Early Years of Youth Basketball In Portage

Submitted by: Bob Miller

1960/1961

The 2nd Season

It is not known why, but in the next year the league decided to associate with the Biddy Basketball organization.  The league was once again for boys 9-12, one division.  The league received sponsorship from the Portage Optimists and Bud Samuel was the League Supervisor/Executive Secretary of the league.

Biddy Basketball was meant to be played with the basket goals at 8.5 feet versus 10 feet.  Portage Biddy Basketball teams would play on 10-foot baskets except during all-star tournaments against other cities until 1967-68 season.

Additionally, the league began playing games at the high school on Saturday afternoons vice weekdays at Garyton.

VM November 11, 1960

VM November 11, 1960

VM September 20, 1960

VM September 20, 1960

VM November 9, 1960

VM November 9, 1960

The league would conclude play in March 1961 with the Sausman team winning the tournament.

Once again the team coached by Heinz Lindner finished as runner-ups.

VM March 20, 1961

VM March 20, 1961

VM March 17, 1961

VM March 17, 1961

Portage Biddy Basketball Tournament Champions 1960-61

Portage Biddy Basketball Tournament Champions 1960-61 season

Sausman team- Portage Biddy Basketball Tournament Champions 1960-61 season
(photo courtesy of Jim Samuel)

Front row: Alan Lindley, Ken Sausman, Jerry Rankin, Paul Sausman, Bill Cooley
2nd row: John Curtis, John Martin, Jim Samuel, Larry Rankin   Back row: Coaches Jim Sausman and Bill Cooley

Portage Biddy Basketball Tournament Champions 1960-61

Portage Biddy Basketball Tournament Champions 1960-61 season

Sausman team- Portage Biddy Basketball Tournament Champions 1960-61 season
(photo courtesy of Jim Sausman)

Front row: Coach Sausman, Ken Sausman, Jerry Rankin, Paul Sausman, Alan Lindley
2nd row: Bill Cooley, Alan Rankin, Jim Samuel, John Curtis, John Martin

1960/61 team

1960/61 team coached by Martin Wagner

The 1960/61 team coached by Martin Wagner. Coach Wagner coached eight seasons from the initial 1959/60 season thru 1966/67, winning several championships in the later years.

Front Row. Steve Augustinovich, Phil Jasper, Ray Sisco, John Williams, Bruce Needs

Back row: Hull, Bob Ozbolt, Mike Buergler, Dawson, McPherson, Coach Wagner.

(photo courtesy of Steve Augustinovich and also Kevin B. Wagner (Coach Wagner’s son))