#SocialStudies v7.0

March 29, 2012

It's been a wild couple weeks for us here in the office -- and we know you've been missing your weekly lineup of viral video goodness.

Not to worry. 

We're back, and with a vengeance. Not Bruce Willis-style, but close to it.

1. Grand Finale

Easily the most intense game from Basketball Finals (both Boys and Girls) was the Class A Girls Final between Grosse Pointe South and eventual champion Grand Haven. 

Here's the archived video of the entire game -- I'll recommend speeding through to the last 10 minutes.  Grand Haven roared back from 18 points down to give us some serious drama in the final minute of play.  Oh, and Bucs senior Shar'Rae Davis? Full-court drive and the game-winning bucket with under 10 seconds to play? Pretty nice little memory you've got there, girl. Great game.

(Also, tune in at 47:50 to catch the touching story of Terry Reid and his grandson Kyle Hall. Click the photo below for a link to the video.)



2. Must be the thin air

We're not the only state with drama in championship games this month ... the 2012 Colorado State High School Athletic Association 5A Boys Basketball Championship ended on this ridiculously athletic circus tip-in. Congratulations to Chaparral High School. (Seriously, how long was that kid in the air???)


3. Because Ray said so

Ray Lewis, controversial as his persona is, can flat-out deliver a pep talk. This rivals anything I've seen in film as one of the best brief amp-you-up-to-run-through-a-wall hype chats ever. 

For the record, Stanford went on to win their NIT semifinal over UMass, 74-64. Also, for the record -- I am definitely "not okay with mediocre" today.


4.  Nothing but ... no way!

And finally, here is one way to become famous in 3rd grade if your name isn't Doogie Houser.


Remember: if you find something you think should make the grade here on #SocialStudies, send it on over!

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#SocialStudies v8.0

April 5, 2012

Happy Spring Break, #SocialStudies regulars!  It's been a quiet week in our office with many Lower Peninsula schools off all week -- but I still managed to dig up some web gems for your perusal. *Beach umbrella optional.

1. Fore real?

Oh, professional golfers. Do they even know? They can't possibly understand how difficult this game is for the rest of us; I look like a toddler aimlessly swinging a metal stick while teetering around well-shorn grass plateaus. 

The 2012 Masters Tournament tees off today -- and players in the field lurked around Augusta earlier this week, reading greens and testing the waters, if you will. One such tester? Martin Kaymer, who tees off second in this clip. I'd suggest watching the entire 37 seconds.


2. Floored by this performance

This woman is named Johanna Quaas, and she is 86 years old. Read that twice for effect. Here's her floor routine (yes, FLOOR ROUTINE!) at a gymnastics tournament called “Turnier Der Meister,” or Tournament of Masters, at the 2012 Cottbus World Cup in Germany.


3. Watch the guys who are supposed to be defending

In Iowa, it looks like mash-up sporting might be the next big thing. I think this play could be called a roll-out?


4. Moves like Stokkebroe

We opened with an octogenarian doing something amazing; and I think it's appropriate to bookend things with this little heart-breaker. William Stokkebroe is 2 years old, and wee man can flat-out shake it. Try not to smile: Dare you.


 As always -- if you find something worthy of us watching, send it over. Links, photos, stories ... whatever strikes your fancy that week. Make it part of our #SocialStudies!

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