Basketball Summer Rankings.

Written Tuesday May 25th at 10:40 PM

Updated Thursday June 10th at 9:45 AM

These are NOT the official rankings, that's for later on but these are my top ten teams heading into the summer months and things to keep an eye on as we head into the summer and fall months.

Here are the top ten summer rankings.

Girls

1. West Bloomfield: The Lakers had a really good year winning the Red but they missed the postseason because of COVID 19 protocol last season. They have a ton of experience in both the Hendrix (Sydney and Kendall) and Davis sisters (Indya and Summer) along with Myonna Hooper coming back. The Davis sisters have been playing really well in the AAU circuit. West Bloomfield should be the favorite in the Red this winter but there are a ton of questions especially with program strength going forward and they will have a new coach next season as well. 

2. Clarkston: The Wolves had a very good year winning 15 games and their second straight district title last season but they took a hit this offseason. Coach John Weyer stepped down in April. Clarkston named former junior varsity coach Aaron Goodnough as the program's new head coach. The Wolves have a very experience team in Maddie Skourpski, Izzy Hadley, Ava Hernandez, Kiera Tolmie, Ryan Bordogna, Mia Zorski, Emily Valencia, Emerson Wood, and Sophia Walker coming back. Clarkston should be in the Red conversation again this winter.

3. Stoney Creek: The Cougars are in a very good spot this offseason after winning their first district title since 2016. Stoney Creek has ten returning players including Milana Skroic, Mia Carson, both LaPrarie sisters (Sydney and Sarah,) Ella Demetral, both Binfet sisters (Kendall and Riley,) Lily Solek, and Emily Flynn. Coach Kellen James has program strength as well. “Team Finebalm” should in for a monster year despite moving back to the Red this winter.

4. Lake Orion: The Dragons had a bounce back year winning the Blue last season. Lake Orion has four starters coming back in Maddie Ebbert, Kylie Heck, Taylor Dinda, and Katie Van Heck. Dinda started the last four games after an ankle injury to Heck. They got some tough news as Van Heck suffered a season ending ACL injury. Coach Bob Brydges has a ton of depth that in Audrey Wischmeyer, Chloe Wiegers, and Reagan Greene that saw time last season. They also have program strength. The Dragons moved up to the White where they should be the favorite this winter.

5. Groves: The Falcons had a very successful year winning their first ever district title despite having an under 500 year last season which included a very difficult schedule. This offseason has been very challenging. Groves has Jordan Peterson, Nevaeh Otis, Anaya Robinson, Melina Price, Kaitlyn Sanders, and Ciara Racco coming back for new coach Alison Hidey. Program strength is a major concern going forward. There is a ton of uncertainty surrounding the Falcons.

6. Troy: The Colts have had a ton of success in the regular season but they have had their fair share of problems in the postseason. Troy has lost their opening game in three straight postseasons (Utica twice, Rochester.) The Colts have Kendal Zeiter, Charlotte Sobotka, Lizzie Bultynck, Avery Allen, Mia Valaotis, and Elana Zesess coming back. Coach Julius Porter’s team took a major hit this offseason with a season ending ACL injury to Alyssa Matuza. The Matuza injury will put more pressure on their ball handlers like Bulytnck and Allen. Porter and Troy will have their work cut out for them and going up to the Red without a true point guard, which could spell trouble this winter.

7. Troy Athens: The Red Hawks had a very interesting year despite beating Rochester and Oxford but COVID 19 protocols kept them out of the postseason last season. Troy Athens could be a darkhorse in the White this winter. They have Gillian Ciak, Jordan Doyle, Skylar Emerson, Ella Musko, CeCe Fay and Aarushi Lockhandle coming back. Program strength is a concern for Coach Stacie Klumpp. If there is a team that is ready to make the jump with a ton of upside it’s the Red Hawks.

8. Oxford: It was an up and down year for the Wildcats last season which saw them beat Lake Orion twice but lost a tough one to Troy Athens at home on the final day of the regular season which cost them the Blue. Oxford lost Mackenzie Methner and Emma Morris to graduation. Miranda Wyniemko had a breakout year last season with several monster games. Wyniemko will likely be the focal point on every opponent’s scouting reports this winter for a team that has two starters coming back with the other starter being Peyton Richter. They also have impact players in Lexi Yankee, Kaitlyn Morris, Brady Elling, and Kayla Casper for Coach Rachel Bryer. Program strength is very strong for Bryer especially in the middle school levels. The Wildcats should be a sleeper in the White. 

9. North Farmington: The Raiders had it very rough early but turned things around late in the year and made the district finals last season. Coach Jeff Simpson has his leading scorer in Sela Lefler coming back. Lefler had a strong year last season and is playing very well in the AAU circuit. Lefler will have her backcourt mate Penelope Creary back as well. Creary is a three point specialist for the Raiders and is more than capable of taking over games. The question for Simpson will be in the interior along with program strength and depth. Hallie Rogers is expected to take on a much bigger role in the paint for North Farmington. The Raiders should be a contender in the White this winter but they need more than Lefler and Creary to carry the load.

