Allentown Jets
Allentown Jets | |
Founded | 1957, as Wilmington Jets |
League | EPBL 1958-1970 EBA 1970-1978 CBA 1978-1981 |
Arena | Rockne Hall, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown, Pa. |
Team History | Wilmington Jets 1957-1958 Allentown Jets |
Championships | 1962, 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976 |
Division Titles | 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980 |
The Allentown Jets were a minor league basketball team that played in the Eastern Professional Basketball League (later the Eastern Basketball Association and Continental Basketball Association) from 1958 to 1981. The team was one of the most dominant franchises in CBA/Eastern League history, winning eight playoff championships and 12 division titles.
Originally formed in 1957 as the Wilmington Jets, the team relocated in 1958 to Allentown, Pennsylvania.[1] Among the Jets' top players were center Roman "Big Daddy" Turmon, rebounder Harthorne Wingo, and 3-point specialist Brendan McCann & Bill "BO" White. The Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame inducted Richard Koffenberger, who played for the team in Wilmington. The Jets had a working agreement with the New York Knicks, who sent several players to Allentown for playing time.
In 1964, the Jets played an interleague contest with the Grand Rapids Tackers of the Midwest Professional Basketball League. The Jets won 138-136, winning the only minor league "World Series of Basketball" interpromotional game ever held.
In 1979, the franchise rebranded itself as the "Lehigh Valley Jets," in an effort to greater regionalize its fanbase; however, after the 1980-81 season the Jets closed up for good.[2]
Year-by-year
Year | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|
1958/59 | EPBL | 8th | Did not qualify |
1959/60 | EPBL | 3rd | Semifinals |
1960/61 | EPBL | 1st | Finals |
1961/62 | EPBL | 1st | Champions |
1962/63 | EPBL | 1st | Champions |
1963/64 | EPBL | 1st | Semifinals |
1964/65 | EPBL | 4th | Champions |
1965/66 | EPBL | 3rd, Eastern | Quarterfinals |
1966/67 | EPBL | 2nd, Western | Semifinals |
1967/68 | EPBL | 1st | Champions |
1968/69 | EPBL | 3rd, Western | Quarterfinals |
1969/70 | EPBL | 1st | Champions |
1970/71 | EBA | 2nd, Southern | Semifinals |
1971/72 | EBA | 1st | Champions |
1972/73 | EBA | 4th | Quarterfinals |
1973/74 | EBA | 1st, Western | Finals |
1974/75 | EBA | 2nd | Champions |
1975/76 | EBA | 1st | Champions |
1976/77 | EBA | 1st | Finals |
1977/78 | EBA | 4th, Western | Did not qualify |
1978/79 | CBA | 2nd, Southern | Semifinals |
1979/80 | CBA | 1st, Southern | Quarterfinals |
1980/81 | CBA | 4th, Eastern | Quarterfinals |
See also
- Continental Basketball Association franchise history
- Delaware Stars
- First State Fusion
- Wilmington Bombers
- List of professional sports teams in Delaware
References
- Sports clubs established in 1957
- Sports clubs disestablished in 1981
- Defunct basketball teams
- Continental Basketball Association teams
- Sports in Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Basketball teams in Pennsylvania
- Sports in Wilmington, Delaware
- Basketball teams in Delaware
- 1957 establishments in Delaware
- 1981 disestablishments in Pennsylvania