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December 19
Hazleton 45
Palmerton 49
The 1947-'4 edition of the Mountaineers tasted the bitter pangs of defeat
for the fi rst time this season at the hands of a rangy Palmerton quintet. Hyde,
Sippel, Belletiere, and Dura proved they could score while away from home.
Hazleton, although behind as high as 12 points, never stopped fighting and gave
a commendable account of t hemselves.
December 23
Hazleton 61
Kings ton 40
Although playing slip hod ball, the Blue and White gladiators resumed
their winning ways. Hyde, Dura, Ledger, and Belletiere split up the evening's
scoring very evenly among themselves. Sippel, with his beautiful ball handling
and passing, "fed" the other members of the team and set up many scoring
plays.
December 30
Hazleton 59
West Scranton 42
By breaking the jinx which away courts held over them, the Mountain ers
won their sixth game of the current season. Pivotman Danny Dura and play–
maker Jackie ippel scored con istently, the former accounting for 19 points
and the latter, 13. Hazleton displayed great team work and consistently worked
the ball into the hoop.
January 6
Hazleton 33
Plymouth 49
A vengeful, revitalized Plymouth squad tacked the second los of the sea–
son on to the Mountaineers. Although the nip-and-tuck game wa tied up 30-
30 at the three-quarter mark, the Mountaineers, unexplainably falling apart
at the
seam~.
managed to sco re only 3 points to their opponents 19 in the final
canto. Hyde and Ledger sparked the club, and big Don Keuch looked very
good in a relief role.
January 9
Hazleton 47
Williamsport 31
Displaying sensational form, the Blue and White warriors bowled over a
highly-touted Willi amsport aggregation. Hyde, Si ppel, Dura, and Ledger all
shot well to account for most of the night's scoring. Jimmy Mhisgar provided
the spark for the rejuvenated Hazleton team. Yet, the bright
t
part of the
evening was the way the Mountaineers functioned as a team.
January 16
Hazleton 33
Pottsville 30
Hazleton inaugu rated its Eastern League campaign with a win over Potts–
ville. Jackie Sippel not only took the scoring laurels for the night but also
turned in a fine defensive job. Hyde and Ledger contributed a good floor game.
Hazleton was hard-pressed in the last quarter to hold ofT a last-ditch rally by
the Potters.
January 20
Hazleton 39
Bethlehem 52
A ragged , listless Hazleton team bowed to the high ly-favored Hurricanes.
Poor foul . hooting and considerable tough luck on shots led to the Mountain–
eers' downfall. Thi lo s cost them the chance of winning the first half pennant.
Vi nce Osadchy, besides being a demon ofT the back boards, accounted for
25',
of the team's tota l score.
January 23
Hazleton 35
Kingston 31
Osadchy continued his retrieving ways to help the Mounts gain their ninth
victory. Hyde and a new comer up from the Junior Varsity, Harold "Tinky"
Knies, also played commendable ball. Although King ton was "up" and want–
ed to avenge its only defeat of the eason, they could not hold ofT the boys from·
Hazleton.
January 27
Hazleton 57
Allentown Central 41
Hazleton gained a footho ld on the runner-up spot of the Eastern League
by conquering a strong Allentown five. Jim Mlasgar, who had a field night,
Jt8
140