Here are my storylines and input heading into the Boys Basketball districts heading into next week. Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on the previews.
District 6 at Lake Orion
OXFORD vs.
Romeo
ADAMS vs.
CLARKSTON
OXFORD/Romeo
vs. Waterford Kettering
ADAMS/CLARKSTON
vs. LAKE ORION
FAVORITE:
Clarkston
NEXT: Lake
Orion
DARKHORSE:
Adams
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Gunner Walters-Adams
Top
Storylines:
Is Clarkston
back???
The Wolves
have surprised everyone starting of 0-2 but have turned the corner winning 17
straight games on route to the Red crown. Clarkston has done it with a young
core in Fletcher Loyer, Keegan Waslik, and Matt Nicholson but the playoffs are
a different animal even though most of the Wolves on the team has experience
being there (winning two State crowns), playing though is a different animal.
That is something that should test Clarkston in the postseason.
Can Adams do
it again???
The
Highlanders last season won a district title with a young team and has gotten
better this season with the arrival of Gunner Walters. Adams started the season
at 0-2 but took home the White crown going 17-1 the rest of the way finishing
with a 17-3 record. I wonder if they are in the right district with their city
rivals (Rochester and Stoney Creek) going east into Macomb County. Coach Brad
Crighton will have a challenge ahead of them as they play Clarkston first and
if they can pull of the upset then they will have to face the hosts in Lake
Orion which beat them at Adams early in the season. The Highlanders should come
into this district with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Where will
Oxford be at???
The Wildcats
have had a successful season winning the Blue crown and going 19-1 which is
their best overall record in school history. Oxford has wins over Pontiac, Lake
Orion, and Ferndale. The Wildcats have a tough pre district matchup with Romeo.
The Bulldogs have beaten the Wildcats in the last two meetings they played
including last season at Oxford and have played the likes of Lake Orion, Warren Mott, Utica Eisenhower, and New Haven. If the Wildcats can get by Romeo then they
would play Waterford Kettering whom went 9-11 this season in the district semifinal. Oxford beat the Captains they beaten early in the season before
getting to the district final. Oxford got the best draw and not seeing either
Lake Orion, Clarkston, or Adams until the district final is a bonus.
District
7 at Bloomfield Hills
WEST
BLOOMFIELD vs. AVONDALE
Orchard Lake
St. Marys vs. Waterford Mott
WEST
BLOOMFIELD/AVONDALE vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
FAVORITE:
West Bloomfield
NEXT:
Orchard Lake St. Marys
DARKHORSE:
Bloomfield Hills
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Donovan Moore-West Bloomfield
Top
Storylines:
Moore is a
difference maker.
The Lakers
record is very deceiving but they are better than their record indicates
(finished 8-12.) They went 0-8 without their star player Donovan Moore whom had
an ankle sprain but he is back now and West Bloomfield is 2-0 with him back in
the lineup. Moore gives the Lakers more balance and could be a difference maker
in this district.
Orchard Lake
St Marys looking to defend district crown.
The Eaglets
won the district last season at West Bloomfield but was in the middle of the
pack in the tough Catholic League this season. Orchard Lake St. Marys is led by
Lorne Bowman, Peter Nwoke, and Kareem Rosier. They did get Julian Rosier from
Birmingham Detroit Country Day but it’s likely he won’t play in the tournament.
Home court
could benefit Bloomfield Hills.
The Blackhawks
have home court in this district and a ton of three point shooters in Ben Mutz
and Mason Canfield for coach Phil Kurajian. Bloomfield Hills has won two of
their last three meetings against West Bloomfield and that could be a matchup
pending if the Lakers get by a good Avondale team in the pre-district. The
scenery at Bloomfield Hills could also be an advantage for the Blackhawks with
the glass windows and the pep band
District
18 at Novi
FARMINGTON
vs. Novi
NORTH
FARMINGTON vs. Livonia Stevenson
FARMINGTON/Novi
vs. Novi Detroit Catholic Central
NORTH
FARMINGTON/Livonia Stevenson vs. Northville
FAVORITE:
Novi Detroit Catholic Central
NEXT:
Northville
DARKHORSE:
North Farmington
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Yusif Jihad-North Farmington
Top
Storylines:
North
Farmington and Big Courts.
