Girls Basketball Preview.

Written Sunday November 26th at 11:25 AM
Updated Friday December 1st at 1:40 PM

Hello these are the Girls Basketball outlooks heading into the season. Good luck this season to everyone.

INSIDE THE OAA TOP 10.

1. Southfield Arts and Tech

2. Clarkston

3. Royal Oak

4. Groves

5. Orion

6. North Farmington

7. Stoney Creek

8. Avondale

9. West Bloomfield

10. Farmington

Red

INSIGHT: The Red got bigger this season with the addition of Bloomfield Hills and Orion. There is one former and a new coach enters this division. Southfield Arts and Tech is the favorite after reaching the Final Four last season. It will be a challenging road though for the Warriors who will be without Deja Church whom is now playing at Michigan. Clarkston might have the best starting five in the league but bench could be a question mark for a team that goes seven deep. North Farmington lost Kierra Crockett and Sophie Muller to graduation but they are always a threat to contend under coach Jeff Simpson. Stoney Creek will be young but they will be competitive despite having a brutal non conference schedule. Orion brings experience into the division but they will have  a new head coach, which will be their third coach in three seasons. Bloomfield Hills had one of their best teams in school history last season and will have to reload especially in the post. Adams brings back Shay Lewis to which she will have some talent to work with this season.

FAVORITE: Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors have two future Division One players in Cheyenne McEvans and Alexis Johnson but they have some shooting and dribble drivers to work with as well. Southfield Arts and Tech although not the biggest team, they are very quick and athletic, which was one of the reasons why they went to the Final Four last season. Expect more of the same from the Warriors this season.

NEXT BEST: Clarkston: The Wolves have probably the best starting five in the league when you look at who is back. Clarkston coach Christine Rogers team will be led by Oakland University bound Kayla Luchenbach to go along with Molly Nicholson, Kianna Anyotte, Taylor Heaten, and Maddie Beck. The Wolves bench will be a question mark this season even though they will go eight deep this season.

DARK HORSE: North Farmington: The Raiders have Sam Cherney back but the key will be the guards in Lynn Lerner, Patti Tzsocikan, and Molly Simpson for coach Jeff Simpson. North Farmington will not have Kierra Crocket back as she is now at Saginaw Valley State but they added Khyra King from Harrison. The Raiders are a team no one likes to play against especially on their home floor. They may be a little young but when you have a big and two guards then you’ll be in every game.

WILDCARD: Orion: The Dragons are a wildcard here, they struggled last season in the White and were moved up to the Red. Orion has their third coach in three years as Mike Griffin takes over the program. The Dragons have a ton of experience back including two players that are three year starters. If the players and coaches get on the same page, watch out.

TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Stoney Creek: The Cougars will be an interesting team this season. They are well coached by Kellan James but they lack Varsity experience despite having Emily Eckhout and Margaret Angel back but they have a lot of players that have played a ton of basketball in Meghan Solek, Maria St. Louis, Lauren Benetiz, Isabella Ubalydi, and Erin Benetiz. Solek played in one Varsity game last season. The Cougars have a tough non conference schedule especially early with games against Walled Lake Western and Waterford Kettering. The tough non conference schedule will be something and this team will be the team to keep an eye on.

DREAM SCHEDULE: North Farmington: The Raiders will have an interesting non conference when they open up the season with games against Lakeland, Harrison, and Walled Lake Northern. These should be games that North Farmington and coach Jeff Simpson should win. They have two tricky games with West Bloomfield and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep before the Roundball starts in December. It’s important for Simpson and his team take advantage of this non conference schedule. They are in a tough district with the likes of Southfield Arts and Tech, Groves, Farmington, and Farmington Hills Mercy. It will be interesting to see what the Raiders have.

NIGHTMARE SCHEDULE: Stoney Creek: I wonder if coach Kellen James has a great marketing director because his non conference schedule his team has is going to be brutal. Stoney Creek has Waterford Kettering and Walled Lake Western to open up the season, then during Christmas they have Flat Rock in the Roundball, along with trap games with Rochester, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, and Oxford. Not to mention they play Utica later in the season to go along with a tough district with Utica Eisenhower, Rochester, Adams, and Romeo. This could be an interesting December for the Cougars.

