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
MHSAA TV Offers 48 Football Games
September 18, 2020
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
Here is an updated schedule of varsity Football games for this weekend on the NFHS Network/MHSAA.tv:
Friday - Sept. 18
East Kentwood vs. Hudsonville - 5:30 PM
Lowell vs. East Grand Rapids - 5:50 PM
Rockford vs. Jenison - 6 PM
Montrose vs. Ovid-Elsie - 6:40 PM
Watervliet vs. Galesburg-Augusta - 6:50 PM
Howell vs. Plymouth - 6:55 PM
Petoskey vs. Gaylord - 7 PM
Saline vs. Ypsilanti Community - 7 PM
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Portage Northern - 7 PM
Waterford Kettering vs. South Lyon - 7 PM
Grand Blanc vs. Flint Carman-Ainsworth - 7 PM
Ithaca vs. Saginaw Nouvel - 7 PM
Macomb L'Anse Creuse North vs. Detroit Country Day - 7 PM
Marquette vs. Menominee - 7 PM
Haslett vs. Mason - 7 PM
Fowlerville vs. Williamston - 7 PM
Calumet vs. Kingsford - 7 PM
Laingsburg vs. Pewamo-Westphalia - 7 PM
St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs. Detroit Loyola - 7 PM
Plainwell vs. Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - 7 PM
Fenton vs. Holly - 7 PM
Bad Axe vs. Sandusky - 7 PM
Harbor Beach vs. Ubly - 7 PM
Cedar Springs vs. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg - 7 PM
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Harper Woods - 7 PM
Manchester vs. Addison - 7 PM
Traverse City Central vs. Traverse City West - 7 PM
Saginaw Heritage vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep - 7 PM
Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Warren Lincoln - 7 PM
Durand Area vs. Byron Center - 7 PM
DeWitt vs. Portland - 7 PM
Comstock Park vs. Belding Area - 7 PM
Brownstown Woodhaven vs. Wyandotte Roosevelt - 7 PM
Freeland vs. Frankenmuth - 7 PM
Suttons Bay vs. Brethren - 7 PM
Maple City Glen Lake vs. Boyne City - 7 PM
Charlevoix vs. Frankfort - 7 PM
Mayville vs. Burton Atherton - 7 PM
Romulus Summit Academy North vs. Detroit Edison Public School Academy - 7 PM
Livonia Clarenceville vs. Grass Lake - 7 PM
Cadillac vs. Alpena - 7 PM
St. Joseph vs. Kalamazoo Central - 7 PM
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills vs. South Christian - 7 PM
New Lothrop vs. Mt Morris - 7 PM
Negaunee vs. Manistique - 7 PM
Saturday - Sept. 19
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Sault Area - 1 PM
Warren De La Salle Collegiate vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice - 3 PM
Now in its 12th 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. Pixellot – The NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution – is used by schools wishing to live stream games, but lacking the ability to staff the events. The program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.
NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 a month. Subscribers will have access to all live video and streaming statistics across the country. All content becomes available for free, on-demand viewing 72 hours after being shown live. A portion of every subscription sold by an SBP 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.