Highlight Reel: Class D Semifinals

March 26, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director 

Morenci and Powers North Central advanced to the MHSAA Class D Boys Basketball Final with Semifinal wins Thursday at the Breslin Center. 

Click below for highlights from all four teams that took the court.  

Morenci 53, Waterford Our Lady 52

Picking Up The Trash - Alex Thomas put Morenci on top to stay with two baskets early in the fourth quarter, including this one on a scramble beneath the basket. 

Lakers Pull Close - Nick Robak gets a layup off a steal for Waterford Our Lady in the closing moments to pull the Lakers to within a point.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

Powers North Central 71, Fulton 46 

Jets' Jason Turns On The Jets - Jason Whitens led Powers North Central in scoring against Fulton. Here he motors down the court after a steal for a basket.

Never Say Die Pirate - Here's a great hustle play by Fulton senior Tate Bennett, who chases his own missed shot during the closing seconds into press row.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here. 

PHOTO: Morenci’s Austin Sandusky (12) works to split a pair of Waterford Our Lady defenders during the Bulldogs’ Class D Semifinal win.

Moment: 1961 Team Tips Off "Rouge Week'

April 13, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Nearly 70 years after its first championship, the River Rouge boys basketball program remains the standard at the Finals level of its sport with 20 appearances in MHSAA championship games and 14 titles.

From 1960-69, Rouge appeared in Finals seven times and won six championships – and photos and video from those six title games will make up this “Rouge Week” as part of our MHSAA Moments series.

We tip off with these from the 79-44 Class B title win over Holland Christian in 1961. The championship was the fourth of 12 earned under legendary coach Lofton Greene, following those won in 1954, 1955 and 1959.

The Panthers' 21-8 second-quarter run, keyed by 6-foot-5 freshman Willie Betts, sent them into halftime up 39-21. For the game, four players scored in double figures for River Rouge led by Jon Roman (No. 11 above and below) with 17 points.  The Panthers finished 23-2 and also included Ken Wilburn (No. 25 below), who went on to play professionally for four NBA and ABA franchises.


(Photos courtesy of The Associated Press.)