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
Tune In for Spring Tournament Coverage
May 21, 2019
By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
The first three weekends of June will wrap up another school year of MHSAA Tournament action with live audio and video streams on MHSAA.tv and MHSAANetwork.com.
Finals coverage begins June 1 at 10 a.m. (EDT), with live streaming video from the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula Track & Field Finals on MHSAA.tv. The following Saturday – June 8 – Lacrosse takes center stage, with audio streaming on MHSAANetwork.com joining the video streaming of the Boys & Girls Finals at Howell and Novi.
The third weekend features 28 games over three days in three sports. Audio and video streams of the Baseball and Softball Semifinals and Finals take place June 13-15, with four games each day. The Girls Soccer Finals also will have live audio and video June 14-15, with two games each day. All of the action will originate from Old College Field at Michigan State University.
All can be viewed on MHSAA.tv by purchasing a Month Pass for just $9.95. One subscription allows for three logons and is also good for watching other live high school events on the NFHS Network. The audio streams on MHSAANetwork.com are free. Instant downloads of audio and video files are available on the respective websites.
Select tournament games in Lacrosse and Soccer also will be available from MHSAA members participating in the School Broadcast Program.
Here is the schedule for Spring sporting events to be streamed live on MHSAA.tv for May 21-24:
Tuesday - May 21
Softball - Mattawan at Stevensville Lakeshore - 3:52 PM
Boys Lacrosse Regional - Flint Powers v. Bay City Western - 5 PM
JV Girls Soccer – Temperance Bedford at Saline - 5:30 PM
Girls Soccer – Temperance Bedford at Saline - 7 PM
Boys Lacrosse Regional - Pontiac Notre Dame Prep v. B. Hills Cranbrook Kingswood - 7 PM
Girls Regional Lacrosse – Lake Orion at White Lake Lakeland – 7 PM
Wednesday - May 22
Baseball - Houghton at Negaunee - 4 PM
Girls Soccer District – Wyandotte Roosevelt at Woodhaven - 5 PM
Girls Lacrosse Regional - Royal Oak v. B. Hills Cranbrook Kingswood - 5 PM
Boys Lacrosse Regional - Livonia Stevenson at Novi - 6 PM
Boys Lacrosse – Detroit Cass Tech at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore - 6 PM
Girls Soccer District - Clinton at Manchester - 7 PM
Girls Lacrosse Regional - Vicksburg at E. Grand Rapids - 7 PM
Girls Soccer District – Walled Lake Northern at White Lake Lakeland - 7 PM
Girls Lacrosse Regional - Rochester Hills Stoney Creek v. Warren Regina - 7 PM
Thursday - May 23
Softball - Hancock at Negaunee - 4 PM
Girls Soccer District – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern at Cedar Springs - 6 PM
Friday - May 24
Softball - Portage Central at Stevensville Lakeshore - 3:55 PM
Girls Soccer District – Battle Creek Pennfield at Plainwell - 5:45 PM
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. Pixellot – the NFHS Network’s automated streaming solution – is used by schools wishing to live stream games but lacking the ability to staff events. The SBP 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 also are selling Season and Annual Passes at a discounted rate. 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.