Flashback: Northport, No Problem
July 21, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
One of the most entertaining Boys Basketball Finals of all time is the subject of this week’s 80s Finals Flashback series on MHSAA.tv.
The fourth game in our weekly summer series features a shootout for the 1988 Class D title between Northport and Beal City.
Week of July 18 – Northport 80, Beal City 78 – 1988 Class D Boys Basketball Final – Northport's Sander Scott scored 39 points, but it was teammate Dan Stowe's six-foot jumper with three seconds to play that sealed an 80-78 victory over Beal City in Class D. Scott connected on 15 of 24 shots, including four of eight 3-pointers, before fouling out with 2:52 left in the game. Beal City received balanced scoring from Todd Schafer (21 points), Jason Gottleber (17) and Tim Block (15).
A new game will be posted online each Monday through the week of August 22. DVD’s may be purchased directly from the MHSAA.tv Website – just click the “Get DVD” button below the player.
Previous Flashbacks
July 12: Detroit Cass Tech 52, Saginaw 51 – 1987 Class A Girls Basketball Final - Watch
July 5: Traverse City 24, Detroit Catholic Central 14 – 1988 Class A Football Final - Watch
June 28: Saginaw Buena Vista 33, Flint Beecher 32 – 1986 Class B Boys Basketball Final - Watch
Be the Referee: Basketball Over the Back
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
January 13, 2026
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Basketball Over the Back - Listen
Did you know there is no such thing as “over the back” in basketball? If two players are going for a rebound and the player behind another player is able to grab it over the top of the player in front – that’s not necessarily a foul. He or she did not go over the back.
The player behind another player may have committed a foul such as bumping the player in front, or pushing that player – gaining an advantage to grab the rebound – but that would be whistled for a push or grab. Not over the back.
A taller player or player who can jump higher grabbing a rebound is not a foul. It’s only a foul if they create an advantage by pushing, bumping, or any other kind of illegal contact while in the process of going for a rebound. Fans yell over the back all the time, but an official will never call a foul for going over the back.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Jan. 6: Bowling Ball Bounces Out of Gutter - Listen
Dec. 9: Puck on Goal Netting - Listen
Dec. 2: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
Nov. 25: Football Finals Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen