Boys Golf Regional Preview.

Written Tuesday May 28th at 9:00 AM

Here is my insight and preview for Boys Golf for their regionals this week.

Region 2 @ Davison Country Club

OXFORD

Alpena

Bay City Western

Bay City Central

Davison

Flint Carman Ainsworth

Flushing

Grand Blanc

Lansing Holt

Lapeer

Okemos

Saginaw Heritage

Swartz Creek

Midland

Midland Dow

Traverse City Central

Traverse City West

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. GRAND BLANC

2. LAPEER

3. MIDLAND

4. TRAVERSE CITY WEST

WHY THIS: I think when looking at this regional that Grand Blanc early was ranked in the State but has fallen on some rough times. Lapeer and Traverse City West both have experience being in the finals last season. Midland has some golfers back and could be on the cusp of making a run.

Region 3 @ Pine Knob Golf Course

CLARKSTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Brighton

Plymouth Canton

Walled Lake Northern

Hartland

Howell

Milford

Northville

Novi Detroit Catholic Central

Novi

Plymouth

Plymouth Salem

South Lyon

Walled Lake Western

Walled Lake Central

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

Lakeland

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. CLARKSTON

2. PLYMOUTH

3. NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL

4. HARTLAND

WHY THIS: These teams are State powers ranked in the top ten (Clarkston 1, Novi Detroit Catholic Central 5, Hartland 8, Plymouth 10.) This will be a very competitive match and if things go right expect these teams to be there. Northville and Walled Lake Northern might get left out this season though which would be a shame.

Region 4 @ Twin Lakes Golf Course

LAKE ORION

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

TROY

TROY ATHENS

Chippewa Valley

Macomb Dakota

New Baltimore Anchor Bay

Utica

Utica Eisenhower

Utica Ford

Sterling Heights Stevenson

Sterling Heights

Fraser

L’Anse Creuse

L’Anse Creuse North

Romeo

Port Huron

Port Huron Northern

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. LAKE ORION

2. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

3. ADAMS

4. ROCHESTER

WHY THIS: Last year there was a lot of controversy surrounding three teams that won this regional but also ripped off a few teams. This year I think Adams and Bloomfield Hills gets their revenge. I also think Lake Orion wins this regional and just recently won the Oakland County title. Not to mention that they are ranked 7^th in the State right now.

Region 5 @ Orchards

GROVES

SEAHOLM

BERKLEY

ROYAL OAK

Birmingham Brother Rice

Dearborn Fordson

Detroit Cass Tech

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Detroit Renaissance

Grosse Pointe North

Grosse Pointe South

Livonia Churchill

Livonia Stevenson

Livonia Franklin

St. Clair Shores Lakeview

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore

Warren Mott

Warren Cousino

Warren De LaSalle

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE

2. GROSSE POINTE SOUTH

3. WARREN DE LASALLE

4. GROVES

WHY THIS: These teams have been ranked in the State at some point this year especially when you have the defending State Champions in Grosse Pointe South not to mention Birmingham Brother Rice and Warren De LaSalle. Groves had a top ten finish in the Oakland County meet, they will be a team to watch out for.

Region 11 @ Fieldstone Golf Course

AVONDALE

FARMINGTON

HARRISON

FERNDALE

Armada

Croswell-Lexington

Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood

Eastpointe

Imlay City

Madison Heights Lamphere

Marysville

North Branch

Orchard Lake St. Marys

Brandon

Yale

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Warren Woods Tower

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. FARMINGTON

2. PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP

3. ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS

4. BLOOMFIELD HILLS-CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD

WHY THIS: I think these are the four top teams in this regional. There is one State ranked team in Farmington that is ranked 10^th in Division Two right now. Also experience matters and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Orchard Lake St. Marys, and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood were there last year.

Softball District Preview.

Written Thursday May 23rd at 11:00 AM

Here is my insight and predictions heading into the softball districts that affect OAA teams.

District 19 @ Detroit Mercy

Detroit Renaissance vs SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Redford Thurston vs OAK PARK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district, give me Detroit Renaissance easily. PICK: DETROIT RENAISSANCE.

