Basketball Thoughts.

Written Saturday March 28th, at 3:30 PM

Well the OAA Basketball seasons came to a close on Tuesday with Clarkston losing a buzzer beater to University of Detroit Jesuit 56-54 but there are a lot to look forward to for 2015-2016 in both Boys and Girls Basketball. Here are my top 10 story lines for next season

1. Foster Loyer is the Real Deal:

The Wolves were given a treat this season in the form of Foster Loyer. Loyer broke out as the best freshman in Oakland County and will be a good one for Clarkston. His top game was when he had 35 points in the regional final against Macomb Dakota. He will be counted on next season along with Tabin Throgmorton to carry the Wolves in what could be an interesting season.

2.The Red in Girls will still be very good:

The Cougars girls basketball team came off a tough loss to Waterford Kettering in the regional semifinals will still be a good basketball team. They return seven of their ten players in the Red but the problem for Stoney Creek will be is that Southfield-Lathrup could be a state contender again as they return their whole starting lineup on a team that gave Birmingham Marian all it could handle. Clarkston loses Erika Davenport but returns three players from their starting lineup a season ago. Harrison returns Amber Stephans and Kristen Nelson. Adams will return Ryian Owusu, Olivia Aregros and Maggie Rogers. The Red could very well be up for grabs again but the Chargers though are an overwhelming favorite to repeat.

3. Adams Boys will still be good:

The Highlanders boys basketball team will return two of their top players from a team that lost to Clarkston in the district finals in Spencer Littleson and Joey Zinni. Adams did get some good wins in the season and gave the Wolves all they could handle for one half. The Highlanders will be a strong contender in the Red along with North Farmington to challenge Clarkston for the crown.

4. The White in Girls could be interesting:

Pending how the league meetings go, the White will look to have either Lake Orion, Bloomfield Hills, and or North Farmington for the league crown. The Dragons return four starters from a team that went 13-7 this season. The Blackhawks return three starters in Kathrine Prinna, Victorie Franklin, and Amanda Sape and will have Immani Wright take over the point guard spot. The Raiders lose Megan Carter as she will move on to Kent State but will have some young talent ready to go and don't count out West Bloomfield who will have Charlika Stubbs and a strong freshman class ready to go as well.

5. Watch Out for Hazel Park:

The Vikings boys this season was in the mix for the Blue crown and took Warren De Lassale to the limit. Also Hazel Park is very young as they started three freshman, they did beat Berkley and Farmington in the same season which was huge and the division (Gold) looks very good for the Vikings to win it next season. Hazel Park is a team on the rise.

6. Oxford Situation:

With the Wildcats it's interesting in both boys and girls because they had a strong season in the girls but a disappointing season in the boys. Oxford loses some key pieces in Jamal Thomas, who is moving to Chicago and was suspended to close out the season, their top two players Del Alexander and Connor Elzerman are gone to graduation. In the girls they lose Cherlyn Bandis, Skye Donaldson, and Jessica Murphy and they will likely move up to the Red after winning the White. The girls for the Wildcats are in much better shape than the boys because they return Abigail Butzcewitz, Madelyn Morris, Grace Cleland, and Grace Wysocki. It could be an interesting ride next season.

7. Lake Orion and Rochester Boys will be back:

The Dragons struggled to a tough 4-17 season this season but will return three of their five starters. Orion does lose Tyler Sites, Joe Turnbull, Elmalik Martin, and Pim Hurkmans but will return David Gomez, Caiden Prescorn, and Chris Dudek. Also the JV team finished 14-6. Rochester went winless at 0-21 but returns Hunter Schlater, and Ivan Bazerria and the move down to the Blue will help the Falcons get wins. Expect both Lake Orion and Rochester to be major factors next season.

8. West Bloomfield Boys will still be very good:

In a controversial filled summer the Lakers will finally have some stability this coming off season but they do return Tristian Jackson, who is very good and will have a strong senior year but we did learn something in their loss to Walled Lake Central. This team will be a dangerous team in the White for sure next season.

9. Southfield will surprise people:

Southfield coach Jamie Ginez will finally have his team after they went 18-2 last season. The Blue Jays have Krystal Lynn Defoe and Stormlength Mattison for another season and expect them to be a huge contender in the Blue next season. If they can toughen their schedule up it will only help them as they get ready to deal with teams like their rivals from 12 Mile to get them ready for next season.

