Midwest Professional Basketball League
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1961 |
| Ceased | 1964 |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | Gary Whips (1961-1962) Holland Oilers (1962-1963) Grand Rapids Tackers (1963-1964) |
The Midwest Professional Basketball League was a professional basketball league. The six team league existed for three seasons, playing from 1961–1962 through 1963–1964 until the league folded after the 1964 season.[1]
History and Franchises
The league was composed of six teams per season, The founding teams (1961-1962) were: Battle Creek Warriors, Dayton Little Mickeys, East Chicago Bombers, Gary Whips, Terre Haute All-Stars and Toledo Twisters. The Whips had the best league record at 9-4.[2]
In 1962-1963, Battle Creek and Terre Haute did not have teams, replaced by Holland and Grand Rapids. The second season teams therefore were: Chicago Bombers, Dayton Mickeys, Grand Rapids Tackers, Gary Whips, Holland Oilers and Toledo Tartans. Holland defeated Toledo for the MPBL Championship.[2]
In 1963-1964, the league fielded five teams and dropped to four, with the season divided into halves. Gary folded after the first half. The five beginning teams were: Battle Creek Warriors, Chicago Bombers, Gary Steelers, Grand Rapids Tackers and Holland Oilers. Grand Rapids won both halves and played the Allentown Jets of the Eastern Professional Basketball League in a post season championship. Allentown won 128-126.[2][3]
League Notes
The 1963-1964 Most Valuable Player was Nick Mantis of Grand Rapids.[2]
The 1962-1963 First Team was: Charlie North, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland; M.C. Burton, Toledo; George Knighton, Dayton; Floyd Campbell, Gary.[2]
The 1963-1964 First Team was:Nick Mantis, Grand Rapids; Ed Burton, Holland; Willie Lee Bond, Chicago; M.C. Burton, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland.[2]
Reggie Harding, the first high school player ever drafted by the NBA played for Holland. Holland was owned and coached by Gene Schrotenboer and played at the Holland Civic Center.[4][5]
Notable alumni
- Joe Buckhalter, Dayton
- M. C. Burton Jr., Toledo
- Ed Burton, Howell
- Johnny Cox, Holland, Battle Creek
- Jimmy Darrow, Holland
- Don Goldstein. Terra Haute
- Chuck Grigsby, Dayton
- Reggie Harding, Holland
- Ron Kramer, Battle Creek, Toledo
- Nick Mantis, Grand Rapids
- Porter Meriwether, Chicago
- John Tidwell, Battle Creek
- Pete Tillotson, Holland
- Dave Zeller, Dayton
Midwest Professional Basketball League Franchises (1961-1964)
Battle Creek Warriors 1961-62, 1963–64
East Chicago Bombers 1961-62,
Chicago Bombers 1962-63 to 1963-64
Dayton Little Mickeys 1961-62,
Dayton Mickeys 1962-63
Gary Steelers 1963-64,
Gary Whips 1961-62 to 1962-63
Grand Rapids Tackers 1962-63 to 1963-64
Holland Oilers 1962-63 to 1963-64
Terre Haute All-Stars 1961-62
Toledo Twisters 1961-62,
Toledo Tartans 1962-63 [1]
References
- ^ a b "Significant Professional Basketball League". www.apbr.org.
- ^ a b c d e f "Midwest Professional Basketball League Yearly Standings". www.apbr.org.
- ^ "The 1964 Interleague Championship Game Allentown Jets (EPBL) v. Grand Rapids Tackers (Midwest League) (1964) – CBA – Eastern League Museum".
- ^ March 25, Chris; Reply, 2013 at 3:21 pm (18 January 2013). "Gone But Not Forgotten – Defunct Sports Teams of West Michigan – Part 1".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Consulting, Fine Line Websites & IT; Review, The Draft. "MPBL". The Draft Review.