District 26 @ Troy Athens

Utica vs TROY ATHENS

AVONDALE vs TROY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district, I think three teams have a shot at winning this district. I’m seeing could be the battle of Troy in the district final. When in doubt in this district trust Athletic Director Bob Dowd and his team sorry coach Tom Calhen. PICK: TROY ATHENS.

District 27 @ Rochester

STONEY CREEK vs ROCHESTER

STONEY CREEK/ROCHESTER vs ADAMS

Utica Eisenhower vs Romeo

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district at Rochester. You have the battle of Rochester on one side of the bracket and a Macomb County battle on the other side. I’m seeing a Romeo vs Adams district final with the Bulldogs heading into the next round. PICK: ROMEO.

District 28 @ Oxford

Waterford Mott vs LAKE ORION

Waterford Mott/LAKE ORION vs OXFORD

Waterford Kettering vs CLARKSTON

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This should be an interesting district at Oxford with two State ranked teams (Clarkston 1, Lake Orion 4) and an honorable mention in Waterford Kettering. Whoever wins this district should have a deep playoff run. I would have said that Clarkston easily would win this district earlier in the season however Lake Orion won 7-5 at Clarkston and can play with them even though the Dragons lost the second game in blowout fashion 10-2 but give them a pass there. I see Dragons/Wolves PART III district final. Can Lake Orion beat Clarkston again??? hmm. PICK: LAKE ORION.

District 25 @ Royal Oak

GROVES vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

GROVES/BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs SEAHOLM

ROYAL OAK vs BERKLEY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district, there is a lot of parity. I think three teams have a shot winning this district even though they are all on one side of the bracket. Whoever wins this district would have earned it but at the end of the day give me the team that wears purple and black. PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS.

District 30 @ Farmington

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs FARMINGTON

Farmington Hills Mercy vs NORTH FARMINGTON

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district is interesting, I think all four teams have great shots to win this district. Farmington has had a decent season. West Bloomfield won the Blue. North Farmington has had a good year but they haven’t been the same team. Farmington Hills Mercy is not the same team they once were. I see the Raiders pulling out a MONSTER upset and meeting Farmington where coach Jeff Simpson will win a softball district. PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON.

District 59 @ Warren Lincoln

FERNDALE vs HAZEL PARK

Warren Fitzgerald vs Warren Lincoln

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: I bashed Hazel Park on “Reaching Higher” on my podcast a few weeks ago. This is not a strong district and I hope the Vikings took my advice if they want to get to that next step and grow as a program before moving out of the OAA this fall. PICK: HAZEL PARK.

Baseball District Preview.

Written Thursday May 23rd at 10:45 AM

Here is my insight and predictions heading into the Baseball Districts that OAA teams are in.

District 19 @ IHM Field-Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit.

Redford Thurston vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Redford Thurston/Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Detroit Renaissance vs OAK PARK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district. I see Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit moving on easily with the district being at their home field. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY- DETROIT JESUIT.

District 26 @ Troy Athens

Utica vs TROY ATHENS

Utica/TROY ATHENS vs TROY

AVONDALE vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be a very competitive district. I see Troy and Bloomfield Hills playing in the district final with the Blackhawks moving on. PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS.

District 27 @ Rochester

Utica Eisenhower vs ROCHESTER

Utica Eisenhower/ROCHESTER vs Romeo

ADAMS vs STONEY CREEK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting district at Rochester. The pre-district matchup between Rochester and Utica Eisenhower should be intense. The winner will see Romeo who won the Macomb Area Red crown in an interesting matchup to which should will be tight. Stoney Creek and Adams will be interesting as well but at the end of the day give me the team that was in the State rankings early in the season and that’s the Falcons on their home field. PICK: ROCHESTER.

District 28 @ Oxford

Waterford Kettering vs Waterford Mott

Waterford Kettering/Waterford Mott vs LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON vs OXFORD

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: Waterford Mott came out of nowhere and won this district last season. I don’t think it will be the case this time around. I see a Lake Orion/Clarkston district final. Give me the team that wears green and white. PICK: LAKE ORION.

