Top Games This Week. Boys and Girls Basketball Top 21.

Written Saturday February 15th at 10:00 AM

Boys Top 21

1. Clarkston (14-1): Mike DePillo has been an impactful player for the Wolves.

2. Southfield Arts and Tech (12-2): Warriors are tied for the White and they didn’t even play last week.

3. Troy (11-3): The Colts are heart, effort, and guts, nuff said.

4. North Farmington (11-5): Raiders could be a dangerous squad come postseason time.

5. Ferndale (7-8): The lack of depth could be the Eagles undoing come postseason time.

6. West Bloomfield (6-8): Lakers have lost four straight which is a concern.

7. Oak Park (6-9): Knights are 1-4 in their last five games.

8. Adams (6-9): Coach Jaret Thomas has gotten the Highlanders rolling.

9. Lake Orion (5-10): Having Nick Fisher back really stabilizes things for the Dragons.

10. Troy Athens (12-4): Red Hawks are 7-2 in their last nine games.

11. Berkley (10-4): Bears are 4-1 in their last five games.

12. Seaholm (9-5): Bad news is the Maples lost twice last week, good news they weren’t in league.

13. Farmington (7-9): Anytime you blow a 24 point lead it’s going to hurt.

14. Oxford (9-7): What happened last Friday Wildcats?????

15. Stoney Creek (7-8): Cougars sent big statement last Thursday night.

16. Groves (7-9): Falcons have been a hard team to figure out.

17. Pontiac (6-7): Phoenix have been hot and cold lately.

18. Bloomfield Hills (5-12): Blackhawks having a tough time right now.

19. Rochester (2-13): Falcons have been competitive lately.

20. Royal Oak (3-12): Ravens have lost eight of nine in 2020.

21. Avondale (0-15): Yellow Jackets have been competitive despite record.

Girls Top 21

1. West Bloomfield (12-4):  Lakers might be the most dangerous team come postseason.

2. Clarkston (12-4): Wolves had their chance to share the Red but didn’t happen.

3. Avondale (11-5): Yellow Jackets have been solid since coaching change to Ray Christmon.

4. Adams (10-6): Highlanders are starting to put things together at the right time.

5. North Farmington (11-6): Raiders will be an interesting team to watch come postseason.

6. Troy (11-5): Kendal Zeiter has been a huge addition for the Colts.

7. Southfield Arts and Tech (11-7): Warriors need to ride Cheyenne McEvans and Jasmine Worthy to the postseason.

8. Groves (9-7): Could the Falcons play spoiler once the postseason comes???

9. Royal Oak (9-8): Ravens need to find another scorer besides Sarah Soraghan and quick.

10. Troy Athens (12-4): A week off should help the Red Hawks get back to things.

11. Oak Park (10-6): Kyla Wilson is a player no one talks about, just ask Rochester.

12. Rochester (10-6): Falcons had their chance to win the Blue outright but didn’t get it done last week.

13. Berkley (12-4): Bears now tied with Rochester in the Blue.

14. Lake Orion (6-11): Dragons have been improving but still have to take that next step.

15. Stoney Creek (5-11): The schedule is going to get brutal the rest of the way for the Cougars.

16. Oxford (5-11): Emma Morris has had some good games for the Wildcats.

17. Bloomfield Hills (6-11): Blackhawks 1-5 in their last six games.

18. Seaholm (6-12): Maples looking to finish on a high note.

19. Farmington (3-12): Falcons are hanging in there.

20. Ferndale (4-10): Eagles trying to hang in there.

21. Pontiac (0-14): It has been a struggle for the Phoenix.

Top Games (Boys)- Feb 17 thru Feb 21.

Lake Orion at North Farmington (Tuesday): This is a rematch of a 54-45 North Farmington victory on January 16^th. The Raiders have been winners of two straight since their overtime disaster against Bloomfield Hills. The Dragons picked up a much needed win on Friday against Seaholm to which they have played a brutal schedule lately. Lake Orion has not fared well against the Farmington schools on the road in the past. It should be an interesting one on Tuesday night.

Bloomfield Hills at Lake Orion (Friday): This is a rematch of a 45-41 Lake Orion victory on January 21^st at Bloomfield Hills however the last time the Blackhawks went into Lake Orion they made 11 three point shots in a 66-50 victory over the Dragons. It will be an interesting matchup considering that both teams have one win thus far in the Red.

Ferndale at Clarkston (Friday): If the Eagles want to truly believe they belong in the elite then why not go to Flemings Lake Road and make a huge statement. Clarkston beat Ferndale 66-49 on January 22^nd at Ferndale. I wonder how the Eagles matchup with the Wolves depth now that Mike DePillo has started taking on a bigger role.

Oxford at Farmington (Friday): This is a rematch of a 63-56 Falcons win at Oxford on January 21^st. Farmington blew a 24 point lead against Troy while the Wildcats could not score 30 points against Adams last week. Oxford has a tough schedule to close out the season while the Falcons are tied with Troy and Southfield Arts and Tech for the White. Farmington still has the Warriors coming to their place.

Rochester at Avondale (Friday): The Yellow Jackets have been close to getting their first win of the season on numerous occasions but they have lost their last four games by a combined 19 points. Avondale lost 52-48 on January 21st at Rochester. It has been a tough road for the Yellow Jackets but could this be the one they get???

Adams at Groves (Friday): The Highlanders have been rolling which is a great sign heading into the postseason. Adams has been very competitive as seen in their games. The Highlanders would love to get back at Groves after falling 58-52 in overtime to the Falcons on January 21^st. Adams has won two straight while Groves has kind of been struggling a little bit.