TEAM THAT HAS TO PROVE: Orion: The Dragons had a rough season going 8-13 last season and have a new coach in Mike Griffin. This team has some questions heading into the season when it regards to chemistry and building that trust. Orion has a tough non conference schedule with games against Holly, Utica Eisenhower, Romeo, Groves, Seaholm, and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. The Dragons are in a tough district as well with Clarkston, Oxford, Holly, and Brandon. This could be some ride for Orion this season.

TEAM THAT’S IN TROUBLE: Adams: The Highlanders brought back Shay Lewis to coach a team that really under-performed record wise but won a district championship last season under now assistant coach Jackie Steinacker. There are some questions regarding them this season. Adams will be very young and they have an interesting non conference schedule which includes a game with Rochester at Oakland University but they will open up with Farmington Hills Mercy and will play a very good Utica Eisenhower team early as well. The Highlanders non conference really lightens up with Walled Lake Central and Rochester Lutheran Northwest but Oxford and Utica could be trap games. The district is no easy place for Lewis’s team either as they have Romeo, Utica Eisenhower, Stoney Creek, and Rochester. It could be an interesting season for Lewis and Adams.

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH WARRIORS

Last Season: 21-5, 8-0 in Red.

Strengths: Speed, Division One talent.

Weakness: Size and Bench.

The Warriors fresh off a Final Four season in 2016-2017 in their first year as one school will have to do some adjusting in coach Michelle Marshall’s second season. Deja Church graduates as she is now at Michigan. Southfield Arts and Tech has two Division One players waiting in the wings in Alexis Johnson and Cheyenne McEvans. McEvans whom came off surgery will be counted on to provide the scoring from the perimeter while Johnson is an undersized rebounder whom is capable of getting her points. Size will be a question again for the Warriors but the speed makes up for that a lot. Bench play is also a question mark for Marshall’s team. Besides a solid starting lineup that also includes guards Tyler Washington, Shawana Manning, and D’Layna Holloman. They also added a transfer from Detroit Renaissance in Kayonia Willis whom is a true point guard. It’s going to be interesting to see what Southfield Arts and Tech has this season.

CLARKSTON WOLVES

Last Season: 17-6, 5-3 in Red.

Strengths: Size, Solid Starting Lineup.

Weakness: Bench.

The Wolves will have a solid starting lineup this upcoming season. Clarkston will be led by Kayla Luchenbach whom is going to Oakland next season along with Molly Nicholson. Taylor Heaten arrived on the scene last season, especially with her game at home against North Farmington where she shot the winning three to beat the Raiders. Maddie Beck is also back and could be better for coach Christine Rogers and Kianna Aynotte whom is expected to be the top defensive stopper. The Wolves will be very young on the bench even though they will have Ali Buscher and Kelly Cousino back. Rogers will need to improve on the team’s bench production and depth. If she can get that bench production than Clarkston could be a team to keep an eye on.

ORION DRAGONS

Last Season: 8-13, 5-5 in White.

Strengths: Experience.

Weakness: Trust in New Coaching Staff, Experience in the Red, Conditioning, and Size.

The Dragons have their third coach in three years as Mike Griffin takes over the team. Orion will have a ton of experience to work with in Cameron Coltrin, Payton Shadaia, Sydney Strenger, Shannon Falter, Sophie Wyborski, and Sophie Canine returning. The Dragons had a good Junior Varsity team from last season and some of that talent is on the team to go along with two promising freshman and a sophomore. Falter was an all-league player last season. Orion has some questions regarding conditioning and size. Experience can get a team so far but in the last three seasons this team has not fared well against Red teams. Trust and chemistry is another question surrounding the Dragons along with conditioning, which has been a concern for years now surrounding the program. If the players and coaches can buy into the system then this could be a good basketball team despite having a tough non conference schedule and being in a tough district. It will be interesting to see what happens.

NORTH FARMINGTON RAIDERS

Last Season: 16-6, 5-3 in Red.

Strengths: Guards and Strong Post.

Weakness: Wings.

The Raiders are a team to keep an eye on for coach Jeff Simpson. North Farmington has Samantha Cherney coming back. Cherney was an all league from last season along with two guards whom have a ton to prove despite having Varsity experience in Patti Tzoschian and Molly Simpson. Lynn Lerner and Natalie George will also help with Lerner providing Varsity experience in the guard front. Lerner also has football experience as well from playing under coach Bob Cheisa. The Raiders will have to address their issues on the Wings as Kierra Crockett and Sophie Muller has graduated but they did add Khyra King from Harrison to hopefully fill the void there and it's also possible that Simpson could convert one of his guards there, even though they will have Kayla Lawrence and Madison Hoke there as well. He will have options to address the wings position. North Farmington's non conference could be interesting for Simpson but the league makes up for it and they are in a tough district as well. It could be very interesting to see what happens with the Raiders this season.

STONEY CREEK COUGARS

Last Season 9-12, 2-6 in Red.

Strengths: Mental Toughness.

Weakness: Lack of Varsity Experience.

The Stoney Creek Cougars return one starter from a team that was just injury riddled last season despite winning nine games. Emily Eckhout returns and coach Kellen James will have some very young players that will need to gain Varsity experience really quick. Stoney Creek have a ton of guards to rely on led by Meghan Solek. Solek played one Varsity game last season will have a full season to be on Varsity. Margaret Angel will be counted on to do more as well to lead a somewhat young but talented team. The Cougars guards besides Eckhout and Solek will have Lily DiPanni to go along with the two guards along with Serfiana Kamp and Paige Seidell. Stoney Creek's interior will be very young led by Lauren Benítez and Isabella Ubaydi but there is some talent waiting in the wings in Erin Benítez and Maria St. Louis that will push for some playing time as well. The Cougars will have a tough non conference schedule and a tough district but don’t say that to James. Expect Stoney Creek to be in the mix.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS BLACKHAWKS

Last Season: 20-2, 10-0 in White.

Strength: Guards.

Weakness: Post and Depth.

The Blackhawks moved up from the White to the Red but they will have to make some changes to their lineup this season. Gone are Kathrine Prinna, Amanda Sape, and Victorie Franklin but Bloomfield Hills has some talent returning for coach Jeff Rubin in the form of Immani Wright, Becca Hancock, Maryiam Hashim. The Blackhawks will hope that Jordan Banks and Hancock will help inside with the loss of Sape and Franklin. Nyvia Lyles will also help in the mix from the guard spot with Wright and Hashim. Depth will be a concern as well as Bloomfield Hills has to replace a ton of key players from last season. The schedule is tough along with the district but expect Rubin’s bunch to be in the mix once the postseason comes.

ADAMS HIGHLANDERS

Last Season: 8-15, 0-8 in Red.

Strengths: Guards.

Weakness: Inside and Turmoil.

The Highlanders made some changes in the offseason. Adams brought back Shay Lewis to coach their team despite assistant Jackie Steinacker was the coach that led them to a district title. Adams returns some players in Grace Van Pelt and MaKayla Smith along with three sophomores who have Varsity experience in Amelia Drahnak, Emanuela Gjokaj, and Nicole Claerhout. The Highlanders have some questions regarding their interior and they have to replace some key girls whom were huge in Maggie Rogers last season. It could be an interesting season for Lewis and Adams if they are on the same page.

White

INSIGHT: This will be an interesting division to keep an eye on in a league that features three new coaches in this division. This division looks to be a two team race between Groves and Royal Oak but there are others that could play spoiler. Groves will be talented once again even though they have a new coach. Royal Oak returns the balk of their team that won double digit games last season. Groves comes up from the Gold while Troy, Troy Athens, Rochester, and Seaholm come up from the Blue. West Bloomfield will have speed and quickness under a new coach but size is a concern. Rochester should be better under a new but a very proven coaching staff. Oxford should be competitive as well. Seaholm will be very young but hardworking and will be competitive. Troy is a mystery team but they are always scrappy and will be tough to watch this season. Troy Athens could surprise some folks this season. This looks to be an interesting league to keep an eye on.

