Charles “Ossie” Prokopic

Category
2000
About This Inductee

Charles “Ossie” Prokopic was the playmaker as a starting guard on two outstanding Hazleton High School basketball teams, the 1937-1938 State championship team, and the 1938-1939 team, both coached by the fabled Hughie McGeehan. Ossie was the third leading scorer on the 22-1 1937-1938 State championship team that won 22 games and lost only one to Allentown during a regular season game. Hazleton defeated Altoona in the State title game, 29-27. Prokopic averaged 5.8 points a game. The team averaged 38.1 points a game and gave up only 25.7. The entire team was inducted into the Hazleton YMCA Sports Hall of Fame. In 1938-1939, Hazleton finished 19-2, losing only to Allentown during the regular season and to Lower Merion in the PIAA Eastern final 20-17. Ossie was the team’s second leading scorer with 7.0. The team averaged 40.8 points a game and gave up only 22.6 a game. Ossie went on to play with a Hazleton professional team, where he once again was a shooting guard and playmaker. Ossie currently resides in Hazleton.