Basketball New Divisions.

Written Saturday April 16th at 12:10 AM

Here are the new basketball divisions for each team and whom could be the early favorite in each of them heading into the Winter.

Girls

Red:

Southfield Arts and Technology
Stoney Creek
North Farmington
Clarkston
Adams

When looking at this division, the Warriors are the early favorite because of whom both the former Blue Jays and Chargers return like players D'Alynna Holliman and Alexis Johnson, that's not to mention that Deja Church is a Miss Michigan Basketball candidate. The Cougars are the next best here because they return a ton led by Ally Voss and Emily Solek. The Raiders move up a division after winning the White and returns Kierra Crockett and Samantha Cherney. The Wolves return the best big girl in the league in Kayla Luchenbach to go along with Molly Nicholson and Bre Blitizer but if they can get another impact guard to go along with Maddie Beck, Clarkston could be back yet again. The Highlanders return Maggie Rogers but the question for them will be role players as whom will help Rogers score this winter.

White:

Bloomfield Hills
Orion
Oxford
Royal Oak
Harrison
West Bloomfield

When you look at this division, this one will come down to the wire between the Dragons and Blackhawks. Bloomfield Hills returns Amanda Sape, Katherine Prinna, Becca Hancock, and Maryiam Hashim. Orion returns Maddie Novak and Jordyn Marchese. The Wildcats come down from the Red bring a ton of experience led Madelyn Morris, Monae Evans, Jordyn Zyniger, Ashley Herschman, and Grace Cleland. The Ravens return Samantha Potter and Casey Joslyn. The Hawks lost Kristen Nelson and Amber Stephens to graduation returns two key players in Olivia Perkins and Tedi Pickens. The Lakers lost Charlika Stubbs, Kori Maxie, Macey Kryzakoza, and Taylor Pierce but do return Jamila and Jordyn Elam.

Blue:

Seaholm
Rochester
Troy
Groves
Oak Park
Avondale

The Maples return Mackenzie Harbort and Dana Hoerman but the schedule has been what you say a bit easy in my opinion, last season I criticized Bloomfield Hills for their non conference schedule but in 2016 its Seaholm. The Falcons are here because of their strong back court led by the returning from injury Paola Barraza and Tori Hawkins along with Jenna Norgrove in the paint pending if they stay injury free. The Colts weren't too pleased to move down a division but expect them to be in the thick of this division. The Falcons return some experience led by Shea Carter. The Knights have struggled outside the league. The Yellow Jackets return Toya Golden but they got some issues everywhere else they must address.

Gold:

Troy Athens
Berkley
Farmington
Hazel Park
Pontiac
Ferndale

The Red Hawks weren't too happy they stayed in the Gold but they should roll in this division led by Maddie Crum. The Bears will be very young but they have a stable program in place led by Makoya Denham. The Vikings return Trinity Benton and Ghyanna Green. The Falcons lost some experience but they will compete in this division. The Eagles are still young while the Phoenix lost a ton of experience last season could struggle as well this winter.

Boys

Red:

Clarkston
North Farmington
Bloomfield Hills
Southfield Arts and Technology
Adams
West Bloomfield

Come on now, is there anyone going to touch the Wolves, not with Foster Loyer, Dylan Alderson, CJ Robinson all returning to go along with a 6.5 transfer from Oxford coming in. Clarkston is loaded and talented and could make it to Breslin this winter. The Raiders went to the State Finals lost a huge chunk of their team but returns Amauri Hardy. The new Warriors squad returns Michael Flowers. The Blackhawks could be serious contenders to get second place returns Kiewuan Graham and Josh Jones. The Lakers return Kevin McAdoo but question will be role players. The Highlanders are well coached and have a strong JV team coming back, Adams will be there.

White:

Hazel Park
Troy
Troy Athens
Pontiac
Avondale
Oak Park

The division could get a good dose of the Vikings because of whom they got back in David Hearns, Carl Bow, and James Jenkins. The Colts could be the top challenger to Hazel Park as they are big and deep led by Jason Ditz whom has become a well rounded player. The Red Hawks will be better as well led by Taylor McCaskill. The Phoenix will have concerns inside but they will have Jalen Kelso and stall ball to go to next winter. The Knights are not stable at all but will have Robert Zanders back. The Yellow Jackets will have some experience back as well led by Jalen Latham.

Blue:

Groves
Rochester
Orion
Oxford
Stoney Creek
Seaholm

This division is the toughest in the league when looking at it. The Falcons had an athletic JV team and returns Drew Sheckill. The Falcons will also have experience as well led by Hunter Schlatter, Ivan Barraza, and LaMarco Gillridge. The Dragons lost David Gomez, and Noah Harris to graduation but returns Steven Zjemesski and Jamie Lewis. The Wildcats return a ton of experience led by Jordan Jadan, Ray LeVine, and Justin Lavalis. The Maples will be scrappy led by Graham Girdler and Liam Neel. The Cougars lost a ton of players but their sub varsity (JV and Freshman) was strong and will be relied upon to carry Stoney Creek.

Gold:

Farmington
Berkley
Royal Oak
Harrison
Ferndale

When looking at this division, this better be the year for the Falcons despite the fact they lose some talent. The Bears return David Cobb back. The Ravens lose Cedric Boswell and Cordell DuPree but they have a good group coming back. The Hawks was young a season ago. The Eagles normally a good Class B team will still be young heading into the season next winter.