#SocialStudies
February 1, 2012
Welcome, welcome, welcome. So glad you’ve stopped by our new Second Half Thursday feature -- #SocialStudies.
This weekly collection of video clips, tweets and posts should serve to get you up-to-speed on whatever has gone viral, victorious or just plain weird this week in high school sports and beyond.
As your tour guide, I’ll take the reins in providing commentary for what you see here – feel free to ignore what you don’t like and watch everything else on repeat. Additionally, if you’ve found something spectacular on the ‘interwebs’ that you think deserves a spot on #SocialStudes, submit it!
Now, let’s get on to the goodies, shall we?
1. Are you ready for this?
In order to get you amped for the first installment of #SocialStudies, I think it’s necessary to begin with what only a true high school sports fan can begin with: a "Jock Jams Remix." Enjoy. (Cue toe-tapping and an immediate nostalgia-induced adrenaline rush!)
2.!!!elbaveilebnU
File this next clip under the “We Enjoy People with Totally Bizarre Talents” category. When I first watched this clip, I was convinced that either (1.) everything was scripted or (2.) this girl is an alien robot.
Turns out, neither is true. Watch and try to keep up. Or better yet: try this with your teammates on your next long road trip to an away game. If you can rival Alyssa, it’s probably time to call Letterman.
3. Glove save
It’s official: Prince Fielder needs to DH. I think I’ve found a solution for the Tigers’ hot corner.
4. Launch the shot, off the defender, nothing but net.
Oh, and just in case you missed it earlier this month: Olivet handed defending Class C Boys Basketball champion Schoolcraft a heart-breaking loss on this bizarre buzzer-beater in double OT. We take you to the good stuff, starting at 2:20 into the clip with Olivet (white jerseys) leading 94-91.
5. Howell Highlander -- or High Flyer
Kudos to Brandon Nazione for this ridiculous dunk. Seems that Howell High School has their own Blake Griffin doppelganger! (Note: I don’t think it’s necessary to watch all 5 slow-mo versions of the dunk – but that’s just me.)
6. And in this corner ...
Lastly, we’d like to present Michigan State University Women’s Basketball Coach Suzy Merchant, who happens to be our keynote speaker at this weekends’ Women In Sports Leadership Conference. Who knew the reigning Big Ten Coach of The Year had such a sweet left jab?
On that note, we’ll knock out for the week. See something over the weekend that caught your eye? Snag a stupendous cheerleading squad on video at a pep assembly? Actually: snag ANYTHING at a pep assembly that we should see? Upload it to YouTube and send it on over.
You might just see it on Second Half’s #SocialStudies.
#SocialStudies v7.0
March 29, 2012
It's been a wild couple weeks for us here in the office -- and we know you've been missing your weekly lineup of viral video goodness.
Not to worry.
We're back, and with a vengeance. Not Bruce Willis-style, but close to it.
1. Grand Finale
Easily the most intense game from Basketball Finals (both Boys and Girls) was the Class A Girls Final between Grosse Pointe South and eventual champion Grand Haven.
Here's the archived video of the entire game -- I'll recommend speeding through to the last 10 minutes. Grand Haven roared back from 18 points down to give us some serious drama in the final minute of play. Oh, and Bucs senior Shar'Rae Davis? Full-court drive and the game-winning bucket with under 10 seconds to play? Pretty nice little memory you've got there, girl. Great game.
(Also, tune in at 47:50 to catch the touching story of Terry Reid and his grandson Kyle Hall. Click the photo below for a link to the video.)
2. Must be the thin air
We're not the only state with drama in championship games this month ... the 2012 Colorado State High School Athletic Association 5A Boys Basketball Championship ended on this ridiculously athletic circus tip-in. Congratulations to Chaparral High School. (Seriously, how long was that kid in the air???)
3. Because Ray said so
Ray Lewis, controversial as his persona is, can flat-out deliver a pep talk. This rivals anything I've seen in film as one of the best brief amp-you-up-to-run-through-a-wall hype chats ever.
For the record, Stanford went on to win their NIT semifinal over UMass, 74-64. Also, for the record -- I am definitely "not okay with mediocre" today.
4. Nothing but ... no way!
And finally, here is one way to become famous in 3rd grade if your name isn't Doogie Houser.
Remember: if you find something you think should make the grade here on #SocialStudies, send it on over!
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @MHSAA.