This is Reaching Higher (interactive)

July 10, 2014

The annual Reaching Higher showcases of Michigan’s top high school basketball players will return for the sixth year beginning Wednesday, July 16, with the boys event and followed by the state’s top girls prospects taking the floor July 23. 

The event this year also has a new home, Milford High School in Highland Township.

More than 200 athletes with aspirations to play at the college level will train and scrimmage under the tutelage of high school coaches from across the state and in front of college coaches expected to represent all three NCAA divisions, the NAIA and junior college levels. Coaches from 40 college basketball programs, including 13 from Division I schools, attended the 2013 Reaching Higher events.

An educational effort by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, the Reaching Higher experience includes classroom sessions for student-athletes and their parents as well as on-court drills and scrimmaging. The events aim to give athletes a vision of what it takes to become a college basketball player and also succeed in college life.

Participants in the program were selected by a committee of BCAM members. The process began in December when local high school coaches submitted nominations to the selection committee. Participants were chosen in February.

A complete list of expected attendees can be found on the “Reaching Higher” page of the MHSAA Website. The boys event begins at 3:30 p.m. on July 16, with scrimmages running from 5:45 to 8:40 p.m. The girls event begins at noon on July 23, with scrimmages from 2 to 5 p.m. 

Scroll over the icons below to learn about the many activities that take place during the Reaching Higher events. 

Be the Referee: Faking Being Fouled

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

February 10, 2026

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Faking Being Fouled - Listen

In the second quarter, a basketball player drives into the lane and snaps their head backward to simulate contact from a defender — but no contact occurs. The lead official immediately recognizes the “head bob,” sounds the whistle, and issues a team warning for faking being fouled. The offense keeps the ball for a throw-in at the spot nearest the infraction.

Later in the game, the same player attempts a jump shot and falls backward after releasing the ball to again simulate contact. The official stops play. The shot is successful, so the basket counts. However, because the same team already received a warning, a team technical foul is assessed. The defense is awarded two free throws and possession at the division line opposite the table.

Previous 2025-26 editions

Feb. 3: Bowling Pins - Listen
Jan. 27: Ski Gates - Listen
Jan. 20: Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 13: Basketball Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 6: Bowling Ball Bounces Out of Gutter - Listen
Dec. 9: Puck on Goal Netting - Listen
Dec. 2: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
Nov. 25: Football Finals Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen