Written Wednesday June 12th at 8:20 PM
Here are my insight and analysis for the Girls Basketball districts that were released.
This blog will be updated.
District 5: @ Waterford Kettering
LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON
OXFORD
ADAMS
Romeo
Waterford Kettering
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Clarkston, 2. Adams.
FAVORITE: Clarkston
NEXT: Adams
DARKHORSE: Lake Orion
WILDCARD: Oxford
Player On the Spot: Madison Skorupski-Clarkston.
INSIGHT: This could be as wide open in years when you look deep inside with the Dragons, Wolves, Wildcats, Highlanders, Bulldogs, and Captains. This district has the same teams as last year however the venue will be different. Instead of being at Lake Orion it will be held in Waterford at Waterford Kettering. Waterford Kettering will be an interesting team to keep an eye on not only in this district but also in the Lakes Valley Conference as well. The Captains have Markayla Holland, Izzy Dugal, and Irene Schoof back and
not to mention Rain Davis, Charity Jones, and Samantha Brady for new coach Darrin McAllister. Clarkston has nearly everyone back from a team that had a murderous non conference slate but improved during the second half of the season. The Wolves who is expected to be in the thick of the Red race have
Madison Skorupski, Olivia Toderan, Taylor Heaten, Sam Aris, Kaitlyn Kaul, Lexi Linton, Jennifer
Starnes, Morgan Hunter, Izzy Hadley and newcomer Keira Tomlie returning for second year coach John Weyer. Adams made
the district finals last season while avoiding their city rivals Adams and Stoney Creek and will do so again this season. The Highlanders have a ton of talent back in the form of Maddie
Dolenga, Amelia Drahnak, Abbey Drahnak, Laura Petersmark, Elizabeth Blaine,
Nicole Claerhout, Anaiah Howard, Madison Kessman, and Emily Abramczyk for coach
Shay Lewis. Romeo stayed in the Macomb Area Conference White this year after winning the division last season. They are going to be very young but the Bulldogs have Ava Muschong and Natalie Nowak back for coach Kathy
Bosheers. Oxford will have a very strong say in this district. They are a very good shooting and hard working team that should contend in both this district and in the White. The Wildcats have Sarah Tyrrell, Emma Morris, Mackenzie Methner, Aleya
Diamond, and Gabby Dinges back for coach Rachel Bryer. Lake Orion is expected
to be vastly different after having a rough season last year not only in this district but in the White as well. The Dragons have Megan Marshall, Grace
Vukeluch, Erin Humes, and Kierra Tierney along with a strong junior class
moving up for coach Bob Brydges. This district is going to be
very competitive in Waterford.
District 6 @ Bloomfield Hills
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
AVONDALE
PONTIAC
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Waterford Mott
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. West Bloomfield, 2.
Avondale.
FAVORITE: West Bloomfield
NEXT: Avondale
DARKHORSE: Bloomfield Hills
WILDCARD: Waterford Mott
Player On the Spot: Mya Bobo-West Bloomfield.
INSIGHT: This should be a very competitive district over at Bloomfield Hills with basically the same teams from last season except Pontiac moves from Division Two to Division One. Each team that is here should know the gym very well especially those who played in the Bloomfield Hills Showcase last year and in the district two years ago (West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills played in the showcase while Avondale and Waterford Mott were in the district two years ago.) The early favorite has to be West Bloomfield because of who they have returning along with the move to the Red as well. The Lakers have Mya Bobo, Lola Chambers, and Logan Lewis, among others for coach Bert
Mosley. Avondale lost only three games last season, all of them were to West Bloomfield. The Yellow Jackets should be in contention in this district and is one of the favorites in the White. Avondale has Keori Lee, Reigan
Lawerence, Taniah Jackson, Deliah Clark, Angelia Willis, Savannah Schmidt,
Emily Bekas, and Pontiac transfer Braila Benion for coach Bob Lees. Bloomfield
Hills could be the sleeper in this district because of home court. The Blackhawks have some talent coming back in Jordan Banks, Angelica Saavya, and Kellen Fife for coach Jeff Rubin.
Pontiac should be competitive in this district for coach Christopher Wright. The Phoenix have improved each season despite being in the Blue and having to go through a ton of adversity night after night. Waterford Mott for the second straight year avoids their arch rival Waterford Kettering in the postseason (Waterford Kettering hosts their own district.) The Corsairs should
be a team to watch all season long. They are talented, well coached, and play in a strong league in the Lakes Valley Conference. Waterford Mott has the majority of their team back in Abby Upleger, Makayla Fuerst, MaKayla Ford, and Mikayla
Proctor returning for coach Michelle Sklar. This will be an interesting district to keep
an eye on for sure at Bloomfield Hills.
