Leamington Falcons were 1952 Ontario champs

By C. Scott Holland

Basketball is seldom covered extensively and since the 1940s, Leamington has had an entry in some basketball leagues as well as several leagues operating locally.

But back in 1952, the Leamington Falcons Intermediate C squad captured the All-Ontario title of the Amateur Basketball Association.

Back in those days, series were usually a total points affair with a home-and-home set against an opponent.

The Falcons began their road to the title by disposing of Ridgeway with a two-game total score of 164-84.

At the time that large 80- point margin of victory was considered an unofficial provincial record. And in their second game victory of 108-42, the Falcons set a record for the most playoff points in one game.

Future Leamington Mayor John Penner not only starred in baseball, but was also a basketball player with both the championship Leamington Aces (1947) and Leamington Falcons (1952).

Photo courtesy of the Scott Holland Collection

Up next was Exeter and the Falcons eliminated another opponent — this time by a score of 135-97.

The victory put them into the finals versus Midland.

In the opener of the two-game series, which was held at Leamington, the Falcons downed Midland 95-60.

Charles “Pat” Irwin, who was the team’s top scorer in the regular season with over 200 points, netted 32 to pace the attack and give Leamington the points edge.

The second and final contest, held in Midland, featured a slow start by the Falcons. About 150 fans watched the contest but when the final buzzer sounded, Leamington had a 79-46 victory and won the two-game total points 174-106.

In that second contest, Stan Jackson dropped seven field goals and sunk 10 foul shots for 24 points while Pat Irwin was held in check by the Midland Merchants.

One of the team’s key players, Dick Hicks, missed the entire playoff, since he was gone to spring training with the Philadelphia Athletics.

Previously, Leamington had won the championship in 1947, when the team was known as the Aces.

Members of that team were Dick Hicks, Pat Irwin, Doug McCallum, Stan Jackson, Don Robinson, John Penner, Lewis Tempich, Harold Wigle, Ken Emerson, and Cecil “Red” Gow.