Here is the preview for the Boys Basketball season this year.
EARLY SEASON TOP 21.
1. Clarkston
2. Troy
3. Farmington
4. Ferndale
5. Berkley
6. North Farmington
7. Oxford
8. Groves
9. Oak Park
10. Stoney Creek
11. Southfield Arts and Tech
12. West Bloomfield
13. Bloomfield Hills
14. Lake Orion
15. Adams
16. Seaholm
17. Troy Athens
18. Rochester
19. Avondale
20. Pontiac
21. Royal Oak
Red
OUTLOOK: The Red has always been a tough division and
it will be again this season. Almost all of the teams return the majority of
their talent from last season. Clarkston has a ton of talent back and should be
in peak form by February thus could be in line to make a deep and long
postseason run. Ferndale makes the move up from the Blue. They will look to
make some more noise after having a successful postseason run last season. They
could make a deep run in Division Two come March. North Farmington has the balk
of their players back. Bloomfield Hills has their backcourt returning. Oak Park
has almost everyone back from last season. West Bloomfield will be young but
they have proven talent back. Lake Orion has a new coach and a young team.
Usually being in the Red with a new coach and a young team does not mesh really
well.
CLARKSTON WOLVES
Strength: Proven Experience.
Weakness: Mental Mindset.
The Wolves are loaded with a ton of talent and program
strength is strong. Clarkston has their big three back in Fletcher Loyer,
Keegan Wasilk, and Matt Nicholson along with Cole Donchez and Jaiden Wasilk. The
top four mentioned saw huge minutes last season for a team that won 17 straight
games. They have added some talent for second year coach Tim Wasilk in Mike
DePillo, Blake Kosin, Isayah Harris, Connor McKouren, Cole Harris, Luke
Scherler, Logan Forbes, Jessie Lawton, and Zach Austin. Program strength looks to be in good shape. Clarkston should be
back to their normal selves after a disappointing postseason last year. Mental
mindset remains the key for this group though.
FERNDALE EAGLES
Strength: Proven Guards and Wings.
Weakness: Depth and Program Strength.
The Eagles make the big jump from the Blue to the Red this
season. They were in the middle of the pack in the regular season in the Blue but had a deep playoff run which included making the regional finals in Division
Two last season. Ferndale has two transfers in JayShawn Moore and Colin Golston
in the fold after sitting out last season because their transfers from Detroit
East English Village Prep was deemed “athletically motivated.” The Eagles
already have starting point guard Treyvon Lewis and a role player in Jalen
Daugherty back for Coach Juan Rickman. Depth and program strength are major concerns for this squad. On the bright side, Ferndale has enough talent to make another run in the postseason.
NORTH FARMINGTON RAIDERS
Strength: Experience and Size.
Weakness: Big Courts and Mental Mindset.
The Raiders have the majority of their team back from a team that won 14 games last season. North Farmington has Eddie Linton, Basheer Jihad,
Justus Clark, Jon Brunette, Deon Haynes, and Jamal Haynes returning for Coach
Todd Negoshian. The Raiders do have some concerns though despite having a ton of
experience back. Program strength looks to be very strong. If they can figure
out their troubles on bigger courts like Clarkston and Lake Orion then the
Raiders will be a team to watch.
OAK PARK KNIGHTS
Strength: Experience.
Weakness: Mental Mindset at Times and Program Strength.
The Knights should be an interesting team to keep an eye on
after having some turmoil last season that really derailed their season in the
districts. Oak Park returns the majority of their team including Fred Garland, Solomon
Johnson, DaVonte Edwards, and Jaylin Mines for Coach Bobby Thompson. Mental
mindset is a question mark for this team along with program strength. If the Knights can use that
experience they have back they could make some noise.
WEST BLOOMFIELD LAKERS
Strength: Shooting and Program Strength.
Weakness: Experience.
The Lakers will be an interesting team to keep an eye on
after two disappointing postseason losses since making the Final Four in Class A or Division One three
years ago. Looking behind the scenes they are expecting this squad a young
group for Coach Jeremy Denha. West Bloomfield has Shameer Mathews, Chase
Glover-Rogers, Jake Lanshaw, and Kipras Blazeviciux returning. The Lakers will have
to replace Donovan Moore and Robert Johnson after they both graduated but they have a freshman in Bryce Hurst that could make an impact. Also their program strength is very strong. It might
take a couple of games for them to get adjusted to life but this team should be
fine moving forward.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS BLACKHAWKS
Strength: Guards.
Weakness: Interior.
The Blackhawks should be an interesting team to watch from a
team that won 11 games last season. They have the talent and ability to compete in this
division for Coach Phil Kurajian. Bloomfield Hills has the three point shooters
and experience returning in guards Mason Canfield and Colin Hecker. If the
Blackhawks can address the interior then there is no reason why they can’t be
in games. Program strength looks to be very strong. This is a scrappy team to say the least.
LAKE ORION DRAGONS
Strength: Wings.
Weakness: Interior besides Boegheimer and Jones, Experience, and Program Strength.
