Pre-District Boys Basketball Thoughts.

Written Tuesday March 7th at 10:45 AM

What Happened to Oxford???

The Wildcats have had their best season in a long time under returning coach Steve Laidlaw, winning 16 games for the first time in school history, and having ten seniors led by Jordan Jaden, Ray LaVine, and Jeam Larnais. Oxford had everything made for them to get to Friday however an athletic and talented Pontiac team had other ideas. The Phoenix shocked the Wildcats 56-39 in the district first round on Monday night at Orion. Pontiac in the tough White where they finished 3-16 this season but the district does offer you a clean slate. Cleontal Brown was a force all night, the Sophomore forward had 30 points and 12 rebounds along with four and-ones for the Phoenix. Pontiac proved why they are the great unknown as they will meet Waterford Kettering on Wednesday night. The Phoenix used their athleticism and size against Oxford all night. This was a shocker to me because of the ten seniors the Wildcats have and the season Oxford had, but give Pontiac credit, they were the more athletic team out there and it showed. I guess it tells you that one off night can cost you your whole season and that's what happened here.

Former Dragon Torches Raiders.

Caiden Prieskorn, the former Orion Dragon who transferred out to Orchard Lake St. Marys has made his name known again. First it was on the football field and now its on the basketball court. Prieskorn whom is a Junior scored 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in a 58-42 Eaglets first round district victory over North Farmington at Farmington on Monday night. The Raiders had won eight of their last 10 games with both losses against Clarkston coming into the district. The North Farmington duo of Amari Hardy (25 points) and Nate Brooks (11 points) combined for 36 of the Raiders 42 points. North Farmington whom went to the State Finals last season finished 11-9 this season. Orchard Lake St. Marys will have no problem with Harrison on Wednesday night and head to the district final on Friday.

Clarkston is for Real.

The Wolves are just plain outright sick. They hit 12 three pointers as they destroyed Waterford Mott 76-20 on Monday night at Orion. Clarkston got 23 points from Milwaukee bound Senior Dylan Alderson, 15 from Michigan State bound Junior Foster Loyer, and 13 from Junior CJ Robinson. The Wolves remains on a collision course with Macomb Dakota but they get the host Dragons from Orion on Wednesday night.

Ferndale, Berkley battles tough.

The Bears and Eagles lost tough games on Monday night in the district round. Ferndale lost 72-67 in overtime to Detroit Mumford. The Eagles since beating Royal Oak 47-45 at Royal Oak has really been competitive but their last two games were losses by a combined eight points and this team returns a ton of experience next season. Berkley lost 61-51 to Warren Fitzgerald at Detroit Renaissance. It's been a tough first season for coach Joe Sermo but he has a solid underclass program coming up that he is excited to see next season. The Bears and Eagles could make noise next season.

Avondale's Senior Experience too much for Groves.

A few weeks ago in Auburn Hills the Yellow Jackets were too much for the Falcons as they won 64-40 but this time around it was much closer but the same result as Avondale took out the Blue Champ at Bloomfield Hills 59-53. Groves trailed by 19 in the third quarter only to cut the lead to 55-53 with 36 seconds left but it wasn't enough as the Yellow Jackets found a way to survive and advance to meet Seaholm on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills.

Troy Athens and Stoney Creek Survives.

The Red Hawks had to survive a tough test from Royal Oak winning 51-46 on Monday night. Junior guard Taylor McCaskill had 24 points for Troy Athens in the win at home. The Red Hawks will face Warren De LaSalle on Wednesday at home. The Cougars had to survive at Utica on Monday night as they won 54-51 over Utica Eisenhower behind 15 points from Junior Nate Davis. Stoney Creek will play winless Adams at Utica on Wednesday night.

Troy finds ways to Win.

The Colts found a way to share the White with Hazel Park and now they have found a way to move on in the district tournament. Troy beat Birmingham Brother Rice 50-42 in the district first round on Monday night at Bloomfield Hills. The Colts have won seven straight games since losing 64-61 to West Bloomfield. Troy is led by Juniors Jason Sulley and Jason Dietz. The Colts will get a big test on Wednesday night as the play the hosts Bloomfield Hills but its finding a way to be one point better that will hopefully get the Colts through.

Southfield Arts and Tech plays Defending Champs Next.

The Warriors have won seven of their last eight games just recently beat the host Detroit Renaissance Phoenix 54-49 on Monday night. Now they get the defending State Champions Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit on Wednesday night at Detroit Renaissance. If Southfield Arts and Tech can somehow contain their guards and shut down the two Nigerians Ike Eke and Greg Egigbodin in the inside then maybe they have a chance to pull this off.