OAA Picks. Feb 18, 19.

Written Wednesday February 17th at 12:30 PM

Girls.

Red.

Harrison at Lathrup: Antoinette Miller is insane, outscoring the entire Troy team by herself 31-23 on Tuesday. The Chargers won 78-23 over the Colts. Lathrup meanwhile is getting ready for a State title run into the playoffs led by Miller, Deja Church, and the Bello Twins (Kehindre and Taige.) The Hawks had a rough week with an injury to Olivia Perkins and the resignation of Allen Walker which led to two losses. The last time these two met was in Farmington where the Chargers won 80-43. Harrison is a proud team but Lathrup though is a different animal. It could be a long night for Charles Perkins and crew in Lathrup Village. PICK: LATHRUP BY 14.

Stoney Creek at Clarkston: Ah the “Tribute to the Troops Game” at Clarkston, a very important event and it’s a big game for both teams. The Wolves are starting to get their act together led by Kayla Luchenbach. The Cougars had a tough loss 44-33 to Adams but is expected to have Emily Solek back. Clarkston won at Stoney Creek 33-23 in the last meeting but the Cougars are a different team now but so are the Wolves. PICK: CLARKSTON BY 4.

Oxford at Adams: The Highlanders in the month of February is 4-1 with its only loss being to State Ranked Lathrup. Adams has managed to get its act together since losing 56-36 to Orion on January 29^th. The Highlanders have been getting balance efforts from Taylor Smith, Maggie Rogers, and Hannah Simard. The Wildcats lost 40-32 to Lapeer on Tuesday night and have gotten contributions from Monae Evans, and Abigail Butkecwitz. Oxford won the last meeting 53-47 but gut feeling is telling me that this is a different Adams team than the last time the Wildcats have seen them. PICK: ADAMS BY 7.

White.

Orion at North Farmington: This game will decide whom will likely play Lathrup in the Crossover and have major league title hopes. The Dragons have won eight of the last nine games while the Raiders have won four of five games since losing 34-31 to Orion. This has the makings of yet another classic close game at North Farmington. This game will be tight as always in the past. The Raiders are a much better home team but the Dragons are a much better road team though. PICK: ORION BY 1.

West Bloomfield at Troy: The Lakers snapped a five game losing streak last week with a 39-35 win over Bloomfield Hills. West Bloomfield led by Taylor Pierce and Charlika Stubbs has appeared to get back on the right track. The Colts were destroyed 78-23 by Lathrup and have lost four straight games but Johanna Layfette has stepped her game up as of late, including which she had 25 points against Orion and 11 points against Lathrup. The last time these two met, the Lakers won 45-29. It will be much closer but same team will win. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD BY 8.

Royal Oak at Bloomfield Hills: The Pink game for the Blackhawks is Friday. These two teams are different now with Bloomfield Hills playing at home for the first time since the Amanda Sape concussion against Orion. The Ravens are coming off a tough loss to North Farmington 31-28. The Blackhawks have had trouble at home shooting and it could very well continue against a very good defensive team in Royal Oak. The last time these two teams met Bloomfield Hills had to survive thanks to Victorie Franklin and Sape 39-36. This has upset written all over it. PICK: ROYAL OAK BY 5.

Blue.

Southfield at Oak Park: The Blue Jays will be rolling along toward a Blue crown. The Knights have been inconsistent, one of which included a 50-44 loss to Avondale a few weeks ago. The last time these two teams met it was 62-46 Southfield. The Blue Jays will win in Knight Valley by double figures. PICK: SOUTHFIELD BY 13.

Rochester at Farmington: The Falcons have won two straight games including a 42-25 win over Avondale last week. The other Falcons have struggled all season. It could be a long night for the home Falcons on Thursday night. PICK: ROCHESTER BY 20.

Seaholm at Avondale: The Maples will be coming off a back to back after playing at Ferndale the night before and taking on a Yellow Jackets team that hasn’t been consistent all season and suffered a bad loss to Rochester 42-25. Seaholm is a different animal led by Mackenzie Harbort, Caroline Owens, and Dana Hoerman. These three will lead the way against Avondale. PICK: SEAHOLM BY 14.

Gold.

Ferndale at Berkley: Bears are rolling right now getting ready for that tough Southfield district coming up. The Eagles not sure what is going on after their altercation with Groves. Last time both these teams met Ferndale was demolished 54-17, it could be the same result. PICK: BERKLEY BY 30.

Hazel Park at Groves: The Vikings have been struggling to score as of late but the Falcons have plenty of scoring to go around which could lead them to a Gold Championship pending if they get past Berkley next week. PICK: GROVES BY 33.

