Flashback: Chris Coles Sinks 'The Shot'

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 28, 2016

A 54-foot rainbow launched by Chris Coles at the buzzer of the 1986 Class B Boys Basketball Final is still remembered as "The Shot" in MHSAA history and is available to see again as the kickoff to this summer's MHSAA.tv "80's Finals Flashback" series. 

Coles' long-distance 3-pointer gave Saginaw Buena Vista a 33-32 win over reigning champion Flint Beecher in a rematch of the 1985 double overtime championship game thriller won by the Bucs. 

Tied at 31 with three seconds to play, Beecher sophomore Ernest Steward hit the first shot of a one-and-one situation to put the Bucs on top, 32-31. Stewart missed on the second attempt, allowing the Knights' Michael Jackson to grab the rebound and pass to Coles. The shot was Coles’ first attempt of the second half, and the senior’s only points in the contest. Shaun Randolph led the Knights in scoring with 19 points. Ricky Jackson paced Beecher with 18.

Click MHSAA.tv to watch the game in full, and check back every week for another 1980s classic. 

Hoops on Film: 1958 Class A Boys Final

July 23, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director

A matchup of future NBA players hailing from opposite sides of the state 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:

Detroit Austin 71, Benton Harbor 68 – 1958 Class A Boys Final - Benton Harbor clung to a slim 49-48 lead after three periods of play, but Detroit Austin Catholic's Dave DeBusschere scored five field goals during the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to lead his team to a 71-68 victory over the Tigers in Class A.  DeBusschere finished with 32 points. Dominant in their respective areas of the state, the schools were favorites to meet in the Final. The game marked Benton Harbor's second straight appearance in the championship game, while Austin was only in its third year as a four-year high school. Chet Walker, who finished with 25 points for the Tigers, would go on to a distinguished career with Bradley University and the Chicago Bulls. DeBusschere went on to play for the University of Detroit, the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks.

Previous releases:
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