Postseason Outlooks.

Written Saturday March 20th at 1:15 PM

Boys

Red

North Farmington saw their season come to an abrupt end on Tuesday evening after COVID 19 hit the basketball program. The Raiders lose a ton of experience next season. I really feel bad for them. What helps North Farmington next season is that they have program strength. The Raiders should be in the mix again next season.

Ferndale sent a statement by hammering Farmington on Tuesday night but they took a very tough loss to Grosse Pointe South on Saturday. The Eagles won the Red outright and the district crown looks very favorable as they open up at home against Hazel Park on Tuesday night. Detroit Henry Ford could pose some problems for the Eagles but if the play of Jason Drake and Treyvon Lewis is up to the task then Ferndale should be hosting up the district crown after Thursday night.

Clarkston had an unexpected week off which should help them moving forward in regards to health. The Wolves could have some trouble if they are not careful in the postseason. Clarkston might have to see Lake Orion in the district semifinals on Thursday night pending if they win on Tuesday night over Waterford Kettering and if the Wolves get by the Dragons then they would likely be playing Adams in the district finals on Saturday. This is not a typical Clarkston team but the district will not be easy for them either.

West Bloomfield saw their season come to an end on Monday thanks to contact tracing surrounding COVID 19. The Lakers have Michael Seay and Ryan Hurst coming back next season. It's going to be tough not seeing West Bloomfield in the postseason this year.

Oak Park has had a very unusual season and they are in a very interesting situation. They earned the number two seed on a technicality because Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit didn't play eight games which is not enough to be seeded. The Knights will likely see the Catholic League Champions Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the district semifinals. It is a very bad matchup for Oak Park against a very good Cubs team. It’s going to be tough sailing for the Knights in this district.

Farmington has had a struggling season. They will not have an easy matchup at Seaholm on Tuesday night in the first round. The Falcons were blown out by Ferndale last Tuesday night and if they get by the Maples then they would play North Farmington in the district semifinals which they lost twice by blowouts. It’s going to be a tough task for Farmington in the district.

 

White

Troy has been very inconsistent since getting off COVID protocol which is very concerning heading into the postseason. What helps the Colts is that they have the bye and will play Utica Eisenhower on Thursday night in the district semifinals at Stoney Creek. Troy is expected to be shorthanded in this game. They will be fielding their junior varsity team after a possible COVID exposure to some of their varsity however they could get some of the varsity back pending on the health protocols. Troy if they want to get to Saturday looks to be a prime team to be upset.

Stoney Creek is in a very good spot to win their district. They have the top seed and is at home for the district. The Cougars play Utica in the district semifinals and could see Troy or Utica Eisenhower in the next round. Stoney Creek split with Troy but haven't played against Utica Eisenhower. The Colts do have a ton of playoff experience so this will be a very interesting district to watch.

Groves has been hovering around 500 which showed in their overtime loss to Southfield Arts and Tech on Friday night. These two teams are going to meet again on Tuesday night back in Southfield with the winner getting Birmingham Brother Rice. This game should be a tense drama between these two rivals. The Falcons need to find that consistency if they want to make some noise in this district. Groves has enough experience to matchup with the Warriors and are a potential darkhorse team to watch.

Bloomfield Hills won the White outright with their victory against Troy on Friday night but they have a tough district on the horizon. The Blackhawks earned the number two seed and has home court in their district. Bloomfield Hills will play either Pontiac or Waterford Mott. Both teams should be wins for the Blackhawks but that possible date with Orchard Lake St. Marys could loom on Saturday in the district finals. Bloomfield Hills for now looks to be in a very good spot.

Adams will be out of COVID protocol and just in time. The Highlanders have the number two seed in their district and will await either Oxford or Romeo in the district semifinals. Adams has played very good basketball until the pause which caused them to go on COVID protocol. The Highlanders could get to Saturday where they could see either Clarkston or Lake Orion which would be an interesting district finals.

Southfield Arts and Tech is a hard team to figure out but they do seem to get up for the big games. The Warriors beat Groves in overtime on Friday night to split the season series but they will meet again in the rubber match on Tuesday night at home with that winner seeing Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals. If the Warriors come out and meet Birmingham Brother Rice, I don’t know if they matchup well with them but they have to get by Groves first if they want to see them.

 

Blue

Troy Athens after sharing the Blue with Lake Orion is going to be in a very tough spot on Thursday night. The Red Hawks varsity is on quarantine but not surrendering their spot, home court, and the top seed they will send their junior varsity team to play either Sterling Heights or Chippewa Valley whom play on Tuesday night in the district semifinals. If it’s Sterling Heights then that’s a better matchup but if it’s Chippewa Valley that could spell disaster. If Troy Athens gets by Sterling Heights or Chippewa Valley then the varsity would see Sterling Heights Stevenson on Saturday in the district finals. The Red Hawks varsity is in a very tough spot right now.

