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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

Football Finals Replay on FOX For Christmas

December 18, 2018

By John Johnson
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

The eight championship games of 2018 MHSAA 11-Player Football Finals will re-air on FOX Sports Detroit on Christmas Day. 

Here’s the complete schedule:

Dec. 25

8 a.m. – Division 8 – Reading 39, Breckenridge 20  – The Rangers hold the Huskies to 22 yards rushing, while Elijah Strine and Hunter Midtgard each score twice for Reading.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

10 a.m. – Division 2 – Warren DeLaSalle 29, Muskegon Mona Shores – Make it two in a row for the Pilots! QB Nolan Schultz rushes for three TDs and passes for a fourth.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

Noon – Division 6 – Jackson Lumen Christi 42, Montague 28 – Nick Thomas rushes for 249 yards and two touchdowns to carry the Titans to the championship.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

2 p.m. – Division 4 - Edwardsburg 28, Chelsea 7 – The Eddies put it away in the second half. Caden Goggins and Chase Sager combine for 243 yards to lead the way.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

4 p.m. – Division 7 – New Lothrop 50, Madison Heights Madison 44 - The highest-scoring Finals game ever! Hornets QB Avery Moore rushes for four TDs and 132 yards and passes for a fifth score in this one.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

6 p.m. – Division 1 – Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley 31, Clarkston 30 - A Finals game for the ages. In the final minute of regulation, Clarkston scores and goes for the win, with Chippewa Valley stopping the 2-point conversion!

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

8 p.m. – Division 5 – Hudsonville Unity Christian 42, Portland 7 – A total team effort for Unity, outrushing Portland 279-95. QB Isaac TeSlaa runs for two TDs and passes for a third.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

10 p.m. – Division 3 – Detroit Martin Luther King 41, Muskegon 25 – King breaks it open with three scores during a four-minute span of the final period. QB Dequan Finn throws four scoring passes, two to Dom Polidore-Hannah.

Watch/Buy Instant Download @ MHSAA.tv - Listen/Buy Instant Audio Download @ MHSAANetwork.com

Instant Video Downloads are $19.99, and Instant Audio Downloads are $4.99. 

Things are winding down for the holidays on MHSAA.tv with School Broadcast Program members heading into a break.

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 the events. The SBP also gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions.

Here’s this week’s MHSAA.tv schedule of video streams being produced by School Broadcast Program members and the NFHS Network:

Tuesday, Dec. 18

Wednesday, Dec. 19

Thursday, Dec. 20