Schmones, Paul

Schmones played basketball at the City College of New York in the 1940s, and was a two-time captain for CCNY. He led the Beavers to a fourth-place finish in the 1947 NCAA tournament. After his college career, Schmones played professionally in the New York State League.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
A guard and forward in college, Schmones joined the City College basketball team in 1944 as a freshman (during World War II, freshmen were allowed to play varsity sports due to a shortage of manpower). Although CCNY had a 6-11 record, the worst season in coach Nat Holman�s 24-year career, Schmones performed well. By the end of the season, he was playing regularly and finished in the top five on the team in scoring. As a sophomore in 1945, Schmones became a starting forward for the Beavers, who had a much better season, with a record of 12-4. Schmones was the team's leading scorer in the final two games of the season (13 points in a 75-38 win over Fordham and 17 points in a 75-48 loss to rival NYU), and was named first team All-Metropolitan at the end of the season.

The following year (1946) as a junior, Schmones captained the Beavers, led the team in scoring with 202 points (sixth in the Metropolitan area), and was named second team All-Met as City College improved to 14-4. In the final game of the year, CCNY played New York University, the No. 1 ranked team in the country with a 18-1 record. Schmones registered nine points as the Beavers upset their bitter rivals, 49-44. Following the game, over 1,000 fans marched from Madison Square Garden to Times Square, celebrating the victory and inevitable postseason bid. Unfortunately, the NIT invited Rhode Island instead and CCNY did not play in the postseason.

In his senior season (1947), Schmones co-captained City with Sid Trubowitz, and led City College to a record of 15-4 and an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament; it was the first time CCNY had played in the postseason since the 1942 NIT. In the first round of the tournament, CCNY beat Wisconsin 70-56 as Schmones scored seven points in the game. In the East Regional Final, he was held to one point as the Beavers lost to eventual champion Holy Cross (with Bob Cousy), 60-45. In the national consolation game, City College lost to Texas 54-50 to finish fourth. Schmones scored only two points against the Longhorns. His career saw CCNY go from the worst season in school history to being the fourth best team in the nation.

Origin:
New York

Career Dates:
Schmones played guard at CCNY, 1944-1947.

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