Moment: Future Pro Stars Clash in Class A

April 16, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The 1958 Class A Boys Basketball Final pitting Detroit Austin and Benton Harbor has been considered among the classic MHSAA Tournament games of the 20th century.

The matchup featured two of the state’s all-time great prep players, Austin senior Dave DeBusschere and Benton Harbor senior Chet Walker. Both would go on to memorable college and professional careers, Walker playing 13 season in the NBA with seven all-star selections and DeBusschere playing 14 seasons with eight all-star selections. DeBusschere later would be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

They would close their high school careers with DeBusschere scoring 32 points and Walker 25 as Austin won its only Finals championship in boys basketball with a 71-68 victory.

MHSAA historian Ron Pesch recalled the game for the "Legends of the Games" celebration honoring both teams. As Pesch noted, "it was the key contributions by some unsung teammates in the final minutes of the title game that would leave a lasting impact and set the game apart."

Shooters Rain Supreme at Breslin Center

March 28, 2013

The Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan awarded its top 3-point and free-throw shooters at the championship game halftimes during the Boys and Girls Basketball Finals over the last two weekends.

Four champions were crowned, while the same player finished runner-up for both boys contests.  

All four shooting championship matches were broadcast on MHSAA.tv and can be watched by clicking the links below.

Girls free throw: Waterford Mott junior Lauren Hung defended her "Top Shooters" title by winning this competition for the second straight season, this time over Lincoln Alcona junior Karina Cole. Click to watch. 

Girls 3-point: St. Joseph senior Lauren Brower defeated Marlette senior Jenna Hirsch for the championship. Click to watch.

Boys free throw: Carsonville-Port Sanilac senior Matt Falls edged Shelby junior Jason Beckman. Click to watch. 

Boys 3-point: Sterling Heights Stevenson junior Brandon Hughes finished ahead of Beckman. Click to watch. 

PHOTO: (In clockwise order) Top Shooters champions for girls free throw, boys free throw, boys 3-point and girls 3-point contests pose with their finalists certificates at the Breslin Center.