The Raiders
have had a good season but when they go on the road and get into big courts
they have struggled. North Farmington lost at Clarkston and Lake Orion which
both schools have big and spacy courts. Novi has a big court which could be a problem
for the Raiders. North Farmington will need to overcome their big court
troubles if they want to make a run in the postseason.
Farmington
looks Vulnerable.
The Falcons
have not been themselves lately since losing to Southfield Arts and Tech. They
didn’t look good against Avondale even though they won and Stoney Creek they
had a slow start. Farmington right now looks to be trending with water right
now. Coach Terrance Porter needs to find a way to snap his team out their funk.
Novi Detroit
Catholic Central and Northville look solid.
The
Shamrocks have had a strong first season under coach Brandon Sinawi whom came
over from Novi. Novi Detroit Catholic Central is big up front which could pose
problems for anyone especially with those in this district. Northville has been
battle tested and could pose a big problem to North Farmington if they can get
by Livonia Stevenson. There are a lot of solid teams in this district but the
Shamrocks and Mustangs look to be the top dogs heading into this district.
District
28 at Groves
GROVES vs. Birmingham
Brother Rice
BERKLEY vs.
ROYAL OAK
GROVES/Birmingham
Brother Rice vs. SEAHOLM
FAVORITE:
Birmingham Brother Rice
NEXT: Groves
DARKHORSE:
Berkley
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Jon Brantley-Birmingham Brother Rice
Top
Storylines:
Could this
be Groves time???
The Falcons hired
Benny White to coach this season and he has done beyond that. White has made
Groves competitive in the White and could be one of the favorites to win this
district even though they are prone to buzzer beaters ask Southfield Arts and
Tech and Farmington. The Falcons have been up and down lately but they have
home court which helps them in districts. Groves could make some noise in the
districts but they have to get by a good Birmingham Brother Rice team that has
played a tough schedule.
Birmingham Brother
Rice is the Wildcard.
The Warriors
have had a tough season finishing at 8-12 but they have the talent to win this
district. Birmingham Brother Rice plays in the tough Catholic League with the
likes of Orchard Lake St. Marys, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, and Detroit
University-Detroit Jesuit. Coach Ricky Palmer has this team heading in the
right direction in his first year behind the bench. The Warriors play Groves on
the road first which will be a test. It will be interesting to see which team
responds.
Could
Berkley right the playoff frustration???
The Bears have
had a successful season winning 11 games and getting back to respectability but
the big problem has been their district location where they have went into
Wayne County. Berkley had been in a district that featured the likes of Oak
Park, Detroit Renaissance, and Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit but the MHSAA
in June moved the Bears out of Detroit and more north into a district where
they can compete and possibly win if things fall into place. Coach Joe Sermo’s
team got a great draw playing Royal Oak in the district semifinals whom they
have beaten twice this season. Berkley if they can get by the Ravens they could
be in the district finals. The Bears have a chance to do something special in
the postseason with a golden opportunity to make some noise.
District
25 at Detroit Mumford
OAK PARK vs.
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
SOUTHFIELD
ARTS AND TECH vs. Redford Union
OAK
PARK/Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs. Detroit Renaissance
SOUTHFIELD
ARTS AND TECH/Redford Union vs. Detroit Mumford
FAVORITE:
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
NEXT:
Detroit Renaissance
DARKHORSE:
Southfield Arts and Tech
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Chandler Turner-Detroit Renaissance
Top Storylines:
Detroit
Renaissance has been through a lot.
The Phoenix
have had a turbulent offseason which started with the departure of their coach
Vito Jordan by former Seaholm assistant and current Principal Verynda
Stroughter along with the departure of top player Carrington McCaskill. Detroit
Renaissance replaced Jordan with Mark White but he turned the job down. They
would name John White as their next head coach stabilizing the situation. The
Phoenix this season has played a tough schedule and was in the Detroit Public
School league title game before losing to Detroit Cass Tech. They won 15 games
this season and John White earned the league’s coach of the year and Chandler
Turner was named the league’s player of the year. If Detroit Renaissance can
win this tough district then it could go a long way to start the healing
process that was laid out before the season started.
Oak Park and
Southfield has shots.
The Knights
and Warriors have great shots to make impacts. Oak Park has had to overcome the
loss of Maliq Carr and the distractions they have gone through but they have talent
in Fred Garland, Soloman Johnson, and Devontae Edwards. Southfield Arts and
Tech has had a great first season under coach Daryll Buchanan winning 13 games
and wins over Farmington, Southfield Bradford, Groves, and Detroit Henry Ford.
The Warriors got the best draw getting Redford Union and anytime you have
Cameron McEvans on your team you have a shot to do well.
Detroit
University-Detroit Jesuit favored???
The Cubs
have had a good season with the state’s top ranking and winning the Catholic
League crown says a lot as well. Coach Pat Donnely’s team is loaded with talent
led by Daniel Friday, Caleb Hunter, Jalen Thomas, and J.T Morgan. This district
is a tough to say the least. It won’t be a cakewalk in Detroit for Detroit
University-Detroit Jesuit but it could go a long way if they win this district.
District
29 at Utica
Utica
Eisenhower vs. ROCHESTER
Utica vs.
STONEY CREEK
ROCHESTER/Utica
Eisenhower vs. TROY
FAVORITE:
Troy
NEXT: Stoney
Creek
DARKHORSE:
Utica Eisenhower
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Clay Sebastian-Troy
Top
Storylines:
Can Brody
Parker and Clay Sebastian carry Troy???
The Colts
went 10-10 this season but they have lost five of their last seven games. Troy has
rely on their outside shooting to carry them in games including hitting 14
threes in a win at Lake Orion during the season. Brody Parker has had a ton of
big games including recently scoring 30 against Oak Park. The Colts have Clay
Sebastian which has had his fair share of big games including 27 against
Bloomfield Hills in a loss. If Troy can find a third scorer then coach Gary
Fralick will be dangerous heading into districts.
Utica
Eisenhower will be a tough out.
The Eagles
really struggled last season in the Macomb Area Red division but they stunned
Rochester in the pre-districts last season at Stoney Creek. Utica Eisenhower
this season finished 10-10 but went 2-8 in the Macomb Area Conference Red.
However that won’t matter heading into districts as they have a ton of
experience back which will give teams problems.
Stoney Creek
darkhorse???
The Cougars
have not had the greatest of seasons finishing at 9-11 but they have been in
nearly every game this season. Stoney Creek got a great draw playing a Utica
team that has struggled this season even though they will play a defacto road
game on the small court of Utica High School. The Cougars have some experience
led by Griffin Beears, Trevor Smith, and Alex Reiter. If coach Steve Norgrove’s
team can get to the district finals they could do some damage.
District
30 at Utica Ford
TROY ATHENS
vs. Chippewa Valley
Utica Ford
vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
TROY ATHENS/Chippewa
Valley vs. Sterling Heights
FAVORITE:
Sterling Heights Stevenson
NEXT:
Chippewa Valley
DARKHORSE:
Sterling Heights
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Brandon Michrina-Sterling Heights Stevenson
Top
Storylines:
Can anyone
beat Sterling Heights Stevenson???
The Titans
have had a strong season thus far sharing the Macomb Area Red crown with
Roseville but fell at home to New Haven in the Macomb Area Conference
tournament. Sterling Heights Stevenson whom relies on great shooting has a ton
of senior experience led by Ayhem Hannah, Ray Turner, Jerry Wilson, Ray
Sumpter, and Brandon Michrina. Coach Mark Lacombe’s team won 14 games and has wins
over Clarkston, Ann Arbor Skyline, Roseville, and Macomb Dakota. The Titans should
get to the district final even though they are taking on the hosts in Utica
Ford whom has had a tough season.
How does
Troy Athens matchup in this district???
The Red
Hawks have had a tough season going 3-17 with a ton of youth and inexperience
but probably going east and playing a different brand of basketball could help
coach Dave Scott’s team. Troy Athens pending if they can get by a solid
Chippewa Valley team that won 11 games and Sterling Heights that is red hot
right now. It could be tough sledding for the Red Hawks in this district.
