Basketball Top 24.

Written Thursday July 9th at 6:45 PM

Well the Summer Leagues are mostly over and I liked what I saw so here is the Top 24 for both Girls and Boys Basketball.

Boys.

1. Clarkston: Wolves have Foster Loyer and Dylan Alderson but can they find help for Tabin Throgmorton and that front court this winter?

2. Southfield: No coach, no problem. Blue Jays still have talent and will be a huge threat in the Red this winter led by Amari Hardy and crew.

3. North Farmington: Raiders will be solid led by Billy Thomas but they aren't the same team without Jerome Rogers and company last season.

4. West Bloomfield: Tristion Jackson will lead a solid group of Lakers for coach Jermey Dehna this season.

5. Adams: Joey Zilinti and Spencer Littleson will be key if the Highlanders want to go far this upcoming winter.

6. Avondale: Yellow Jackets will still be good even without Chris Barton whom graduated last season.

7. Bloomfield Hills: New coach Mike Maryanski will have a lot of experience back but the question is can they jell???

8. Orion: Dragons return four starters and have a new head coach in Jim Manzo, looks like Zo ball is back.

9. Pontiac: The trio of Jaylen Kelso, Israel Williams, and Ronald McDonald will be creating havoc this winter for the Phoenix.

10. Stoney Creek: John Paul Sincola and his three point shooting friends will be in line for a good winter, if they aren't hitting them then coach Steve Norgrove's team is in trouble.

11. Troy: Colts are always scrappy and will be tough to handle in the White as they always are for coach Gary Fralek.

12. Oak Park: Jamie Thomas returns to coach the Knights. He should have a good team to work with in Knight Valley.

13. Lathrup: Chargers look to improve this season in the final season in Lathrup Village.

14. Rochester: Coach John Pleasent's team finished 0-21 last season, could he take a page out of Steve Norgrove's playbook. Falcons have talent led by Ivan Bazzeria and Hunter Schlater.

15. Hazel Park: Vikings three sophomores look to make a huge step up after being in the Gold race last season.

16. Groves: Falcons look to be in contention for a Gold title this season.

17. Royal Oak: New coach Aaron Smith has two very good athletic guards. The Ravens could be a sleeper in the Blue this season.

18. Farmington: Falcons have some consistency questions but will be all right this year for coach Terrance Porter.

19. Oxford: Wildcats could struggle a little bit but coach Stephan Henning will have things rolling this season.

20. Seaholm: Maples could have trouble scoring this season but defense will be solid.

21. Troy Athens: It could be a long year for coach Dave Scott and his Red Hawks. The Red Hawks have a brutal schedule and is in a tough district as well.

22. Ferndale: Eagles will be interesting to watch but in district play they are a different basketball team.

23. Berkley: Bears lost Johnathan Radner to graduation and could struggle at times but will work hard this season.

24. Harrison: Hawks could struggle this season after losing John Rexroth to graduation.



Girls.

1. Lathrup: It's State title or bust for the Chargers in their final season as a school.

2. Harrison: Hawks return Kristen Nelson and Amber Stephans which will be huge for coach Tim Micklash.

3. Adams: Highlanders will still be solid this season led by Ryian Owusu and Maggie Rogers for coach Shay Lewis.

4. Orion: Dragons return three starters from a 13 win team last season.

5. Bloomfield Hills: Blackhawks could be in line for a special season this season.

6. Stoney Creek: Ally Voss and Emily Solek are key for coach Brad Crighton and his Cougars this season.

7. North Farmington: Kierra Crockett and the Cherney sisters (Samantha and Alexa) are key returnees for the Raiders.

8. Southfield: Blue Jays return four starters from an 18-2 season last year.

9. Clarkston: Kayla Lucenbach, Megan Deardorff, and Kayla Russell will be primed to have a big season this year.

10. West Bloomfield: Charlika Stubbs and Taylor Pierce along with three talented freshman up for coach Zach Hilbers will be interesting for the Lakers.

11. Rochester: Zo Schultz, Riley Gaber, Jenna Norgrove, and Paola Bazerria return for coach Adam Sheldon's Falcons. Rochester was hot all of Feburary and is expected to contend in the Blue this season.

12. Oxford: Christina Medici and Abigail Butkiewicz will have to carry the Wildcats in a tough Red division this season.

13. Troy: Colts return two starters but the question for Simon Bato is can they catch up in time before the season starts.

14. Royal Oak: There are a lot of questions for coach Brian Sopota's Ravens but heart and effort isn't one of them.

15. Berkley: Cecilia Somers and Zoe Anderson are two big parts to what the Bears hope to be a Gold title this season.

16. Seaholm: Losing Molly Stuenberg to Chicago, Illinois hurt the Maples last season, it will put more pressure on Mackenzie Harbort and Dana Hoerman this season for coach January Hlaski.

17. Oak Park: Knights return four starters for coach Diane Jones but the question is consistency for them.

18. Troy Athens: Maddy Crum has done very well for her AAU Michigan Storm team but will need to take the leadership role for the Red Hawks and coach Stacie Krump if they want to contend for a Gold crown.

19. Avondale: Yellow Jackets have the size led by Addie Saltaterri and Alyssa Smith but whom will help Toya Golden in the guard front will be the question for coach Darius Whiteside.

20. Hazel Park: Trinity Benton will be a name to remember in the Gold for coach Jessica Wiesler.

21. Pontiac: Phoenix getting better, winless two seasons ago to six wins last season. Expect A'Nya Erkins and crew to take the next step up for coach Christopher Wright.

22. Groves: Shea Carter and Madison Meredith will be forced to do more for coach Amos Thompson's Falcons this season.

23. Farmington: Mya Douse returns for the Falcons but doesn't have a lot of help to back them up.

24. Ferndale: Raven Brinkley will lead the Eagles this season in what could be another long one again.