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Reds Desert Professional Court League

1/1/40, Syracuse

Syracuse’s Reds faced 1940 as an independent professional basketball club, Business Manager Louis Greenberg today announced officially his withdrawal from the New York State League, carrying out a threat he had made last week. Greenberg said that he no longer is interested in any league activity, but will continue to play an independent schedule, bringing the leading traveling teams to Syracuse. The Reds will play Honey Russell’s New York Yankees Saturday night at the Armory. Withdrawal of Syracuse dashed whatever hopes other club owners had of keeping the league together with a smaller membership than the number of teams that started the season. Seven teams started in the league. Elmira was leading the league, Syracuse, the hub city in the circuit, was in a tie for second place with Buffalo. Binghamton, Albany, Utica and Amsterdam were the other clubs that held franchises in the loop. Greenberg hinted that he was not satisfied with the administration of Frank J. Basloe of Herkimer, president of the league, claiming among other things, that the Amsterdam and Utica clubs were backed by the same interests.

Reds Battle Chicago Five On Armory Floor

12/30/39, Syracuse

Jenkins Leads Negro Squad To Syracuse, Famed Star of Renaissance Club Still Active With Chicago Team, Hargaden May Play, Former Georgetown Captain Expected To See Service In Reds’ Lineup

Resuming their court rivalry the Syracuse Reds and Chicago Crusaders clash at 9 o’clock at the Armory, after having opened the two-game series last night in Watertown. The Reds will be seeking their sixth straight win. Unbeaten on their home court this season the Reds will face an acid test in tackling the crack Negro club claimants of the midwestern professional championship. Boasting of 16 victories the Crusaders represent one of the strongest fives on the Reds’ schedule. The Chicagoans hope to achieve what the Akron quintet, National League champion, and Elmira, State League leader, among others, were unable to do at the Armory- trim the Reds. Led by “Fat” Jenkins, who will be remembered for his stellar play with the great Renaissance teams of other years, the Crusaders, making their bow here, are given an even chance to emerging triumphant and send the Reds down to their initial defeat before the home fans. A sidelight of the game that is expected to interest fans will be the individual battle of Jenkins, a crack guard, who will be pitted against Captain Wilmeth Sidat-Singh, forward and high scorer of the Syracuse cagers. A former Georgetown University captain, Ed Hargaden is expected to see service in the Reds’ lineup tonight. He is visiting in the city over the holidays and couldn’t resist the opportunity the Reds offered him to play pro ball again. He played with the Washington pros when he finished college, and now has a government position. The Syracuse team has won 11 victories this season, while bowing in five games. Among the more notable victories of the Reds were those over the Original Celtics and the Brooklyn American League five. Larry Eckert of New York, who amused the fans with his showmanship on the opening night of the local season when the Reds trimmed Akron, will be back to officiate in tonight’s tussle. A fast preliminary game will get under way at 7:30 o’clock, and while this game is being played a meeting of the New York State League, of which Syracuse is a member, and in second place tie in the standings, will be held, at which the fate of the league will be determined. If the league is abandoned the Reds will continue to operate by playing the country’s best traveling teams. The lineup:

Syracuse                       Chicago

Sidat-Singh    RF             Bray

Stewart         LF             Brown

Haller         center          Goins

Nugent         RG             Johnson

Costello        LG             Jenkins

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Mark Haller Sparks Victory Over Chicago, 40-34

Watertown, Dec. 30- Led by the brilliant-shooting Mark Haller, the Syracuse Reds last night turned back the strong Chicago Crusaders, Negro five, 40-34, in a professional basket ball game at the Armory here. Haller’s scoring spree netted 19 points. Enjoying a one-point edge at halftime, the Reds set a fast pace in the second half and scored their fifth straight victory over Capt. Fat Jenkins’ claimants of the midwest professional championship. Ed Hargaden, former Georgetown captain, making his debut with the Reds, threw in two long shots at opportune times to stave off the Crusaders’ bids to wrest the lead. Wilmeth Sidat-Singh, captain of the Reds, did not see much service. He is recovering from a cold, but is expected to play more tonight when the series is resumed in Syracuse. The scores:

