LeRoy Edwards
- Professional Timeline -

Professional Timeline

LeRoy Edwards finishes off the Rens for the unofficial World Championship in 1937
| 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 |

There were likely hundreds if not thousands of basketball games that LeRoy Edwards played during his career. Most of these were not part of the official NBL schedule but included games against non-league teams, games against barnstorming teams, games held in tournaments etc.

"Lefty's" career was one that spanned basketball during the critical years between when professional basketball was dominated from roving bands of barnstormers who criss-crossed the country looking to stir up competition and a paycheck, through the beginning of organized tournaments and championships and on to the very beginning of the formation of today's NBA. Edwards played against many great teams of the time period. Besides teams in the NBL, this included games against New York's Original Celtics, the Philadelphia SPHAS, the New York (Harlem) Rens, the Harlem Globetrotters among many others.

Some of the stars Edwards played against or with included Johnny Wooden, John Isaacs, Jack Mann, Lou Boudreau, Buddy Jeannette, Eddie Riska, Charley Shipp, George Mikan, Robert McDermott, 'Tarzan' Cooper, 'Wee' Willie Smith, 'Cy' Kaselman, Jewell Young, Dave DeJernett, Chuck Hyatt, Agis Bray, 'Sonny' Boswell, 'Pop' Gates, Chuck Chuckovits, Zach Clayton, John Moir and Bill Haarlow to name a few.

The purpose of this website is not to record every game Edwards played in. However if information becomes available concerning particular games, I would be happy to include it. To accomodate what is potentially a large amount of scattered information, this page was developed to be a place that specific (and hopefully noteworthy) game information can be added in some semblance of order.

1935-36

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 21, 1936Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 45
Renaissance 30
5

Game Preview: All Stars, Rens Open the Series for World Title (Oshkosh Northwestern, Saturday March 21, 1936)

Five games, at the end of which is the world's professional basketball championship, will open tonight on the Recreational gymnasium court when the Oshkosh All Stars meet the New York Renaissance, present title holders, in the first battle of the series.

. . .

Among the notables expected to be present to witness the game will be "Doc" Meanwell of the University of Wisconsin; "Bud" Foster Wisconsin basketball coach; and Gillie McDonald, Oshkosh, who is freshman coach at the University of Wisconsin.

. . .

LeRoy Edwards, All-American while with Kentucky, arrived in the city Friday and was said to be in good condition. He will not start the game, but is bound to see action and will be a valuable addition for the series.

Game Summary: All Stars, Rens Each Win Games in Opening Tilts (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 23, 1936)

...Edwards came into the game at this point, replacing Stege at cener. it was the first chance for fans to see the All-American star in action and apparently they were well pleased.

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 25, 1936Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 54
Renaissance 45
8

Game Summary: All Stars End Season with Win Over the Rens - Pro Cage Quintet Defeats World's Champs, 54 to 45 (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday March 26, 1936)

In a blaze of glory the Oshkosh All Stars ended their 1935-36 season Wednesday evening at the Recreational gymnasium by defeating the New York Renaissance, world's colored professional cage champions, by a score of 54 to 45.

It was an empty victory in some respects, for the night before the Rens defeated the All Stars for the third consecutive time to retain the world title which the Oshkosh team tried to take from them. But it was a welcome victory, nevertheless, for a win from the Renaissance club is something about which to boast at any time.

Oshkosh All-Stars (54)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski3228
Thompson0000
Goff0010
Vander Meulen55015
Edwards3218
Mangan2024
Stege0101
Mullen1547
Hamann50310
Rubado0111
Total19161454

New York Rens (45)

NameFGFTPFPts
Bethards61413
Cooper3339
Smith2337
Saitch1345
Holt51411
Total17111845


1936-37

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 30, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Philadelphia SPHASAll-Stars 39
SPHAS 35
6

Game Preview: All Stars Face Philadelphia SPHAS Saturday (Oshkosh Northwestern, Friday January 29, 1937)

With Leroy Edwards, all-American while at the University of Kentucky added to the lineup, the Oshkosh All Stars face the two-game series with the Philadelphia Hebrews that opens Saturday evening at 8:30 o'clock at the Recreational gymnasium with a determination to leap this difficult hurdle and proceed on to the world's championship among professional basketball teams.

No greater obstacle could be in the path than the Sphas of the eastern city, who are generally conceded among the country's strongest teams and who are said to be so strong that they must be taken into consideration whenever there is any talk of a championship.

All-American Edwards is no newcomer to followers of the Oshkosh All Stars, who saw him in action with the local team at the end of th eseason last year when the All Stars played the Celtics and the New York Renaissance, colored champions.

Game Summary: All Stars Defeat Philadelphia SPHAS Twice (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday February 1, 1937)

Praise for the All Stars came from the Philadelphians themselves who said the Oshkosh pros were the best in the country, a least the best they have played against, including the Rens. Green Bay fans also took kindly to the All Stars, just as the entire state of Wisconsin is adopting them for their own as they did the Packers in the football season.

. . .

The new Oshkosh men - All-American LeRoy Edwards of the University of Kentucky and Jim Knoblauch, Carroll College ace showed to advantage. Edwards left both games on fouls, but was a factor in the wins with his pivot shot and control of the ball at center. He failed to score at Green Bay, being the only Oshkosh player not to enter the scoring column.

Oshkosh All-Stars (39)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen2004
Witasek0000
Edwards2256
Hamann34110
Mullen0111
Preboski42210
Knoblauch1002
Goff3016
Total1591039

Philadelphia SPHAS (35)

NameFGFTPFPts
Fitch0020
Wolfe2024
Goldman45313
Gotthofer2155
Lautman43011
Rosari0111
Kaselman0111
Total12111435

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
February 7, 1937Columbus, OHColumbusWhiting CiesarsWhiting Ciesars 52
Columbus 49
8

"Basketball fans were still agog after having watched the star-studded Whiting, Ind. Ciesars snatch a spectacular 52-48 game from the Columbus professionals here last night."

The game was close all the way with the Columbus aggregation which include Cowboy Edwards, former University of Kentucky All-American, Fred Fechtman, who played center for Indiana university until last week, towering Jack Mann, Negro star from Muncie Ind., and Jack MacDonald, erstwhile all-conference guard at Ohio State University.

Columbus was a prohibitive favorite before game time and the defeat was a stunning blow to local basketball experts."

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
February 27, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 43
Renaissance 33
21

Game Summary: New York Rens Keep World's Pro Cage Crown (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 1, 1937)

Any hopes for a national professional basketball champinship for the Oshkosh All Stars were dashed on the rocks of despair Sunday afternoon when a superior New York Renaissance cage quintet took the fifth and deciding game of the world's series at the Columbus Community club at Green Bay by a lopsided 54 to 33 score.

The All Stars had come through brilliantly Saturday evening at the Recreational Gymnasim here to even the series at two games each with a 45 to 33 victory. In that contest the All Stars were clicking in the manner that had indicated they were of championship material and might accomplish what has heretofore, and still is impossible - win a series of games from the Rens, who are champions of the world in pro circles in the cage sport.

Led by LeRoy Edwards, All-American while at the University of Kentucky, the All Stars were unbeatable Saturday. "Big Ed" tipped in rebounds and sank followup shots to the tune of eight field goals and five free throws for 21 points. He had only 13 shots during the game so that his record was better than 61 per cent.

But Edwards made only one basket Sunday and none of the other Oshkosh players were on and as a result the hopes of a championship and an invitation to New York City were given a severe jolt. Edward's play Saturday was the more remarkable because he was playing with a smashed finger and against doctor's order to play.

