Boys Basketball Districts Are Out 2019.

Written Wednesday June 12th at 7:00 PM

Here are my thoughts and insight for the Boys Basketball districts that were posted earlier today.

This blog will be updated with the most updated information.

District 5: @ Clarkston

LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON

OXFORD

ADAMS

Romeo

Waterford Kettering

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Clarkston, 2. Lake Orion.

FAVORITE: Clarkston

NEXT: Lake Orion

DARKHORSE: Oxford

WILDCARD: Adams

Player On The Spot: Cameron Sutton-Lake Orion

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district at Clarkston with the same teams that were here last season. There is plenty to prove if your the Wolves and coach Tim Waslik. Clarkston lost 38-37 to Adams last season in the pre-district after winning 17 straight games at Lake Orion. The Wolves have their big three in Fletcher Loyer, Keegan Waslik, and Matt Nicholson returning along with emerging players in Blake Kosin, Luke Scheler, Mike DePillo, Isayah Harris, Connor McKouen, and Logan Forbes. Lake Orion should be an interesting team to keep an eye on as they have a new coach in Joel Schroeder. Schroeder comes to Lake Orion from Pontiac where he led the Phoenix to a 22-2 record last season. Chemistry, not having a true point guard, and lack of varsity experience is a very big concern for Schroeder along with being in the Red with a young and unproven team. The Dragons have Cameron Sutton, Cruz Moran, Mitchell Howell, Dylan Boedghemier, and Drew Van Heck returning. The junior class, Lake Orion has is strong and poised to prove people wrong. Oxford fresh off having their best season in over 50 years last season will have Zach and Trey Townsend back for coach Steve Laidlaw but they could have some trouble in the White. Adams has had a turbulent offseason with the departures of Ethan Emerzian, Jake Emerzian (both transferred to Troy), and Gunner Walters (moved to North Carolina) along with their former coach Brad Crighton and then they though they had a coach in Nate Ebola who accepted the job but resigned after one week on the job. The Highlanders have a new coach in Jaret Thomas. Thomas took over the team in May. He has gotten his new team to believe and trust the process. Adams has Peyton Prieskorn, George Gurraj, and Austin Ursay but they will need time to adjust and grow to his system. Thomas will need to address the guard situation especially with the departures of Walters and the Emerizian brothers. Waterford Kettering should be rebuilding this season even though they have Bennie Crenshaw, Dominick Phifer, Amariyon Hall, and Mark Holland back for coach Anthony Phifer. Romeo will have to reload for coach Marv Cushingberry after losing a ton of talent which included Blake McCrea but they have Blake Woodward returning along with a strong junior class which should help the Bulldogs. This has the makings to be an interesting district as mentioned.

District 6: @ West Bloomfield

WEST BLOOMFIELD

AVONDALE

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

PONTIAC

Orchard Lake St. Marys

Waterford Mott

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Orchard Lake St. Marys, 2. Waterford Mott.

FAVORITE: Orchard Lake St. Marys

NEXT: Waterford Mott

DARKHORSE: Bloomfield Hills

WILDCARD: West Bloomfield

Player On The Spot: DaMarion Bonds-Waterford Mott.

INSIGHT: This has the makings of a very interesting district at West Bloomfield with basically the same teams from last season that were in this district except for one team. Pontiac comes into this district after moving up from Division Two to Division One this season. Orchard Lake St. Marys has a Division One recruit in Lorne Bowman. The Eaglets are not a one man team as they have Kareem Rozier, Jason Drake, Anthony Enechuku, Harrison Ogochukwu, and Peter Nwoke for coach Todd Covert. Waterford Mott made some headlines with the addition of Spire Academy standout Isiah Jackson. Jackson is one the top players in the nation according to national recruiting rankings. He joins the two time defending Lakes Valley Champions that features DaMarion Bonds, DQ Washington, and Trayale Solomon at the guard positions along with A'Zion Price at forward for coach Dave McGlowan. This could possibly be the best team the Corsairs has had since they went to the regional finals in 2012. West Bloomfield should have some talent back along with home court for coach Jeremy Dehna in Chase Glover-Rogers, Shameer Mathews, Ryan Hurst, Semaj Morgan, Michael Williams, Jake Lanshaw, Kipras Blezeviciux and the possible return of Donovan Edwards who missed last season after a ACL injury that cost him half of his football season. Bloomfield Hills could be a player in this district especially at the guard positions with Collin Hecker and Mason Canfield returning for coach Phil Kurajian. The Blackhawks will need to address their interior situation as that could be their major concern. Avondale has a new coach in Pat Clancy who comes from Warren Cousino where he was an assistant. Clancy should have some talent coming back especially at the guards but he will have to address the interior situation for his new team. Pontiac lost a ton of talent from last season's team that went 22-3 last season and has a new coach. The Phoenix will be starting from scratch even though Tarah Hazard returns for new coach Dameon Odneal. This district as mentioned will be interesting to watch as you have two possible Mr. Michigan basketball candidates but four teams have great chances to win this district.