FAVORITE: Royal Oak: The Ravens have two very good players coming back and could very well make that next step which is win an upper division and win a district title. Royal Oak coach Brian Sopota has a tough non conference schedule but is goals and expectations are very high this season and could very well be this season.

NEXT BEST: Groves: The Falcons are an interesting team here for coach Jessica Wiesler whom is back in the OAA after spending last season as an assistant at Grosse Pointe South and three seasons at Hazel Park. Groves has talent back led by Shea Carter and crew. The Falcons could make some noise in this division as well. Groves will be a player for sure.

DARK HORSE: West Bloomfield: The Lakers have a new coach in Bert Mosley and he has a ton of talent to work with including a solid Junior Varsity team from last season. The concern will be in the interior and depth, especially inside the paint. West Bloomfield will be a team that will give the league fits and they have a tough non league schedule. The Lakers could be a team that could surprise some folks this season.

WILDCARD: Oxford: The Wildcats have a ton of experience coming back which will help a lot for second year coach Rachel Bryer. The key will be is that can they stay healthy all season, if so Oxford could be a team that gives people fits. The Wildcats are a program on the rise after a tough season last year. Oxford could be in line for a bounce back season.

TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Troy: The Colts are in an interesting spot this season, something they haven’t had in a while. There is been some hype surrounding Troy with the talent they have back but the bench will be a concern. The Colts have a lot of winnable games in the non conference which will help them. It wouldn’t surprise anyone that Troy could have double digit wins this season.

DREAM SCHEDULE: Troy Athens: The Red Hawks non conference is really friendly when you look at the schedule. Troy Athens opens up with Pontiac Academy of Excellence and then play Berkley, Farmington, and Oak Park. The Red Hawks should be 4-0 heading into the Romulus and West Bloomfield games. They have one more non league game against Chippewa Valley. I can see a 5-2 non league record for coach Stacie Klump’s team here.

NIGHTMARE SCHEDULE: Royal Oak: The Ravens will have an experienced team coming back and the schedule will prove that. What will help Royal Oak is that they play Birmingham Marian, a team in their district in February. They will have games against Bloomfield Hills, Walled Lake Northern, and Clarkston. The Ravens will be solid this season in the White and the schedule proves why they are one of the top teams in the league.

TEAM THAT HAS TO PROVE: Oxford: The Wildcats are in year two under coach Rachel Bryer really want to prove that last season’s 8-13 record was a start of something special at Oxford. The non conference slate is interesting with games against Orion, Lapeer, Almont, Stoney Creek, Adams, and River Rouge. The Wildcats are in a tough but manageable league as well even though their district will be tough with Orion, Holly, and Clarkston in there. What helps is that they have had a ton of successful Freshman classes coming into the program to go with a blend of veteran experience. The future looks bright in Oxford.

TEAM THAT’S IN TROUBLE: Seaholm: The Maples may not have the talent that they used to have but the effort and work ethic will be there for the team. Seaholm will open up with a tough matchup against Warren Cousino and future Clemson sharpshooter Kate McArthur. Then it’s Plymouth Salem the next game, then its Waterford Mott and Orion before league play starts. The Maples are in some trouble this season.

ROYAL OAK RAVENS

Last Season: 13-8, 7-3 in White.

Strengths: Experience and Size.

Weakness: Guards.

The Ravens are one of the favorites to keep an eye on this season. Coach Brian Sopota brings a loaded team to the fold. Royal Oak will be led by their two forwards in Jessica Adams and Samantha Potter. Potter and Adams are three year starters and they bring size to the fold along with Claire Kochinski at Center. The question for the Ravens will be guard play, they have some solid guards like June Donnellon but are proven enough especially against tough competition for example a team like Birmingham Marian or Clarkston. Royal Oak has a tough non conference schedule and will be in a tough district. The Ravens will be a player this upcoming season in the White.

