#SocialStudies v5.0
March 1, 2012
It’s officially March – and that means that tournament season is about to seriously go off.
Drama, buzzer-beaters, trophies, tears and memories that last far beyond this magnificent month will all come into play. #SocialStudies will be ready and waiting for it all.
Remember to whip out that smartphone and film! You could catch something like this …
1.Did he call 'glass?'
Gary Harris, a senior from Hamilton Southeastern High School (Ind.), is a name that many in our state will know in a year or so – he’s signed to play hoops at Michigan State. While that’s all fine and good, the reason we mention him today is this stunning shot he drained during Indiana’s sectional playoffs. Harris finished the game with 33 points, but his most impressive three came with 4.6 seconds remaining.
The quick version:
This clip really gives you the feel – what a crowd, what a stage, what a shot.
2. Quick work, big win
Hey -- we know him! Student Advisory Council member Kevin Beazley and his Detroit Catholic Central wrestling team took home the Division 1 team title this past weekend – with Beazley grappling for a total of 1 minute and 42 seconds in his three matches. Watch one of his pins here: 20 seconds of work.
3. Bet you haven't seen this before
Sometimes, you find a video of 859 people playing human dominoes… with mattresses. Who knew this would set a Guinness Record?
Consider those just a few appetizers for the month to come.
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.
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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.