Oshkosh All-Stars (45)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski2438
Knoblauch0000
Goff0111
Vander Meulen2004
Edwards85421
Hamann1103
Witasek2044
Mullen2014
Total17111345

New York Rens (33)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper1113
Isaacs1042
Smith1153
Bethards2014
Mann4058
Holt52412
Saitch0121
Total1452233

New York (Harlem) Renaissance in 1937 Game Preview (February 19, Oshkosh Northwestern)
DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 13, 1937Sheboygan, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Sheboygan Art ImigsAll-Stars 26
Art Imigs 22
9

Game Summary: All Stars Defat Art Imigs for State Title (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 15, 1937)

The Oshkosh All Stars can now lay claim to the professional basketball title of Wisconsin, having disposed of the Art Imigs of Sheboygan by beating them on their home floor at the lake shore city Saturday evening by a 26 to 22 score. It was the third victory out of four games this season between the two teams. Last season the All Stars won from the Imigs in three straight contests.

. . .

LeRoy Edwards had nine points before going out of the game on fouls. Big Jack Mann of the Imigs also went out on fouls.

The game ended at 22-all and in the overtime period baskets by Preboski and Witasek put the game on ice.

Oshkosh All-Stars (26)

NameFGFTPFPts
Wegner2024
Preboski42110
Edwards2559
Mangan0000
Witasek1042
Mullen0020
Hamann0121
Total981626

Sheboygan Art Imigs (22)

NameFGFTPFPts
J. Posewitz2145
Lonedon1022
Roth0000
Mann2256
S. Posewitz1123
Cinesh1002
Kuptic2024
Total941522

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 25, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh All-StarsNew York RenaissanceAll-Stars 41
Rens 27
10
March 27, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh All-StarsNew York RenaissanceAll-Stars 39
Rens 34
11
Game Summary: All Stars and Rens Even World Series, To Play Saturday (Oshkosh Northwestern, Friday March 26, 1937)

Squared up again with each having won three games and lost three as a result of a victory last night by the Oshkosh All Stars over the New York Renaissance by 41 to 27, the teams will go into a battle Saturday evening at the Recreational gymnasium with the unofficial world's professional cage championship at stake.

. . .

Of course there really isn't such a thing as an official world's championship in pro basketball, because the game is not organized and there is no one to award a championship unless it be fans and the newspapers. But these New York Rens are generally considered the class of the country and there are few who doubt their claim to the title after watching them play, and learning of their remarkable record over a period of years.

Therefore, if the Oshkosh All Stars can successfully face the Negro team in one more game and come through with a victory, the local cagers will lay claim to the world's pro cage title.

. . .

Preboski at the other forward post was high scorer with 11 points. Edwards played a good game at center and Mullen and Hamann were again the invincible guard combination.

Oshkosh All-Stars (41)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski43011
Vander Meulen50210
Edwards26310
Hamann2206
Mullen1022
Witasek1022
Wegner0000
Mangan0000
Total1511941

New York Rens (27)

NameFGFTPFPts
Isaacs1012
Cooper0303
Smith42410
Holt1416
Saitch2044
Bethards1002
Total991027

Game Summary: All Stars Win the Pro cage Championship - Beat the Rens in Final Game for the Title (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 29, 1937)

The series picture above of LeRoy Edwards, All-American at the University of Kentucky, shows the lanky Oshkosh All-Stars center putting in the final basket in Saturday's title game against the New York Renaissance which the local pros won 39 to 34. Augie Vander Meulen had tapped the ball to Edwards, who was all alone under the basket when the shot was made.
"By defeating the Negro five, 39 to 34, Saturday evening, at the Recreational gymnasium, the Oshkosh quintet took the seventh and last game between the two teams this season to make the record four victories and three defeats for the All Stars. The local aggregation is the first team to take a series of games from the New Yorkers in several years and, in fact, one of the few to hold any wins over them.

. . .

The Rens fought desperately to gain possession and in a jump ball Augie Vander Meulen tapped the ball to Edwards who dribbled under the basket and leaped high into the air to drop in a field goal and put the game on ice and the championship "in the bag."

Edwards scored 43 points in the first five games and made a total of 21 in the sixth and seventh games, becoming high scorer with 64 points for the series."

Oshkosh All-Stars (39)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski1103
Vander Meulen34210
Edwards43211
Hamann3006
Mullen2024
Witasek2115
Mangan0000
Total159739

New York Rens (34)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper3228
Isaacs2024
Smith2216
Holt60412
Bethards2054
Jenkins0000
Total1541434


1937-38

Note: For additional game information from the 1938 season, including record-breaking scoring games and matchups with John Wooden, please see the following page.

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
November 27, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
House of David
All-Stars 47
House of David 25
16
November 28, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
House of David
All-Stars 56
House of David 20
20

Game Preview: All Stars Open Home Schedule with the Davids (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday November 22, 1937)

"Chops" Lyons
The bearded boys of the House of David team will be the first opponent of the Oshkosh All Stars on their home floor Saturday evening, the game being scheduled for 8:30 o'clock at the Recreational gymnasium.

. . .

While the House of David team will not have the 8 foot 1 inch center it boasted last year in "Tiny" Reichert, it will have a man at the pivot post more than a foot taller than the tallest of the All Stars, and that's going some.

He is Tiny Burnette, who towers up to the dizzy height of 7 feet 7 inches, just a half -foot short of Reichert's mark. And what's more, he is a basketball player, whereas Reichert was carried along with the team mostly as a drawing card, although he was able to drop the ball into the bucket when he could reach over the heads of his opponents.

Burnette was all-conference center while at Miami University at Oxford, O. He is also a star athlete in football and track. Although he weighs 300 pounds, he really can move across the floor and he is a "whiz" at basketball. This is the first year as a professional, having only finished college the past season.

Game Overview: All Stars Trim Davids; Play Cicero, Tuesday (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday November 29, 1937)

"Go home and shave, boys those whiskers don't frighten the Oshkosh All Stars."

That might be good advice to the House of David basketball team, which must still meet the local professionals, world's titleholders, in a game tonight at Ripon college gymnasium.

. . .

The new all Stars uniforms were worn for the first time Saturday, and gave the Oshkosh club the appearance of champions.

In both Saturday's and Sunday's game with the House of David team there was never any doubt about the outcome. Oshkosh took commanding leads early and held them throughout, the bearded boys never threatening. There were a few instances of comedy to hand spectators a laugh. This was more true at Waupaca than in Oshkosh. Hopelessly outclassed, the House of David team began to "cut up" at Waupaca, with Bill Steinecke trying a dropkick and a few other tricks being uncovered.

Not all of the humor was in the antics of the players. When an Oshkosh substitution was being made, the new player asked the man going out of the game which of the House of David players he was to guard and Ray Hamann pointed and said: "The man with the beard."

. . .

LeRoy Edwards indicated how come he rated All-American while at the University of Kentucky. In the two games he scored 26 points, 16 here and 20 at Waupaca. His scoring was only nine buttons short of the total for the bearded boys for the two games.

Saturday, November 27 (at Oshkosh)

Oshkosh All-Stars (47)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen3117
Overman0040
Preboski0101
Brownell3127
Edwards72016
Witasek3036
Hamann50010
Mullen0000
Total2151047

House of David (25)

NameFGFTPFPts
Koche2105
Klunder1032
Burnett1335
Lyons0121
Steinecke0020
Kolar52012
Total971025

Sunday, November 28 (at Waupaca)

Oshkosh All-Stars (56)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen1103
Overman1012
Preboski3107
Edwards84120
Brownell2004
Witasek2024
Mullen3006
Hamann50010
Total256456

House of David (20)

NameFGFTPFPts
Koche0111
Klunder42110
Burnett0010
Lyons0020
Steinecke1022
Kolar3117
Total84820

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 4, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Harlem
Globetrotters
All-Stars 50
Globetrotters 35
13
December 5, 1937Waupaca, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Harlem
Globetrotters
All-Stars 24
Globetrotters 22
7

Game Summary: All Stars Down Harlem Globe Trotters Twice (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday December 6, 1937)

"Be Still My Heart" could be the theme song for any fans of the Oshkosh All Stars who sw the thrilling gams over the weekend with the Harlem Globe Trotters, which tussles the local pro cagers won by a 50 to 35 score here Saturday evening, and by the narrow margin of two points, 24 to 22, Sunday afternoon at Waupaca.