GROVES FALCONS

Last Season: 18-3, 10-0 in Gold.

Strengths: Athleticism

Weakness: Trust in new Coaching Staff and Adjustment period.

The Falcons had a tough offseason from last season when then coach Amos Thompson stepped down. Groves has a new coach in Jessica Wiesler. Wiesler comes over from Grosse Pointe South where she was an assistant coach but she’s no stranger to the OAA. Wiesler coached at Hazel Park from 2013-2016 but the talent will be different than what she was with the Vikings. Wiesler will have Shea Carter, Lauren Palmer, Kayla Nelson, Emilie Fox, Emilie Felax, Ellie Ruprich, Jasmine Worthy, and Sydney Patton returning from an 18 win team last season. Carter, Nelson, and Palmer are Groves top three players this upcoming season along with Fox, Worthy, Felax, Ruprich, and Patton to contribute as well this season despite moving up two divisions. The Falcons have a tough non conference schedule and is in a very tough district. I don’t think Groves will win 18 games like they did but they will be a major player this season in the White.

WEST BLOOMFIELD LAKERS

Last Season: 6-15, 2-8 in White.

Strengths: Athletic and Quick.

Weakness: Size.

The Lakers will have a new coach this seasom in Bert Mosley whom takes over for Zach Hilbers. West Bloomfield has been affected with the loss of Jamila Elam whom transferred out of district and with graduation losses as well. The Lakers will be led by forwards Destiny Monroe, Elie Sovernisky, along with guard Mya Bobo. The Junior Varsity team from last season was very successful under Mosley and most of them will be up on Varsity. West Bloomfield has had a successful offseason and under Mosley. Expect them to use their speed as a strength to overcome their major concern which will be in the paint with the team’s lack of size. The Lakers are a team to keep an eye on this season.

OXFORD WILDCATS

Last Season: 8-13, 4-6 in White.

Strengths: Guards and Interior.

Weakness: Scoring.

The Wildcats had a rough season under first year coach Rachel Bryer only winning eight games. Now in her second year, Bryer whom took over for Steve Emert will look to get Oxford playing her style of play. The Wildcats will have Ashley Herschman leading the guards crew. She was missed in their game with Clarkston in their loss in the district last season due to an injury. Olivia Clark and Kaitlyn Bean returns as well to stabilize the guards along with Mackenzie Methner, Gabby Dinges, Sarah Tyrrell, Emma VanLoon, and Elsa Clark. The interior will be a strength for Bryer’s team led by Lauren Menther, Aleah Diamond, Anna Raab, Lila Haddan, and Darian Graves. The question for Bryer’s team will be scoring as the Wildcats lost Madeline Morris and Monae Evans to graduation. Oxford had a good Junior Varsity team last season so all hope is not lost. The Wildcats non conference is interesting at best and they are in a tough district as well. Wins will be very important for Oxford to get this season. This will be a team to keep an eye on, the Wildcats could make some noise under Bryer.

TROY COLTS

Last Season: 7-15, 4-6 in Blue.

Strengths: Experience.

Weakness: Shooting and Bench.

The Colts come up from the Blue to the White despite winning seven games last season but they did get some postseason success with their upset win over Avondale in the pre-district at home. Troy hopes to continue riding that momentum heading into this season despite losing Megan Lenihan and Shannon Lin to graduation last season. Danica Murray and Emily Olson returns to lead the guards. The Colts interior game should be their strength this season, led by Nisha Barganov, Jessica Chen, and Athena Sampson for coach Simon Bato. Bench production and shooting will be Troy’s biggest concern despite having a strong interior presence this season. The Colts besides Murray, Chen, Olson, and Sampson will need their teammates to contribute especially in their projected weaker areas. Troy has a somewhat favorable non conference schedule where they can get wins but a tough district will make up for the non conference schedule. The Colts could get double digit wins this season.