Farmington at Stoney Creek (Tuesday): The Falcons are in a real interesting spot. They blew a 24 point lead on Friday night against Troy which has them now tied with the Colts and Southfield Arts and Tech in the White. The Cougars sent a message by beating Groves 54-39 after trailing 20-15 at the half last week. Farmington won 55-46 on January 16^th. We don’t know which Falcons squad will show up. Stoney Creek is not an easy place to play at.

West Bloomfield at Bloomfield Hills (Tuesday): “The Battle of Bloomfield” has always been a strong rivalry but it has been the Blackhawks have gotten the best of the Lakers lately which included two postseason wins and once in the regular season. Bloomfield Hills has fared well at their own gym against West Bloomfield, now I don’t know if it’s the scenery but it’s happened. The Lakers won 55-47 on January 17^th in the Swamp but anything can happen. This will be an interesting game to say the least.

Troy at Groves (Tuesday): This is a rematch of a January 16^th contest in which the Colts beat the Falcons 58-52 on their home floor. Troy is on an emotional high after coming back from 24 down to stun Farmington last week tying Farmington and Southfield Arts and Tech for the lead in the White. Groves has really been struggling. It will be an interesting game to say the least on Tuesday night.

Troy at Troy Athens (Friday): It’s always interesting when a rivalry game highlights things. Troy calls Troy Athens “That School down the Road.” The Colts have owned the season series with the Red Hawks and feature three very talented players in Brody Parker, Ethan Emerizan, and Jake Emerizan. D’Anthony Hamilton is another solid player as well. Troy Athens has Bryce Eaton along with Jacob Thornton and Davis Giovianni. This will be a fun one on John R Road on Friday night.

Oak Park at West Bloomfield (Friday): This is a rematch of a crazy 88-86 Lakers victory over the Knights on January 21^st. Wondering if defense could be a priority in this matchup of two teams that are in need of a win heading into this contest.

Berkley at Seaholm (Friday): The Bears have been putting things together but they were shocked 48-35 on their home floor on January 21^st by Seaholm. The Maples have lost two straight since their overtime buzzer beating win over Pontiac. What hasn’t helped things was Alex Lonze and Dominic Cullen were out last game. Expect both to play in this game. If Berkley wants to make some noise and keep their league hopes alive, they must win this game.

Ferndale at Oak Park (Tuesday): This is a rematch of a 71-64 Eagles victory over the Knights on January 16^th. Oak Park is 1-4 in their last five games while Ferndale still has an under 500 record. Something has to give on Tuesday in Knight Valley.

Southfield Arts and Tech vs Detroit Cass Tech at Detroit (Thursday): The Warriors haven’t played in over two weeks but they are tied for the White with Troy and Farmington. Southfield Arts and Tech will head to Little Casers Arena to play the newly crowned Detroit Public School League Champion Detroit Cass Tech. The Technicians had to overcome their fair share of adversity. It will be an interesting game to say the least.

Top Games (Girls)- Feb 17 thru Feb 21.

Troy Athens at Lake Orion (Thursday): There are a lot of storylines heading into this rematch. Troy Athens won 59-40 over the Dragons on January 14^th however the last time Troy Athens went into Lake Orion they were held to 19 points last season. The Red Hawks are a veteran team with a ton of experience. The Dragons have improved despite the win-loss record and it’s an interesting coaching matchup between Stacie Klumpp and Bob Brydges. This will be interesting to say the least.

Rochester at Adams (Tuesday): Anytime you have a rivalry game you want to make an impact. The Highlanders could make that claim to be the “City Champs” if they can get by the Falcons. Adams has proven they belong in this conversation. Rochester had a golden opportunity to win the Blue outright last week but lost 59-45 to Oak Park. The Falcons feel this is a statement game. This has the makings of an interesting game.

Bloomfield Hills at Royal Oak (Thursday): This is a rematch of a 43-32 Blackhawks win over Royal Oak on January 14^th. Bloomfield Hills is 1-5 since that game. The Ravens have had their fair share of issues as of late, finding scoring besides Sarah Soraghan. It shapes up to be an interesting matchup come Thursday night.

Adams at Troy (Thursday): These are two teams that are peaking at the right time heading into the postseason. The Colts beat the Highlanders 50-46 on January 14^th. Adams has been rolling since their emotional win over Avondale. Troy has also played well as well and they have Kendal Zeiter back as well. It shapes up to be an interesting contest to say the least.

Berkley at Troy Athens (Tuesday): This is a very interesting non-league matchup between the Bears and Red Hawks. I’m looking forward to the guard matchup between Ashley Loon and Izzy Crumm. The X factor is Lauryn Thomas in the post. It will be interesting to say the least.

West Bloomfield at Harper Woods Chandler Park (Thursday): This is an interesting matchup between the Lakers and Harper Woods Chandler Park. West Bloomfield beat Clarkston on the road but they didn’t get the outright lead in the Red after losing to Southfield Arts and Tech. Both teams like to speed things up which expects to be a high scoring game.

Stoney Creek at Groves (Wednesday): The Cougars and Falcons are going to play two games in a span of 10 days which is rare. Does Stoney Creek have an answer for Ellie Ruprich in the post??? But does Groves have an answer for Sydney LaPrairee. The X factor in this game is Lily DiPanni but the Falcons have some solid options as well. Also it’s a great coaching matchup between Kellen James and Jessica Wiesler. It will be interesting to say the least.

Clarkston at Groves (Thursday): Are the Falcons for real??? This will be their big test when they play the Wolves. Clarkston beat Groves 45-34 on January 14^th but the Wolves have improved drastically but so has the Falcons. This has the makings of an interesting game.

North Farmington at Berkley (Friday): This is a very interesting matchup of two teams that are gearing up for the postseason. The Raiders feature Heaven Rogers, Maya Kelly, and Molly Simpson while the Bears have Ashley Loon and Lauryn Thomas. It will be interesting who makes a statement in this game.