Hoops on Film: 1954 Class A Boys Final
July 2, 2015
By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director
This week's installment of MHSAA.tv's Hoops on Film series features the first championship victory for one of Michigan's most accomplished boys basketball programs.
This is the second of 10 games being brought back to MHSAA.tv this summer. From the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s the Michigan High School Athletic Association shot portions of the action at its 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 postgame 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.
The game recap below is courtesy of MHSAA Historian Ron Pesch of Muskegon.
Muskegon Heights 43, Flint Northern 41 (OT) – 1954 Class A Boys Final - After three visits to the MHSAA Semifinals, Muskegon Heights grabbed its first-ever title with a 43-41 overtime win over Flint Northern at Jenison Field House in East Lansing. Tied at 41-41 at the end of regulation, the Vikings opted to hold the ball for nearly three minutes of the extra period, after the Tigers missed two shots following the opening tip-off. But as Vikings guard Bob Failing drove in for the final shot, he was called for a charging foul. Under the rules of the time, Murt Johnson of the Heights stepped to the line, and calmly sank two free throws for the only points of OT. Future University of Michigan star M.C. Burton scored 22 points to pace the Heights.
Previous releases:
1973 Class C Boys Final: Detroit East Catholic 50, Saginaw St. Stephen 49 - Watch
Highlight Reel: Division 2 Hockey Semifinals
March 10, 2017
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
Two teams – one familiar with the Finals, another a first-time finalist – checked into Saturday's MHSAA hockey championship game in Division 2 with victories in the Semifinals on Thursday at USA Arena in Plymouth.
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern 4, Saline 2
Northern/Eastern Goes Up 2-0 - Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern got two goals in the first period less than 90 seconds apart to jump out to an early lead. The second goal came on this rebound score by Joel Brandinger – who had two goals in the game.
Saline Ties It Up - Saline answered with the next two goals of the game, tying things up early in the second period on this power play goal by Collin Clark.
Birmingham Brother Rice 5, Hartland 2?
Tosto Takes Two - Birmingham Brother Rice took a 2-0 lead after one period against Hartland, with both goals coming from Blake Tosto. The second goal came on this power play.
Hartland Pulls Within One - Early in the third period, Hartland cut the Brother Rice lead to 2-1 on this wrist shot by Jake Gallagher.