T 10. Seaholm Girls is an interesting team to Watch:

When looking at a team to watch, it's the Maples girls basketball team for coach January Hlaski. Seaholm was very inconsistent, they had some bad losses to Southfield and Berkley along with Orion, and Stoney Creek. The Maples finished 9-11 a year ago, which was a shock especially with the expecations they had. Seaholm returns Mackenzie Harbort and Dana Hoerman but did lose Molly Stuenberg as she moved to Chicago because of family reasons. The Maples will compete but you got Oak Park, Southfield, and Rochester who will also be there.

T 10. Oak Park Boys Situation:

With the Knights they do lose Rodney Scales and a few other guys to graduation. We don't know who the new coach will be at Oak Park with the recent departure of Bryan Tipton and likely coach Greg Carter will not coach the basketball team. Kevon Fuller left during the season to go to Detroit Pershing but questions do linger though at Oak Park and it's something worth watching for.

Boys Regional Preview.

Written Sunday March 15th at 9:05 PM

Clarkston vs Avondale: Monday 6 PM at Troy: When you look at the Troy regional, you look at the two matchups, Macomb Dakota vs Utica Eisenhower and this matchup. Macomb Dakota looks to be the favorite in the Macomb County matchup but when you look at the Oakland County matchup, Clarkston looks to be the favorite, undefeated record 22-0, deep bench, very talented, and have played a much tougher schedule than you think but you look at Avondale they have an outside shot at possibly doing the impossible, the Yellow Jackets are a much better road team than at home, they won at Troy Athens on a buzzer beater in the district final.

This will be a good game but at the end of the day we are looking at a Clarkston/Macomb Dakota regional final. The Cougars are a different team than the Wolves last saw them with their three transfers from Mount Clemens, Macomb Dakota could get the Wolves this time around. Very dangerous match up for Clarkston.

North Farmington vs Oak Park: Monday 5:30 PM at Southfield: The Raiders and Knights have had to deal with controversy this season. The Raiders are dealing with Billy Thomas not playing because of an MSHAA Investigation while the Knights dealt with the departure of coach Bryan Tipton and star player Kevon Fuller because of a cheating scandal. The second game features U-D Jesuit and Redford Thurston in which that favors the Cubs whom had to survive Southfield in the District Final the other night.

A possible regional final would feature North Farmington/U-D Jesuit in which that matchup should be an interesting game between those two teams with the talent both teams have.

We'll see what happens. Stay tuned to OAA Now for complete coverage.

Baseball/Softball/Soccer/Track and Field early rankings.

Written Monday March 9th at 12:30 AM

Baseball:

1. Orion

2. Clarkston

3. Adams

4. Stoney Creek

5. West Bloomfield

6. North Farmington

7. Rochester

8. Troy Athens

9. Oxford

10. Farmington

Softball:

1. Orion

2. Clarkston

3. Troy

4. North Farmington

5. Adams

6. Oxford

7. Troy Athens

8. Stoney Creek

9. Groves

10. Rochester

Soccer:

1. Stoney Creek

2. Adams

3. Rochester

4. Troy Athens

5. Troy

6. Orion

7. Hazel Park

8. Royal Oak

9. Seaholm

10. Avondale

Track:

Boys:

1. Oak Park

2. Orion

3. Clarkston

4. West Bloomfield

5. Southfield

6. Troy

7. Avondale

8. Bloomfield Hills

9. Seaholm

10. Oxford

Girls:

1. Oak Park

2. Clarkston

3. Orion

4. Rochester

5. Adams

6. Seaholm

7. Troy

8. Southfield

9. Oxford

10. Stoney Creek

Girls Regional Preview.

Written Sunday March 8th at 11:30 PM

Two teams remain in the OAA for the regional but they have two tough matchups. I don't know if either Lathrup or Stoney Creek will advance to the regional finals with their tough matchups.

Stoney Creek vs Waterford Kettering: The Cougars won the tough Orion district eliminating Adams in the district finals. Now they will go to Sterling Heights Stevenson and have a rematch with Waterford Kettering. Stoney Creek eliminated the Captains last season at Orion and returns point guard Maria Zandi. Zandi had 31 points against Adams and she got some help from Emma Sobaczyni against both Oxford and Adams. Zandi will need help scoring because Waterford Kettering along with their seven seniors provide a huge problem for Stoney Creek. The Captains are known as "the defense department" with their aggressive defense and expereince. Also depth is a huge problem as well as the Cougars only have ten players on their roster. If Stoney Creek upsets Waterford Kettering then they could clash with Port Huron Northern, I think the Cougars will beat Port Huron Northern if they do play them. I don't think Port Huron Northern nor Romeo beats the Oakland County team in the regional.