. . .

Although Oshkosh won the game here Saturday evening by 15 points, the lead they held most of the time was not enough so that fans could sit back and say: "This is another victory," With diminutive Harry Rusan, an All-American colored forward at Paul quin college, Waco, Tex., a few years ago, dropping in some beautiful shots, the Trotters were always threatening.

Rusan was one of the best players to show against the All Stars this season. In fact the entire team was "tops" being the cleanest team seen in these parts in years. Only five fouls were called against the colored players while eight were chalked up against Oshkosh. There were 19 personals on the Trotters at Waupaca and 11 on the All Stars, but some of them were due to the slippery condition of the floor, which had been used for a dance the night before.

. . .

Only seven points were scored in that last period, four by the Harlem quint on buckets by Rusan and Clayton, and three by the All Stars on a field goal by Preboski and a free throw by Edwards. That final free throw allowed fans to catch their breath. Oshkosh was leading 23 to 22 with 15 seconds left. Had Rusan got his hands on the ball and let go, as he tried several times, he might have won the game for his team. But "Big Ed" made the gift shot and the best the Trotters could do then would be to tie the score and play an overtime. But those 15 seconds ticked off and Oshkosh had won its seventh victory.

Saturday, November 27 (at Oshkosh)

Oshkosh All-Stars (50)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen3006
Alford1002
Preboski3208
Edwards45213
Brownell0010
Svendsen0000
Hamann51011
Witasek2004
Mullen3006
Lester0000
Total218350

Harlem Globetrotters (35)

NameFGFTPFPts
Rusan51111
Clayton4028
Strong2115
Haynes1012
Jackson1002
Ford3107
Total163535

Sunday, December 5 (at Waupaca)

Oshkosh All-Stars (24)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen0414
Witasek0424
Preboski2115
Alford0000
Edwards1537
Mullen1042
Hamann1002
Total5141124

Harlem Globetrotters (22)

NameFGFTPFPts
Rusan50210
Clayton3046
Strong0252
Ford1113
Jackson0050
Haynes0121
Lillard0000
Total941922

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 7, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Shamrocks
All-Stars 36
Shamrocks 23
12

Game Overview: Wallop Shamrocks (Appleton Post-Crescent, Wednesday December 8, 1937)

"Big Chief" Rankin, giant full-blooded Sioux Indian, will be here with the New York Shamrocks, Tuesday evening, for their game with the undefeated Oshkosh All Stars. . . Rankin played college ball at Creighton, but gained fame while a member of the Rochester Centrals of the old American Basketball league. He is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. (From Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday Dec. 6.)
Oshkosh All Stars ran over the New York Shamrocks by a 36 to 23 score here last night at hte Recreational gymnasium. The invaders played fair ball for the first quarter but then wilted under the speed flashed by the Stars and were no match. Oshkosh staged a spurt in the second quarter that brought a 19 to 2 lead at the half.

Edwards, with five baskets and two free throws, led the All Stars scorers with 10 (sic) points. Vander Meulen was next with three field goals for six points.

Oshkosh All-Stars (36)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen3026
Adams1113
Preboski0010
Alford0000
Edwards52112
Lester0010
Hamann1315
Witasek1537
Mullen1012
Svendsen0121
Total12121336

New York Shamrocks (23)

NameFGFTPFPts
Wade1244
Hraba2125
Campbell0232
Rankin3248
Fash1214
Total791423

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 12, 1937Madison, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 41
Renaissance 31
20

Game Overview: All Stars Take Two From the Rens, Head East (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday December 13, 1937)

LeRoy Edwards, Kentucky All-American, led the scoring again with eight points Saturday and 20 on Sunday, in spite of the fact "Wee Willie" Smith, who is not so "Wee," was "riding" him most of the time. And when the Rens thought Smith was tired they put Cooper on Edwards, but "Lefty" came through just the same and with his teammates feeding him the ball under the basket he pivoted, faked out his opponents or otherwise managed to turn and drop in a bucket when it was needed. He accounted for nine field goals at Madison

Game Overview: Oshkosh All-Stars Beat 'Rens,' 41-31 in Charity Battle (The Wisconsin State Journal, Monday December 13, 1937)

New York Rens' Charles "Tarzan" Cooper
The mighty Oshkosh All-Stars professional basketball team scored an impressive 41-31 victory over the New York Renaissance "Big Five" Sunday afternoon at he university field house in a game that was played for the benefit of The State Journal's Empty Stocking fund, a crowd of close to 4,000 attended.

Oshkosh now has won 12 straight games and has annexed four straight from the famous "Rens", two last year and two this year. The All-Stars defeated the "Rens" 34-30, Saturday night at Oshkosh, and they won even more decisively here Sunday afternoon on the big fieldhouse floor.

. . .

Edwards, a long-geared center with hands like baskets and a sharpshooter eye, paced the Oshkosh scoring with 20 points, he dropped in nine field goals and added a brace of free throws. Adams played a hard-driving game at forward, and Mullen directed the play in masterful fashion from the backcourt. John (Casey) Holt had nine pionts to lead the "Rens."

. . .

Edwards scored seven of Oshkosh's nine points in the first-quarter six on field goals and one on a gift toss.

Edwards continued his fine shooting in the second quarter and added six more points on three baskets.

. . .

Edwards, who set an all-time scoring record for one game in collegiate ball with 34 points while at Kentucky, started the second half just like he finished the first. He added three more field goals in rapid order after the intermission to bring his total of field goals to nine. The Kentuckian then stopped shooting, using this threat to set up shots for his mates.

Oshkosh All-Stars (41)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams1143
Vander Meulen2004
Preboski2044
Edwards92320
Hamann0020
Witasek1426
Mullen1214
Total1691641

New York Rens (31)

NameFGFTPFPts
Isaacs3127
Johnson0020
Cooper1224
Smith2256
Saitch2115
Holt3339
Total1191531
Game Commentary: No Foolin' Now by Henry McCormick (Wisconsin State Journal, Monday December 13, 1937)

In LeRoy Edwards, former All-American from Kentucky, Oshkosh has the greatest center in college or professional basketball. Weighing 210 pounds and standing 6 feet, 4 inches in height, Edwards is unbelievably clever for a big man, and he has a deceiving burst of speed.

Equipped with a pair of hands that resemble grappling hooks and blessed with the strength of a horse, Edwards can meet any team at its own game and do a great job. He rolled in 20 points against the "Rens" on nine field goals and two free throws Sunday afternoon with some brilliant work around the basket, and when the colored players started shoving him, Edwards caught the spirit of hurly-burly fun and outshoved and outmauled them.

. . .

Edwards played only one year in college but gained All-American rating that one season by running wild against the best collegiate talent available. He is only 23 years old now and right at the top of his game. He is a naive big boy. He was telling about Saturday night's game against the "Rens" at Oshkosh.

"That Smith sure was riding me," he observed. "Ah had to sort of halfback mah way into the basket."

Well, Edwards is big enough and tough enough to "halfback' his way in if occasion demands, but he also is nifty and clever enough to gain the same end by finesse if the oppostion abides by the rules.

Another Game Preview with Caption (December 10, Oshkosh Northwestern)
DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 19, 1937New York, NYOshkosh
All-Stars
Philadelphia SPHASSPHAS 28
All-Stars 27
8

Game Overview: All Stars Lose Two to SPHAS, to Play Celtics (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday December 20, 1937)

New York City - the winning streak of the Oshkosh All Stars, professional basketball champions of te midwest, was stopped at 15 straight when the quintet lost two games over the weekend t the Philadelphia Hebres, champions of the American Basketball league. The Phas won Satruday night's game at Philadelphia, 48 to 35, before the biggest corwd of the season in that city, 2,000 people being turned away. Last night in the Hippodrome here, the Philadelphia team nosed out a 28 to 27 win over the midwestern "Giants."

