RetroSeasons
RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
- Players
- Teams
- Atlanta
- Arizona
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Buffalo
- Calgary
- Carolina
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Edmonton
- Houston
- Indiana
- Jacksonville
- Kansas City
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minnesota
- Montreal
- New Orleans
- New York
- Oakland
- Oklahoma
- Orlando
- Ottawa
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Seattle
- San Francisco
- St. Louis
- Tampa Bay
- Tennessee
- Toronto
- Utah
- Vancouver
- Washington DC
- Winnipeg
- Leagues
- Stadiums
- More
Recap
The Interstate Basketball League, with teams in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, was formed in the summer of 1915 with twenty-seven year old John O’Brien as president. The league staggered through a financially turbulent season. The youthful O’Brien exhibited the management skills that would earmark his forty-year professional basketball career, as he steadfastly held the struggling league together through its four-month season. Despite box office problems, the action on the court was top-notch, culminating in a dazzling post-season playoff series between first-half winner Kingston, and Paterson, winner of the second half. After splitting the first four games, the deciding fifth game was staged before a capacity crowd of over 4,000 fans in Jersey City. Paterson played flawless ball throughout the first half. The Crescents’ attack, featuring the inside play of Chris Leonard, and the passing and shooting skills of Johnny Beckman, blitzed Kingston for a 19-6 intermission lead. Kingston, behind the inspirational play of Frank Bruggy, went on a 10-1 scoring binge to draw to within two baskets. Paterson’s better-balanced team, however, prevailed in the end to give the Crescents the title.
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I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.