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

Highlights

MHSAA TV Sets OAA Red Volleyball Race

October 15, 2019

By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

Saturday - Oct. 19
2019 MHSAA Boys Soccer District Playoffs - District Final at Plainwell - 11 AM
Girls Volleyball - New Lothrop v. TBA - 12 PM
Girls Volleyball - Fenton v. TBA - 8 AM
Girls Volleyball - Saline v. Vandercook Lake - 8 AM
Girls Volleyball - Mt Morris v. TBA - 9 AM
Girls Volleyball - New Lothrop v. TBA - 9 AM

Monday - Oct. 21
Girls Volleyball - Multi-team Event at Ishpeming - 5 PM
Girls Volleyball - Norway v. West Iron County - 6 PM
Girls Volleyball – Riverview Gabriel Richard v. Macomb Lutheran North - 6:30 PM
Girls Volleyball – Macomb Lutheran North v. New Haven - 6:30 PM
Girls Volleyball - Clare v. Sanford Meridian - 7:30 PM
Girls Volleyball - Holly v. Flint Kearsley - 7:30 PM

Tuesday - Oct. 22
Girls Volleyball - Capac v. Harbor Beach - 6 PM
Girls Volleyball - Coopersville v. Comstock Park - 6 PM
Girls Volleyball – St. Clair Shores Lake Shore v. Roseville - 6 PM
Girls Volleyball - Fenton v. Linden - 6:15 PM
Girls Volleyball - Holly v. Flint Kearsley - 6:15 PM
Girls Volleyball - Wyoming v. Grand Rapids Christian - 6:30 PM
Girls Volleyball - Big Rapids v. Grant - 7 PM
Girls Volleyball - Gladstone v. Marquette - 7 PM
Girls Volleyball - Novi v. Canton - 7 PM
Girls Volleyball - Saline v. Ann Arbor Skyline - 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Boys Soccer Playoffs – Regional Semifinals at Troy – 5 & 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Boys Soccer Playoffs – Regional Semifinals at West Bloomfield – 5 & 7 PM
2019 MHSAA Boys Soccer Playoffs – Regional Semifinals at Chesaning – 5 & 7 PM

All of the games are produced by participants in the School Broadcast Program – with East Lansing, Lake Orion, Pewamo-Westphalia, Saline, Marquette, Fowlerville, Montrose and Comstock Park deploying traditional, hands-on, student crew crews to capture the action. The other games are produced by schools using Pixellot – the NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution.

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 program also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.

NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $9.95 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 benefit its program.

A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.

Search