Lathrup vs Birmingham Marian: The Chargers were embarrassed last season at the hands of the Mustangs at Orion but this regional match up is at Southfield, the arch rival of Lathrup. Birmingham Marian has most of their team back from a team that won the State title last season. Lathrup coach Michelle Jackson-Marshall toughen up her non conference schedule just to prepare her team for this game. The Mustangs look to be unbeatable but if their is any team not name Detroit Martin Luther King who could beat Birmingham Marian, it's Lathrup. The Chargers have to play the perfect game, have everyone on all cylinders if they want to shock the state and the 14th ranked team in the country.

Final OAA Top 10 Basketball.

Written Friday March 6th, at 3:15 PM

Girls: Based on next season (future)

1. Lathrup: Chargers return four starters and will be the team to beat next season.

2. Adams: Owusu and Jamison are gone but Ryian Owusu, Olivia Aregros, and Maggie Rogers are back.

3. Stoney Creek: Ally Voss is a star in the making next season.

4. Southfield: Blue Jays will be solid next season again.

5. Harrison: Hawks have Amber Stephans and Kristen Nelson coming back, which makes them dangerous.

6. Orion: Dragons could be favorite in White next season.

7. Clarkston: Wolves lose Davenport but have Kayla Lucenbach to build around next year.

8. Oxford: Wildcats could be in some trouble next season.

9. Royal Oak: Two six footers on the way for the Ravens, future is bright.

10. West Bloomfield: Three talented freshman could be on the way to Lakers land next season.

Boys:

1. Clarkston: Wolves finished perfect, could a long playoff run be in store???

2. North Farmington: Raiders could be in for a long playoff run as well.

3. Troy Athens: Red Hawks won the White, districts will be interesting.

4. West Bloomfield: Lakers sharing the Blue isn't a bad thing at all

5. Avondale: Jackets sharing the Blue isn't a bad thing either.

6. Adams: Highlanders ready for Stoney Creek on Monday.

7. Southfield: Blue Jays gearing up for the tourney which starts against Farmington.

8. Stoney Creek: Tough loss to Oxford has them limping to districts.

9. Pontiac: Phoenix could be tough out at Troy Athens in districts.

10. Oak Park: Can the Knights turn it around, losing to Orion and Pontiac at home didn't help.

Boys Basketball District Preview.

Written Friday March 6th, at 3:00 PM

District 26 @ Walled Lake Central

Orchard Lake St. Marys vs Walled Lake Western-Monday 6 PM
Walled Lake Northern vs Walled Lake Central-Monday 7:30 PM
OLSM/Walled Lake Western vs Lakeland-Wednesday 6 PM
Walled Lake Northern/Walled Lake Central vs West Bloomfield-Wednesday 7:30 PM
District Final- Friday 7 PM

Favorite: Walled Lake Western: The Warriors won the KLAA by destroying Plymouth but they beat Walled Lake Central in the process. Walled Lake Western is rolling right now, they have a lot of experience to win this district but the question will be is can they handle the pressure.

Top Contenders: I look at Orchard Lake St. Marys, West Bloomfield, and Walled Lake Central as top contenders here. With OLSM, the Eaglets went to the Catholic League finals, beat Birmingham Brother Rice but lost to U-D Jesuit in the final. Walled Lake Central lost a tough one to Walled Lake Western in the Kensington Final and will have home court for the district. West Bloomfield shared the Blue with Avondale and features a three headed monster in Michael King, Zach Allread, and Tristian Jackson.

Projection: This is a tough district to predict, there are four solid teams in this district. OLSM and Walled Lake Western is going to be a heck of a matchup but I like Western to pull it out because of experience despite OLSM playing much tougher competition. I think Central will beat Northern and face West Bloomfield. Western will beat Lakeland but the Eagles defense will keep it close. This will be interesting Anton Lucaj will face his former team in the Lakers on his new home court. I like the upset here, I think West Bloomfield has played a more daunting schedule and would like to get some revenge here and I think they will get it. In the end I like West Bloomfield coming out because of the three headed monster and it will be the Lakers who move on.