With the score tied in the last minute of play in Snday's game, Capt. Eddie Mullen of the All Stars complained of what he considerd was a violation of the rules by the Sphas. A technical foul was called on Mullen by Referee Pat Kennedy, New York City, and a free throw was tossed in by a Hebrews player to give his team the victory.

More than 6,500 people saw the game at the Hipp, it being the largest crowd of the season for a professional basketball game. Philadelphia jumped to an early lead and at the half were out in front, 21 to 6.

Philadelphia SPHAS (28)

NameFGFTPFPts
Rosan2115
Gothoffer0111
Dubin0000
Goldman3228
Fitch3117
Kaselman0101
Lautman2226
Total108728

Oshkosh All-Stars (27)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen42110
Adams1052
Preboski1103
Edwards50310
Witasek0040
Hamann0000
Mullen1032
Total1231627

New York City's Hippodrome
DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 22, 1937Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Original Celtics
All-Stars 40
Celtics 36
4

Game Preview: All Stars Lose Two to SPHAS, to Play Celtics (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday December 20, 1937)

Celtic's Dave Banks
Two games will be played again this year, one here Wednesday evening and the second at Green Bay as a benefit for the high school sweater fund Thursday evening. A large group of Oshkosh fans is expecte dto accompany the local team to the Bay.

The Celtics will have a squad of seven capable players, head by Dave Banks, who is short of stature but long in basketball ability. Bob McDermott, who was added to the team last year because of his shooting ability, having made more than 20 buckets in one game, is still dropping the ball in from all angles. Other players are Nat Hickey, Paul birch, Pat Herlihy, giant center, and Rusty Saunders, an addition to the team this year. Coach of the aggregation is Dutch Dehnert.

Game Summary: All Stars Beat Celtics; Play at Bay Tonight (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday December 23, 1937)

Oshkosh All-Stars (40)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen0101
Adams2115
Preboski54114
Alfords1103
Edwards1244
Mullen0030
Witasek3208
Hamann2125
Total14121140

New York Celtics (36)

NameFGFTPFPts
Banks1214
Birch43211
Saunders3056
Herlihy1254
Hickey2125
McDermott3036
Total1481836

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 1, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Dayton
Metropolitans
All-Stars 44
Metropolitans 43
13

Game Summary: All Stars Defeat Dayton in Initial National Loop Tilt (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday January 3, 1938)

A game won after the final whistle had sounded. That is the highlight of the Oshkosh All-Stars debut in the National Basketball league, when they nosed out the Dayton, O. Metropolitans, 44 to 43 Satuday evening in a New Year's night attraction before a large crowd at the Recreational gymnasium.

. . .

It was knotted at 41-all when Augie tossed one in from the free throw line. LeRoy Edwards dropped in a field goal for Oshkosh and with the seconds ticking away rapidly it looked good until Coburn tied it up against at 43-all with a bucket. Then with the clock running out and prospects of an overtime game in sight, Rutter committed his fifth personal foul with Edwards the victim. The horn blew on the play, ending the game, but "Big Ed" had a charity toss coming and All-American that he is he calmly stepped to the free throw line and proceeded to drop it in to give the All Stars their first National league victory by a 44 to 43 count.

Oshkosh All-Stars (44)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski1234
Vander Meulen2418
Adams2357
Edwards53113
Mullen1012
Svendson0000
Witasek3228
Hamann1002
Total15141344

Dayton Metropolitans (43)

NameFGFTPFPts
Stark2125
Colburn4129
Hosket3248
Moodler2256
Rudder47515
McMahon0020
Total15132043

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 5, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 49
Renaissance 40
8

Game Preview: Face Rens Tonight (Oshkosh Northwestern, Saturday March 5, 1938)

Forgetting their disappointment in losing the championship of the National Basketball league, the Oshkosh All Stars tonight will begin a six-game series with the New York Renaissance, world's colored basketball champions. ...

The fight for the championship in the National league meant a great deal to the All Stars and the series with the Rens is of almost as much importance.

There is little love lost between the two clubs and the six games are expected to be ding-dong battles throughout. There is nothing at stake except satisfaction of defeating a rival of long standing.

In the 16 games the teams have played during the last four seasons, each of the teams has taken eight victories. The All Stars have won the last four games played with the Rens, taking two at the end of the 1936-37 season and winning the two played earlier this year.

. . .

Some of the Renaissance players are short in stature, but they make up for this loss in speed. The tall players with the Rens are the match of any of the All Stars' "giants." "Wee Willie" Smith is 6 foot 5 inches tall and a great hulk of a man. Charles "Tarzan" Cooper is no midget as he measures 6 feet 4 inches in his stocking feet.

Game Overview: All Stars Take First Two in Series with Rens (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 7, 1938)

The mighty New York Renaissance, once the scourge of the Oshkosh All Stars, hold no more fear for the local professional basketball team. In games over the weekend, the All Stars won from the world's colored champions on the recreational gymnasium court Saturday evening, 49 to 40, and at the Milwaukee Auditorium, 49 to 38, Sunday afternoon.

It was the fourth win for the All Stars over the Rens in as many games between the two teams this season and the sixth in a row over the New Yorkers, counting two Oshkosh won at the end of the 1936-37 season to give Lon Darling's quintet a four out of seven margin last season.

The victories swung the balance in favor of the All Stars, as previous to the present series of six games each of the teams had won eight games in their 10 contests in the last four seasons.

Oshkosh All-Stars (49)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski100020
Adams1012
Svendsen0010
Vander Meulen1244
Edwards3238
Linskey1224
Mullen1123
Witasek3238
Total2091649

New York Rens (40)

NameFGFTPFPts
Johnson4149
Cooper2327
Smith2549
Isaacs63015
Saitch0050
Badger0000
Total14121540

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 6, 1938Milwaukee, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 49
Renaissance 38
19

Game Overview: All Stars Take First Two in Series with Rens (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 7, 1938)

"Lefty" Edwards opened up in the third period, but the Stars were unable to widen the gap and at the end of the third period they were still leading by three points, 30 to 27.

Oshkosh put on the pressure in the last quarter and put the game on ice with Edwards pacing the attack.

Oshkosh All-Stars (49)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski1517
Adams1042
Vander Meulen4119
Svendsen1012
Edwards75319
Mullen1052
Linskey0111
Witasek1133
Hamman2014
Total18132049

New York Rens (38)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper2529
Jenkins0101
Johnson4139
Badger0000
Smith1153
Saitch3147
Isaacs3319
Total13121538

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 9, 1938Menasha, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
Renaissance 40
All-Stars 39 (OT)
15

Game Overview: Renaissance Win From All Stars in Overtime Game (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday March 10, 1938)

The recent jinx the Oshkosh All Stars held over the New York Renaissance, world's colored basketball champions, was broken last evening at West Green Bay high school gymnasium when the Rens defeated the local professional cagers by a 40 to 39 score.

It took an overtime period, however, to decide the issue and a lot of baketball was displayed in that extra session with both teams fighitng for an advantage. The regular playing time ended with the score knotted at 31-all and in the five minutes overtime, 17 pints were scored, the Rens managing to get one more than did the Stars.

That one point, enough to win the ball game, was scored on a free throw by "Bruiser" Saitch with about 25 seconds left to be played. He had been fouled deliberately in an attempt to get the ball, but with Oshkosh in possession after the free throw they were not able to break through for another bucket.

. . .

Tonight's game should be a battle royal as the Rens, having tasted victory over the All Stars after a long drought of seven reversals, the longest they have ever suffered at the hands of any team, find that victory is sweet.

. . .

In last night's game at the Bay, Leroy Edwards and "Tarzan" Cooper were high point men for the Stars and Rens respectively, each having 15 points on seven buckets and a free throw. Cooper left the game early on five personal fouls, Isaacs also was chased to the showers.