Berkley is coming out of COVID protocol after not playing last week. They will have an interesting matchup with Royal Oak at Detroit Renaissance on Tuesday night. Should the Bears get by the Ravens they would play Detroit Renaissance on their home gym on Thursday night. I think Berkley matches up much better to the Phoenix than the Ravens do. I think they have a chance in that game. If the Bears were to advance then they could see Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit in the district finals on Saturday. It will be interesting to see how Berkley responds in this matchup.

Oxford has really struggled trying find another option to Mason Mullholland this season. Alec Brown, Trent Brown, Palmer Spect, and Bryce Essman is trying to be that robin for the Wildcats. The district is not going to be easy despite having home court. Oxford will take on Romeo whom they lost on the buzzer in the regular season. The Wildcats could see Adams in the district semifinals if they get by Romeo. It’s not going to be an easy road for Oxford at all.

Lake Orion after sharing the Blue with Troy Athens is back from COVID protocol. What awaits them is a very interesting matchup with Waterford Kettering on Tuesday night at Oxford. If the Dragons should get by the Captains then a matchup with Clarkston awaits. Lake Orion matches up well with the Wolves with the defensive matchups. It should be an interesting game if that materializes on Thursday night. If the Dragons get by Clarkston then a date with Adams on Saturday would be interesting. Lake Orion is the perfect darkhorse team.

Seaholm has been gaining some confidence as of late by winning two straight games over Berkley and Oxford. They have a favorable matchup on Tuesday night against Farmington at home to kick off the districts. The Maples if they get by the Falcons do not match up well at all against North Farmington in the district semifinals. It’s going to be a tough task for Seaholm but they could get to Thursday which would be huge.

 

Gold

Pontiac saw their undefeated record and outright Gold dreams come to a screeching halt on Friday night in a shocking loss to Avondale. The Phoenix in their district will play Waterford Mott on Tuesday night at Bloomfield Hills but if they get by the Corsairs then they have a difficult district semifinal matchup on Thursday night against Bloomfield Hills which they don’t match up well with at all. I don’t see Pontiac winning this district or getting to Saturday at all.

Rochester is back from COVID protocol but they did clinch at least a share of the Gold with the Pontiac loss to Avondale on Friday night. The Falcons have a very interesting first round matchup with Utica on Tuesday night at Stoney Creek and if they can get by the Chieftains then they would meet Troy, a team that is struggling heading to the district semifinals on Thursday night and is fielding their junior varsity team to replace their varsity squad. Rochester is a darkhorse team to keep an eye on for sure.

Avondale picked up a huge win on Friday night over Pontiac spoiling the Phoenix’s outright chance to win the Gold however they don’t matchup with Orchard Lake St Marys at all in the district semifinals on Thursday night at Bloomfield Hills. It’s going to be very tough for Avondale against the top team in the state.

Royal Oak has had a rough season and their first round matchup with Berkley is going to be that much tougher on Tuesday night at Detroit Renaissance. It’s going to be a challenge for the Ravens and if they get by the Bears then they don’t match up well with the Phoenix on Thursday night. I don’t see Royal Oak winning this district at all.

Ferndale University has really struggled in their first season in the OAA. They have a tough matchup looming on Tuesday night against Detroit Henry Ford at Ferndale. If the Eagles can play hard and get Detroit Henry Ford into foul trouble then who knows. I don’t really see Ferndale University winning this district especially with Ferndale waiting should they get by Detroit Henry Ford.

 

Girls

Red

West Bloomfield saw their season come to an abrupt end at the hands of contact tracing. The Lakers were riding high heading into the tournament but COVID protocols kept them out. West Bloomfield has a lot coming back next season and should be a force in the Red next season.

Clarkston is clicking on all cylinders heading into their district at Romeo. They should have no problem with Waterford Kettering on Wednesday night and will await either Lake Orion or Adams/Romeo. The Wolves are clicking on all cylinders right now which is a good sign moving forward.

Royal Oak has a ton of experience and they have home court. The Ravens path in the districts is very difficult and challenging. They have to play Seaholm first on Monday night and if they win that then it’s Berkley on Wednesday night. If they knock off the Bears it’s a possible rematch with Groves on Friday night. Royal Oak lost twice to Southfield Arts and Tech in the regular season but got them back in the postseason last year, could it be the same except to Groves, it looks possible but the Falcons will need to get by Southfield Arts and Tech first and the Ravens need to worry about Seaholm and Berkley before thinking about Groves.

Groves is a very interesting team to watch in the postseason. The Falcons have had a good first year under Coach AntJuan Simpkins despite finishing one game under 500. The district looks very favorable at Royal Oak for them. Groves has a very difficult district semifinal matchup with Southfield Arts and Tech on Wednesday night and if they win that game they would get either Berkley or Royal Oak on Friday night in the district finals. The Falcons have a ton of young athletes but questions remain. Are they ready for this is the question for them???