Pick: West Bloomfield

District 23 @ Warren Woods Tower

Warren Cousino vs Sterling Heights- Monday 5 PM
Hazel Park vs Warren De Lassale-Monday 7 PM
Warren Cousino/Sterling Heights vs Warren Mott- Wednesday 5 PM
Hazel Park/Warren De Lassale vs Warren Woods Tower-Wednesday 7 PM
District Final-Friday 7 PM

Favorite: Warren De Lassale: Despite the Pilots record they have some good wins and play in the Catholic League. Warren De Lassale is very talented and could play with anyone in this district.

Top Contenders: Hazel Park can compete with anyone and is very young as well. The Vikings were one game away from winning the Gold but some bad losses cost them dearly but Hazel Park has a tough matchup with Warren De Lassale first. The other contender is Warren Woods Tower, even though they finished 11-9 they have home court and even that could have an impact here.

Projection: This is a very bad district but I like Sterling Heights over Cousino. Warren De Lassale will beat Hazel Park. Warren Mott will beat Sterling Heights while Warren De Lassale will beat Warren Woods Tower and the Pilots will be moving on here.

Pick: Warren De Lassale

District 21 @ Detroit Renaissance

Detroit Mumford vs Detroit Renaissance-Monday 5 PM
Farmington vs Southfield-Monday 6:30 PM
Detroit Mumford/Detroit Renaissance vs Detroit U-D Jesuit- Wednesday 5 PM
Farmington/Southfield vs Detroit Cody-Wednesday 6:30 PM
District Final-Friday 7 PM

Favorite: U-D Jesuit: They have the state's best player in Cannes Winston, they have the two Nigerians inside. They won the Catholic League. They want to get back to Breslin in the worst way. I'm not sure there is an overwhelming favorite since Birmingham Marian in the girls side as U-D Jesuit is to win this district.

Top Contenders: I don't think anyone will touch U-D Jesuit. Southfield and Detroit Renaissance may have the best chance but neither the Blue Jays or Phoenix are at the level of the Cubs right now.

Projection: Detroit Renaissance will beat Detroit Mumford. Southfield is a deceptive 10-10 on the season will beat Farmington who won the Gold this season. The Falcons have been too inconsistent as well. I like U-D Jesuit to beat Detroit Renissance and Southfield to beat Detroit Cody. In the end it will be the Cubs who advance.

Pick: Detroit U-D Jesuit

District 24 @ Royal Oak

Royal Oak vs Lathrup- Monday 5:30 PM
Berkley vs Oak Park- Wednesday 5:30 PM
Royal Oak/Lathrup vs Groves- Wednesday 7 PM
District Final-Friday 7 PM

Favorite: Oak Park: The Knights have been in turmoil all season long but the district tournament gives them an opportunity to get themselves ready for the tournament. Oak Park has played a tough schedule but the inner turmoil resulting from the academic cheating scandal could be their downfall. They should win this district handily though.

Top Contenders: With Oak Park's turmoil the question is can a team come up and beat them and that answer is yes in the form of Southfield Lathrup. The Chargers have Fred John a good post player heading to Toledo. They may have the best chance to knock off Oak Park. Oak Park also better be careful of Berkley and their star guard Johnathan Radner who is heading to Syracuse next season.

Projection: The Knights should handle this district but two trouble spots loom. I like Lathrup over Royal Oak because of Fred John, Oak Park because of Rodney Scales should beat beat Berkley. Lathrup will knock off Groves and sets up a final where I see the Knights moving on.

Pick: Oak Park

District 25 @ North Farmington

Seaholm vs Harrison-Monday 7 PM
Brother Rice vs Bloomfield Hills-Wednesday 5:30 PM
Seaholm/Harrison vs North Farmington-Wednesday 7 PM
District Final-Friday 7 PM

Favorite: North Farmington: The Raiders will have Jerome Rogers, Anthony Qassaca, Caleb Hogans, and Jacob Jobbert but no Billy Thomas and that is unfortunate. North could be a state title contender, they have the peaces to win it all and also they might become the next Bloomfield Hills this season.

Top Contenders: Brother Rice: The Warriors have had a strong season and they also beat U-D Jesuit in the season. They lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary's in the Catholic League semifinals but they could give North Farmington a run for their money.