New York Rens (40)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper71515
Badger0000
Jenkins0000
Johnson3117
Smith1446
Saitch51211
Isaacs0151
Total1681740

Oshkosh All-Stars (39)

NameFGFTPFPts
Svendsen0010
Adams1113
Preboski2216
Linskey1224
Edwards71115
Hamann0212
Hesik0111
Witasek3228
Mullen0020
Total14111239

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 10, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 45
Renaissance 37
21

Game Overview: All Stars Defeat Famed New York Rens Again (Oshkosh Northwestern, Friday March 11, 1938)

The Rens' Al "Big Train" Johnson in an earlier photo when he was with the Chicago Crusaders
Avenging the defeat they suffered in an overtime game at Green Bay, Wednesday evening, the Oshkosh All Stars downed the New York Renaissance on the recreational gymn court here Thursday evening, by a 45 to 37 score. It was the fourth victory in five games of the "little world series" for the Oshkosh team and the sixth the local team has scored over the New Yorkers in seven contests played this season.

. . .

LeRoy Edwards was again high scorer with 21 points on nine field goals and three free throws, although it was hardly apparent he was running up a high score as the buckets came easy and he rolled them in without much ado, being ready under the bucket whenever a teammate could feed him the ball.

Oshkosh All-Stars (49)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski4018
Adams0212
Svendsen0000
Linskey2105
Edwards93321
Hamann1234
Witasek1133
Mullen0232
Hesik0000
Total17111445

New York Rens (37)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper3147
Johnson42210
Smith43411
Isaacs3046
Saitch1133
Total1571737

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 12, 1938Fond du Lac, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
Renaissance 42
All-Stars 27
13

Game Overview: Rens Beat Stars in Final Contest of Series, 45-27 (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 14, 1938)

Before the largest crowd to turn out for a "little world series" game between the Oshkosh All Stars and the New York Renaissance, the All Stars just couldn't 'get going' Saturday evening and the Rens defeated them by the one-sided score of 45 to 27 at the Fond du Lac High school gymnasiu. About 1,600 people were in attendance, the game being delayed to 9:30 o'clock so that Fond du Lac Merchants could be present.

It was the last of a series of six games with the world's colored champions, the All Stars having taken four of those six. One of the two games was lost by a one-point margin in an overtime game. Oshkosh's margin over the New Yorkers is six out of eight for the season as the all Stars won two other games earlier in the 1937-38 campaign. Last year Oshkosh wo four out of seven-game series. the all-time record shows Oshkosh with 12 victories to 10 for the Rens.

New York Rens (45)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper43111
Johnson43111
Smith3258
Isaacs3238
Saitch3137
Total17111345

Oshkosh All-Stars (27)

NameFGFTPFPts
Linskey0222
Adams0050
Svendsen0000
Preboski2014
Edwards37213
Hamann0121
Witasek1113
Hesik0000
Mullen2034
Total8111627

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 27, 1938Marshfield, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Wisconsin
Collegians
All-Stars 73
Collegians 48
39

'Lefty' Sets New Scoring Record Against Badgers (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 28, 1938)

Marshfield, Wis. - LeRoy Edwards set a new record for himself here Sunday afternoon when he counted 39 points against the Badger Collegians as the Oshkosh All Stars won 73 to 48. The former University of Kentucky All-American had 16 field goals and seven free throws. His previous record had been 31 points in one game.

Oshkosh All-Stars (73)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen2004
Adams3036
Preboski1103
Linskey3006
Edwards167539
Hamann4028
Witasek0101
Mullen0030
Svendsen3016
Total3291473

Wisconsin Collegians (48)

NameFGFTPFPts
Powell60212
Rooney54014
Benz61313
Hesik0323
Frey0101
Mitchell2125
Total1910948

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 28, 1938Eau Claire, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Eau Claire
Oshkosh 45
Eau Claire 32
16

Edwards Exceeds Basketball Goal (Oshkosh Northwestern, Tuesday March 29, 1938)

Eau Claire, Wis. - Paced by LeRoy Edwards, who exceeded the total of 1,000 points this season by accumulating 16 markers last evening, the Oshkosh All Stars won from an Eau Claire team by a 45 to 32 score.

. . .

Edwards, All-American while at the University of Kentucky, now has 1,006 points for the season. He played in 72 games this year, averaging practically 14 points a game.

In the last seven games he has averaged better than 26 points in a contest to achieve his total of 1,000 for the season. He scored 185 points during those seven games, including his one-game record of 39 in a contest scored Sunday at Marshfield.


1938-39 - (Note for information on the inagural World Professional Championship played in February 1939 between Oshkosh and the Rens along with subsequent tournaments, please see this link.)

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
November 17, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Harlem
Globetrotters
All-Stars 44
Globetrotters 30
11
November 18, 1938Waupaca, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Harlem
Globetrotters
All-Stars 51
Globetrotters 46 (2 OT)
18

Game Preview: All Stars Face Globe Trotters in Game Tonight (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday November 17, 1938)

The mettle of the Oshkosh All Stars will be tested tonight in the first of some strong competition expected at the hands of the Harlem Globe Trotters, a colored basketball team that has been beating some of the best of the pro teams throughout the country for years.

. . .

Coach George Hotchkiss will start four of his last year's regulars tonight along with Armstrong at center, who replaces "Lefty" Edwards, out of strenuous competition because of an injured knee.

Game Summary: All Stars Beat Globe Trotters by 44-30 Score (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday November 18, 1938)

Two of the seven defeats the Globe Trotters suffered last year were at the hands of Oshkosh, one of them here and the other at Waupaca. Oshkosh stands a chance of duplicating that feat tonight when they meet the Globe Trotters again at Waupaca in the Armory there at 8:15 o'clock.

It really is a feat for a team to beat these Trotters two straight. The name signifies their extensive travels during the cage campaign, but it might refer to the fast pace at which they travel. They move about the floor with speed and handle the ball with dexterity. There were few times, however, when they got around or past the Oshkosh man guarding them.

. . .

"Lefty" Edwards took high scoring honors with four baskets and three free throws for 11 points.

Oshkosh All-Stars (44)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams0313
Birk0010
Preboski3117
Vander meulen0242
Burton0000
Armstrong1325
Edwards43111
Hamann0121
Linskey2024
Mullen1032
Witasek3319
Total14161844

Harlem Globetrotters (30)

NameFGFTPFPts
Rusan42110
Watts0323
Jackson0141
Strong1517
Ford1254
Hood2115
Total8141430

Game Summary: Oshkosh Cagers Take a Thriller from Trotters (Oshkosh Northwestern, Saturday November 20, 1938)

Waupaca, Wis. - Cold words in black and white the morning after lack fire enough to describe the thrilling game played here Friday evening on the armory court between the Oshkosh All Stars and the Harlem Globe Trotters, which was won by the All Stars in two overtime periods by a score of 51 to 46.

Eleven times during that hectic battle the score was knotted up and 14 times the lead changed hands with first the colored team in front and then the Stars leading. At the end of te first quarter, Oshkosh had a six-point lead and just before the final basket in the second overtime period the Stars had a seven-point advantage, but at no other time was the margin over a point or two or three for either team.

. . .

The first five-minute overtime was productive of little good, Herman Witasek making a one-handed shot but Ted Strong tying it up with two charity tosses. In the second overtime, it was tied once at 44-all, but Preboski and Edwards, high scorers for the evening with 16 and 18 points respectively, took matter into their hands and put the game on ice.