District 25 @ Birmingham Brother Rice

SEAHOLM vs ROYAL OAK

SEAHOLM/ROYAL OAK vs GROVES

Birmingham Brother Rice vs BERKLEY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district will be on the new beautiful field of Birmingham Brother Rice. Groves, Seaholm, and Berkley have great shots to dethrone the Warriors but at end of the day it will be Birmingham Brother Rice that will celebrate on their home field. PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE.

District 30 @ Farmington

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs NORTH FARMINGTON

Livonia Stevenson vs FARMINGTON

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be interesting, you got three teams that could win this district. I think it will be a West Bloomfield vs Livonia Stevenson district final, when in doubt trust the school where football coach Ron Bellamy works. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.

District 59 @ Warren Lincoln

Warren Lincoln vs HAZEL PARK

Warren Fitzgerald vs FERNDALE

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when you look at the teams in here. When in doubt go with the school on the Nine Mile side in Macomb County. PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD.

New Pontiac Football Coach jailed for Probation Violation.

Written Sunday May 19th at 11:35 AM
Updated Thursday June 20th at 11:50 PM

Pontiac football coach Ken Wade is in the Oakland County Jail for violating probation.

Wade was sentenced to 14 days in jail according to Oakland Press writer Aileen Wingblad. He was charged in 2010 for having in possession of narcotics paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license in Orion Township. Wade plead guilty to the charge and was sentenced to probation which he violated in 2011.

Wade failed to appear as ordered for his probation violation, multiple bench warrants were then issued.

Wade then faced Oakland County Circuit Judge Lisa Asadoorian at 52.3 District Court in Rochester where he plead guilty to the probation violation on April 4th. Wade was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail on May 14th but Asadoorian gave him the option of serving less time if he settled the balance of his fines and fees associated with the original convictions. It cost him $2,100 and 14 days according to court records that were obtained by the Oakland Press.

Wade is scheduled to be released from the Oakland County Jail on May 25^th.

Pontiac School District Superintendent Kelly Williams offered little comment and said to Wingblad that “Human Resources is looking into the matter.” The communication specialist for the Pontiac School District Latoya Smith added that Wade is new to the district and that the Human Resources Department handles the background checks on all prospective employees.

We now know that according to the Oakland Schools website Wade is now out at Pontiac as of May 16th. The football coaching vacancy is posted.

Pontiac is 5-48 since 2012 and haven’t made the playoffs since 2011. They will be in the Blue this season.

Thoughts

This is not what Pontiac or the Phoenix football program wanted to see especially going into the summer months.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Football Coaching Application.

https://www.applitrack.com/oakland/onlineapp/1BrowseFile.aspx?id=741118

Football Coaching Job

https://www.applitrack.com/oakland/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?district=All&category=Athletics%2FActivities&subcategory=Coaching 

My Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA8thTka3NM

Here is the article from the Oakland Press on this story.

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/copscourts/pontiac-football-coach-kenneth-wade-in-oakland-county-jail/article_15b7956e-774a-11e9-b267-0b3e3cabbe92.html

Girls Soccer District Preview.

Written Sunday May 19th at 12:40 AM

Here is my insight and predictions heading into the Girls Soccer Districts which takes place this week.

District 13 @ Seaholm

Livonia Stevenson vs SEAHOLM

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs FARMINGTON

GROVES vs NORTH FARMINGTON

GROVES/NORTH FARMINGTON vs Farmington Hills Mercy

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district sets up to be very interesting. I see a huge matchup between Seaholm and Livonia Stevenson early which should be very competitive. I also see that Groves got a good draw as well. The Falcons should get to the district final and meet a Spartans team that is destine to continue their season and they will but don’t be surprised if the Maples take down Livonia Stevenson and if that happens then they will win this district. PICK: LIVONIA STEVENSON.