Syracuse      G     F     T     Chicago         G     F     T

Nugent, lf      3     2     8     Johnson, lf     3     2     8

Hargaden, rf  2     6     10   Bray, rf          4     2     10

Haller, c        7     5     19   DeJernette, c  0     0     0

Meehan, rg    1     0     2     Jenkins, rg     2     0     4

Costello, lg    0     1     1     Brown, lg       5     2     12

Singh, lf        0      0     0    Dowdell, c      0     0     0

-                                       Long, g          0     0     0

Totals 13 14 40 Totals 14 6 34

Score at half time- Reds 20, Crusaders 19. Referee- Larry Eckert, New York City

Reds In Watertown To Open Two-Game Chicago Series

12/29/39, Syracuse

Syracuse’s Reds will travel to Watertown tonight for the start of a two-game series with the strong Chicago Crusaders, claimants of the midwestern professional championship. The Reds and the crack Negro quintet will play Saturday night at the Armory here. Capt. Wilmeth Sidat-Singh’s Reds will be after their fifth victory in a row against the Crusaders. The Syracuse team will enter the game with the Chicago club boasting 10 wins in 15 starts. Led by “Fat” Jenkins, the Crusaders are on an Eastern tour with a record of having won all 16 games they have played this season. The series with the Syracuse club was arranged on the travel of the Chicagoans toward New York, Philadelphia and other large cities in the East. Ed Hargaden, former Georgetown captain, will join the Reds for the week-end series with the Crusaders. He isn’t expected to start, but will see service in the contest, it was indicated.

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Greenberg Is Ready To Quit Court League

Reds Will Withdraw Unless Rochester Or Buffalo Comes In

Collapse of the New York State Professional Basket Ball League is threatened today on the eve of a meeting at 7:30 o’clock Saturday night at the Armory here. Louis Greenberg, business manager of the Syracuse club, said today that he would not continue in the league unless either Buffalo stays in the league, or Rochester enters. There has been some doubt about these teams. The Reds will continue to operate playing independently against traveling teams coming through the city. From Utica, Frank J. Basloe, president of the league, who makes his home in Herkimer, was quoted as saying that the league will resume operations next week after a layoff over the holidays, with a five-team wheel, but may expand to six or seven. “Buffalo, Syracuse, Elmira, Binghamton, and Albany are sure to be member of the league,” Basloe said. “The managers of those teams would like to see the Amsterdam team and franchise shifted to Utica, if suitable arrangements can be made between Pepper Martin, Amsterdam owner, and the estate of Don Willett of Utica.” The proposition by which Al Soupious, playing manager of the Utica club, was planning to take over the team from the Willett estate apparently was not entirely satisfactory to Basloe. Basloe said that he had been in communication with Martin, who expressed a willingness to shift to Utica if the proper setup can be obtained. “Amsterdam probably will not be a member of the league when play is resumed next week.” Basloe said, “but the team is still intact and available to represent Utica if a sponsor can be obtained.” Basloe also said there is a possibility that the Rochester Seagrams will come into the league.

Ed Hargoden Will Perform With Reds

12/26/39, Syracuse

Former Georgetown Captain Will Join Pro Court Team Friday

A former captain of basket ball at Georgetown, Ed Hargoden today was signed to play with the Syracuse Reds’ professional five in their series this weekend with Fat Jenkins’ Chicago Crusaders. The Reds will play the Crusaders Friday night in Watertown and Saturday night at the Armory here. Hargaden, a native Syracusan, home for the holidays from Washington, D.C., where he has a government position, advised the Reds’ management that he is in playing shape and would like to play with his hometown club and before Syracuse fans. While at Georgetown, Hargaden was one of the Hoyas’ great collegiate cagers, being high score in a majority of their contests. Ed played pro ball with the Huerichs of Washington after graduation and although he no longer is identified with the club, he has stayed in shape. His experience in pro ball is expected to help the Reds. Hargaden watched the Reds roll up their 10th victory against five defeats Saturday night when they defeated the Newark Elks at the Armory. He studied the Reds’ style of play and believes that he can fit into their array to advantage. Captain Wilmeth Sidat-Singh of the Reds, who leads the team’s scorers with 116 points in 10 games, realizes that the Crusaders, a Negro five, claiming the Midwestern championship, with 15 straight wins, will be strong opposition. Larry Eckert of New York City, an official gifted with showmanship, who made a big hit with the fans who watched the Reds defeat Akron, national league champion, in the opening game of the season, will be brought back for Saturday night’s game. Syracuse will be inactive in State league play this week. Elmira still leads the league. There is a three-way tie for second place among Binghamton, Syracuse and Amsterdam, followed by Buffalo, Utica and Albany. Reorganization of the Utica club, as a result of the death of the owner, Don Willett, is due to be discussed at a league meeting in Syracuse tonight. The Utica franchise will be sold at the meeting.

