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
P-W/New Lothrop Tops MHSAA TV List
November 13, 2019
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
A monster rematch of the last two Division 7 champions will highlight the schedule of MHSAA Football Playoff Regional Finals streaming live video this week on MHSAA.tv and the NFHS Network.
Undoubtedly the game of the week statewide, 2016 and 2017 champion Pewamo-Westphalia (12-0) travels to 2018 winner New Lothrop (12-0) for a 7 p.m. game Friday (Nov. 15). The teams have split their last two meetings, P-W winning a Pre-District contest 35-14 in 2017 and New Lothrop rebounding in the Regional Final last year, 26-14.
The game is one of nine being shown on the NFHS Network this weekend, in addition to three games being streamed live on the Prep Zone.
The Prep Zone games can be seen on FoxSportsDetroit.com and on FOX Sports Go! for handheld and streaming devices like Roku. Here are this weekend’s Prep Zone games, all at 7 p.m. Friday:
- Utica Eisenhower at Davison (Div. 1)
- Port Huron at Birmingham Seaholm (Div. 2)
- Allen Park at Chelsea (Div. 3)
MHSAA.tv has live streaming video Thursday (Nov. 14) of Volleyball Regional Finals at Howell, St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, Bear Lake and Plymouth Christian Academy.
Here’s the complete schedule of upcoming events on MHSAA.tv:
Thursday - Nov. 14
2019 MHSAA Div 1 Volleyball Regional Final | Macomb L’Anse Creuse North v. Fraser - 6 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 4 Volleyball Regional Final | Southfield Christian vs. Cardinal Mooney - 6 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 4 Volleyball Regional Final | Leland vs. Traverse City Christian - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 1 Volleyball Regional Final | Ann Arbor Skyline v. Novi - 7 PM
Friday - Nov. 15
2019 MHSAA Div 5 Football Regional Final | Kalamazoo United v. Lansing Catholic - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 4 Football Regional Final | Pontiac Notre Dame Prep v. Flint Powers Catholic - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 7 Football Regional Final | Pewamo-Westphalia v. New Lothrop - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 2 Football Regional Final | Livonia Churchill v. Walled Lake Western - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 2 Football Regional Final| Portage Northern v. Muskegon Mona Shores - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 8 Football Regional Final | Lenawee Christian v. Reading - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 4 Football Regional Final | Hudsonville Unity Christian v. Paw Paw - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 6 Football Regional Final | Onsted v. Hillsdale - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 1 Football Regional Final | Brighton v. Hudsonville - 7 PM
Saturday - Nov. 16
2019 MHSAA Div 6 Football Regional Final | Calumet v. Maple City Glen Lake - 1 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 4 Football Regional Final | Cadillac v. Grand Rapids Catholic Central - 1 PM
2019 MHSAA Div 6 Football Regional Final | Monroe SMCC v. Montrose - 2:45 PM
Now in its 11th 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 SBP 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. School Broadcast Program participants benefit as a portion of every subscription sold by a school goes to its program.
A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.