District 9 @ Royal Oak

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore vs ROYAL OAK

St. Clair Shores Lakeview vs BERKLEY

Warren Mott vs Roseville

Warren Mott/Roseville vs Warren Cousino

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when looking at the records but this could be Royal Oak’s best chance of winning the district. Berkley will have a say in this as they have some experience back. I’m seeing a Warren Mott vs Royal Oak district final but don’t be surprised if Berkley makes a run at this thing. I like the Ravens because of home field. PICK: ROYAL OAK.

District 10 @ Troy Athens

Sterling Heights Stevenson vs TROY

Utica Ford vs Sterling Heights

Fraser vs TROY ATHENS

Fraser/TROY ATHENS vs Utica

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be a fun district to keep an eye on. Troy, Troy Athens, and Utica have strong chances to win this district. The Colts got the best draw knowing that the Red Hawks and Chieftains have to play each other pending if Troy Athens gets by Fraser. I see an all Troy district final with the Red Hawks getting a measure of revenge from last season’s disappointing year. PICK: TROY ATHENS.

District 12 @ Oxford

STONEY CREEK vs LAKE ORION

Utica Eisenhower vs OXFORD

Romeo vs ADAMS

Romeo/ADAMS vs ROCHESTER

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: There are a lot of good teams in this district over at Oxford. I think we are on a collision course of seeing an Adams/Rochester and Stoney Creek/Utica Eisenhower semifinal with the an interesting district final between Stoney Creek and Adams. I like the Cougars to advance to the regional in this one. PICK: STONEY CREEK.

District 15 @ Lakeland

Waterford Kettering vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Walled Lake Northern vs Lakeland

Waterford Mott vs Walled Lake Central

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs CLARKSTON

INSIGHT/PROJECTION: This is an interesting district. Waterford Mott has had a strong season along with Walled Lake Northern and Bloomfield Hills. I think the Corsairs will get to the district final and meet a very dangerous Blackhawks team that is poised to make some noise with an upset over Walled Lake Northern. I like Waterford Mott to win this very competitive district. PICK: WATERFORD MOTT.

District 23 @ Birmingham Marian

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs FERNDALE

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood/FERNDALE vs Birmingham Marian

Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs AVONDALE

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when you look at it but Birmingham Marian has played a tough non conference schedule against some solid teams. I’m seeing a Birmingham Marian vs Birmingham Detroit Country Day district final with the Mustangs moving on. PICK: BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.

District 24 @ Hazel Park

Center Line vs Warren Fitzgerald

Madison Heights Lamphere vs Warren Woods Tower

Eastpointe vs Hamtramck

Eastpointe/Hamtramck vs HAZEL PARK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when you look at the teams. Hazel Park has home field which is very important but Center Line could be the team to beat in this district. I see it being a Center Line/Hazel Park district final but it will be Center Line winning the district crown. PICK: CENTER LINE.

District 30 @ Fenton

Goodrich vs Fenton

Holly vs Brandon

Linden vs Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Linden/Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs PONTIAC

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: When I look at this district this looks to be a two team showdown setting up between Brandon and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. I see the Irish moving on in this not strong district. PICK: PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP.

Adams has their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Wednesday May 15th at 8:50 PM

It has been a heck of an offseason for Adams but they finally have found a new Boys Basketball Coach.

The Highlanders named Jaret Thomas as their next basketball coach taking over for Brad Crighton who stepped down last month.

Thomas coached the Junior Varsity program at Avondale last season and was a longtime assistant at Oakland Christian before that.

The coaching job originally went to Nick Evola, former coach at Warren Woods Tower and Rochester School employee but he had a change of heart turning down the job last week after accepting it the week before.

Thomas will have a challenge with this program going forward. They have had a turbulent offseason as mentioned with the possible departures of their star players in Gunner Walters and the Emerzian boys (Jake and Ethan.) What will help is that he knows the White when he was at Avondale and that his new team has some talent returning in Peyton Prieskorn, George Gurraj, and Austin Ursuay.

