Watch Regionals and Semis on MHSAA.tv
June 1, 2015
By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director
MHSAA.tv will carry Regional Semifinal action in girls soccer and Semifinal action in girls lacrosse this week, in addition to Saturday's Finals in Boys and Girls Lacrosse.
On Wednesday, girls soccer coverage comes from Williamston and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern by School Broadcast Program members Montrose and Cedar Springs High Schools. At Williamston, Jackson Lumen Christi plays Leslie at 5 p.m., and Lake Fenton goes against Flint Powers Catholic at 7 p.m. At Forest Hills Northern, Grand Rapids Northview faces DeWitt at 5 p.m., and the second game has Spring Lake vs. Midland Dow at 7 p.m.
Girls lacrosse coverage of the Division 2 Semifinals at Okemos High School will be provided by SBP member Haslett High School. Those games have Farmington Hills Mercy against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood at 5 p.m. and Okemos taking on East Grand Rapids at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the Boys and Girls Lacrosse Finals will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv. The Boys Finals will have the Division 1 game at 2 p.m. followed by Division 2 at 4:30 p.m. The Girls Finals at Rockford begin at 2 p.m. with the Division 2 contest, followed by Division 1 at 4:30 p.m.
The NFHS Network is offering a special All-Access Pass for $9.95 for this week's action, plus next week's coverage of the Baseball-Softball Semifinals and Finals and the Lower Peninsula Girls Soccer Finals.
Also, audio of all four Boys and Girls Lacrosse Finals will be available free of charge at MHSAANetwork.com.
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