#TBT: 50 Seasons of Boys Hoops Finals

May 9, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Much like fashion, MHSAA trophies have evolved over the years. 

This week's "throwback" gives us a peek at some of both as they were in 1974, when the MHSAA celebrated 50 seasons of Boys Basketball Finals. 

Holding these championship trophies are Vern Norris (left) and Al Bush, two of four who have served as executive directors of the MHSAA (Bush from 1968-78 and Norris as his successor until 1986 after serving as associate director).  

The Finals of 1974 were the last hosted by Michigan State University's Jenison Field House. Champions that season were Birmingham Brother Rice, Muskegon Heights, Bay City All Saints and Ann Arbor St. Thomas. 

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.