#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 v13.0
May 24, 2012
After a brief hiatus, class is back in session. Let the #SocialStudies commence.
1.This is nearly unbelievable
You’ve seen it done with basketballs, Frisbees – all sorts of things you can throw. Here’s a twist on the popular “trick-shot clip compilation:” long-snapping! Pretty impressive accuracy here from Nick DiChiara, a Boston high school senior who’s headed to Colgate next fall.
2. Time Lapse-tastic
The Staples Center in Los Angeles is home for the Lakers (NBA), Clippers (NBA) and Kings (NHL) – and the spring of 2012 saw all three franchises in the playoffs. Between May 17-20, the Staples Center was host to six playoff contests.
Six gargantuan events, four days. Here’s hoping the facility folks are somewhere with their feet up after that stretch. I’m sure a few athletic directors out there feel this way during the spring season, too. This clip shows all the action, hyper-speed.
3. Is he in pain?
Umpires, feel free to weigh in here. Points for style, but I think his mechanics may be slightly off ...
4. Gotta feel for this guy
And now, for reason No. 467-B why being a hockey goalie is hard. You’ve got to be ready for shots from anywhere, all the time.
Trying for a trick shot or a similarly incredible feat?
Get some video, and let us show it off here on #SocialStudies.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @MHSAA.