Thoughts

This is an interesting hire for Adams. I like Thomas, he is a good guy and a good coach, although the hire is not splashy unlike Lake Orion with the Joel Schroeder hire a few weeks ago.

Thomas learned from Tim Morton at Avondale on how to run a program and has been very successful.

There will be an adjustment period with the Highlanders coaches and players. Thomas will also need to find a Junior Varsity coach as well which will not be easy. 

It is not a total rebuild but there is work to do at Adams.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

My Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA8thTka3NM

Girls Lacrosse Regional Preview.

Written Wednesday May 15th at 7:00 PM

Here is my insight heading into the Girls Regionals for lacrosse. I apologize for seedings and stuff.

Region 3 @ Bloomfield Hills

9. Utica Ford vs 8. WEST BLOOMFIELD

9. Utica Ford/8. WEST BLOOMFIELD vs 1. Utica Eisenhower

5. Grosse Pointe North vs 4. HARRISON/NORTH FARMINGTON

11. Chippewa Valley vs 6. TROY ATHENS

11. Chippewa Valley/6. TROY ATHENS vs 3. BIRMINGHAM

10. TROY vs 7. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

10. TROY/7. BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs 2. Grosse Pointe South

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be interesting because I’m seeing a Birmingham vs Grosse Pointe South regional semifinal with Grosse Pointe North and Utica Eisenhower meeting on the other side. I’d keep an eye on Bloomfield Hills because along with being the hosts they could spoil the party and beat Grosse Pointe South. I think this will be a fun regional at Bloomfield Hills. I see Birmingham marching on with confidence. PICK: BIRMINGHAM.

Region 4 @ Fenton

9. Fenton/Linden vs 8. Holly/Brandon

9. Fenton/Linden/8. Holly/Brandon vs 1. CLARKSTON

5. OXFORD vs 4. Hartland

11. Grand Blanc vs 6. Midland

11. Grand Blanc/6. Midland vs 3. Walled Lake Central

10. LAKE ORION vs 7. Waterford

10. LAKE ORION/7. Waterford vs 2. Huron Valley

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting regional but until anyone beats Hartland, no one here stands a chance to knock them off. PICK HARTLAND.

Region 6 @ Farmington

9. FARMINGTON vs 8. Farmington Hills Mercy

9. FARMINGTON/8. Farmington Hills Mercy vs 1. Ann Arbor Skyline

5. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs 4. Dexter

11. Temperance Bedford vs 6. Birmingham Detroit Country Day

11. Temperance Bedford/6. Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs 3. Birmingham Marian

10. Tecumseh vs 7. Walled Lake Northern

10. Tecumseh/7. Walled Lake Northern vs 2. Wixom St. Catherine of Sienna

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting regional at Farmington. I think the Falcons are under seeded in this regional and could take down Ann Arbor Skyline before having to meet a very good Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard team. I like Wixom St. Catherine of Sienna, they could do some damage in this regional. I’m seeing an Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs Wixom St. Catherine of Sienna regional final with the Stars moving on. PICK: WIXOM ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA.

Region 7 @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

9. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs 8. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

9. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood/8. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs 1. ROYAL OAK

5. Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Academy vs 4. Davison

11. AVONDALE vs 6. ADAMS

11. AVONDALE/6. ADAMS vs 3. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett

10. ROCHESTER vs 7. Warren Regina

10. ROCHESTER/7. Warren Regina vs 2. STONEY CREEK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting regional over at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep but sometimes I think the seedings are a bit overrated here. I’m seeing a Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs Grosse Pointe University Liggett regional final with Grosse Pointe University Liggett moving onto the next round. PICK: GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT.

Boys Lacrosse Regional Preview.

Written Wednesday May 15th at 7:00 PM

Here is my preview heading into the Boys Lacrosse Regional. I apologize for the seedings.

Region 6 @ Groves

8. Detroit Cass Tech vs 1. Birmingham Brother Rice

5. Grosse Pointe South vs 4. TROY ATHENS

6. Utica Ford vs 3. BIRMINGHAM

7. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs 2. Sterling Heights Stevenson

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This should be a very interesting regional in Beverly Hills with some solid teams in this one. I see Birmingham Brother Rice having no issues with Detroit Cass Tech or Troy Athens and getting there easily. I see an upset with Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit pulling off a big upset over Sterling Heights Stevenson but falling to Birmingham in the next round. It should be a Warriors/Bulldogs regional final with Birmingham Brother Rice moving on. PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE.

Region 4 @ Milford

9. Livonia Stevenson vs 8. WEST BLOOMFIELD

9. Livonia Stevenson/8. WEST BLOOMFIELD vs 1. Novi Detroit Catholic Central

4. Walled Lake Central vs 5. Novi

3. South Lyon vs 6. NORTH FARMINGTON

2. Huron Valley vs 7. Walled Lake Northern

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This should be an interesting regional at Milford. The favorite is Novi Detroit Catholic Central. I don’t see a lot of upsets in this regional but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if there is one. I like the Shamrocks to move on pretty convincingly. PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL.

Region 5 @ Clarkston

1. CLARKSTON vs 8. STONEY CREEK

5. Waterford vs 4. OXFORD

3. BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs 6. ROCHESTER

2. ADAMS vs 7. TROY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting regional at Clarkston. The favorite is Clarkston after having a resurging season. Bloomfield Hills has the best chance to do some damage in this regional and played Clarkston tough during in the season. I’m seeing a Wolves vs Blackhawks rematch with Clarkston coming out on top again. PICK: CLARKSTON.

Region 7 @ Utica Eisenhower

9. Utica vs 8. Chippewa Valley

9. Utica/8. Chippewa Valley vs 1. LAKE ORION

5. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North vs 4. Romeo

3. Port Huron vs 6. New Baltimore Anchor Bay

2. Macomb Dakota vs 7. Utica Eisenhower

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting regional but the favorite is Lake Orion. The Dragons have been state ranked all year and has won the OAA Red. I don’t see anyone from Macomb County posing a threat to Lake Orion in this regional. PICK: LAKE ORION.

Region 16 @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

8. Bay City Central vs 1. Flint Powers Cathloic

5. Bay City Western vs 4. Swartz Creek

6. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs 3. AVONDALE

7. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood vs 2. Goodrich

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This should be an interesting regional at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep with Flint Powers Catholic having the top seed. I think the team that is most prone to an upset is Goodrich as they will have to deal with a Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood team in the first round. The other upset I’m watching is Avondale as they are playing the hosts in the first round. I think the Fighting Irish have a great chance to get to the regional final and play Flint Powers but at the end of the day I think it will be Flint Powers that moves on. PICK: FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC.

Region 15 @ Warren Cousino

8. Madison Heights Bishop Foley vs 1. Warren De LaSalle

5. St. Clair vs 4. Warren Cousino

6. Grosse Pointe University Liggett vs 3. ROYAL OAK

7. L’Anse vs 2. Grosse Pointe North

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting regional. The favorite is Warren De LaSalle and they should have no problem getting to the regional final although Warren Cousino could give them some trouble being the hosts. A team I’m watching for an upset is Grosse Pointe University Liggett, they could make some noise and play in a tough conference. I see a Warren De LaSalle vs Grosse Pointe University Liggett regional final with the Pilots moving on. PICK: WARREN DE LASALLE.

Region 14 @ Birmingham Detroit Country Day

5. FARMINGTON vs 4. Ann Arbor Greenhills

5. FARMINGTON/4. Ann Arbor Greenhills vs 1. Birmingham Detroit Country Day

6. Walled Lake Western vs 3. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard

7. Dearborn Divine Child vs 2. Royal Oak Shrine

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting regional at Birmingham Detroit Country Day. The favorite is the hosts which they are talented and loaded. The most prone for an upset is really no one here in this regional. I think the top seeds will meet each other but watch for a possible Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard upset of Royal Oak Shrine in the regional semifinals. End of the day though I don’t see anyone beating the Yellow Jackets. PICK: BIRMINGHAM DETROIT COUNTRY DAY.