ROCHESTER FALCONS

Last Season: 3-18, 2-8 in Blue.

Strengths: Coaching.

Weakness: Unproven Players and Trust in Coaching Staff.

The Falcons will have a new coaching staff in Al Poynter taking over the program. Poynter brings a ton of coaching experience from his coaching days at Oxford. He replaces Adam Sheldon from a team that was in complete turmoil last season, only winning three games. Rochester returns Jenna Norgrove, Paola Barraza, and Tori Hawkins from that team that has been through a lot of turmoil. Poynter has a strong staff coming into the Falcons program. Jeff Haney returns to coach the Junior Varsity program after spending a few seasons working with the Boys Basketball program to go along with Hal Commerson in the Freshman program. Rochester has proven coaches that have won games and could very well make a strong improvement this season. Now the pressure is on the players now to deliver. The Falcons are a sleeper team to keep an eye on.

SEAHOLM MAPLES

Last Season: 9-12, 8-2 in Blue.

Strengths: Work Ethic.

Weakness: Inexperience playing at the Varsity level.

The Maples lost a ton of talent from last season’s team that won nine games, eight of them in league along with upsetting Groves in the pre-district. Seaholm lost Dana Hoerman, Wendy Wilkerson, and Mackenzie Harbort to graduation. The Maples have some players retuning for coach January Hlauski in Audrey Anton, Riley Annear, and Caroline Wineman. Seaholm has a tough non conference schedule and a very tough district. The Maples did have a good Junior Varsity team from last season, which will help a lot but are they ready to compete at the Varsity level, that will be the question. It will be a challenge for Hlauski and her team this season in the White where the competition will be better to go along with the challenges that they will see as well. We shall see what Seaholm has to offer this season.

TROY ATHENS RED HAWKS

Last Season: 11-9, 7-3 in Blue.

Strengths: Balance.

Weakness: Depth and Schedule.

The Red Hawks could be an interesting team this season, even though this team won 11 games last season. Troy Athens will be led by the Crum sisters in Maddie and Isabelle Crum. Julia Lauer will also be back as well and could play anywhere on the court. Maddie will be in the post while Isabelle will be a guard. The Red Hawks also have another set of sisters as well in Grace and Abby Bright. Both Bright sisters are guards and are twins for Troy Athens. The Red Hawks have some questions for coach Stacie Klumpp in their depth and balance along with their non conference schedule. The non conference schedule is very favorable for Troy Athens that double digit wins is likely for this team but once division play starts then it could be very challenging for wins. The Red Hawks need to address some things heading into the season. They are also in a tough district as well. It could be a challenging season for Troy Athens.

Blue

INSIGHT: This division features a team that moved down a division to go with a solid blend of teams that could make some noise along with three new coaches in the division. The favorite has to be Avondale with the talent they have coming back from injuries. Farmington got two players from Harrison which should contribute right away. Berkley has a solid player to go along with a new coach. Pontiac has an experienced team back. Oak Park dropped down from the White and has the talent to compete but size and depth will be a major concern. Hazel Park will be very experienced with a new coach. Ferndale will be young again this season. This will be an interesting division to watch.

FAVORITE: Avondale: The Yellow Jackets shockingly stayed in this division after winning 14 games last season. Avondale returns a ton of talent from a team that was injury riddled last season in coach Phil Dawson’s first season. The Yellow Jackets have a favorable non conference schedule even though there are some tricky games in there. There will be no reason why Avondale won’t be able to win more than 14 games this season.

NEXT BEST: Farmington: The Falcons might have been the biggest beneficiary to Harrison’s shocking decision not to have a Girls Basketball team. First year coach Laura Guzman will have two of the three top Hawks from last season on her team. Farmington might have an Avondale like improvement which will be huge for a team that has struggled to find consistency. Maybe this could be the team to do it with.

