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Hoops on Film: 1961 Class D Boys Final

July 27, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director

A battle of undefeated teams from schools both no longer in existence is highlighted this week as part 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:

Marquette Pierce 68, Freesoil 61 – 1961 Class D Boys Final - After 35 years as a coach in the Upper Peninsula, Vic Hurst was rewarded with his first MHSAA title as Marquette Pierce downed a determined Freesoil squad, 68-61, in a Class D battle of the undefeated. Dave Benson led the Warriors with 17 points, while teammates Dennis DeMerse and the Laurich brothers – Conrad and Larry – each added 15. The matchup came after each school's first Regional crown and ended up the only time either school would ever reach the Finals. Pierce would close after the 1961 season, and its only other Regional appearances came back-to-back in 1955 and 1956. Freesoil would win four more Regional titles during its history – three consecutive form 1966-68. The high school closed after the 2006-07 school year and was absorbed into the Mason County Eastern school district.

Previous releases:
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

Five Finals Weekends, 1 Low Price

February 21, 2017

By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director

High school sports fans can stream MHSAA Championships over the next five weekends on MHSAA.tv for just $9.95, starting with this week’s Team Dual Wrestling Finals in Mt. Pleasant.

A $9.95 subscription on the NFHS Network is good for 30 days of viewing live coverage of MHSAA.tv and a variety of high school championships across the country. All events are available for free, on-demand viewing three days after they have been played.

The Team Dual Wrestling Finals take place Friday and Saturday (Feb. 24-25) at McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant on the campus of Central Michigan University. Here’s the complete schedule:

Friday – Feb. 24 – Team Wrestling Quarterfinals

Division 4 @ Noon

Division 1 @ 2:15 p.m.

Division 3 @ 4:30 p.m.

Division 2 @ 6:45 p.m.

Saturday – Feb. 25 – Team Wrestling Semifinals & Finals

Division 4 Semifinals @ 9 a.m.

Division 1 Semifinals @ 9 a.m.

Division 3 Semifinals @ 11:30 a.m.

Division 2 Semifinals @ 11:30 a.m.

Saturday Finals – Session 1 - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday Finals – Session 2 - 6 p.m.

Here’s the week-by-week NFHS Network coverage schedule of MHSAA winter Championships:

  • Feb. 24-25 – Team Dual Wrestling Quarterfinals-Semifinals-Finals
  • March 2-4 – Individual Wrestling Finals
  • March 3-4 – Girls Competitive Cheer Finals
  • March 9-11 – Ice Hockey Semifinals-Finals
  • March 11 – Lower Peninsula Boys Swimming & Diving Finals
  • March 14 – Girls Basketball Quarterfinals
  • March 16-17 – Girls Basketball Semifinals
  • March 21 – Boys Basketball Quarterfinals
  • March 23-24 – Boys Basketball Semifinals

In addition to all of the tournament action, regular-season coverage of contests by participants in the MHSAA’s School Broadcast Program will bring more than 30 contests into homes over the coming week.

Here’s this week’s MHSAA.tv schedule of live video streams available and being produced by SBP members (all times Eastern Standard):

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Thursday, Feb. 23

Friday, Feb. 24

Monday, Feb. 27

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Be sure to check the Upcoming Events page at MHSAA.tv for schedule additions every day.

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.  

All sporting events – Live or On-Demand – 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. A portion of every subscription sold by a school goes to benefit its program. A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA website.

Fans also can access scores of games in-progress on the NFHS Network website via ScoreStream. Click on the Scores button in the upper right corner.

A weekly staple on the MHSAA.tv website and the MHSAASports Channel on YouTube is back for another year with highlights of selected games last week produced by members of the Association’s School Broadcast Program.

This week’s highlights package includes action from the Upper Peninsula Swimming & Diving Finals, an ice hockey game with Hartland at Detroit Catholic Central and an overtime boys basketball game pitting Marquette at Negaunee.

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