Sterling
Heights darkhorse candidate???
Don’t look
now but coach Mike Griffin has Sterling Heights rolling. The Stallions have won
seven of their last ten games which could be a very good omen of things to come
for his young team. Griffin’s 2-3 zone is hard to play against and they like
low scoring games looking at the stats. Griffin is known to the OAA coaching
Girls Basketball at Lake Orion last season. It will be interesting to see if
Sterling Heights is a darkhorse.
District
61 at Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Clawson vs. Bloomfield
Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
PONTIAC vs. Pontiac
Notre Dame Prep
Clawson/Bloomfield
Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs. Birmingham Detroit Country Day
PONTIAC/Pontiac
Notre Dame Prep vs. HARRISON
FAVORITE:
Pontiac
NEXT:
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
DARKHORSE:
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Jack Hannon-Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.
Top
Storylines:
Could this
be Pontiac’s time???
The Phoenix
whom is veteran laden (ten seniors) has a great shot to win this district even though there
are some solid teams in this district in Birmingham Detroit Country Day,
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Pontiac went
18-2 this season has wins over Clarkston and Ferndale but they lost twice to
Oxford including a humiliating home defeat which cost coach Josh Schroder’s
team the Blue along with some distractions that also hurt the team. If the Phoenix
can put the losses to Oxford and the distractions behind them and focus on the district then they could make some
noise.
How will
Birmingham Detroit Country Day do without Julian Roper???
The Yellow
Jackets took a major blow with the sudden departure of Julian Roper who
transferred to Orchard Lake St. Marys last month. Birmingham Detroit Country
Day has played a tough schedule for coach Mike Bray whom has had a tough season
finishing at 6-14. What will help is that the Yellow Jackets have home court
even though Roper is not on the team anymore they are still talented enough to
win this district.
Pontiac
Notre Dame Prep and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood darkhorses???
The Fighting
Irish have played a tough schedule which included the likes of Lake Orion, Orchard
Lake St Marys, Goodrich, Southfield Christian, Livonia Stevenson, and
Avondale. They have a very good big man in Jack
Hannon along with some length which should help them out. Pontiac Notre Dame
Prep pending if they can get by Pontiac could have a nice run to the district
final. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood is on a collision course with
Birmingham Detroit Country Day in the district semifinals and have had a solid
season thus far winning 13 games. The Cranes is also a team that could be a
darkhorse team as well.
District
60 at Warren Lincoln
FERNDALE vs.
Madison Heights Lamphere
HAZEL PARK
vs. Ferndale University
FERNDALE/Madison
Heights Lamphere vs. Center Line
HAZEL PARK/Ferndale
University vs. Warren Lincoln
FAVORITE:
Ferndale
NEXT: Warren
Lincoln
DARKHORSE:
Ferndale University
PLAYER TO
WATCH: Sudi McElroy-Ferndale
Top
Storylines:
Can anyone
beat Ferndale in this district???
The Eagles
have started to turn things around winning seven of their last nine games to
get them to 13-7. Ferndale picked up a huge win over Oxford but league losses to
Pontiac twice and Oxford kept them out of the Blue race. Coach Juan Rickman in
his first season has done a masterful job getting this program to believe in
his system and the impact of two of the five transfers that came over from
Detroit East English Village Prep has also made an impact as well. The Eagles
are in a great spot to win this district.
Warren Lincoln
has momentum.
The Abes
stand to be Ferndale’s top challenger in the district. Warren Lincoln is coming
off a loss to Eastpointe in the MAC Silver/Bronze title game will be a team to
keep an eye on. The Abes went 11-8 this season which is important and have been
consistent scoring 55 points per game. Warren Lincoln hosts their district
which is a bonus as well. The Abes have a ton of experience which will help
them as well.
Ferndale
University darkhorse???
Ferndale
University could be a team that could surprise some folks. Even though there
record is very deceiving they have played a tough schedule and they picked up
some good wins as well. They should get by Hazel Park whom has had a tough
season in their final year in the OAA going 2-17. They will have to play Warren Lincoln in
the district semifinals which will also be interesting but this is a team to
watch that could spoil some team’s dreams.