Southfield Arts and Tech has a tough season but everything can be erased with a postseason run. They have a very interesting district semifinal match up with Groves on Wednesday night at Royal Oak. The Warriors have been playing better as of late. The last time they played the Falcons they went double overtime which Groves won. It’s always hard to beat a team three times in one season. If Southfield Arts and Tech can get by the Falcons then they would likely see either Royal Oak or Berkley in the district finals but they would have to get by Groves first which won’t be easy.

 

White

Troy has me concerned despite getting the number two seed in the district. The Colts do match up well with the winner of Troy Athens and Rochester in the district semifinals on Wednesday night and has went down to the wire with Stoney Creek in both meetings. There is something not right about Troy which is a concern heading into their district at Rochester.

Stoney Creek is riding with a ton of confidence heading into the postseason. The Cougars have been playing very good basketball which is a good sign. Stoney Creek plays Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals on Wednesday night at Rochester. The Cougars have a boatload of confidence riding with them. If Stoney Creek can keep this up then they should win this district.

Adams needs to be on upset alert after losing to Stoney Creek on Wednesday night. Romeo has played very well at home and the district is at their home gym on Monday night. The Highlanders have a lot of experience which helps but they have only played nine games this season. If Adams can get by Romeo then they would have an interesting matchup with Lake Orion on Wednesday night in the district semifinals. The Highlanders are a team to keep an eye on in this district.

North Farmington picked up two big wins this week. They have an interesting first round matchup on Monday night against Livonia Stevenson and if they win that they will play Farmington on Wednesday night in Novi. The Raiders have been playing better but they will need more of that consistency if they want to win their district even though Farmington Hills Mercy is there.

Bloomfield Hills has won two of three coming into the postseason. The Blackhawks will have another winnable game when they play Avondale at Waterford Mott on Monday night. If they win that game then they would play Birmingham Marian on Wednesday night. It has been a rough season for Bloomfield Hills but a win in the districts would be a good season for them.

 

Blue

Avondale has had a rough season and it looks like it might not get any better especially with playing a red hot Bloomfield Hills team on Monday night at Waterford Mott. If the Yellow Jackets were to move on then they would play Birmingham Marian on Wednesday night. It’s going to be very difficult as mentioned for Avondale going forward.

Troy Athens saw their season come to an end on Monday thanks to COVID protocol. The Red Hawks had won two straight until the stoppage. It's very unfortunate to see this happen to Troy Athens. They have a ton of experience coming back next season.

Rochester is in some trouble when looking at them. They haven’t been the same team since getting out of COVID protocol. The Falcons are going to need to find something especially with playing Troy in the district semifinals on Wednesday night. Rochester despite having home court will need to find that same magic that got them to the district finals last season.

Berkley’s lack of depth really concerns me heading into the postseason. What should help them is that they have the number two seed in the district. The Bears will likely await Royal Oak in the district semifinals on Wednesday night. If Berkley can get to the district final would await either Groves or Southfield Arts and Tech. The Bears are in a good spot but they will need to get past the Ravens to get there.

Oxford lost the Blue title on Friday night with a home loss to Troy Athens now they get to go to Grand Blanc and take on the hosts Bobcats on Wednesday night. This was certainly the worst case for the Wildcats. With nothing to play for, Oxford is playing with nothing to lose.

Lake Orion earned the outright Blue title with wins over Berkley and an Oxford loss to Troy Athens on Friday night. The district looks very favorable for them. The Dragons have a good chance to get to Friday should they get by Adams or Romeo on Wednesday night. Lake Orion has a good chance to make some noise in this district.

 

Gold

Farmington has been in COVID protocol but they have the Gold wrapped up. The Falcons will have a tough district awaiting them with the winner of North Farmington and Livonia Stevenson in the district semifinals with the number two seed. If Farmington can get by either the Raiders or the Spartans then they would meet Farmington Hills Mercy in the district finals which they don’t match up well with. It’s going to be a tough matchup looming for the Falcons.

Seaholm has a very tough matchup in the first round on Monday night with Royal Oak on their home floor. The Maples are still a young team but they don’t match up well with the Ravens in this game. The odds are going to be stacked against them.

Ferndale University has played really good basketball lately but they have a tough matchup looming with Warren Regina in the district semifinals. The Satellites match up well with the Eagles. The winner would see Warren Lincoln in the district finals which is very interesting. Ferndale University I think has a shot to win this district.

Oak Park has played better but they have a tough district looming. They play Detroit Mumford at Detroit Renaissance on Monday night with that winner seeing Warren Mott on Wednesday night. I can see the Knights getting by both teams getting to the district finals. I think they will have no chance against Detroit Renaissance on Friday night. It’s going to be a tough task for the Knights to get to Friday but they are more than capable of doing so.