#SocialStudies v3.0
February 15, 2012
If you were able to escape all 4,864 angles of the NBA’s hottest sensation Jeremy Lin going “rags-
to-riches” all over the Internet this week, you might’ve discovered these little morsels scattered about.
1. Phi Slama Jama
By now, you've figured out that we're dunk fans (who isn't?). ... The title of this clip might be a little hyperbolic, but it's still a pretty nifty jam. I imagine the play-call went something like this: "Okay. Whistle blows, you run, I'll heave it."
2. Just like the pros
It was bound to happen sooner or later ... ice hockey makes its long-awaited #SocialStudies debut in Week 3. Reigning Division 1 runner-up Orchard Lakes St. Mary will look to return to CompuWare Arena in March; for now, senior captain Luke Rodgers (#87) is content to flaunt some "stick trickery."
3. It's almost time
One of our most popular and well-liked promo pieces resurfaces this week: the Individual Wrestling Championships will take place March 1-3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Tickets are available for purchase through the Palace Box Office starting at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29.
For now: get hyped.
4. 'This is crazy'
And lastly, a non-video story that caught our attention. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter instigate a smattering of negative celebrity chatter – and rightly so, in some cases. But, on occasion, there are tales of someone using a service to extend itself in a capacity that wasn’t available a decade ago.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes about an astonishing week in the lives of a Twitter fan and a superstar (who formerly starred at Central Michigan).
That's it for 3.0. Remember, if you see something high school sports-related online that the rest of us must see, or if you videoed something yourself, upload it to Youtube and send it on over. It could make next week's #SocialStudies line-up.
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Division 3 Final: Eaglets Fly Again
November 29, 2011
Five times since its most recent MHSAA football championship, Orchard Lake St. Mary returned to the championship game – and lost.
Saturday night there was no stopping the Eaglets – or their running attack – at the Division 3 Final at Ford Field.
St. Mary rushed for 478 yards – and after near-misses the last two seasons won its first championship since 2000 with a 45-7 win over top-ranked Mount Pleasant.
"I knew what it felt like to lose, so it gave me the fire and other teammates the fire to win,” St. Mary senior running back Spencer McInnis said. “It’s unexplainable. It’s awesome. It’s something I’ve wanted since I was a kid. I always knew I was going to go to St. Mary’s. It’s just a great feeling.”
The Eaglets (12-2) had fallen by eight and three to East Grand Rapids in the last two Finals, and in a five-overtime classic in 2007. They entered the playoffs ranked No. 4 by The Associated Press – but as champions of the Detroit Catholic League Central, which sent three teams to Ford Field this fall.
“It was great to win again,” said St. Mary coach George Porritt, who finished his 23rd season leading the program. “It’s a collective effort from these kids, and it’s been all year long.”
McInnis ran for 213 of the team’s 478 rushing yards, and took three of his 23 carries into the end zone. Junior brother Parker McInnis ran for 96 yards and a score, as did junior fullback Grant Niemiec. Senior James Ross added another running touchdown.
“We were in position to make some tackles, and it wasn’t a scheme thing or guys getting blocked. It’s just that their athletes made our guys miss, or we couldn’t tackle them,” Mount Pleasant coach Jason McIntyre said. “I’ve never seen backs that we couldn’t tackle one on one or two on one. A lot of teams will have one great back, and you can focus and rally there. But they had three and four.”
The Oilers’ usually-strong running game finished with just 122 yards, led by senior quarterback Ryan Elliott’s 40. He also had Mount Pleasant’s lone score. It was the team’s first Finals appearance – and only loss this fall as it finished 13-1.
Junior defensive back Cory Williams led the Oilers with nine tackles. Senior lineman Dylan Zerki led the Eaglets with 11, and Ross had 10.