Pinner retires at Clarkston.

Written Thursday January 28th at 11:00 AM

The Wolves will have a new volleyball coach this fall.

Kelly Pinner whom has been at Clarkston for 18 years announced on Twitter that she is stepping down from coaching on Thursday morning.

"18 seasons: 681-124-23, 13 league, 13 district, 3 regional, 2 final fours. None of this compares to the hundreds of wonderful souls that I have had the opportunity to coach and the passionate people that I've had the pleasure to coach with and against. Therein lies the championship" Pinner said on Twitter.

Pinner won 681 games in her coaching carrier and have made two final fours including this season when they won the Red and made the final four where they lost to Birmingham Marian in the State Semifinals two weeks ago.

She leaves behind a legacy.

Pinner took over for Gordie Richardson in 2003. She played for Richardson at Clarkston. After Richardson left then athletic director Dan Fife asked her to takeover the program.

18 years here we are.

It will be very interesting who takes over for the Wolves next season. Although it is likely that athletic director Jeff Kosin will keep the job in house. Clarkston has Skylar Judas and Paige Giethbrock coming back. 

There is a foundation in place at Clarkston.

We will see what happens but it's a huge loss for the volleyball community. 

Thoughts

I'm going to miss Pinner. She turned them into a State power. It will be interesting who Kosin chooses but will likely go in house. Pinner has had good teams come through Clarkston. The rivalry with Lake Orion stands out. It was the Dragons in 2011 that beat the Wolves in the State Semifinals but Clarkston beat Lake Orion in the district finals this season.

Pinner has been there through it all.

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

Have Faith.

Written Wednesday January 27th at 6:40 PM

Winter contact sports remain on hold for now.

38 states including Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, and California are starting winter sports next week but not Michigan.

However there has been some dialogue between the MHSAA and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The MDHHS has a new executive director in former Rockford tennis player Elizabeth Hertel. Hertel took over for Robert Gordon whom stepped down on Friday after extending the order until February 21.

The “Let Them Play” message is and is still loud and clear. There was letters, videos, and pleas. This wasn't just from students but some administrators like Detroit Public Schools superintendent Nickoi Viti among other superintendents along with coaches through out the state have spoken out as well and athletic directors. This message has even gotten to the legislature where there will be hearings set for Thursday with the goal to "Let Them Play."

There is a rally set for Saturday in Lansing.

MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl said that the representative council voted not to set a timetable yet for Winter Sports to begin as of yet.

Uyl was frustrated like everyone else when the extension came out last week but sounded optimistic on Wednesday especially with the changes at the MDHHS when he talked on the “Huge Show.”

The four contact sports are practicing but with no contact.

Uyl has been very transparent throughout the process. The decision making was questionable. He is though not happy with those players and families that are traveling out of state.

The MHSAA and MDHHS had a fall antigen test program for fall sports which had a 99.8 negative test rate last week and a 99.6 negative test rate two weeks ago.

Hopefully these next few days will be very interesting to watch.

Have faith everyone, have faith.

State Champs Article

https://www.statechampsnetwork.com/blog/mhsaas-message-of-let-them-play-loud-and-clear-across-state-we-really-feel-like-our-message-is-really-resonating-right-now/

MiPrepzone

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/miprepzone/uyl-push-for-contact-sports-to-begin-resonating-around-the-state/article_14e6e5d2-60f4-11eb-8abd-fbe51a89b45c.html  

Ellis Article

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/miprepzone/drew-ellis-a-lot-of-gray-in-decision-to-resume-contact-sports/article_4f18781a-60d1-11eb-8af7-b73a4c5302d7.html

Pontiac Cancels Girls Basketball Because Of Lack of Numbers.

Written Monday January 25th at 12:10 PM

The Pontiac Phoenix won't have Girls Basketball this winter.

The Phoenix due to a lack of players and concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic decided to cancel their season this year on Monday morning.

"Unfortunately due to a lack of participation as a result of parental concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic it is necessary for us to cancel the Girls Basketball season for this year. Although we are sadden to not be able to offer the program, our students safety is our top priority. Please know that our coaches will still be available to work with athletes on strength and conditioning two times a week and we look forward to coming back strong next season. Thank you and stay safe" said Pontiac Athletic Director Lee Montgomery.

The Phoenix lack of depth was concerning heading into the season. Means now that the Gold will have one less team now the Pontiac opted out.

We will see what happens.

