Written Tuesday May 8th at 9:30 PM
Updated Saturday June 2nd at 10:40 AM
The Lakes Valley Conference and the OAA are setting up what will be an interesting two days in December in the Girls Basketball ranks in the first ever Lakes Valley/OAA challenge.
The first games will take place at the OAA sites on Friday and the Saturday games will take place at Walled Lake Northern.
Here are the games and the early thoughts. The Soundcloud from the podcast will be released later this week.
Stoney Creek-December 14th
Milford vs TROY ATHENS- 5:30 PM
The Red Hawks will have a ton of experience returning led by Isabelle Crumm, Grace Bright, Abby Bright, Hunter Garrett, Shayna Landess, Emma Wodwalski, Clare Shoales, and Nina Mazzenga for coach Stacie Klumpp but an interesting matchup looms with an Mavericks team coached by former Farmington coach Dave Browne. Troy Athens will have a ton of experience heading into this matchup with a very young Milford team. The early edge has to go with the Red Hawks.
Waterford Kettering vs STONEY CREEK- 7 PM
The second game will feature an interesting matchup between Stoney Creek and Waterford Kettering. The Cougars will have three very talented players in Emily Echout, Lily DiPani, and Meghan Solek for coach Kellen James. The Captains will be under new management as coach Scott Woodhull has retired according to his Facebook and sources. The interior could be a trouble spot going up against the "Defense Department" for Stoney Creek despite having home court. Waterford Kettering returns Ashley Watson, Irene Schoof, Biana Kaiser,Izzy Dugal, Kate Frazier, and Claire Barghahn, among others. I feel bad for "Team Finebaum" but got to favor the Captains because of one word EXPERIENCE even though Woodhull is no longer there.
North Farmington-December 14th
Walled Lake Central vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS- 5:30 PM
This matchup could be interesting between the Blackhawks and Vikings in the small gym of North Farmington. Walled Lake Central returns nine players that saw a ton of talent that went 16-7 last season. The Vikings are led by Rizaria Franklin and Olivia Emert. Bloomfield Hills is a well coached team under the tutelage of Jeff Rubin. The Blackhawks are led by Maryiam Hashim, Grace Getz, and Jordan Banks but losing Rebecca Hancock to graduation will hurt this team. If Bloomfield Hills can't shoot threes in this one then they are in big trouble against Walled Lake Central whom for some reason is a mire image of the Blackhawks.
South Lyon East vs NORTH FARMINGTON- 7 PM
The Raiders will be a different team next season without Samantha Cherney but Molly Simpson and Maya Kelly return for North Farmington. They will be tested against a Cougars team that went 14-7 last season and returns eight of their ten players from that team. Raiders coach Jeff Simpson will need to solve his interior issues against an experience South Lyon East team on it's home court. It's an interesting matchup but early indications favor the Cougars.
Walled Lake Northern-December 15th
HAZEL PARK vs Lakeland- 11 AM
This is a matchup of two teams rebuilding teams. The Vikings are replacing everyone from a team that had an up and down season and will have two returning players for coach Chad Ossman. The Eagles went winless (0-21) returns eight players and have a new coach. Early indications in this matchup favors Lakeland slightly.
FARMINGTON vs South Lyon- 1 PM
This will be an interesting matchup for coach Laura Guzman going up against a Lions team that features all around standout Chloe Grimes. The Falcons return three top girls led by Iasia Rimpson, Celicia Norris, and Hailey Walker. Farmington will be replacing a ton of talent but South Lyon will also be replacing a lot as well. Early favorite has to be the Lions because of Grimes.
ADAMS vs Waterford Mott- 3 PM
This could be an interesting matchup between two well known coaches in Shay Lewis and Michelle Sklar. The Highlanders return Grace Van Pelt, Lauren Petersmark, Maggie Dolenga, and Amelia Drahank but the inside game will concern me against the Corsairs because Waterford Mott will have Mikayla Proctur and Abby Upledger whom are over 5.9. It will be whomever uses their advantage with the Corsairs in the post while Adams with their guards. Early advantage favors the Highlanders.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Walled Lake Northern- 5 PM
The Lakers returns everybody from their lineup led by Destiny Monroe, Toni Brooks, Mya Bobo, among others for coach Bert Mosley. They will be taking on the hosts the Knights of Walled Lake Northern. The Knights only have six players back from their team but West Bloomfield has history playing at Walled Lake Northern to which they lost three years ago in the district playoffs. I think the Lakers will get their revenge this time around.
CLARKSTON vs Walled Lake Western- 7 PM
I'm surprised that this game is the final game of the night and not West Bloomfield vs Walled Lake Northern but that's beside the point. Anyway you have two teams that could make some noise next season. The Wolves lost a ton from a team that went to the State Quarterfinals a season ago but they will have one starter back in Taylor Heaton along with newcomers Kaitlyn Kahl, Lexi Linton, and Piper Bosart. Clarkston will have a new coach in John Weyer as he takes over the team for Christine Rogers. The Warriors return the majority of their team (nine players) that lost to a very good Hartland team in the regional finals for coach Steve Emert. Walled Lake Western is led by Jenna Galecki, Sarah Rachiele, and Kaliee Ford. This one could have disaster written all over it for the Wolves.
These are the early season thoughts and matchups. Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on these matchups.
Here is the Soundcloud from my podcast.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-050818
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