District 25: @ Farmington

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

GROVES

SEAHOLM

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Birmingham Brother Rice

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Birmingham Brother Rice, 2. Farmington.

FAVORITE: Birmingham Brother Rice

NEXT: Farmington

DARKHORSE: North Farmington

WILDCARDS: Groves, Seaholm, Southfield Arts and Tech

Player On The Spot: Jack Donehue-Farmington

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district to keep an eye on. There are a few teams that could make some noise here. Farmington and North Farmington come back into this district to join Southfield Arts and Tech, the Birmingham schools, and Birmingham Brother Rice. Birmingham Brother Rice has a lot of talent returning after winning their first district title since 2010 last season. The Warriors have Zach Maynard, David Jabrio, Luke Newman, Mikkos Stewart, and Jon Brantley all back for coach Ricky Palmer. Farmington could be Birmingham Brother Rice's toughest challenger once the postseason comes for a number of reasons. The Falcons have home court which always help. They has some talent returning as well in the form of Jaden Atkins, Terrell Humes, and Jack Donehue returning for coach Terrance Porter. North Farmington has almost everyone back from a team that had an up and down year last season. They have Basheer Jihad, Jamal Hayes, Deon Hayes, and Eddie Lenton for coach Todd Negoshian. The Raiders are a very tall and lengthy team. They will trap a ton defensively (run the 1-2-2 full court trap.) Farmington's gym is acceptable for this type of trap with how small the gym is. Groves should be a team to keep an eye on as a possible spoiler. The Falcons have a ton of proven talent back led by Mark Watson, Adolphus Cast, and Devin White for longtime and second year (in Beverly Hills) coach Benny White. Southfield Arts and Tech might have to rebuild in coach Darrell Buchanan’s second season after losing a ton of proven talent to graduation including Cameron McEvans. What should help the Warriors is that they had a strong junior varsity team last season and they added a transfer in Amauri Bates (transferred from Southfield Bradford.) Bates should provide some experience as a point guard. Seaholm has a very scrappy bunch under coach Mike DeGeeter after having a tough year last season. The Maples should be better this season led by Henry Clark. This is will be an interesting district as mentioned to watch.

District 26: @ Detroit Mumford

OAK PARK

ROYAL OAK

BERKLEY

Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2. Oak Park.

FAVORITE:Detroit Renaissance

NEXT: Oak Park

DARKHORSE: Berkley

WILDCARD:Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Player On The Spot: Arshad Walker-Berkley.

INSIGHT: This sets up to be an interesting district because there are four teams that have great shots to win this district. Berkley and Royal Oak come back south to Detroit to join these four teams in Wayne County. Detroit University-Jesuit lost a ton of talent from last season's team that made the Division One State Finals losing a heartbreaker to Ypsilanti Lincoln but knowing coach Pat Donnelly he will always have the Cubs reloaded. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit will have J.T Morgan to go to in tough situations. Detroit Renaissance should be adjusted into coach John White's system in his second season coaching the team after a rocky first year prior to the start of that season. Oak Park is loaded for coach Bobby Thompson but chemistry and distractions could a huge concern for this team. The Knights have a ton of experienced talent returning in Fred Garland, Soloman Johnson, Jaylin Mines, and DeVontae Edwards. The big question could be is that will Maliq Carr come back and play??? He was suspended last season after making some comments on Twitter that got into the media. If Carr comes back, Oak Park will be in the mix to contend for a district crown. Berkley should also a player not only in this district but in the Blue as well. The Bears are well coached under coach Joe Sermo and he has a ton of talent back led by Arshad Walker and Ari Belchinsky. Detroit Mumford has some talent as well and could make some noise. Royal Oak has some questions for coach Aaron Smith after a very disappointing season last year. The Mustangs were in the district finals last season and should be competitive. This should be a fun district to watch with five of the six teams having great shots to win this district.

District 29: @ Rochester

ROCHESTER

STONEY CREEK

TROY

Utica

Utica Eisenhower

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Troy, 2. Utica Eisenhower.

