Inside Reaching Higher - Interactive
August 7, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
You've hopefully heard of the Reaching Higher basketball showcases put on each summer by the MHSAA and Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.
Now you've got a chance to see, literally, what all the buzz is about.
Check out this interactive set of photos, videos and further explanations to see what goes into an event that showcases more than 200 of the state's top college prospects while also teaching them a few things they will need to succeed at the next level.
Scroll over the photo below of South Lyon High School's gymnasium, and then over the many tags highlighting features of the event, which last month celebrated its fifth anniversary.
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.)