Dr. Naismith Visits the MHSAA Finals
April 4, 2013
The MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals, in just their 13th season in 1938, were treated to a visit by the man who knew the game better than anyone at the time – the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith.
He addressed a luncheon prior to the title games that year, and then presented the trophies and medals at the conclusion of each Lower Peninsula championship game at the Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium.
The MHSAA and Fox Sports Detroit – with an assist from the Brooklyn Exponent and Grand Rapids Christian High School (Class B champion that season and provider of the photo above) – told the story during this winter's Finals, the 75th anniversary of Naismith's visit.
Moment: Fisher Sinks Last-Second Score
March 25, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The 2019 Division 1 basketball tournament will be remembered forever for the play of freshman Emoni Bates, who led Ypsilanti Lincoln to its first MHSAA championship in the sport with memorable performance after memorable performance.
But the game-winning moment of the March 16, 2019, championship game belonged to senior teammate Jalen Fisher, who beat the buzzer with a putback to give the Railsplitters a 64-62 win over Detroit U-D Jesuit.
Lincoln coach Jesse Davis said after he knew Fisher’s time would come. "At the beginning of this game, I just told (Fisher) to be patient, your time is coming man, be patient,” Davis said. “During the timeouts I said, ‘Jalen be patient, your time is coming.’ I didn’t know it was going to come like that, but I’m glad it happened to him, because I believed in him the whole time.”
Click to read Second Half's coverage – Lincoln Beats Buzzer for 1st Basketball Title – and relive the shot below with coverage from FOX Sports Detroit.