Reds Defeat Newark Elks At Armory

12/24/39, Syracuse

Syracuse Pro Basketeers Humble Visitors, 57-52 Before 700 Fans

Registering their fourth straight victory, the Syracuse Reds pro basket ball team defeated the Newark Elks, 57-52 last night before 700 fans at the Armory. As a result of the victory, the Reds maintained their unbeaten record at the drillshed, as they rolled up their highest total of points this season in a meeting of two highly powered offensive quintets who amassed a total of 109 points between them. Syracuse trailed at the close of the first period, 21-18, but came from behind to take the lead 39-31 at the end of the second stanza, and maintained a comfortable lead for the remainder of the contest. The Reds’ attack was led by Wilmeth Sidat-Singh, who scored eight baskets and a foul, for 17 points, although the night’s scoring laurels went to Bell Snyder of the Elks, with nine field goals. Three new players made their debut with the Reds. John “Chick” Meehan, Jack Bricaddy and Stan Romancik were the new faces. Meehan was the only one of the trio making their professional bow who scored. He came through with two field goals and a pair of fouls.

Syracuse           B     F     T     Newark          B     F     T

Sidat-Singh, rf   8     1     17    Sanford, rf     0     3    3

Romancik, rf     0     0     0                           1     0     2

Stewart, lf         6     1     13    Snyder, lf       9     0     18

Bricaddy, rf       0     0     0      Rich, rf          7     0     14

Costello, rg       2     1     5      Barrett, rg      3     0     6

Meehan, c        2     3     7                            1     1     3

Nugent, rg        2     0     4                            3     0     6

Haller, lg          3     5     11

Totals             23     11     57   Totals           24     4     52

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Chicago Crusaders Next Foe For Reds

The Syracuse Reds’ next opponent at the Armory will be the Chicago Crusaders, a crack colored team, captained by “Fat” Jenkins, former star of the world pro champion Renaissance. The Crusaders will meet the Reds next Saturday night. The Chicagoans have won all 15 starts this season.

Syracuse Reds Beat Baldwinsville

12/23/39, Syracuse

Sparked by Wilmeth Sidat-Singh, who scored eight baskets, the Syracuse reds downed the Baldwinsville High School alumni cagers, 50-38, last night in an exhibition contest on the Baldwinsville high School court. Dick Decker starred for the losers with six field goals.