10. Berkley: The Bears had an interesting season which saw them beat Troy, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Oxford. Berkley was also shorthanded as numerous girls decided not to play last season despite making the district finals. The Bears have their scorer in Ashley Loon coming back. Loon had a good season last year and will look for more this winter. Sammi Withrow, Ava Beard, and Aurora Sousanis is also back as well. It is possible that they could get some of the players who didn’t play last season to come back. Program strength is a big concern for the Bears despite moving up to the White. They have a new coach as well as Ben Bancroft takes over the program for Coach Kirk Carolan this offseason. Expect Berkley to lean on Loon, Beard, and Withrow this winter.

Boys

1. Ferndale: The Eagles made huge strides by winning the Red, earning their first regional title since 1985, and getting to the Division Two State semifinals last season. Ferndale has a great chance to win it all in Division Two this winter with what they have coming back. Coach Juan Rickman returns two key players in Treyvon Lewis and Jason Drake. Both of them averaged 20 points a contest. The Eagles will need more than just be Drake and Lewis and this is where the role players come in in Chris Williams in the interior and forward Cameron Reed. What helps Rickman is that Ferndale has improved on their program strength as they fielded three teams last season. It looks like it is State championship or bust next season for the Eagles.

2. Clarkston: The Wolves were supposed to have a rebuilding year but that certainly wasn’t the case. Clarkston was a free throw miss away from upsetting Orchard Lake St. Marys in the regional semifinals last season. They look to be loaded again this winter. The Wolves have Keegan Waslik, Brody Kosin, Mike DePillo, Desman Stephans, Zach Austin, and Nathan Steinman coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. Clarkston has a freshman in John Kaul waiting in the wings and could see Varsity action. Program strength looks to be solid as well. Clarkston should be a very good basketball team this winter.

3. North Farmington: It was a very odd season for the Raiders which saw their season come to an end because of COVID 19 protocol. North Farmington lost a ton of experience from last season however with the program they have, they should be able to reload very quickly. The Raiders have Aaron Rice, PJ Gardner, and Landon Beeler coming back for Coach Todd Negoshian. They should provide experience and leadership. North Farmington should be a player in the Red this winter.

4. Adams: The Highlanders had a great year last season sharing the White. Coach Jaret Thomas has this program heading in the right direction and program strength is on the rise. Adams got moved up to the Red this winter. Thomas brings with him an experienced team in Justice Mims, Nick Pattera, Jon Urusy, Brady Prieskorn, Peter Kardasis, and Jacob Durand. Life in the Red for them has me really concerned surrounding the Highlanders. Adams is in a really tough spot this winter. They might have to take some lumps in the Red.

5. Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had a resurgence earning their first league title since 2014. They had a very disappointing loss to Waterford Mott in the district semifinals last season. Bloomfield Hills should be one of the favorites in the White this winter. Coach Phil Kurajian has a loaded team coming back in Noah Adamcyzk, Derrick Lee, Carson Brodsky, Nash Gilbert, and Mohammad Farahani. Program strength looks to be strong for the Blackhawks as well. Bloomfield Hills should be a player this winter.

6. Lake Orion: The Dragons are in a very interesting spot this winter. Lake Orion had a strong year but divine intervention cost the Dragons in their district semifinal loss to Clarkston last season. Lake Orion has Alden Ritt, Malachi Grandberry, Jeff Perkowski, DJ Morrow, Blake Leidell, Nate Harvilla, CJ Witt, and Trevor Witt coming back for Coach Joel Schroeder. Secondary scoring and program strength are concern for Schroeder and the Dragons despite moving to the White this winter. Ritt has had a strong offseason as had a few of the players. There is plenty of time to figure the secondary scoring question out heading into this winter. Lake Orion is in a good spot right now.

7. Groves: The Falcons are in a very interesting spot heading into the winter. Groves has been up and down in the last two seasons. They have suffered numerous heartbreaking losses. Program strength is a concern despite having Aaron DuBose and Nick Lutz coming back for Coach Benny White. Lutz had a monster game against Southfield Arts and Tech in the first round of the postseason last season. DuBose has been solid for the Falcons as well. Groves should be a team to watch in the White.

8. Berkley: The Bears have been a rising program as of late. Berkley lost a ton of experience but their program strength should help them heading into this winter. Coach Joe Sermo has Tamir Runinkievich and Jacob Sheriff coming back to help what should be a very young team but their junior varsity team went undefeated which is really something to take notice. The Bears should be one of the favorites in the Blue this winter.

9. Oak Park: Everytime I think about the Knights, I think of that four point play they allowed to Sonny Wilson of Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit that force double overtime in which they lost in the district semifinals. Oak Park besides that game had a good year under Coach Durand Sheppard which included beating Clarkston last season. The Knights have a lot of experience in Ashton Henderson and Bwada Miller coming back. Program strength will be very interesting this winter. Oak Park is a wildcard in the Red but they have some questions heading into the season as well.

10. Rochester: The Falcons had an up and down year last season with some huge wins but some very questionable losses as well. Rochester ended up winning the Gold and thus moved up to the Blue this winter. The Falcons made a very questionable offseason move by letting Coach Vance Kirkwood go after four years coaching the program and naming Nick Evola to take over the program. Rochester should be a darkhorse in their new division with Matt Stone, Gabe Mendoza, DJ Reid, Arman Hussiani, Preyston Schroeder, Connor Craium, Louis Bowes, and Jeff Hawkins. The question will be is how will the players and Evola adjust to each other. There will be a transition period with the program. Program strength is a question mark. If this move doesn’t pay off then there could be some trouble.