Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton 1B, Wilkes-Barre Indians’ baseball 1950

When we talk about the early days of the NBA, there’s one name that often gets overshadowed, but his story is as integral as any. Nathaniel Clifton was a true pioneer of the game. Thanks to the movie “Sweetwater”, now more people are getting acquainted with Clifton’s journey. He was instrumental in breaking barriers, helping integrate the NBA when he joined the New York Knickerbockers.

Clifton was a trailblazer, one of the first to put pen to paper on an NBA contract. Can you believe it? The Knicks paid over $12,500 to Abe Saperstein of the Globetrotters just to have Clifton suit up, and his salary? A cool $2500. But there’s more to Nat than just basketball. Did you know he laced up his cleats for the Wilkes-Barre Indians on the diamond at Artillery Park in the Old Eastern League.? He was quite the athlete.

Back in his high school days at DuSable High in Chicago, Clifton was already making waves, dropping 45 points in the city semi-finals. Then he took his talents down south to Xavier College in New Orleans before Uncle Sam came calling in 1943. He served his country for three years before returning to the hardwood.

After the war, he suited up for the Dayton Mets, but it was that clash against the Wilkes-Barre Barons that caught folks’ attention. A fundraiser for the March of Dimes, it was a battle royale at the Kingston Armory. Sure, Wilkes-Barre came out on top, but Nat left his mark, notching 18 points.

And let’s not forget his stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. Those guys were on fire, especially with Clifton in the lineup. They even took down the mighty Lakers, led by George Mikan himself.

But baseball wasn’t foreign to Clifton either. Dayton, Pittsfield, Wilkes-Barre – you name it, he swung the bat there. In ’50, he was tearing it up in the Eastern League, batting .304 with 9 homers for the Wilkes-Barre Indians. He was a standout first baseman, a crucial piece in the Indians’ championship run.

Nathaniel Clifton wasn’t just a basketball player or a baseball player – he was a true sportsman, leaving his mark wherever he went. And his legacy? Well, it’s etched in the annals of sports history, a testament to his talent and determination.

Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton below with Wilkes-Barre 1950

Sweetwater of the Harlem Globetrotters loses the ball, Big George Mikan in the background

Scranton , World Basketball Champions 1921

In the roaring year of ’21, Scranton laced up their high-tops and hit the hardwood in the Penn State basketball league, a fierce competition boasting squads from Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Nanticoke Nans, Plymouth Shawnees, and the now-vanished Patterson, New Jersey team – who threw in the towel after a dozen matchups. Fear not, for Plymouth swooped in to fill the void.

Thomas Brislin, the man at the league’s helm, orchestrated this b-ball ballet. Over in Pittston, Bucky Harris, skipper of the Washington Senators, not only called the shots from the bench but also pulled double duty as a guard on the court. R.A. Amermann held the reins of the Scranton squad, while the scrappy Frank Bruggy took charge as manager. Bruggy, a bulldog of a player in his heyday, wasn’t shy about ruffling feathers, giving both opponents and refs a piece of his mind.

The action unfolded at the venerable Town Hall, where some 2,500 fans packed the joint to witness the hoop hysteria. Now, brace yourselves for the quirks of yesteryear – after each successful bucket, the rock took flight in a jump ball, turning height into a game-changer.

As the season wound down, Scranton’s starting five showcased Elmer Ripley and Nick Harvey at the guard slots, flanked by forwards Bobby Reynics and Dutch Dehnert, with the towering Swede Grimstead holding it down in the center.

Word on the street hinted at Eddie White joining Scranton for the Championship series, but the plot twist unfolded as he suited up for Pittston. Come crunch time, the Scranton squad boasted heavyweights Nat Holman and Stretch Meehan, a colossal 6-foot-7 center. Holman, later the maestro of CCNY’s court, etched his name in history as the first mentor to clinch both the NIT and NCAA tournaments in a single year. A wizard with the ball, Holman was the quintessential player of his era.

The grand finale unfolded in the hallowed halls of Town Hall, where Scranton triumphed over Pittston in two straight games to seize the Penn State crown, culminating in a resounding 30-22 victory. Oh, what a spectacle it was, a true hardwood saga etched in the annals of b-ball lore!

Scranton box score

The Scranton Miners continued their hoop odyssey, locking horns with the cream of the New York State League in a clash of titans. The Albany Senators, reigning champs of the Empire State, dared to stand in the way of Scranton’s quest for glory.

In a fierce battle that unfolded over five thrilling games, Scranton emerged triumphant, clinching the coveted title of World Champs in a nail-biting 3-2 showdown. The pivotal contest, a spectacle for the ages, played out before the watchful eyes of 1,500 fervent fans at the Armory.

In this basketball ballet, Scranton danced their way to a 29-19 triumph, etching their names in the annals of history. The echoes of cheers and the thunderous applause of the crowd reverberated through the hallowed Armory, marking a glorious chapter in Scranton’s journey to b-ball immortality. The streets of Scranton must be buzzing with jubilation, for their boys have etched their names not just in Pennsylvania lore but in the grand tapestry of world champions!