The Dragons are in the midst of a transition period for new
coach Joel Schroeder. Lake Orion won 13 games last season but they only return
two players with proven Varsity experience in Cameron Sutton and Dylan Boegheimer along with one guy who could be out for the season in Drew Van Heck.
The Dragons will need to be several players to fill bigger roles with basically a group that
haven’t played Varsity Basketball. There could be some potential breakout
players to watch in Nick Fisher, Andrew Bryant, Malaki Grandberry, Alden Ritt,
and Brendan Jones. Program strength is a concern. If Lake Orion can address some things then they could make
some noise but according to Schroeder this is a young basketball team with a
lot of work to do.
White
OUTLOOK: The White seems to be a two team race when
looking at it on paper but it could be a four team race if some surprises occur. Troy comes down from the Red after being around 500
most of last season. The Colts added three transfers this offseason and
seemed to be ready to make some noise again. Farmington had a solid season last year
but had a tough district in the process. The Falcons have two guards and a big
back which always helps along with a transfer which should help things for them. Keep an eye on Oxford. The Wildcats made the jump from
the Blue and have lost a ton of talent however in the summer leagues they have
really proven themselves. Stoney Creek is another team to keep an eye on. They
have a lot of youth coming into that program along with a ton of experience.
Groves is another to watch with the experience they have back. Adams
has a new coaching staff after a turmoil filled offseason but according to
scouts behind the scenes everyone has seemed to have bought into the new staff
and the program. Southfield Arts and Tech has a strong junior varsity squad
coming up and a transfer coming into the program. There could be a ton of
questions surrounding the Warriors.
TROY COLTS
Strength: Shooting and Proven Guards.
Weakness: Interior and Program Strength.
The Colts took home a district title last season after being
in the middle of the pack in the Red. They came down from the Red to the White this season. There is a ton of optimism for Coach Gary
Fralick and his team. Program strength is a concern though even though Brody Parker returns. Troy added several transfers in the offseason in Jake Emerzian, Ethan Emerizan, and D’Anthony Hamilton
from Ferndale. The Emerizan’s transferred from Adams while Hamilton transferred from Ferndale. The Emerzians played with Parker in AAU. There is no doubt that they will put up a ton of three pointers
and play scrappy defense. They are more than capable of making a deep
postseason run. The question for Troy will be in the interior even though Zach
Zesses is there. If they can address that area then this squad should be a team
to be a recon with.
FARMINGTON FALCONS
Strength: Proven Guards and Wings.
Weakness: Depth and Program Strength.
The Falcons had a strong year battling Adams for the
division crown along with a very brutal district last season.
Farmington should be right back in the thick of things competing
for a league crown and a deep postseason run looks possible this season. Farmington has Jaden Atkins and Tariq Humes at the guard spots along with interior presence in Jack Donghue for Coach Terrance Porter. They added a transfer in the offseason in Robert Davis who came
from Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. He is expected to give Atkins and Humes
another option. If the Falcons get some depth alongside their four top players
then there is no reason why they could make some noise. Program strength is another concern to address as well.
OXFORD WILDCATS
Strength: Program Strength.
Weakness: Depth Scoring.
The Wildcats had a special year going 19-1,
winning the Blue, and having a deep postseason run which included a trip to the
regional final last season. The majority has graduated however Coach Steve
Laidlaw brings back several key players from that team in Trey and Zach Townsend.
Oxford also has a solid junior varsity squad coming up which should give
Laidlaw a ton of options but they are unproven in the Varsity level. Program strength is very strong. The
Wildcats also moved up to the White which should be a challenge. They should be competitive in this division.
Oxford should be a team to watch.
GROVES FALCONS
Strength: Experience.
Weakness: Wings and Program Strength.
The Falcons should be an interesting team to watch this season even though program strength is a bit of a concern though in Beverly Hills. Groves has Adolphus Cast, Devin White, Daniel Lee, and Mark Watson returning for Coach Benny White. This Falcons lost a ton of buzzer beating games last season and are looking to make
some noise this season. Groves should be a darkhorse team to watch.
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH WARRIORS
Strength: ????????
Weakness: Experience.
The Warriors will be an interesting team to watch as they
lost a ton of talent from last season which included Cameron McEvans.
Southfield Arts and Tech added Amauri Bates whom transferred from Southfield
Christian this offseason. Bates should help a very young team this season for
Coach Darrell Buchanan. If this team can gel quickly then look out.
STONEY CREEK COUGARS
Strength: Program Strength.
Weakness: Size.
The Cougars should be better after a disappointing year last
season which resulted in a tough loss to Utica in the district semifinals.
Stoney Creek has Alex Reiter, Zach Jones, Lance Fogelberg, and Trevor Smith
back along with a solid junior varsity squad coming up. Program strength is on
the rise within the program. If the young players can gel then Coach Steve
Norgrove’s team could make some noise.
ADAMS HIGHLANDERS
Strength: Interior.
Weakness: Adjusting to a New System and Depth.