Projection: Everything looks set for a North/Rice final on Friday which is where I'm heading as well. I like Seaholm behind their two good guards to beat Harrison on Monday. I like Rice over Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks have had a long season with the Dwayne Graves mess as well. I like North Farmington to beat Seaholm because of their experience and will like them because of home court and experience to knock off Brother Rice.

Pick: North Farmington

District 42-Class B @ Detroit Collegiate Prep

Hamtramck Frontier International @ Ferndale- 4 PM Monday
Detroit Central vs Detroit Old Redford-5 PM Monday
Detroit Collegiate Prep vs Warren Fitzgerald-7 PM Monday
Ferndale/Hamtramck Frontier International vs Detroit Henry Ford-Wednesday 5 PM
Detroit Central/Detroit Old Redford vs Detroit Collegiate Prep/Warren Fitzgerald-Wednesday 7 PM
District Final-Friday 5:30 PM

Favorite: Ferndale: The Eagles have played in a tougher division all season long in the Gold and has played a lot of Class A schools which should get them ready for this tournament as well.

Top Contenders: Detroit Central and Detroit Old Redford both have over eight wins this season looks to be the top contenders to the Eagles but also watch out for the host Detroit Collegiate Prep, which could make some noise as well.

Prediction: I like Ferndale over Hamtramck Frontier International. I like Detroit Old Redford to beat Detroit Central. I like the hosts Detroit Collegiate Prep to beat Warren Fitzgerald on Monday as well. On Wednesday I like Detroit Old Redford to beat the hosts Detroit Collegiate Prep and Ferndale over Detroit Henry Ford. Just to be safe I like Ferndale to move on.

Pick: Ferndale

District 31 @ Troy Athens

Waterford Kettering vs Avondale-Monday 6 PM
Pontiac vs Troy-Monday 8 PM
Waterford Kettering/Avondale vs Waterford Mott-Wednesday 6 PM
Pontiac/Troy vs Troy Athens-Wednesday 8 PM
District Final-Friday 7 PM

Favorite: Troy Athens: The Red Hawks have won the lat two districts and won their second straight White crown. They have 10 seniors on their team and home court, that's a tough pill to swallow.

Top Contenders: Pontiac has the athletes and style to slow down the Red Hawks under coach Ben Kelso. Troy can play with their arch rivals and it's always hard to beat a team three times like Troy Athens has done to both Pontiac and Troy this season. Waterford Mott is a sleeper despite having struggles this season and also watch out for Avondale, they have a nice draw and could surprise some people in this district.

Projection: This is the toughest district besides the Walled Lake Central district to predict. Avondale will destroy Waterford Kettering. Troy has lost twice to Pontiac this season but I like the Colts to beat the Phoenix here in the night cap to set the stage with their arch rivals. Avondale behind Chris Barton will beat Waterford Mott and with Troy Athens and Troy it could go either way but will go with Troy Athens because of their experience and that experience will make it a three peat for the Red Hawks in front of their fans.

Pick: Troy Athens

District 32 @ Clarkston

Adams vs Stoney Creek-Monday 5:30 PM
Oxford vs Rochester-Monday 7 PM
Adams/Stoney Creek vs Orion-Wednesday 5:30 PM
Oxford/Rochester vs Clarkston-Wednesday 7 PM
District Final-Friday 7 PM

Favorite: Clarkston: The Wolves were perfect this season 20-0, won the Red and have two very good guards in Foster Loyer and Andrew Myers, have Merrick Canada, along with Jonah Newblatt, and Cole Chewins. Is it possible that Clarkston to get to Breslin???

Top Contenders: Adams will have a strong case despite losing to Clarkston at the end of the regular season having Spencer Littleson and Joey Zinni. Stoney Creek has the three point shooting that can match anyone. Oxford has experience despite having a disappointing 11-9 season and watch out for Orion who is right now playing it's best basketball of the season and just knocked off Oak Park on the road.

Prediction: I like Adams to beat Stoney Creek despite the Cougars beat the Highlanders early in the season. Oxford and Rochester battled at Oxford with the Wildcats winning by seven but the Falcons are win-less. This could be a trap game for Oxford and the Wildcats have been struggling as of late, so you know what I'm picking the upset here with Rochester beating Oxford. I think another upset will occur again here with Orion beating Adams because the last time these two teams met Adams won in overtime and this one could go down to the wire again. Clarkston will beat Rochester or Oxford bad and Orion and Clarkston could be a little closer than before but the Wolves too much experience and depth will move on.

Pick: Clarkston