Reds                 B     F     T     Baldwinsville     B     F     T

Sidat-Singh, rf   8     0     16   Carroll, rf          3     0     6

Stewart, lf         4     0     8     Tarnow, rf        0     0     0

Romansik, lf      3     1     7     Mowens, rf        1     0     2

Costello, c         2     1     5    Coates, lf          5     0     10

Nugent, rg         2     0     4    Smallwood, lf     0     0     0

Bricaddy, lg       5     0     10   Harrington, lf     1     0     2

-                                           Bates, c           1     0     2

-                                           Turner, c         0     0     0

-                                           Sullivan, rg      0     0     0

-                                           Lamson, rg      1     0     2

-                                           Decker, lg        6     0     12

-                                           Crego, lg         1     0     2

Totals                24     2     50  Totals            19     0     38

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Former College Stars Shine For Newark Quintet Sonderman, Sanford And Rich Lead Attack On Reds Seeking their fourth straight victory in professional basket ball, the Syracuse Reds face the Newark Elks at 9:30 o’clock tonight at the Armory. The Elks came here determined to send the Reds to their first setback on their home court. Fresh from a rest after consecutive wins over Amsterdam, Binghamton and Albany in New York State League games, which enabled them to climb into second place behind Elmira in the circuit, the Reds receive a test tonight in a non-league battle. The Reds take the floor with victories over Akron, National League champion, Buffalo, Elmira and Binghamton in their home appearances, and hope to keep their perfect record at the drill shed intact. Syracuse will start the team of local favorites that has carried the club up the league ladder in a recent spurt, Captain Wilmeth Sidat-Singh and Bob Stewart, forwards; Mark Haller, center; Bob Nugent and Jake Costello, guards. Since Nugent, latest addition to the Reds, joined the club, it has won its last three games, trimming Binghamton and Albany. He contributed four field goals in his debut last Saturday night against Binghamton here, and Sunday tossed in eight baskets to down Albany in the Capitol City. Undaunted by their defeat at the hands of the world champion Renaissance, 50-47, the Newark club is confident that it will prove a streak buster to the Syracuse quintet in making its bow here. Favorites of Central New York fans will be seen with the Elks, including Ed Sonderman and Skids Sanford, two former Syracuse varsity stars, and Tom Rich, former Cornell University captain. Sanford will be assigned to play Singh, while Sonderman will match his ability against Haller at the center position. These individual battles should be interesting sidelights in the contest. A fast preliminary game will get under way at 7:45 o’clock. The lineups:

Syracuse Reds            Newark Elks

Sidat-Singh         RF     Rich

Stewart              LF      Snyder

Haller             center   Sonderman

Nugent               RG     Barrett

Costello              LG     Sanford

Former Orange Stars Are Enemies In Saturday Game

12/22/39, Syracuse

When the Syracuse Reds and the Newark Elks meet Saturday night in a professional basket ball game at the Armory, it will be like “Old Home Week-end” for former Syracuse University stars who will be seen as rivals. Heading the Elks’ invasion is giant Ed Sonderman, one of the truly great centers of all-time for the Orange varsity. Skids Sanford, one of the best defensive players ever turned out by Lew Andreas, also will be in the cast. Mark Haller, a product of Syracuse University, and one of the Reds’ favorites, will oppose Sonderman, while Sanford will be assigned the task of guarding Wilmeth Sidat-Singh of the Syracuse professional quintet. These will be interesting sidelights of the contest, which will start at 9:30 o’clock. It was announced that the intercollegiate rules will be played with the pivot play rule enforced, which will offer the fans a change from the rough play that prevailed in the Reds’ victory over Binghamton in a New York State League game here last Saturday night. Singh, who has been acting captain of the Reds, will continue as leader for the remainder of the season, Louis Greenberg, business manager of the Syracuse club, said.

Sanford And Sonderman To Oppose Reds

12/21/39, Syracuse

Former Orange Stars With Newark At Armory Saturday

Syracuse’s Reds face a formidable foe Saturday night when the Newark Elks, claimants of the Western New York championship, invade the Armory, for the first game outside the New York State League the Reds have scheduled at home since the start of the season. Newark has a crack combination including Ed Sonderman and Lloyd “Skids” Sanford, two of the finest players Lew Andreas of the Syracuse varsity team ever coached. These former Orange stars are surrounded by a group of other collegiate products and have a fine record. Coming back to Syracuse, Sonderman and Sanford will find themselves pitted against former Orange varsity players who are now with the Reds, acting captain Wilmeth Sidat-Singh and Mark Haller. Sonderman will jump center for the Elks, opposing Haller. Sanford will probably be assigned the task of guarding Singh. The Renaissance, world’s professional champions, had their closest call of the season before they were finally able to down the Newark club, 50-47, so it may be seen that the Reds will receive a stern test in the Elks’ invasion. The Reds are booked for an exhibition tomorrow night against the Baldwinsville High School alumni, led by Maurice “Irish” Carroll, former star at Catholic University. The game will be played at Baldwinsville High School.