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.

Be the Referee: Under the Bus

February 28, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice explains why officials usually are not the correct target for frustrations when basketball games get out of control.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Under the Bus - Listen

It seems whenever a high school game breaks down in a negative way, the coaches, players, fans, and school administrators quickly blame the officials.

It’s easy to take out aggression on these nameless – faceless – almost inanimate objects. But sloppy or chippy play is on the coaches to control – not the officials – as they simply call what happens. Fans up in the stands then quickly follow the lead of their coach berating the officials, thinking they are so well-versed in the art of officiating – but often don’t have the guts to put on the stripes themselves.

Officials aren’t perfect, but often they have to clean up messes created by others during the game – the people who should really be thrown under the bus.

Past editions

February 21: You Make the Call - Listen
February 14: Because They Love It - Listen
February 7: Coach/Official Communication - Listen
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen