Highlight Reel: Division 3-4 Baseball Semifinals

June 12, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director

The second sessions of MHSAA Baseball Semifinals were played Friday at McLane Stadium at Michigan State University. Jackson Lumen Christi and Buchanan in Division 3 and Muskegon Catholic Central and Centreville in Division 4 advanced to Saturday’s championship games.

Click the headings below for highlights from all four Semifinals broadcasts on MHSAA.tv.

Division 3 

Jackson Lumen Christi 7, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker 3

Super Cooper Chris Cooper drives in the first run of the game for Jackson Lumen Christi with this second inning triple.

Lakers' McCabe Doubles Austin McCabe gets Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker on the board in the fourth inning with a double in the gap. 

Super Dooper Cooper Chris Cooper caps a fourth-inning, four-run rally for Jackson Lumen Christi with this bases-loaded two-run single.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here

Buchanan 6, Gladstone 4

Peterson's Poke Puts Braves On Scoreboard Jake Peterson delivered a two-run double in the third inning to get things started for Gladstone against Buchanan. 

Buchanan Ties It Up Jarrett Thomas tied the score at 4-4 in the fifth inning with a two-run double. Buchanan would take the lead later in the frame.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here

Division 4

Centerville 4, Rudyard 1

Kool Cucumber Centreville attempts a double steal play and Michael Kool scores when the throw goes wild.

Brown Bloop Scoring Single Centreville scored its second run in the sixth inning on a bloop single down the third base line by Jalen Brown.

Rudyard Counters With Bloop Hit Rudyard got its own bloop single to produce its lone run of the game in the sixth inning, off the bat of James Rosebrock.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

Muskegon Catholic Central 4, Ubly 1

Holt Makes It Happen Muskegon Catholic Central gets two runs in the first inning on this single by Nicholas Holt.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

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