Moment: Freshman Shows Star Power

March 24, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Two years later, we all know Bree Salenbien to be one of the state’s elite basketball stars.

But heading into Adrian Lenawee Christian’s Class D Semifinal against Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart on March 15, 2018, she was known mostly in southeastern Michigan for helping relaunch one of her area’s top small-school programs.

Then she sank the game-winning shot to send the Cougars past annual power Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 46-44 – and by the end of that March weekend, many more were anticipating what Salenbien might accomplish in seasons to come.

Said Salenbien that day: “It’s really fun. But I think the whole team is showing the state who we are, not just me. We’ve battled through so many games this year. … “We knew we’d have to fight like that to the end.”

Click to read Second Half's coverage – Classic Finish Delivers Statewide Stardom and watch the game-winner below with coverage from the NFHS Network. 

Be the Referee: Air Ball

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

February 20, 2024

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 – Air Ball - Listen

We’re on the basketball court today, where a player fires up a shot that fails to make it to the basket. An air ball.

But he is able to catch the ball before anyone else touches it. Is this a traveling violation? If not – what is this player able to do now?

It is not traveling as long as the referee judges the first release of the ball as a shot attempt. After catching the shot – it’s treated the same as grabbing an offensive rebound that hit the rim. The player can now restart his dribble, pass the ball or shoot again. A shot attempt is a shot attempt regardless of it hitting the rim or backboard.

Previous Editions

Feb. 13: Hockey Penalties - Listen
Jan. 30: Wrestling Tiebreakers - Listen
Jan. 23: Wrestling Technology - Listen
Jan. 9: 3 Seconds - Listen
Dec. 19: Unsuspecting Hockey Hits - Listen
Dec. 12: No More One-And-Ones - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 14: Volleyball Unplayable Areas - Listen
Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen