Wilkes Barre Barons
The Wilkes-Barre Barons, based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, were one of the longest-running pro basketball clubs in the eastern states. Sources trace the franchise to as early as 1914, but the version fans knew began in 1946. The team's main home was the Kingston Armory, and in later years it also used Kings College and Coughlin High School.
The Barons moved between leagues: the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League, the old American Basketball League, the Eastern Basketball Association from 1970, and the CBA from 1978. They are credited with 11 titles. Six came in the Eastern Pennsylvania league (1947, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1969), three in the ABL (1948, 1949, 1952), and two in the EBA (1973, 1978). Owner Eddie White Sr. also coached the team.
The record has gaps. Flooding from Hurricane Agnes is said to have forced the team to fold midseason in 1973-74, and it returned for 1975-76. The club ended its Wilkes-Barre run in 1979-80 as the Pennsylvania Barons, then played 1980-81 in Scranton as the Scranton Aces. A Barons team turned up again in two short-lived leagues before the franchise disappeared after 1982-83.