Pontiac at Troy Athens: This is the first game in a span of six days for the Phoenix. Tough stretch to close out the season for Pontiac. The Red Hawks beat Linden 45-37 on Monday. The last time these two teams met it was 59-26 Troy Athens. It could be a repeat performance again. PICK: TROY ATHENS BY 30.

Pontiac at Cornerstone: In the second game of a rough stretch for the Phoenix, life on the road won’t be easy as they go into Wayne County to play Cornerstone. If anything Pontiac has experience going into Wayne County but can they win there is the question. PICK: CORNERSTONE BY 2.

Boys.

Red.

Clarkston at Southfield: The Wolves are heading in the right direction after scoring 76 points but so are the Blue Jays after beating Adams last week. If Southfield can pull off the huge 5:30 PM upset, then it would help them hugely but then again this is Clarkston. PICK: CLARKSTON BY 14.

Troy Athens at North Farmington: The Raiders put up 98 points against Lathrup on Tuesday while the Red Hawks only scored 34 points against Southfield. This could be scary for Troy Athens. PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON BY 46.

Lathrup at Adams: The Highlanders are in a rare two game losing streak but haven’t been the same since losing to Southfield last week. The Chargers put up 69 points which was their highest point total this season but allowed their highest point total of 98 points. The last time these teams met it was 68-48 Adams. Expect this one to be a Highlanders win. PICK: ADAMS BY 24.

White.

Troy at West Bloomfield: This game maybe the best game in the division, the Colts are red hot winning five straight games and is only two games back in the division. The Lakers have gotten back on the right track by winning three straight games. This one will be a good one, the last time these two teams met it was 59-45 West Bloomfield over Troy. This game will be much closer than people think. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD BY 2.

Bloomfield Hills at Avondale: The Yellow Jackets came off a huge 48-47 win at Pontiac on Tuesday causing a three-way tie for the White between Pontiac, West Bloomfield, and Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks have really struggled losing three straight to three good teams since winning 90-83 in four overtimes over Oak Park. The last time these two teams met Bloomfield Hills beat Avondale 54-48. This will be a good one in Auburn Hills and expect this one to be close. PICK: AVONDALE BY 2.

Pontiac at Oak Park: The Phoenix lost a tough one on Tuesday to Avondale 48-47. The Knights still waiting for Kevon Fuller to come back and play but it’s looking unlikely he will play this year. Oak Park has lost three straight games. The last time these two teams met Pontiac won 52-50 over the Knights. This game will be a classic yet again. PICK: PONTIAC BY 1.

Blue.

Orion at Farmington: The Dragons season is now about pride and getting ready for districts after losing a heartbreaker to Stoney Creek in overtime 62-61. Orion won 77-72 over Farmington in the last meeting. The Falcons have been in turmoil with injuries and suspensions to top notch players. The Dragons have been injury riddled and has hurt its depth because of it. I think the team that has the more stability and is ticked will win this game. PICK: ORION BY 15.

Rochester at Seaholm: The Falcons won their final home game of the season by beating Farmington 62-49 on Tuesday. Rochester has had a better season thus far and the last time they met the Maples they won 59-50. Seaholm lost 58-43 to Oxford and have been battling consistency troubles but the Maples have to be patient before districts start. PICK: ROCHESTER BY 4.

Stoney Creek at Oxford: The Cougars survived Orion in overtime 62-61 on Tuesday night. Stoney Creek can win the league outright on Friday at Oxford. The Wildcats have won two straight games since the loss to Ferndale. It could be a long night for Bill Service and crew because of the Cougars three point shooting ability. PICK: STONEY CREEK BY 9.

Gold.

Royal Oak at Ferndale: The Ravens have really struggled, losing three straight games. Royal Oak must find a way to turn it around before districts start. The Eagles since the Oxford 65-55 win have lost two straight games. The last time these two met it was 71-37 Ravens. Someone has to win this game. PICK: ROYAL OAK BY 14.

Groves at Harrison: The Hawks want to get a measure of revenge against the Falcons after being embarrassed 67-38 in January. Groves though has won three straight games and is rolling at the right time. Harrison lost a heartbreaker 59-58 to Berkley and have lost three of their last four games. This game will be interesting to watch in Farmington. PICK: GROVES BY 10.

Berkley at Hazel Park: The Vikings are well on their way to a Gold title. The Bears came off an emotional 59-58 win over Harrison. Hazel Park is a different team right now as they get ready for districts. The last time these two teams met it was 80-57 Vikings over Berkley. PICK: HAZEL PARK BY 15.