressley, Russell Reid, Wendell Shows (player-coach), Johnny Stroud, Ray
Woodward
Montgomery - Darrel Brown, Bob Engle, Art Grove, Johnny Hitson, Charles "Shorty"
Irwin, Hal "Big 'Un" Kottman, Bobby Lowther, Howie Rader, Len Rader
(player-coach), Pat Rooney, Julius Silverman, Ken Spiker, Jack Watkins
Nashville - Back, Joe Casey, Dee Compton, Carl Cooper, Bill Duvier, Hallie Hudson,
Jess Mallow (player-coach), Oren McKinney, Maurice Partain, Felix "Rope" Ray,
Ken Redmond, Wilt
New Orleans - Alex "Greek" Athas, Jim Bonck, Castix, Bill Dwyer, James "Red"
Hultburg, Milton "Whitey" Jackson, Jones, Herb Pailet (coach), Larry Parkerson,
Jack Parkinson, Sterling Scott, Sammy Trombatore, Cliff Wells (coach),
T.J. Whittaker
SBL BOX SCORES
MONTGOMERY WINS 1948 SBL CHAMPIONSHIP
13Mar48
Father Ryan Gymnasium
Nashville, TN
MOTGOMERY REBELS (84) FG FT FTA PF PTS
Al Grenert, F 10 3 4 2 23
Len Rader, F 4 2 2 2 10
Doug Conditt, C 6 3 3 4 15
Len Spiker, G 5 3 7 3 13
Julie Silverman, G 10 3 3 3 23
Manuel Dorsky, G 10 3 3 2 23
Totals 35 14 20 13 84
NASHVILLE VOLS (57) FG FT FTA PF PTS
Bill Duvier, F 4 2 5 5 10
Jess Mallory, F 2 0 2 1 4
Joe Casey, F 3 1 2 3 7
Felix Ray, C 7 3 5 3 17
Ken Redmond, G 5 0 0 2 10
Dan Manning, G 4 1 1 1 9
Totals 25 7 15 15 57
Haltime Score - Montgomery 38, Nashville 25
1949 SBL ALL-STAR GAME
27Jan49
Fort Dixie Graves Armory
Montgomery, AL
SBL ALL-STARS (83) FG FT FTA PF PTS
Johnny Stroud, Laurel, F 3 5 7 5 11
Bob Murphy, Birmingham, F 6 4 6 3 16
Joe Parker, Birmingham, C 3 0 0 4 6
Darrell Lorence, Birmingham, G 3 1 1 0 7
Alex Athas, New Orleans, G 9 1 1 4 19
Felix Ray, Nashville, F 2 2 3 2 6
Oren McKinney, Nashville, G 1 1 2 5 3
John Murphy, Birmingham, G 4 7 8 0 15
Totals 31 21 28 23 83
MONTGOMERY REBELS (110) FG FT FTA PF PTS
Howie Rader, F 1 1 2 6 3
Shorty Irwin, F 5 1 1 4 11
Hal Kottman, C 7 3 3 2 17
Bobby Lowther, G 12 5 5 2 29
Ken Spiker, G 8 5 8 4 21
Len Rader, G 7 7 9 2 21
Darrel Brown, F 4 0 1 0 8
Bob Engle, F 0 0 0 2 0
Totals 44 22 29 22 110
Halftime Score - Montgomery 51, SBL All-Stars 42
Coaches - Montgomery - Len Rader
SBL All-Stars - Jim Price (Birmingham) and Wendell Shows (Laurel)
BOBBY LOWTHER'S 41-POINT GAME
30Jan49
Lyons Memorial Center
New Orleans, LA
MOTGOMERY REBELS (111) FG FT FTA PF PTS
Howie Rader, F 3 1 2 1 7
Shorty Irwin, F 7 5 8 2 19
Hal Kottman, C 3 2 4 2 8
Bobby Lowther, G 16 9 9 1 41
Ken Spiker, G 7 7 10 2 21
Len Rader, G 3 5 5 1 11
Bob Engle, G 1 0 0 1 2
Totals 41 29 38 11 111
NEW ORLEANS SPORTS (81) FG FT FTA PF PTS
Red Hultburg, F 7 1 2 6 15
T.J. Whittaker, F 10 1 2 4 21
Milton Jackson, C 2 0 0 4 4
Alex Athas, G 11 6 9 3 28
Jim Bonck, G 4 0 0 5 8
Jones, C 2 1 1 4 5
Totals 36 9 14 26 81
Halftime Score - Montgomery 52, New Orleans 42