FAVORITE: Troy

NEXT: Utica Eisenhower

DARKHORSE: Stoney Creek

WILDCARD: Utica

Player On The Spot: Ethan Emerzian-Troy

INSIGHT: This has the makings of an interesting district with the same five teams as last season except this time the district is at Rochester and not at Utica. Rochester has a much bigger court than Utica. The Chieftains lost a ton of talent from the team that had a shocking trip to the district final last season finishing at 8-13. Utica has Nik Gjonaj, Nathan Oke, Carson Arafat, Rory Montreuil, Howard McCollum, and Aleks Cvetkovski back for coach David Hinke. Utica Eisenhower had a very disappointing season falling in the district semifinals to Troy. The Eagles will have Anthony Cukaj and Jake Mund returning for coach Tom Antishin but there is a ton of unproven talent that returns for this team. Utica Eisenhower will look to be better than their record indicated last season when they were at 500 in the tough Macomb Area Red. Rochester should very young for coach Vance Kirkwood after losing a ton of proven players to graduation. The Falcons should be better especially with the move down to the Blue. Rochester has a very talented sophomore class as they went undefeated during their freshman season. Kirkwood expects some of them to be on varsity this season. Stoney Creek will look to have a bounce back year after finishing under 500 along with a 49-48 district semifinal loss to Utica last season. They have Alex Reiter and Trevor Smith returning for coach Steve Norgrove. Norgrove will have a very talented junior class coming into to prove some people wrong. The Cougars have some questions especially in the post that needs to be addressed. Troy won the district over Utica last season before losing to Roseville in the regional semifinals but this Colts team could be better than they were last season. It's been an interesting offseason for coach Gary Fralick and his team. Troy went down from the Red to the White and they have gone through a major transformation. The Colts have Brody Parker returning but they got a major boost when the Emerzian twins (Jake and Ethan) transferred in from Adams to form what will be a very dangerous trio that can dribble drive and shoot three pointers on a consistent basis. If there is a weakness on Troy, it's the interior. The inside game is a big concern for this team as they are not big and will have to rely on Parker and the Emerzian's shooting and dribble drives to carry them. The Colts are favored in this district because of the big three and also in the White as well. This district should be Troy's to lose however Rochester's gym could be nightmarish to shooters especially with Rochester College formally playing at Rochester High School.

District 30: @ Utica Ford II

TROY ATHENS

Utica Ford II

Chippewa Valley

Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights Stevenson

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Chippewa Valley, 2. Sterling Heights.

FAVORITE: Chippewa Valley

NEXT: Sterling Heights

DARKHORSE: Troy Athens

WILDCARD: Sterling Heights Stevenson

Player On The Spot: Myren Harris-Chippewa Valley.

INSIGHT: This should be an interesting district at Utica Ford II with basically the same teams that was there last year at Chippewa Valley. Sterling Heights Stevenson had a tough 39-36 district final loss to the Big Reds last season. The Titans lost a ton of talent from that team that stunned Clarkston early in the season last year and will be very young. Chippewa Valley will look to build on their district championship run and they have some talent returning led by Myren Harris. Sterling Heights should be a team to watch as coach Mike Griffin has a very deadly 2-3 zone that will make teams work hard to find their shots. Troy Athens had a rough season last year going 3-17 however they had a young team that had some growing pains. They should have experience coming back in Davis Giovanni and Jacob Thorton for coach Dave Scott. The Red Hawks should be better this season with them moving down to the Blue. Utica Ford II won't be competitive despite them hosting this district. We shall see what happens in Macomb County.

District 58: @ Ferndale

FERNDALE

Ferndale University

Detroit Cody

Detroit Communication Media Arts

Detroit Old Redford

BOYS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Ferndale, 2. Detroit Communication Media Arts

FAVORITE: Ferndale

NEXT: Detroit Communication Media Arts

DARKHORSE: Detroit Cody

WILDCARD: No One

Player On the Spot: Treyvon Lewis-Ferndale

INSIGHT: This is not a strong district when you look at the teams that are here with the Ferndale schools joining a Detroit Public School League district. The Eagles should be the heavy favorite coming into this district after having a very successful State tournament run last season before falling in the regional final to Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy. Things could be different this winter as coach Juan Rickman has two transfers that come into the program. They are expected to make big impacts on this team in JayShawn Moore and Colin Ghoston. All three transferred from Detroit East English Village Prep (where Rickman was at prior to coming to Ferndale) sat out last season due to the MHSAA declaring that the transfers that came from Detroit East English Village Prep were athletically motivated. Rickman has Treyvon Lewis back for his sophomore campaign. Lewis had a big freshman year last season and is more than capable to exceed those expectations this season. Ferndale hosts this district, they have a coach familiar with these teams, and is in the Red. There isn't a team in this district that threatens the Eagles, there is no reason why this team should not win this district.

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