No team in the
East Penn League generated more excitement than did the Crimson Tide. The Pottsville team was the shortest in the league this
season, but a glance at the records shows that the squad more than made up for that distinct disadvantage.
Pottsville came painfully close to winning the league champsionship this season.
An upset first half defeat by Hazleton coupled with a stunning loss to Dieruff in a special first half playoff finished the
Crimson and White.
However, no one who saw, heard,
or read about the tremendous come-from-behind victory over Bethlehem on John Walter's last second layup, or John's perfect
set shot with three seconds left to beat Hazleton, will ever forget that this was one of the finest basketball teams Pottsville
has ever fielded.
The team's league record, 14-4, equalled
that of Dieruff and Bethlehem, the first and second half champions, respectively. The overall records of 18-5 was the best
compiled at Pottsville in years.
This season, John
Walters became the highest scorer in Crimson Tide History. He made himself the first player in the history of the school to
reach the 1,000-point plateau before the first half of theleague season was over.
Coach Kline compensated for the lack of height by employing a full-court press for the entirety
of the games. This method usually caused the opposition to lose its composure at some point in the game.
Although the Junior Varsity team's record was 9-13, some promising players from
that squad are expected to combine with the seven returning underclassmen from the Varsity to make prospects propitious for
anther excellent season.