DARK HORSE: Berkley: The Bears have a new coach and a returning star in the making but looking at the league Berkley could make some noise in this division if healthy and motivated. The Bears have the talent and athleticism to compete with anyone but the question will be the coaching transition. If everyone is on the same page then Berkley could be a player and could possibly threaten for a division title this season.

WILDCARD: Oak Park: The Knights have the talent to compete but depth will be a question for Oak Park. The Knights will certainly have the guards but if they address the forward spots then they could be a wildcard in this division. It will be interesting to see how Oak Park competes in this division.

TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Hazel Park: The Vikings have the talent to compete in this league but the stability in the coaching ranks is the question mark as this will be the third coach in three years. Hazel Park won 13 games last season and the thought process surrounding the team would be is to make that next step. It’s possible they can do that under first year coach Chad Ossman. The Vikings will be a team to keep an eye on this season.

DREAM SCHEDULE: Hazel Park: New coach Chad Ossman will have a ton of experience returning and a non conference schedule that is very friendly. The Vikings have non conference games with Madison Heights Lamphere, Eastpointe (twice), Armada, Mount Clemens, Hamtramck, and Walled Lake Central. I think the Walled Lake Central and Armada games will be tricky games for Hazel Park but if Ossman wants to see progress, this is a good place to start.

NIGHTMARE SCHEDULE: Pontiac: I hate to say this but coach Christopher Wright’s team does not have an easy schedule when looking at the Phoenix’s schedule. Pontiac will be talented but depth remains a major concern surrounding this team. The Phoenix have to play Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, along with two games in the Motor City Roundball Classic. That’s not even mentioning the district in which they are at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and could play the Irish again. That’s not an easy slate.

TEAM THAT HAS TO PROVE: Farmington: The Falcons have their third coach in three years in Laura Guzman. Farmington added some talent with Harrison not fielding a team this season. The addition of talent means that the schedule will get tougher. Farmington has Bloomfield Hills, Milford, and Troy on the slate. The Falcons have had issues with St. Catherine of Sienna Academy lately, losing two of the last three games to them. The district is not going to be pretty either with Farmington Hills Mercy, Southfield Arts and Tech, Groves, and North Farmington in there. This team might need to grow and develop quick, the schedule gave them no favors.

TEAM THAT’S IN TROUBLE: Oak Park: The Knights have some major concerns when it comes to depth. The non conference schedule will help Oak Park out big time with games against Pontiac Academy of Excellence, Ferndale University, Troy Athens, and Dearborn Robichaud but once they get into league play then it could be an issue going forward. They have a tough district as well with Hazel Park, Detroit Renaissance, Berkley, and Warren Fitzgerald in there. It could be a long season in Knight Valley.

AVONDALE YELLOW JACKETS

Last Season 14-7, 6-4 in Blue.

Strengths: Have all the tools.

Weakness: Clean Bill of Health and Depth.

The Yellow Jackets won 14 games last season under coach Phil Dawson and they return a ton of talent. However, injuries, did them in last season. Avondale will return Toya Golden and Grace Scherwin whom will both provide a ton of experience. The Yellow Jackets hope to get a full season from Olivia Russell. Russell re-injured her ACL and had to get surgery last season but when healthy she is a difference maker. Keiori Lee also returns for Dawson’s team. Lee was the team’s leading scorer when Russell got hurt but with everyone healthy they will have options. Avondale got stronger in the offseason with the addition of Keziah Buggs who comes from Orion. If Dawson’s team stays healthy then there is no reason why the Yellow Jackets can do damage in this division and also in the district as well.

FARMINGTON FALCONS

Last Season 5-16, 4-6 in Gold.

Strengths: Experience.

Weakness: Depth and Mental Mindset.

The Falcons were the most benefited with Harrison not fielding a team this season. Farmington added two proven players in Olivia Perkins and Nevada Hargress. Both players came over from Harrison. The Falcons will also have MaKayla Martin, Iasia Rimson, Cecelia Norris, and Abby Smentowski that return as well for first year coach Laura Guzman whom takes over for Kayla Womback. Guzman knows the OAA well with being at Rochester. Farmington will be a contender for a Blue title this season thanks to not only the additions of Perkins and Hargress but the experience that the team has coming back. The Falcons concern should be depth after winning five games last season, they have the athletes but the question is the mental mindset of the team. Farmington is in a tough district but they could a sleeper in the Blue this season.

