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

3 SBP Schools Receive DSBA Grants

November 8, 2016

By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director

Three members of the MHSAA’s School Broadcast Program have been named recipients of grants from the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association to purchase equipment for their broadcasting programs.

Cedar Springs, Montrose and Taylor Truman high schools were three of seven to receive grants from the DSBA which will be used to purchase audio and video equipment. Check presentations to each school took place in September.

In its eighth year, the School Broadcast Program gives members an opportunity to showcase excellence in their schools by creating video programming of athletic and non-athletic events with students gaining skills in announcing, camera operation, directing/producing and graphics. The program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.  

Six Regional Final games in the MHSAA Football Playoffs – powered by the Michigan Army National Guard – will have live streaming video this weekend on FoxSportsDetroit.com and MHSAA.tv.

It’s the third weekend of Playoffs on the PrepZone on FoxSportsDetroit.com, where the following games will be featured on Friday (Nov. 11) at 7 p.m.

Saturday (Nov. 13) Playoff games live on MHSAA.tv are covered by members participating in the School Broadcast Program.  This week’s games are:

All PrepZone games will be archived on MHSAA.tv.

A subscription to watch live on MHSAA.tv is $9.95 and allows access to the full schedule of MHSAA Tournaments during the month of November:

  • Nov. 17-19 – Girls Volleyball Semifinals & Finals
  • Nov. 19 – Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving Finals
  • Nov. 19 – Football Playoff Semifinals (12 games)

All sporting events – live or delayed – are available on a subscription basis only for their first 72 hours online. They become available for free, on-demand viewing approximately 72 hours following their completion.

Weekly highlights from games produced by participants in the MHSAA's School Broadcast Program are back for another school year on MHSAA.tv. This week's highlights include a Girls Volleyball District Final between Clarkston and Lake Orion, a Boys Soccer Semifinal match between Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Charlevoix and a Football Playoff contest with Escanaba at Alma.

Schools interested in becoming a part of the School Broadcast Program should contact John Johnson at the MHSAA Office.