#SocialStudies v2.0

February 9, 2012

It's Week 2 in our #SocialStudies, and we’ve been scouring the Web for the wacky, zany, wild and weird.

We’ve found a few morsels to whet the appetite of our loyal SecondHalf readership. Remember: if you come across something you think needs to be seen – SUBMIT IT!

1. In a Pickle

We’re always on the lookout for the “next big thing” in sports; this story on “Pickleball” caught our eye.

Spring Lake High School was the first to get a visit from a group of senior Pickleballers – follow-up visits to Grand Haven and Muskegon Mona Shores are in the works, too. Needless to say, there’s a faction of MHSAA staffers ready to take on any and all challengers. Anyone out there a fan – or or better yet, an expert – Pickler?


2. Nothing but net

You could give high school senior Jake Norcia 86 repeat tries on this shot; he’d likely miss all 86. It wasn’t a game-winner for Highland Park High School (Ill.), but the sheer distance that the ball travels to eventually find the net here is astonishing. In addition, the way the ball was thrown – looks like the shooter was just tossing a piece of paper in the waste bin.

 


3. Must have been a big win

From Fairfax, Va. – one of the more impressive court-rushes we’ve witnessed in 2012. A 3-pointer at the buzzer causes absolute pandemonium.

Need another angle?  Sure.


4. Just ... Wow.

Not sure what a Sit Ski is? You’ll know after watching this short clip on paraplegic skier Josh Dueck. Great production in the video, and obviously a terrific support network of friends. We were moved by the story – and think you will be, too.


That's a wrap. See something over the weekend that caught your eye? Upload it to YouTube and send it on over.

It could become part of Second Half’s #SocialStudies.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @MHSAA.

Battle of the Fans: Vote Now

February 20, 2012

The time has come to decide the winner of the inaugural MHSAA Battle of the Fans contest.

And we've put the decision, in part, in your hands.

Vote today through Thursday on your favorite of five finalists -- Petoskey, Rockford, Reese, Grand Rapids Christian and Frankenmuth -- by clicking the poll link on the right side of this screen.

But before you do, be sure to brush up on each by clicking on the stories behind all five sections and watching our MHSAA-produced videos of those student cheerers in action, shot over the last five weeks during the MHSAA tour of finalists' schools.

The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, and the winner will be decided by a combination of SAC and public vote. You must be a member of Facebook and "like" the MHSAA page to take part.

The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. Video of all five finalists will be compiled and shown on the main scoreboard during the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals in March at Michigan State's Breslin Student Events Center.

And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:

Frankenmuth

Read all about it: Frankenmuth Dance Party


Grand Rapids Christian

Read all about it: Halftime is G.R. Christian's Time


Petoskey

Read all about it: Blue Crew Legacy


Reese

Read all about it: Small Town, Big Reese Spirit


Rockford

Read all about it: We are Ram Nation