Top Boys Basketball Headlines Heading into 2016.

Written Friday December 25th at 4:30 PM

1. Who Wins the Red, North Farmington, Adams, or Clarkston???

The Red could be the most entertaining division this season with three teams ranked in the State and one team that has a player scoring gaudy numbers. Clarkston and North Farmington brought in some transfers that have helped their teams while Adams has relied on experience. Southfield has a sick player whom scored 50 points in a loss. Troy Athens will struggle in this division and Lathrup will compete in their final season as a school. The Wolves sit at 2-1 on the season, the Highlanders sit at 3-0 and have to play Novi in the Roundball coming up, while the Raiders sit at 2-1 with two games in the Roundball against Michigan City, Indiana and Detroit Loyola. The Blue Jays sit at 2-2 with tough games coming up against Detroit Martin Luther King at Detroit Cass Tech, along with Roundball Games against West Bloomfield and Chicago, Illinois Hyde Park. The Red will be fun to watch for sure.

2. Stoney Creek, Rochester, Orion will Come down to the Wire.

When looking at the Blue, Orion, Stoney Creek, and Rochester seem to have the best shot at winning the crown. I’m not sold on Farmington as they are not consistent despite playing a tough non-conference schedule. Seaholm is very scrappy but they have offensive liability issues. Oxford is going through a lot right now with the departure of coach Stephan Henning. The Cougars look like they are a complete team on paper with their strength being strong outside shooting and it has led them to a 4-0 record. The Falcons are 1-25 in their last 26 games will get some wins in this division. They are experienced and talented but guard heavy, Rochester will be tested against Detroit University Prep at the Rochester Holiday Classic. Orion is guard heavy as well but the lack of post is a major concern for the Dragons even though they sit at 3-1. There won’t be any days off in this division to say the least.

3. West Bloomfield Will Be Challenged in White.

The Lakers were the most talked about team in the division and for good reason with the team they have. West Bloomfield’s only loss on the season came against Macomb Dakota, sit 3-1 and they will play in the Roundball against Southfield. The Lakers will be challenged though this season with Avondale, whom have been in two double overtime games this season, Pontiac who is very solid, Oak Park when they have their full team together will be dangerous under first year coach Jamie Thomas, Troy who is well coached and always scrappy, and Bloomfield Hills who is led by a former West Bloomfield assistant in Mike Maryanski. Like the Red this division could be one of the toughest in the State.

4. Who Challenges Hazel Park???

The Gold could be a three team race with some of the teams getting big non-conference wins. Hazel Park is the early favorite with their 2-2 record but they have played good teams like Bloomfield Hills, Detroit Public Safety Academy, and Cornerstone. The Blackhawks lost to Groves, a team that will be there as well. The Falcons lost a tough game to Southfield and sit 3-1 on the season. The other contender is Royal Oak, the Ravens destroyed Oak Park and have a very good guard tandem. Royal Oak will play in the Madison Heights Bishop Foley tournament and has a great shot to win the tournament. Ferndale will be decent but not strong enough to compete with the big three, Berkley is very young, and Harrison will struggle. The Vikings, Ravens, and Falcons have great shots at winning this division and making some noise in March.