The Highlanders have had a turbulent offseason that saw
their coach Brad Crighton along with Gunner Walters and the Emerizians leave
Adams. The Highlanders thought they had a new coach in Nate Evola but he turned
a complete 360 after accepting the job only to turn it down a few days later.
Adams went with Jared Thomas as the program’s third coach in three months.
Thomas came over from Avondale and has seemed to have changed the program
mindset and put in his own vision in place. The Highlanders have Peyton
Prieskorn and Austin Ursuay returning in the interior but the guards are very
young. Depth and program strength is also question marks as well for Adams. If everyone is on the
same page then the Highlanders could be better than people think.
Blue
OUTLOOK: The Blue was the toughest division last
season with three teams making deep playoff runs. Now two of the three teams
moved up while the other is in a complete rebuild mode. Berkley seems to be the
favorite as they return the most proven experience. Keep an eye on Seaholm, I
like this Maples squad to what I saw in the summer league. Troy Athens and Rochester
both come down from the White The Red Hawks have a ton of experience back while the Falcons are very young. Avondale
has a new coach and it will take some time to get his system in place. Pontiac
lost just about everyone from an 18-2 and regional final appearance from last
season and has a new coach. Royal Oak I thought would had been better but
really struggled last season. They could again this season.
BERKLEY BEARS
Strength: Experience and Program Strength.
Weakness: Mental Mindset.
The Bears had a bounce back year after having the collapse
of the century two years ago when they went from 10-0 to 10-11. Arshad Walker
and Ari Belchinsky returns for a team that won 12 games last season for Coach
Joe Sermo. If Sermo can find ways to keep this team motivated and hungry then
they could surprise some people. Program strength looks to be strong this season. It will be interesting to see how Berkley
feels becoming the hunted instead of the hunters in the division.
SEAHOLM MAPLES
Strength: Defense and Program Strength.
Weakness: Size and Scoring.
The Maples had things rough, they won six games last season
but there is some optimism at Seaholm this season. If the Maples want to challenge for the
Blue, they will need to address some things and Coach Mike DeGeeter
knows that. The mental toughness should be better especially in the defensive
end of the court and they will be very scrappy. They have some experience
back which helps in Matt Fricke, Dominic Cullen, and Alex Lonze but scoring
is a question mark. Program strength is very strong. Seaholm should be a team to watch in this division for
sure.
TROY ATHENS RED HAWKS
Strength: Proven Guards and Wings.
Weakness: Size and Depth.
The Red Hawks had a tough year winning four games last
season but Coach Dave Scott should be better going from the White to the
Blue this season. Troy Athens has a ton of talent back led by Jacob Thorton,
Max DeLong, and Davis Giovinniaci. Jordan Sebaugh and Jake Wood are proven
guards which saw a ton of time last season. The Red Hawks also have freshman Bryce Eaton in the fold as well. Size and depth are question marks this season for this group. Program strength will be interesting to watch as well. Troy Athens could make some noise this season.
ROCHESTER FALCONS
Strength: Sophomore Class.
Weakness: Varsity Experience and Program Strength.
The Falcons will be a young team after losing a lot of
talent from last season. Rochester should be better but it will depend if Coach
Vance Kirkwood moves up a ton of sophomores. The sophomore class went unbeaten
last season. The Falcons could be an underrated team to keep an eye on if the
sophomores can adapt to life on the Varsity level. Program strength will be very interesting to see.
AVONDALE YELLOW JACKETS
Strength: Guards.
Weakness: Interior, Program Strength, and Adjusting to a New Coach.
The Yellow Jackets will have a new coach in Pat Clancy
taking over the program. Avondale comes down from the White to the Blue. They
has a lot of talented guards like David Holloman and Josh Buggs along with a
deep bench but their question will be in the interior despite having Drew
Plumer who stands at 6.5 and Corban Small who is 6.2. The Yellow Jackets have a
ton of questions that they need to address this season along with their program strength.
PONTIAC PHOENIX
Strength: ?????????
Weakness: New system, Trust, and Program Strength.
The Phoenix will be in the midst of a transition after
winning 18 games and getting to the regional finals last year. Pontiac lost 10
seniors along with their coach Joel Schroeder who left for Lake Orion in the offseason.
The Phoenix named Damien Odneal as their head coach. They will be starting from
scratch despite having Terriah Hazard returning and Lake Orion transfer Isiah
Harris in the fold. It’s going to be a challenge for them going forward.
ROYAL OAK RAVENS
Strength: Interior.
Weakness: Experience and Program Strength.
The Ravens are in a bit of a dilemma after last season’s
disappointing year winning only six games. They lost seven seniors from last
season’s team which will be hard to replace. Coach Aaron Smith will have six
returning players from last season including Jessie Hoisington. Royal Oak will
have some struggles this season and program strength is a question mark but if they can get some players to step up
then maybe the Ravens could be on an upward swing.
My Podcast this week.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-12-09-19
My Podcast this week.
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-12-09-19
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