Top Ten Wrestling, Boys, and Girls Basketball Ranks.

Written Sunday December 17th at 11:00 AM

Here are the top ten Wrestling, Boys, and Girls Basketball ranks in the month of December heading toward Christmas.

Girls

1. Clarkston (3-1): The Wolves pulled off a comeback win against Groves last week but Clarkston has size and athleticism to match up with anyone. Since the loss to Ypsilanti Arbor Prep, the Wolves had three big wins against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Groves, and Royal Oak. We will know a lot about Clarkston on Friday when Southfield Arts and Tech comes a calling.

2. Groves (3-1): The Falcons have turned things around under coach Jessica Wiesler and have gotten big wins over Orion, Berkley, and Avondale. Groves is athletic, balanced, and experienced. The Falcons have a bright future as well. Groves plays Royal Oak on Tuesday and Seaholm on Thursday to go along with a game on December 28^th against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. The Falcons looking solid right now.

3. Royal Oak (4-1): The Ravens have had a strong start to their season with probably their best win being against Bloomfield Hills and their only loss was to Clarkston. Royal Oak will have a big one on Tuesday when they host Groves and then close the year with a trip to Rochester. The Ravens right now under coach Brian Sopota have things rolling along.

4. Southfield Arts and Tech (0-4): The Warriors start is mind boggling with all the talent they have on that team. Maybe it’s time to question coach Michelle Marshall on why she booked a tough non conference schedule. Southfield Arts and Tech should get their first win this week when they play Adams.

5. North Farmington (4-0): The Raiders may be unbeaten but they haven’t been battle tested until they played Stoney Creek last week. North Farmington has rode Samantha Cherney whom has had triple doubles on multiple occasions and a defense that likes to steal the ball a ton. Coach Jeff Simpson’s team should be tested on Tuesday when Orion visits and they go to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep whom will likely be without it’s top player Celia Gaynor.

6. Orion (3-2): The Dragons picked up two big wins over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Seaholm on the road but it came at a price. It will be interesting to see what coach Mike Griffin does with the lineup and it will be challenging for Orion when they have to go to North Farmington on Tuesday and Romeo on Thursday. If there is any team that has been through a lot it is the Dragons. They have seen it all throughout the years.

7. Avondale (2-1): The Yellow Jackets have bounced back from a tough loss to Groves with a blowout of Rochester Lutheran Northwest. Avondale will be tested on Tuesday at Farmington and then they will play Berkley to close out the year. The Yellow Jackets under coach Phil Dawson has turned this thing around.

8. Farmington (3-1): The Falcons may have not had a game last week but the start they have had is still a surprise considering where they were last season. We will know a lot about Farmington when they host Avondale on Tuesday but right now the Falcons are riding high with a ton of confidence under first year coach Laura Guzman.

9. Oxford (3-1): The Wildcats have been winning games ugly including an upset win over Stoney Creek to go along with wins against Adams and Lapeer where they won those games by a combined 14 points. Oxford’s only loss was against River Rouge where they played well in that game. Coach Rachel Bryer has this team headed in the right direction.

10. Stoney Creek (1-4): Wonder if Cougars coach Kellen James has called Paul Finebalm yet??? Stoney Creek is off to a tough start but once they get things figured out the Cougars will be a fine basketball team. They have a tough game on Tuesday with Clarkston before getting a much-needed break before Flat Rock next week. Long term the Cougars are fine.

Boys

1. Clarkston (4-0): The Wolves put two blowouts in order this week against Orion and Sterling Heights Stevenson. Coach Dan Fife has done a good job keeping the off-court situation off from the Thomas Kithier situation off from the team. Clarkston is proving why they are the defending State Champs.

2. Hazel Park (2-0): The Vikings have been rolling against teams with the name “Detroit” on them. Hazel Park went into Detroit University Detroit Jesuit and beat the Cubs. It could be possible that those two teams will rematch at Detroit Renaissance in the districts and they beat a very good Detroit East English team as well. Coach Brendan Barrett has this team that has a ton of senior leadership riding high.

3. West Bloomfield (0-2): The Lakers have played two tough games, one resulted in a buzzer beating loss to Detroit Henry Ford and the other was to Warren De LaSalle. West Bloomfield will have another tough one on Tuesday with River Rouge before resting for 10 days before facing St. Clair on December 29^th. The Lakers and coach Jeremy Dehna are fine right now.

4. Troy (3-0): The Colts had a tough week but got through it with big road wins over Troy Athens and Novi. Troy has to play Ferndale on Tuesday however they will be tested against Canton on December 28^th. It will be interesting to see what coach Gary Fralick has but right now he has his team heading in the right direction despite having internal issues in house.

5. Orion (2-1): The Dragons had a tough loss to Clarkston last week but they should be fine after two big wins two weeks ago against Oxford and Avondale. They have two interesting games this week with Davison at home and Romeo on the road. Orion should be fine going forward.

6. Troy Athens (2-1): The Red Hawks came off a tough loss to their arch rival Troy at home last week will have an opportunity to bounce back against Pontiac Academy of Excellence on Wednesday. Troy Athens is experienced and before the loss to the Colts have beaten Utica Eisenhower and Mount Clemens. It will be interesting for coach Dave Scott, he should win against Pontiac Academy of Excellence but the bigger test awaits when they play Grand Rapids Union on December 27^th.

7. Stoney Creek (0-1): The Cougars couldn’t play Lansing Everett due to the weather but they are still stinging from their upset loss to Rochester two weeks ago. Stoney Creek should win over Utica Ford on Monday but a tougher test awaits on Saturday at Corunna when they play Detroit Loyola. The Cougars have to get other players going if they want to be successful.

8. Farmington (1-0): The Falcons have not played a game in two weeks but they will get back into action when they play a bad Sterling Heights Parkway Christian team at Corunna on Saturday. Farmington will be an interesting team to keep an eye on since their win over Walled Lake Central in overtime. Coach Terrance Porter should have his team ready for this week’s game.

9. Rochester (3-1): Besides a horrible loss to Warren De LaSalle, the Falcons have rode their experience on their way to a strong start with wins over Fraser, Detroit University Prep, along with an upset win over Stoney Creek. Coach Van Kirkwood has this team heading in the right direction.

10. Oak Park (1-1): The Knights have had an interesting week with a win over Detroit Cody but a tough loss to Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Oak Park is showing people why they are one of the favorites in the White this season.

Wrestling

1. Oxford:  The Wildcats won the Oakland County meet but haven’t been impressive outside the County which is a major concern heading into the season and especially in the postseason.

2. Clarkston: The Wolves seem to have turned things around from a second place finish in the Oakland County meet. Clarkston will be a dangerous team this season.

3. Orion: The Dragons have the experience to make a run this upcoming postseason.

4. Southfield Arts and Tech:  The Warriors could be the best team in southern Oakland County this season.

5. Rochester: The Falcons are always well coached under Eric Vernon. Could Rochester make that next step up???

6. Adams: The Highlanders will always be a threat in the inner circle no doubt about that.

7. Stoney Creek: The Cougars are rebuilding a bit but they still get wrestlers to wrestle for them and they are in the wrestling rich city of Rochester as well.

8. Troy: The Colts have a ton of experience back, wonder if they could make that next up???

9. Avondale: The Yellow Jackets have the talent to do very well in the White this season but the question will be is can they sustain it???

10. Seaholm: Could the Maples have a repeat performance from last season when they got to the district finals??? it’s possible.