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

Bellamy leaves a legacy at West Bloomfield.

 Written Monday January 25th at 9:25 AM

Ron Bellamy has decided to leave West Bloomfield for Ann Arbor early Monday morning. He accepted a position with Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan next fall. 

Bellamy confirmed his departure in a tweet early Monday morning.

“Thank you West Bloomfield,

Twelve years ago God sent me to West Bloomfield to do his work. The West Bloomfield community welcomed my wife and I with open arms. My kids were born and immediately became a part of the football program, WBHS, and the community. I’ve became a better man, husband, father, and coach because of the experiences I gained throughout my time at West Bloomfield. I’m forever grateful for my experiences, the good times and the not so good times that helped mold me into a better teacher, mentor, and coach.

Thank you to all the players, coaches, and amazing medical team who have dedicated their time to help put West Bloomfield on the map as a State Powerhouse in football. Special thanks to our parents who trusted me with their kids, that’s a huge commitment and I hope I made you proud.

Lastly, I would like to thank the leaders at West Bloomfield for the love and support that have been delivered every year. I’ve always leaned on my faith and sometimes you had to make tough decisions. This past weekend has been very special to my family and I. Many tears were shed, because it has always been about love. I will forever be a Laker.

LBoyz 4 Life”

Bellamy led West Bloomfield to their first ever Division One State Championship last Saturday blowing out defending Division One State Champion Davison 41-0 at Ford Field. It was the first State title for West Bloomfield in any sport since 1983.

Bellamy was 82-45 at West Bloomfield in his 12 seasons with the program. He built the program from scratch but especially from 2014-2021 is when the Lakers started becoming a State power.

It will be interesting who the Lakers will go with next season but it most likely should be somebody in house.

Bellamy has been a father figure to his players and was always honest, classy, and truthful. He was great to interview and even called in to my podcast before the season began.

There were a ton of great memories with Bellamy and myself. He will be missed.

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

 My Podcast

https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-01-25-21wav

The Job Is Finished.

Written Saturday January 23rd at 4:22 PM

For Coach Ron Bellamy, the mission is finished.

Donovan Edwards was dominant again against another very good defense.

The Lakers proved they belong and earned their first State Championship on Saturday afternoon blowing out Davison 41-0.

Edwards had 14 carries for 257 yards and three touchdowns against the Cardinals. Mekhi Elam also had a very good game as well adding a touchdown. Linebacker Nyles King took the football back for a touchdown.

Now what hurt Davison was that tight end/defensive end Harrison Unger was injured with a hamstring injury in the first quarter and did not return to the game.

Kyle Johnson was dominant in this game, he forced fumbles and made tackles for a defense that was dominant all season long. Jaden Green, Amir Herring, Maxwell Hariston among others were dominant as well.

Even with Brendan Sullivan and Unger the Cardinals really had no chance in this game.

The Lakers were on a mission.

West Bloomfield has joined the OAA ranks of State Champions along with Clarkston, Oxford, Lake Orion, Adams, and Troy.

The Lakers have a lot coming back next season including Dillion Tatum, Amir Herring, Michael Williams, Semaj Morgan, Brandon Davis-Swain, Bertelle Rankin, Zavieon Mitchell, Malik Matheia, DeAndre Hill, Zander Davis, Kaiden Tucker, and Ryan Ross.

West Bloomfield has a very good junior varsity class coming in freshman to be sophomores in Kari Jackson and Kyle Johnson. They have a very good quarterback ready to take over the reins in Requez Nance. Also they went undefeated in junior varsity.

The Lakers have been dominant since the 24-21 overtime loss to Clarkston. They shutout Oxford, Lake Orion, Adams, and Oak Park all very good and proud teams. West Bloomfield would enter the postseason by dominating Utica Ford II, and then beat Troy before blowing out Sterling Heights Stevenson 63-6 at Runkel Field. The Lakers in the regional final blew out Romeo 52-14 in the Swamp to get to their test.

Then came Belleville.

The team that West Bloomfield had problems with the last two years. Both losses by eight points. The Lakers overcame everything and got the monkey off their back when they beat Belleville 35-34 in double overtime.

Then came Davison.

The Lakers besides the penalties were flawless. The lines played very well. Jake Ward played well. Elam played well and Edwards was Edwards.

The entire team shined on this day.

Congrats West Bloomfield and Bellamy along with the coaching staff, job well done. 

My Podcast

https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-01-25-21wav