Friday, February 22, 2019

Boys Basketball District Preview.

Written Friday February 22nd at 12:40 PM

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.

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