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
Lake Orion SBP Named Nation's Best
May 23, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Lake Orion High’s School Broadcast Program – previously named “Program of the Year” statewide as part of the MHSAA Excellence Awards – was named Thursday as the nation’s best SBP by the NFHS Network.
Lake Orion previously had received “Select School” recognition for production from the NFHS Network.
Additionally, Rockford High School's SBP was selected for Best Original Programming.
See the tweets below to learn much more about Lake Orion and Rockford's programs.
It's the BIG one, folks! 2019 BEST OVERALL PROGRAM goes to…
Lake Orion (@dragoncast)! Keep up the outstanding work!
Congratulations to all of the 2019 #NFHSNetworkAwards winners, and thank you to ALL of our School Broadcasting Programs for another stellar year. pic.twitter.com/GI006DX30y— NFHS Network (@NFHSNetwork) May 23, 2019
We can't stop watching the 2019 BEST ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING winner…
Congrats, Rockford Rams (@rock4rams)! #NFHSNetworkAwards pic.twitter.com/HLRchtiUMi— NFHS Network (@NFHSNetwork) May 22, 2019
In its 10th 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 SBP also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.