District 25 @ Farmington
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
Farmington Hills Mercy
Livonia Stevenson
Novi
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Farmington Hills Mercy, 2.
Novi.
FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy
NEXT: Novi
DARKHORSE: North Farmington
WILDCARD: Livonia Stevenson
Player On the Spot: Ellie Tisko-Farmington Hills Mercy.
INSIGHT: This could be an interesting district at Farmington. The favorite has to be Farmington Hills Mercy with the talent they have back led
by Ellie Tisko, Jill Smith, Julia Bishop, and Alexis Roberts for coach Gary
Morris. The Marlins who is expected to compete for the Catholic League crown won the district title 37-23 in Novi over the host school last season. Speaking of Novi, they have to travel east into this district and away from arch rival Northville (Northville is hosting a district) with their close proximity (Novi and Northville are six miles from each other.) The Wildcats should be led by Jenna
Dashke for coach C.J. Aro. Livonia Stevenson finished at 500 last season and is in the same boat as Novi with their city rivals Livonia Franklin and Livonia Churchill being in different districts. The Spartans if things go right should be in the mix for the district crown. North Farmington returns into this district after spending one season up north with Bloomfield Hills, Waterford Mott, and Avondale. The Raiders went down to the White this offseason which should help them. They have some experienced guards in Molly Simpson and Maya Kelly back
for coach Jeff Simpson. If North Farmington can address their interior
situation then they could be a sleeper. Farmington comes to the Blue from the White, they should be better this season. The Falcons have Val Pallett and Autumn
Barlett back for coach Laura Guzman along with home court. It should be
interesting but right now this district is Farmington Hills Mercy's to lose.
District 26 @ Birmingham Marian
GROVES
SEAHOLM
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
ROYAL OAK
BERKLEY
Birmingham Marian
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Birmingham Marian, 2.
Southfield Arts and Tech.
FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian
NEXT: Southfield Arts and Tech
DARKHORSE: Berkley
WILDCARD: Royal Oak
Player On the Spot: Shannon Kennedy-Birmingham Marian.
INSIGHT: This is a brutal district when you look at the star
power and the teams that are here at the small gym of Birmingham Marian. Southfield Arts and Tech comes into this district and the other teams are basically the same from last season. The
host Mustangs should be the favorites as they have home court and are loaded for coach Mary Cicerone led
by Shannon Kennedy, Sarah Sylvester, Grace Rotter, among others. Southfield Arts
and Tech fresh off a Division One State final appearance last season lost two talented
players in Soldell Barnes and Alexis Johnson but they have a possible Miss Michigan Basketball candidate in Cheyenne McEvans along with
Kayona Willis and Jasmine Worthy are back for coach Michelle Marshall. Depth could be a big problem for the Warriors as proven by last season's 55-40 Division One State final loss to Saginaw Heritage. Royal Oak lost a great senior class from last season which included Samantha Potter, Nila Conley, and Jessica Adams
but the Ravens have Sarah Sorghhan, Anna Ross, Ana Johnson, Elinor Kochanski, Sam
Mullen back along with newcomer Emily Jenkins for coach Brian Sopota. Berkley should be a team to watch as last season they shared the Blue with Rochester and could very well win the Blue outright this season. The Bears have a talented nucleus that is led by Charlesa Rice and newcomer Jillian Gomes for coach Kirk Carolan. Groves had an interesting year in the Red last season has Ellie Ruprich and Mia
Yarberry back for coach Jessica Wiesler. Seaholm has some experience returning
for second year coach Chris Manchester in Julia Bell, Meredith Owens, Helena
Beasley, Julia Crump, and Lily Morris back. Whoever comes out of this district
could have a deep run in the postseason.
District 27 @ Detroit Mumford
OAK PARK
Detroit Mumford
Detroit Renaissance
Warren Fitzgerald
Warren Mott
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2.
Detroit Mumford.
FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance
NEXT: Detroit Mumford
DARKHORSE: Warren Mott
WILDCARD: No One
Player On the Spot: Kailee Davis-Detroit Renaissance.
INSIGHT: This district should be interesting now that Southfield Arts and Tech is no longer in this district but it features a Metro Detroit flavor with one Oakland County team, two Macomb County teams, and two Wayne County teams from three different conferences in the OAA, the Macomb Area Conference, and the Detroit Public School League. The early
favorite should be Detroit Renaissance with the talent they have back led by Kailee
Davis, Catherine Ndukwe, and Shannon Wheeler for coach Shane Lawal but the
Phoenix have had issues with Detroit Mumford. The Mustangs who aren't that far behind when it comes to being the favorites. They host this district and have had Detroit
Renaissance's number in recent years. Detroit Mumford beat the Phoenix in the Detroit Public School League finals at Detroit-Mercy last season. The Mustangs have Tiara Earnest, Sequoia Jackson and Adoreya Williams for
coach Kareem Hogan. Oak Park has Kyla Wilson back for coach Peggy Carr but her
team will need to address depth among other concerns. Warren Mott has some talent back and could make some noise after a rough year last season.
