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

Scranton Black History, Scranton history, Uncategorized

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

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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!

Scranton CYC crowd is wowed by Olympic Champion, 1969

Scranton Athletes, Scranton Black History, Scranton boxing, Scranton Sports

George Foreman was a young Heavyweight in 1969. On November 5, 1969 he came to Scranton to fight Leo Peterson. Foreman was 8 and 0 with 7 KOs. He was a large man standing 6 foot 3 inches. His reach was 78 inches. He weighed about 226 pounds. George was 20 years old. Unlike boxing today, George was constantly on the move and boxing.

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Foreman fought 2 times in October and had just beaten Robert Davilla on Halloween in New York City. In a boxing match that spanned four rounds, George Foreman emerged victorious with a devastating left hook that left his opponent, Peterson, incapacitated. The Scranton Times reported that Foreman strategically pursued his smaller adversary during the initial two rounds, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to strike. In the fourth round, Foreman unleashed a powerful left hook that landed with such force it seemed to nearly sever Peterson’s head, ultimately bringing an end to the fight. Peterson was immediately rendered unconscious, prompting the referee, Foreman, and the ringside physician to rush to his aid. It took Peterson nearly five minutes to regain his footing, and an additional five minutes before he could exit the ring. Reflecting on the match, Peterson remarked, “He’s incredibly strong and elusive. I believe he has a promising future ahead.”

Foreman’s journey would indeed lead him to the pinnacle of the Heavyweight Championship. Although only 1213 spectators were present to witness the fight in Scranton, George received a portion of the gate revenue as his compensation. Subsequently, a forthcoming match was announced for November 18th in his hometown of Houston. It was during this bout in 1973 that George would clinch the coveted heavyweight title. His undefeated professional record would eventually meet its end in 1974, specifically in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle against Muhammad Ali. At the time of the Ali fight, Foreman held the esteemed position of Heavyweight Champion, but regrettably lost his title. Following a defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman made the decision to retire. However, in a remarkable turn of events, he staged a comeback in 1987. In 1994, at the remarkable age of 45, George Foreman reclaimed the Heavyweight title, making him the oldest individual to ever hold such an honor.

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Bill Russell plays exhibition at the Scranton CYC

Scranton Basketball, Scranton Black History, Scranton history, Scranton Sports

On April 23, 1961, Bill Russell’s superstar squad hit the court at the CYC for an epic showdown. Their opponents for the day? Togo Palazzi’s all-stars, featuring ballers like Ray Scott and Stacy Arceneaux, both Eastern League standouts. Palazzi himself was a seasoned NBA player, having rocked the courts with both the Celtics and the Syracuse Nationals.

Russell rolled in with a crew of five Celtics — K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Bill Sharman, Satch Sanders, and Hal Lear from the Eastern League. Speaking of Lear, he’d made waves at Temple, snagging the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player title in 1956. An All-American, he’d been dropping an impressive 24 points per game in his senior year.

Russell kept the vibe light with some playful antics during the game, but when it came to defense, he showcased his skills by swatting shots. Fresh off an MVP win the previous season and an NBA title for the Celtics, Russell was on fire.

Despite the hype, the game drew fewer than 500 fans. The Celtic All-stars dominated from the get-go, with Russell putting up 18 points and Eastern League sensation Hal “King” Lear dropping an impressive 38, leading all players.

The promoters had talked big, claiming they needed $2000 to break even. Reality check: they barely scraped in less than $1000. Now, they were singing a different tune, saying they might have to part ways with the Scranton Miners franchise to make up for their losses. Tough break in the world of hoops and dollars.

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics
Bill Russell at the Scranton CYC 1961

Boxscore Bill Russell’s stars