#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.
Wrestling Classic Tops Newest 'Best of'
July 29, 2014
An MHSAA Wrestling Final so tight and so exciting that it had to be decided on a tie-breaker highlights the sixth week of "Best Of 2013-14” offerings on the MHSAA.tv.
For eight weeks over the summer, the MHSAA.tv Website will spotlight some of the best tournament action from the 2013-14 school year, presenting four games each week.
Each contest is identified with a “Best Of 13-14” thumbnail on the home page of the MHSAA.tv Website. Here’s a look at the games which will be featured from July July 28-August 4:
Lowell v. St. Johns: 2014 Division 2 Team Wrestling Final. This was a battle royale between the two perennial grappling powerhouses which ended in a tie score after 14 weight classes. The Red Arrows of Lowell prevailed over the four-time defending champion Redwings of St. Johns on the fifth tiebreaker – total six-point wins.
Marine City v. Grand Rapids South Christian: 2013 Division 4 Football Final. Jarrett Mathison and Pete Patsaslis each scored three touchdowns and Olivia Viney became the first female in the MHSAA Football Record Book with her seven extra point kicks in Marine City’s 49-35 win.
East Grand Rapids v. Okemos: 2014 Division 2 Girls Lacrosse Final. The Chiefs were looking to return to the winners circle for the first time since 2010, and hung tough with the Pioneers through the early moments of the second half before East scored five of the last six goals, two by Liza Elder, to record an 11-7 victory and repeat as champions in Division 2.
Richland Gull Lake v. Bloomfield Hills Marian: 2014 Division 2 Girls Soccer Final. Meeting in the finale for the second straight year, Gull Lake got a goal midway through the second half from the hero of the 2013 game – Sydney Nikitas – and topped the Mustangs for the second straight season, 2-1.
DVD’s of the “Best Of 13-14” game videos are available through the MHSAA.tv website.
Also, highlights from this season's MHSAA Girls Lacrosse Finals are the most recent addition to the MHSAA's Youtube channel, and are embedded below.