Warren Fitzgerald really struggled last season and could very well do so again.
This should be an interesting district as mentioned but the two top teams in this district reside in Detroit
and should duke it out again.
District 29 @ Stoney Creek
STONEY CREEK
ROCHESTER
TROY
TROY ATHENS
Utica Eisenhower
Utica
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Stoney Creek, 2. Troy.
FAVORITE: Troy
NEXT: Stoney Creek
DARKHORSE: Utica
WILDCARD: Utica Eisenhower
Player On the Spot: Kayla Rutledge-Troy
INSIGHT: This is an interesting district with basically two Utica teams along with both Troy schools, and two Rochester schools. Also there is no Adams or Romeo as they are in a different districts (both are at Waterford Kettering.) The district was won by
Utica last season after beating Troy 55-48 in overtime on their home floor (Utica has a small gym.) The district this season is at Stoney Creek, which is has a much bigger court than Utica. The Cougars are very talented and should be very competitive for coach Kellen James. Stoney Creek has new uniforms and home court as mentioned. They are led by Devin Vowels, Sydney LaPrairie, and Lily DiPanni along with an emerging freshman coming into the program. The Cougars should have plenty to prove after last season's disappointing 37-30 loss to Utica in the pre-district. Stoney Creek's top challenger in this district is expected to be Troy.
The Colts after reaching the district finals last season but they took a hit as Kendal Zeiter transferred to Madison Heights Bishop Foley this offseason. The Colts have Athena
Sampson, Calen Knight, Laura Gumma, Riya Chakravity, Elena Renke, along with a strong junior varsity team from last season. Troy has Charlotte Sobotka and Kayla Rutledge waiting in the wings for coach Simon Bato. Rochester
has their fourth coach in four years in Bill Thurston. Thurston takes over for Jeff Haney in which he was the junior varsity coach under Haney that season. The Falcons shared the Blue last season should have some talent returning in the form of Laura Kucera and Megan Lorenzo. Rochester should challenge for the Blue title this season. Troy Athens enters this much tougher district after a very disappointing district falling 30-29 to Utica Ford II at home in the district semifinals last season. The Red Hawks have a ton of experience returning led by Izzy (Isabelle) Crumm, Grace Bright, Abby Bright, Emma Wodwalski, Clare Shoales,
and Shayna Landess for coach Stacie Klumpp. Utica has some talent returning to
defend their district title led by Lina Rea for coach Tom McDonald. Utica Eisenhower has
Olivia Stack returning but they will be different as they have a new coach. The Eagles should be in the mix to contend in this district. This should be an interesting district as mentioned to keep an eye on.
District 58 @ Detroit Cody
FERNDALE
Detroit Cody
Detroit Cornerstone
Detroit Communication Media Arts
Detroit Old Redford
GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Ferndale, 2. Detroit
Communication Media Arts
FAVORITE: Ferndale
NEXT: Detroit Communication Media Arts
DARKHORSE: Detroit Old Redford
WILDCARD: No One
Player On the Spot: Kenisha Williams-Ferndale.
INSIGHT: This is not a strong district looking at it on paper. Ferndale has a new group of Detroit teams they will see after being in a district that had a little bit of familiarity last season with former league member Hazel Park. What helps the Eagles in this is district is that they play in a very strong
conference (OAA.) They are in the Blue and plays bigger schools every night on a consistent basis. I'm not sure how the rest of the Detroit Public School League for these respective teams matchup to the demanding schedule Ferndale plays every night. The Eagles have Kenisha Williams and a young nucleus back for new coach Keith Paris. Stability is key for this program if they wants to make some noise not only short term but also long term. Detroit
Communication Media Arts won their district last season. One of the teams they beat
was Detroit Old Redford (beat them in the district semifinals.) Detroit Communication Media Arts and Detroit Old Redford should be Ferndale's toughest challengers in this district because of experience. Detroit Cornerstone had a rough year
last season and could struggle again. Detroit Cody will also struggle as well.
This could be Ferndale's best chance to win this district but it will be wide
open.
My Podcast
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-6-26-19
My Podcast with Lake Orion coach Bob Brydges and Stoney Creek coach Kellen James
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-8-5-19?fbclid=IwAR0rQaEviQ5pwBemzfeoi3NkfdCClpHJ-GHVdVD_Oh-kkgFjJ4Fa_hSOTGo