Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 6

January 21, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

This week will mark halftime of another boys basketball season – and the point when teams that surprised early are showing with sustained success that they'll continue to have a say on how the rest of the winter unfolds. 

The top team in this week's list of last week's most impressive definitely fits that description. 

1. Ypsilanti Lincoln (8-0, Class A) – The Railsplitters equaled last season’s win total with arguably their best of a strong start, 60-53 on Friday over rival Ypsilanti.

2. Jackson Lumen Christi (9-0, Class B) – The Titans have risen from solid to elite the last few seasons and have survived four games this winter decided by six or fewer points. 

3. Kalamazoo Central (8-1, Class A) – The Maroons are looking to be back among the Class A contenders with their only loss to improving Lansing Sexton; Kalamazoo Central already has a two-game lead in the Big 16 West.

4. Leroy Pine River (8-0, Class C) – The Bucks did suffer their first loss Monday (in a nonleague game), but still appear on track to repeat as Highland Conference champions. 

5. Detroit Cass Tech (7-1, Class A) – The Technicians aren’t always mentioned in conversations on Detroit’s best, but have been so far this season and beat reigning Class C champion Flint Beecher 75-47 on Saturday.

6. Hillsdale (8-1, Class C) – The Hornets haven’t fallen since opening night to powerhouse Pewamo-Westphalia and face co-Lenawee County Athletic Association leader Dundee on Friday. 

7. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (6-1, Class D) – The Irish haven’t lost since opening night and beat a solid Muskegon Catholic Central team by a point Saturday.

8. Howell (7-2, Class A) – The Highlanders look like one of the best teams from Livingston County riding five straight wins including their most recent, a five-pointer over Belleville. 

9. Lansing Sexton (4-5, Class B) – The Big Reds have won four of their last six including impressive nonleague victories over Kalamazoo Central and River Rouge.

10. Buchanan (6-1, Class B) – We saw the Bucks in person Friday as they continued a winning streak that began after falling by just a bucket on opening night.

PHOTO: Detroit Cass Tech, here against Harper Woods Chandler Park earlier this season, has opened 7-1. (Photo courtesy of the Detroit Public School League.)

Hoops on Film: 1970 Class D Boys Final

August 4, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director

Flint Holy Redeemer hit the final shot in the school’s history to defeat Kingsley for the 1970 Class D boys basketball title in this week's edition of MHSAA.tv’s Hoops On Film Series.

From the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s the Michigan High School Athletic Association shot portions of the action at its boys and girls basketball finals on 16mm film. The films were loaned out, primarily to the participating schools, to help them relive the moments of playing in a championship game.

While many of the old films have wandered astray over time, about 60 games still exist in the MHSAA archives. Anyone in possession of such a film is encouraged to contact John Johnson at the MHSAA Office ([email protected]) to discuss having the film converted to a digital format.

Some of the films only have portions of the second half and the post-game awards; some have most of the action. None of the films have sound. They range in length from 10 minutes to about an hour. A new film will be posted online each Monday through the week of August 17. DVD’s may be purchased directly from the MHSAA.tv Website – just click the Get DVD button below the player. 

Here’s a look at this week’s game, with recap courtesy of MHSAA historian Ron Pesch:

Flint Holy Redeemer 62, Kingsley 60 – 1970 Class D Boys Final Celebration was tinged with sadness for Flint Holy Redeemer fans in Class D. A victim of consolidation, the Flyers went out in their final season with a bang, downing Kingsley, 62-60. Bob Hooks emerged as the hero, nailing a 25-foot bucket from near the top of the key as time expired. Holy Redeemer was one of the Flint area parochial schools closed to create Flint Powers Catholic. Redeemer ended 1969-70 with a 22-2 mark.

Previous releases:
1961 Class D Boys Final: Marquette Pierce 68, Freesoil 61 - Watch
1958 Class A Boys Final: Detroit Austin 71, Benton Harbor 68 - Watch
1976 Class D Girls Final: Lake City 58, Perkins 48 - Watch
1971 Class A Boys Final: Flint Northern 79, Detroit Kettering 78 - Watch
1954 Class A Boys Final: Muskegon Heights 43, Flint Northern 41 (OT) - Watch
1973 Class C Boys Final: Detroit East Catholic 50, Saginaw St. Stephen 49 - Watch