Oshkosh All-Stars (51)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen1436
Preboski72416
Adams0020
Armstrong0323
Edwards66318
Mullen1133
Witasek1345
Linskey0030
Total16192451

Harlem Globetrotters (46)

NameFGFTPFPts
Rusan43311
Hood43411
Jackson0141
Strong48616
Ford2307
Total14181746

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
November 22, 1938De Pere, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Akron
Firestones
All-Stars 37
Firestones 19
16

Firestone Non-Skid's Paul Nowak
Game Overview: All Stars Trounce Akron Firestones, 37 to 19 (Oshkosh Northwestern, Wednesday November 23, 1938)

The Oshkosh All Stars snapped back with a vengeance last night in a game with the Akron O., Firestones in St. Norbert's college gymnasium at De Pere, and atoned somewhat for two previous defeats handed them by the Non-skids by trouncing the Ohio team, 37 to 19. Both the previous games had been close, Oshkosh losing at Menasha, Sunday, 41 to 40 and at Antigo, Monday 48 to 45.

. . .

But even Akron's first string, including Johnny Moir and Paul Nowak, last year's All-Americans at Notre Dame, were unable to cope with the determined All Stars five. There were two times early in the game that the Firestones led and twice they were tied and at the end of te first period they were behind by only 9 to 8, but otherwise they were hopelessly outclassed.

. . .

"Lefty" Edwards was his usual self last night from a scoring standpoint although he still favors an injured knee. He was high point man with 16 points on four field goals and eight free throws.

Oshkosh All-Stars (37)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski2408
Birk1022
Armstrong0020
Edwards48316
Burton0000
Adams0242
Hamann4038
Linskey0030
Witasek0131
Total11152037

Akron Firestone Non-Skids (19)

NameFGFTPFPts
Moir0101
Johnson0000
Bush1012
Terjesen0040
Nowak2256
Shoun0343
Ozburn0020
Tobin0010
Cable1022
Roberts2115
Total672019

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 17, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All-Stars 59
Renaissance 37
16
December 18, 1938New London, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
Renaissance 43
All-Stars 38
5

Game Overview: All Stars Split Two-Game Series with Rens (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday December 19, 1938)

The Oshkosh All Stars, on Saturday evening, looked like a team that could win the championship of the National Basketball league and defeat most any professional team in the country. They did defeat one of of the country's best traveling teams - the New York Renaissance - by a 59 to 37 score and in winning that game they did practically everything right, playing a brilliant brand of basketball.

But Sunday evening they were a little less brilliant and the Rens were a little more rugged and the All Stars dropped a decision to the New Yorkers by a 43 to 38 count.

Those who saw Saturday's game and the precision passes of the Stars and the accurate shooting and the fine floorwork wonder at Sunday's defeat. the Rens last night did play one of the best games they have ever shown against the Oshkosh cagers with Saitch, Isaacs, Cooper and ates all droping in some long ones. Gates, a newcomer to the colored five, was high point man for his team with 13 points on four buckets and five charity tosses.

. . .

In Saturday's game, "Lefty" Edwards and Armstrong were the big guns with the former making 16 points on five buckets and six free throws and the latter acounting for 15 points on seven field goals and one free throw. Preboski was not far behind with four buckets and a free throw. All of his field goals were made in the first quarter.

. . .

The Rens tried some of their antics such as roling the ball to a teammate on the floor, but with quick-eyed Herm Witasek on the job such tactics were unavailable as the "Jackrabbit" sent the ball almost out of Cooper's hands out of bounds.

. . .

At the half the All-Stars led Saturday by 27 to 18 and they widened this margin to 40 to 28 going into the last stanza. In the final period they really poured it on, scoring 19 points to nine for the Rens. Edwards accounted for four baskets and two free throws in that period.

Oshkosh All-Stars (59)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski4109
Adams2155
Vander Meulen0010
Birk0141
Armstrong71215
Edwards56016
Mullen0030
Linskey1022
Witasek2115
Hamann3026
Total24112059

New York Renaissance (37)

NameFGFTPFPts
Bell0111
Gates0010
Cooper42410
Clayton0111
Smith2236
Saitch72316
Isaacs1123
Total1491537

Monday, December 18, 1938

New York Renaissance (43)

NameFGFTPFPts
Cooper34510
Bell0111
Gates45213
Smith1143
Saitch4028
Isaacs3218
Total15131543

Oshkosh All-Stars (38)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams1254
Edwards1305
Preboski80016
Armstrong4038
Witasek0333
Mullen0242
Linskey0010
Hamann0020
Total14101838

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 23, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Pittsburgh
Pirates
All-Stars 36, Pirates 2915

Billy Jesko
Walt Miller
Game Overview: All Stars Skyrocket Back into First Place
(Oshkosh Northwestern, Saturday December 24, 1938)

Back on top in the standings of the Western division of the Natonal Basketball league as the result of the 36 to 29 victory Friday evening over the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Merrill Junior High school gymnasiu, the Oshkosh All Stars are eagerly awaiting their next league game with the Indianapolis Kautskys to be played here Thursday evening.

. . .

"Lefty" Edwards was high scorer with 15 points, nine of which were made on free throws. He tossed in nine gift shots in 13 attempts. Pete Preboski was high scorer from the court, making four field goals, three of them in succession in the third period. Walt Miller paced the Pirates with three field goals and three charity thows for nine points.

Oshkosh All-Stars (36)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski4109
Adams0000
Armstrong1042
Edwards39215
Witasek2115
Linskey0111
Mullen2034
Hamann0010
Total12121236

Pittsburgh Pirates (29)

NameFGFTPFPts
Miller3329
Spotovich3228
Fortney2236
Moore0020
Bonn1032
Ginsberg0020
Malackney0020
Jesko2004
Total1171629

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 29, 1938Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Indianapolis
Kautskys
Kautskys 51
All Stars 46
12

Game Overview: All Stars Drop Game to Indianapolis Kautskys (Oshkosh Northwestern, Friday December 30, 1938)

Jewell Young
Led by peppery Jewell Young, who still holds the Big Ten all-time scoring record which he set at Purdue, the Kautskys have an aggregation that has size, speed, good shots and all the other things needed to make up a good ball club. Young was high scorer for the evening with 19 points on six field goals and seven free throws out of eight attempts.

Scott Armstrong and Lefty Edwards tied for scoring honors for Oshkosh with 12 points each.

. . .

A gift to which fans and players of the All Stars team had contributed was given to Augie Vander Meulen, who retired from the Oshkosh team lineup last night. Presentation was made by Coach George Hotchkiss.

Indianapolis Kautskys (51)

NameFGFTPFPts
Young67319
Sines3329
Schussler0141
Williams4018
Birr3026
Biard4038
Swank0010
Total20111651

Oshkosh All-Stars (46)

NameFGFTPFPts
Preboski3329
Armstrong44312
Adams1002
Edwards52312
Hamann1224
Witasek2125
Linskey1002
Mullen0020
Total17121446

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 2, 1939Fond du Lac, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Philadelphia
SPHAS
All-Stars 47, SPHAS 3622

Game Overview: Oshkosh Pro Team Defeats SPHAS in Fond du Lac Tilt (Oshkosh Northwestern, Tuesday January 3, 1939)

In the game at Fond du Lac last night, "Lefty" Edwards, Oshkosh center, played the best game of the season thus far. He got rebounds from the backboards, fought for loose balls and ran in midcourt like he has never run before. And like his former self and like, the star he has been proving himself in recent games, he was again high scorer with 22 points on nine field goals and four free throws. His nine buckets came on 24 attempts to give him an average of 37 1/2 percent, which is really good shooting, considering he is a marked man in every game in which he plays.

Oshkosh All-Stars (47)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams2155
Armstrong1052
Preboski42110
Edwards94122
Witasek2125
Mullen0000
Linskey1123
Hamann0000
Total1991647

Philadelphia SPHAS (36)

NameFGFTPFPts
Roson2529
Wolfe4139
Blum2044
Loutman2014
Gottofer26310
Rosenberg0000
Kuselman0000
Total12121336

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 4, 1939Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Philadelphia
SPHAS
All-Stars 36, SPHAS 319

Game Preview: All Stars Seek Third Win in Row from the SPHAS (Oshkosh Northwestern, Wednesday January 4, 1939)

No other team has ever beaten the Sphas, as the Philadelphia team is known, two games i a row and Oshkosh has accomplished it twice and hope to make the record even better by winning hte third tilt tonight. The All Stas first accomplished the feat in the 1936-37 season when the Sphas came west and Oshkosh beat them in two games here and at Green Bay. Last season Oshkosh went east and dropped two to the Hebrews at Philadelphia and in the Hippodrome in New York City.

