Homestead Young Americans, Butler, Pittsburgh South Side of the Eastern Basket Ball League 1906-1912… Camden Alphas 1912-17, Camden Crusaders 1917-21, Camden Skeeters 1921-1923 of the Eastern Basket Ball League 1921-1923
Basket Ball History
A leading scorer and a team player during the early 1900s, Roy Steele played professional basketball for 16 years. He started his fine career with teams in the Central League in Pennsylvania, and when depressed financial conditions plagued Western Pennsylvania he started playing, 1912, in the Eastern League in Camden, New Jersey.
Roy Steele had the reputation as a clutch shooter as well as a team player. In 1906 with the Homestead Young Americans he scored a 220 points in 29 games, the 7th most points in the CBL. When the league increased its schedule to 70 games the next season, 1907-1908, Roy Steele scored 455 points in 67 games, 8th highest in the Central League.
In 1908-1909, Roy Steele, who enjoyed the camaraderie of team sports, helped the Homestead Young Americans win the CBL Championship with a 49-23 record. This season, Roy Steele posted 412 points in 65 games, again 8th best in the Central Basket Ball League.
In the better-financed Eastern Basket Ball League, Roy Steele played with one of the best teams in the East, Camden of New Jersey. Although, he did not score as many points per games as before, his defense made him a valuable member of the team. He played in 10 of the EBL 11 seasons of existence, 1912-1923.
Roy Steele career stats: Central League 2,230 points, a 6.5 points per game average, 1,105 field goals, 20 FT in 342games… Eastern League 1,419 points, 5.1 ppg, 600 FG, 219 FT in 278 games.
Eastern League 1910s Leading Players
The Eastern League was formed in 1909 and was an immediate hit with fans in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Information from old newspapers and magazines of this era, and disseminated by basketballhistorian.com
1910-1911 All Stars:
Guards: Gus Krueger, DeNeri and Al McWilliams, Greystock
Forwards: Elwood Gowdy, DeNeri and John Featherstone, Jasper Jewels
Center: John Donohue DeNeri
Eastern League Leading Players:
Hodge Roland, Reading Bears 1909-1912, scored 628 points in 69 games
Walter McCallion, Camden/Greystock 1909-13, scored 461 points in 116 games
Pete Riley, Trenton Potters 1909-1913, scored 396 points in 86 games
Fred Cooper, Trenton Potters 1910-1915, scored 469 points in 68 games
Fred Gieg, Trenton Potters 1913-1917, scored 246 points in 112 games
Howard Thomas, Germantown/Camden 1909-1912, scored 1005 points in 88 games