BERKLEY BEARS

Last Season 17-5, 8-2 in Gold.

Strengths: Guard Play.

Weakness: Non Conference Slate and Adjustment Period.

The Bears will be a different team this upcoming season. They have a new coach in Kirk Carolan after winning 17 games last season under former coach Jordan Gruppen. The talent pool is far from bare at Berkley. They will have Olivia DeCarlo, Marshaya Denham, Emily Flannery, and Savanna Casida all coming back from that 17 win team. The Bears will have some young players coming up from the Junior Varsity which Carolan coached under Gruppen, especially in the interior. This could be an interesting transition for Berkley with how the upper classmen will adapt to Carolan. The Bears non conference schedule is very manageable but they are in a tough district. Berkley need wins, which is understandable but they need to toughen up the schedule if they want to compete against the like of Detroit Renaissance and get their program stronger.

HAZEL PARK VIKINGS

Last Season 13-10, 5-5 in Gold.

Strengths: Experience.

Weakness: Adjustment Period to a New Coach.

The Vikings have a new coach coming into the program after losing in the district final to Detroit Mumford last season. Hazel Park coach Chris Stroud stepped down a few weeks before the season started. Chad Ossman has taken over after spending a few seasons at Macomb Christian. Ossman takes over a team that moved up from Class B to Class A. The schedule is favorable with the non conference not being the strongest. Hazel Park returns a boatload of experience with ten seniors led by Catera Clark, Trinity Benton, and Liz Sternor, along with one junior and a sophomore. The Vikings will have to address some things and go through another coaching transition. Winning 13 games was huge for this program last season but questions remain like is this team ready to take the next step. There has been talk about this team possibly being a division contender, it’s possible but for Ossman and his team, they need to take things one step at a time.

OAK PARK KNIGHTS

Last Season 5-16, 3-7 in Blue.

Strengths: Guard Play.

Weakness: Post and Depth.

The Knights will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this season. The alignment changed to three divisions which means that it is possible that Oak Park could have a bounce back season in 2017-2018. The Knights won just five games last season, so they would like to get more wins this season. Oak Park will have two players returning in Ariel Kennedy and Kiya Wilson. Wilson was a scoring machine last season but did not get a lot of help and Wilson might have to be that same scoring machine she was last season. Depth is a major question for the Knights, it’s something that they need to address and quick. Oak Park is in a tough district at Detroit Renaissance. The Knights could be a contender for the Blue title but they need to get good play out of the interior and help out Wilson and Kennedy. Oak Park should be better this season.

PONTIAC PHOENIX

Last Season 7-14, 3-7 in Gold.

Strengths: Experience.

Weakness: Depth and Balance.

The Phoenix will be looking to build on what they did last season. They have a solid player returning in Brala Benton for coach Christopher Wright. Pontiac has improved each season. They will rely on Benton. Za’Kariya Brown, Josephine Lofton, Tarell Rogers, JaZire Rouser, Taleah Washington, Tywanna Peoples, and Nashlasha McDonald to carry the Phoenix this season. Pontiac had a young team last season from a team that won seven games. The Phoenix could be a team that makes some noise not only in the Blue but in the district despite moving down from Class A to Class B this season.

FERNDALE EAGLES

Last Season: 5-16, 0-10 in Gold.

Strength: Experience.

Weakness: Program Strength.

The Eagles struggled in league play but they do return a ton of experience back for a team that has gone 9-49 in the last three seasons. Ferndale should be senior heavy this season under new coach Christina Nagle. The Eagles have to rely on Ronyae Lynn and Ma'yoa Patmon to carry the team along with Keneisha Williams and Kyra Newman as well. Ferndale has a lot of work to do this season and try to change the culture surrounding this team.