. . .

The Hebrews are a hustling team and play a slam-bang type of ball for 40 minutes of the game, so that win or lose they are in there fighting all the way. They are expected to put everything they have tonight to prevent the Stars from making it a clean seep and Oshkosh is expected to do the same to boast thee wins over the eastern stars.

Game Summary: Local Pros Make it a Clean Sweep in Hebrews Series (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday January 5, 1939)

The Oshkosh All Stars polished up for the all-important game next Monday evening with the Sheboygan Redskins at the Milwaukee auditorium by defeating the Philadelphia Hebrews for the third consecutive time, a feat no other team in the country has been able to accomplish.

. . .

"Lefty" Edwards was high scorer for Oshkosh with nine points on three buckets and three gift tosses, but was followed closely by Ray Adams with eight points and Pete Preboski with seven. If "Lefty" ever starts dropping in hook shots like he did last season, the All Stars should have an easier time of it. He had 21 shots last night, the majority of them refusing to go in.

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 9, 1939Milwaukee, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Sheboygan
Redskins
All-Stars 36
Redskins 33
8

Game Overview: Oshkosh Beats Sheboygan to Take Loop Lead (Sheboygan Press, Monday January 10, 1939)

The Oshkosh All-Stars, after trailing 17 to 14 at the half, put on a second half rally that defeated the Sheboygan Redskins 36 to 33 and boosted them into first place in the western division of the National Basketball league.

The game, played at the Milwaukee Auditorium last night as a benefit for the Wisconsin Elks Crippled Children's Fund, attracted nearly 2,500 fans, half o f them from Sheboygan and Oshkosh.

. . .

Sheboygan and Oshkosh, court rivals for years, but meeting for the first time as members of the National Basketball league, squared off at 8:15 o'clock last night and after 10 minutes of play it looked as though the Sheboygan squad was gong to make mincemeat out of the Oshkosh delegration as they ran up a score of 9 to 2 and then 13 to 4 before the All-Stars knew they were in the ball game.

. . .

Edwards and Preboski topped the Oshkosh scorers with eight points apiece.

Oshkosh All-Stars (36)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams1143
Preboski3208
Armstrong0434
Edwards4028
Witasek2014
Hamann2115
Linskey0111
Mullen1133
Total13101536

Sheboygan Redskins (33)

NameFGFTPFPts
Sokody3329
Lautenschlager51411
Crowley0000
Dancker1133
John Posewitz1133
Joe Posewitz0030
Kuplic0010
Kolar3117
Total1371733

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 14, 1939Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Akron
Firestones
Firestones 46
All-Stars 44
18

Game Overview: Stars Lose Thriller to Akron (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday January 16, 1939)

Three seconds is a short time. About as long as it would take you to read these first few lines. One couldn't do much in three seconds and when that much time remained in the National Basketball league game between the Oshkosh All Stars and the Akron O. Firestones at Merrill Junior High school gymnasium, Saturday evening, the Firestones were on top by a 46 to 44 score, put there by a miraculous shot from under the bucket by Howard "Soup" Cable, Firestones guard who broke a tie that seemed destined to send the game into an overtime contest.

. . .

Easily the largest crowd of the season in Oshkosh, it is believed the attendance was the largest ever to see a professional basketball game in the city. All seats were filled and many stood. The number of those standing was enlarged by practically the entire crowd in the fourth quarter when the All Stars came from behind to catch up with the Firestones for the first time since early in the game and to forge into the lead, only to lose it and the game at a time when the timer had the horn in his mouth ready to give the last shrill blast.

. . .

"Soup" Cable
Oshkosh's All-Americans - Ed Mullen and "Lefty" Edwards - demonstrated that the new crop has nothing on that of a few years back. Edwards was high scorer for both teams with 18 points on eight field goals, including a few of his patented hook shots, and two free throws. He eclipsed "Soup" Cable's mark by two. Howard's 16 points coming on five buckets and six free throws. Mullen, who rarely is among the high scorers, made 11 points on five buckets and a gift toss and not one of Eddie's field goals was by his own overhead method.

Akron Firestones (46)

NameFGFTPFPts
Moir61213
Bush3117
Nowak0121
Cable56116
Terjesen2357
Bonniwell1002
Total17121146

Oshkosh All Stars (44)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams1032
Armstrong0121
Preboski3046
Edwards82018
Linskey0101
Hamann1012
Witasek1143
Mullen51011
Total1961444

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 15, 1939Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Hammond
Ciesars
All-Stars 64
Ciesars 40
10

Game Overview: Pros Regain Form; Lose to Oshkosh (Hammond Times, Monday January 16, 1939)

The Hammond Professionals regained their form yesterday in the Civic Center and looked on blithely and somewhat self-satisfied as the Oshkosh All Stars, again headed for the Western division title in the National leage, burned the nets at both ends for a 64-40 triumph.

Yes, it was that bad, and even worse. Oshkosh looked the part of the greatest basketball team that ever flipped a ball while the Hammods, swinging back to the style that cost them 14 straight defeats earlier in the season, did everything wrong until the last peirod when they rolled in 22 points to make the score more respectable.

. . .

Some of the home boys didn't try very hard in the first half yesterday but began to drive furiously in the last quarter on learning that Owner Eddie Ciesar had misplaced his checkbook. This bit of information, coupled with the obvious inclination of Oshkosh to coast in allowed McGowan and Yost to fatten their scoring averages.

McGowan finished with nine points after spending most of the game shying away from Cowboy Edwards. Big Vince scares eeasily and Edwards knew it so well he no longer yell "boo" in McGowan's direction. Yost wound up with 19 points but 17 of them came in the last half.

Oshkosh All-Stars (36)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams51111
Armstrong50210
Preboski4008
Edwards50410
Witasek81117
Hamann1012
Linskey3016
Total3121064

Hammond Ciesars (29)

NameFGFTPFPts
Boudreau3016
Hashu1113
Sotak0101
Stack0020
Yost91019
McGowan4129
Campion1022
Total184840

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
January 18, 1939Sheboygan, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Sheboygan
Redskins
All-Stars 44
Redskins 40
8

Game Overview: Oshkosh Tips Redskins 44-40; Lead Division (Sheboygan Press, Thursday January 19, 1939)

The Oshkosh all-Stars took over the lead in the western division of the National Basketball league here last night when they defeated the Sheboygan Redskins in a nip and tuck game by a score of 44 to 40. the score was 40 to 42 in favor the All-Stars with but a minute to go but hte Skins failed to click on several long shots and Oshkosh finally added another two points on free thows before the gun sounded ending the game.

. . .

LeRoy Edwards, Oshkosh center, stood out as the finest offensive Oshkosh player on the floor last night. His six baskets and four free throws led the visitors in points scored, and he made his buckets when they were needed. At times it seemed as though two or three Sheboygan men could hang on to his neck and he could still shake himself free to pivot and toss the amed hook shot.

Oshkosh All-Stars (44)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams0242
Preboski2307
Edwards64416
Hamann2105
Mullen3137
Witasek2327
Armstrong0010
Total15141444

Sheboygan Redskins (40)

NameFGFTPFPts
Sokody42210
Lautenschlager52412
Dancker3228
S. Posewitz0030
O. Kolar1033
Zadei1204
Kuplic0000
J. Posewitz1123
Roth0000
Total1591640

Rube Lautenschlager, Sheboygan Redskin forward, has just taken the pot-shot at the hoop in last night's game between the Redskins and Oshkosh All-Stars, and it swished through the net without touching the hoop, making the score 7 to 5 in favor of the Skins. However the Stars went on to win the game 44 to 40 and take over first place in the western division of the National Basketball league. Sheboygan players, reading from left to right in the white suits are Paul Sakody 23, Rube Lautenschlager 29, Ed Dancker 31,. Oshkosh players, left to right are Hamann 22, Adams 15, Edwards 23, Mullen 24 and Preboski 16.

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
February 4, 1939Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Indianapolis
Kautskys
All-Stars 57
Kautskys 45
17

Game Overview: All Stars Back in First in Western Division; Defeat Kautskys by 57 to 45 Score in Furious Fight (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday February 6, 1939)

Bring on the Akron Firestones! Bring on any team in the National league! The Oshkosh All Stars have given noticed that they are a team of championship caliber and that they are headed for the title they dropped last year in the playoffs.

Notice of their championship intention was given in a convincing manner Saturday evening at the Merrill Junior High school gymnasium when the Oshkosh professional cage quintet won from the Indianapolis Kautskys by a score of 57 to 45 and thus climbed into a tie for the Western division race with the Indians.

. . .

Augie Vander Meulen, who came out of retirement, started the game and played the entire first quarter and part of the seocnd and fourth quarter and proved popular with fans, being given a big hand. He failed to score a bucket but speeded the game up and guarded closely the man assigned to him.

Oshkosh All-Stars (57)

NameFGFTPFPts
Vander Meulen0141
Adams4038
Preboski2327
Armstrong0111
Edwards81217
Mullen1234
Linskey1103
Hamann50110
Witasek3036
Total2491957

Indianapolis Kautskys (45)

NameFGFTPFPts
Young3248
Williams1113
Sines52212
Birr2236
Schussler0003
Wooden2327
Baird3309
Total16131248

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 19, 1939Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Akron
Firestones
All-Stars 49
Firestones 37
25
March 20, 1939Oshkosh, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
Akron
Firestones
Firestones 37
All-Stars 30
9

Game Overview: Stars Even Playoff Series by 49-37 Win Over the Firestones (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 20, 1939)

The hopes and ambitin of one man might be - can be - realized tonight! That man is Lonnie Darling, owner and manager of the Oshkosh All Stars, and his ambition - to bring ht echampionship of the National Basketball league to Oshkosh - is in the realm of possibility.

Johnny Moir
The All Stars, playing alert basketball of a championship caliber Saturday evening at the Merrill Junior High school gymnasium, evened the playoff series with the Akron O. Firestones at 2-all when they defeated the Eastern division champions by a score of 49 to 37.

Tonight's game will determine which of the two contenders will rate as league champion, it bein a best three-out-of-five series for the title. During the last two years the pennant has been held at Akron, but by the Goodyears, who were defeated int he division race this year by their fellow townsmen.

. . .

And leading the parade was "Lefty" Edwards, Oshkosh center, who demonstrated how he won his National league individual scoring championship for two consecutive years. "Lil Abner" or "Cowboy" Edwards - call him what you will as long as you mention the fact he is one of basketball's greats - scored 25 points on nine field goals and seven free throws, not missing a single charity toss. Seventeen of his points came in the first half, in fact in 18 minutes of play, as he retired just before the intermission in favor of Augie Vander Meulen. Edwards went back into the game midway in the third quarter and finished out - without collecting the feared 5th foul that had caused his removal in the first half. There was a technical called on him, but that did not eject the big University of Kentucky All-American and he continued to roll in points.

Oshkosh All-Stars (49)

NameFGFTPFPts
Armstrong2054
Adams1224
Edwards97425
Linskey1032
Witasek3127
Preboski0202
Vander Meulen2135
Hamann0000
Mullen0000
Total18131949

Akron Firestones (37)

NameFGFTPFPts
Bonniwell0020
Bush1335
Moir4119
Cable0636
Ozburn4119
Terjesen3228
Tobin0010
Total12131337

Game Overview: Akron Firestones Win National League Crown (Oshkosh Northwestern, Tuesday March 21, 1939)

The Akron, O. Firestones are champions of the National Basketball league, having defeated the Oshkosh All Stars in the final game of the playoff series for the title Monday evening at the Merrill Junior High school gymnasium by a score of 37 to 30. The victory gave the Eastern division champions three out of the five games in the series, the score having stood at two-all up to last night.

A near-capacity crowd jammed into the Merrill school gym for the final game with fans paying for the privilege of standing to watch these eteams in action. But with the outcome unsatisfactory to the highly partisan Oshkosh fans, many of them readily admitted that the better team won.

. . .

The almost complete bottling up of "Lefty" Edwards by Akron players last night in strategy devised by Cosl Paul Sheeks of the Nonskids was a factor in the All Stars' loss. Whereas the big Kentucky All-American had scored 25 points for Oshkosh in Saturday's 49 to 37 victory, last night he was held to two field goals and he made five of 10 free throw attempts to score nine points.

The Firestones had one man constantly on Edwards, guarding him closer than his shadow and "Lefty" could not swing around to attempt his noted hook shot. He did get off 14 shots, but most them under difficulties.

Akron Firestones (37)

NameFGFTPFPts
Terjesen1022
Bonniwell1113
Moir2044
Bush2256
Ozburn34110
Tobin0111
Cable43311
Total13111737

Oshkosh All-Stars (30)

NameFGFTPFPts
Armstrong1113
Vander Meulen0020
Adams1042
Preboski0000
Edwards2559
Linskey2024
Mullen0131
Witasek43311
Hamann0000
Total10102030

Series Preview from Oshkosh Northwestern, Friday March 17, 1939.

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
March 26, 1939Chicago, ILOshkosh
All-Stars
Clarksburg (WV)
Oilers
All-Stars 40
Oilers 33
18

Game Overview: All Stars Play in Series Semifianls Tonight (Oshkosh Northwestern, Monday March 27, 1939)

The Oshkosh All Stars, Western division champions of the National Basketball league, will appear in the semifinals of the professional basketball tournament at Chicago this evening by virtue of a 40 to 33 cvictory in the opening round game, Sunday evening, over the Clarksburg W. Va. Oilers.

. . .

The Oshkosh All Stars were inspired Sunday by four former members of the team who were on the bench rooting for them. They were Branch McCracken, now coach of the University of Indiana; "Bud" Foster, coach of the University of Wisconsin; "Feed" Murphy, and Bill Mangan. Coach Ruck (sic) of the University of Kentucky was also an interested spectator, especially in one fo his proteges, LeRoy Edwards.

"Lefty" Edwards set the individual scoring record for the tournament when he hooked in eight field goals and two free throws for 18 points.

Oshkosh All-Stars (40)

NameFGFTPFPts
Adams2145
Preboski4008
Armstrong1022
Edwards82218
Witasek2125
Mullen0030
Linskey1012
Total1841440

Clarksburg (WV) Oilers (33)

NameFGFTPFPts
Schmarr3046
Watson2206
Stydahar1042
Lothes3208
Phares2206
Jameson1113
Barnum0232
Total1291233


1939-40

DateLocationTeamOpponentResultPoints
December 13, 1939Rhinelander, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
Renaissance 34
All Stars 30
17
December 14, 1939Stevens Point, WIOshkosh
All-Stars
New York
Renaissance
All Stars 43
Renaissance 37
20

Game Overview: Rens Move Ahead of All Stars with a 34 to 30 Victory (Oshkosh Northwestern, Thursday December 14, 1939)

The New York Renaissance are again one up o the Oshkosh All Stars in a series of five games between the two teams, the latest victory for the easterners being Wednesday evening at Rhinelander by a score of 34 to 30.

. . .

"Lefty" Edwards was high scorer last night at Rhinelander with 17 points on four field goals and nine free throws. He was guarded closely by the Rens, resulting in a number of fouls being committed against him and giving him the opportunity to make gift tosses.

"Tarzan" Cooper led the Rens with 10-pionts on three field goals and four free throws. Edwards for the Stars and Gates for the Rens both left the game on the five-foul limit.