Written Monday May 3rd at 9:00 PM
These are some of the Boys Basketball teams to keep a close eye on this offseason and winter. I don't field every team but quite a bit of them I do so here they are.
Ferndale: The Eagles are fresh off a Division Two State Semifinal appearance last season will look for brighter things this winter. Ferndale has Jason Drake, Treyvon Lewis, Chris Williams, and Cameron Reed coming back for Coach Juan Rickman. Program strength is still a concern but has gotten better which is a good sign. The Eagles should be in the Red and have another deep postseason run this winter.
Clarkston: The Wolves were a free throw away from upsetting Orchard Lake St. Marys last season in the regional semifinals. Clarkston has a ton of experience from what was supposed to be a rebuilding season but it wasn’t meant to be along with program strength. They have Zach Austin, Brody Kosin, Desman Stephans, Keegan Waslik, Nathan Steinman, and Mike DePillo coming back for Coach Tim Waslik.
North Farmington: The Raiders are a team not to ever underestimate despite missing the postseason because of COVID-19 protocol. Coach Todd Negoshain lost a ton of talent from last season but always at North Farmington they always reload. The Raiders has Aaron Rice, Landon Beeler, and P.J. Gardner coming back. They also added two transfers in Prince Jackson from Farmington and Ryan Hurst from West Bloomfield. Program strength is never an issue for Negoshian and it shouldn’t be going forward.
Adams: The Highlanders had a great year last season getting to the district finals. Adams will look to build on that success especially with everything in front of them. Program strength is solid for Coach Jaret Thomas and they have the majority of their team in Justice Mims, Nick Paterra, Brady Preiskorn, Jon Ursuy, Peter Kardisas, and Jacob Durand. They added Gunner Walters who is back after spending two years in North Carolina. There is a ton of upside for the Highlanders heading into the offseason and especially in the winter.
Oak Park: The Knights had a really tough loss in the district semifinals to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit last season. Oak Park has Ashton Henderson, Derald Blackmon, and Bwada Miller coming back along with newcomers Rob Smith and Jason Harris for Coach Durand Sheppard. The Knights are a sleeper to watch this winter. .
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks are a very interesting team this offseason and winter. Coach Phil Kurajian has Noah Adamcyzk, Jayden Walker, Isiah Reid, Carson Brodsky, and Mohammad Farahani coming back. Bloomfield Hills has a ton of proven talent despite losing five seniors from last season. Program strength is always interesting for them. The Blackhawks should be a team to watch for sure.
Troy: The Colts are in the midst of a transition period. Troy lost a ton of talent from last season and could be in a bit of a reloading season. The Colts will have both Whiteside brothers in Darius and Jon. Darius had a huge postseason last season and is expected to take on a much bigger role for Coach Gary Fralick and his team this winter. Troy should be an interesting team to watch this offseason and winter.
Lake Orion: The Dragons are in an very interesting spot this offseason and winter. Lake Orion has Alden Ritt, Malachi Grandberry, Jeff Perkowski, and Blake Leidell coming back for Coach Joel Schroeder. The Dragons lost a ton of experience from last season and program strength is a concern going forward. Lake Orion should be a team to watch this offseason and especially in the winter.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks are an interesting team to watch this offseason and winter. Troy Athens has Jordan Sebaugh, Christian Jeomma, Andre Shelton, Alex Justice, and Jonah Botardo coming back for Coach Dave Scott. Program strength is very interesting for the Red Hawks. Troy Athens has a ton of questions especially in the interior but they have enough shooting to make up for the lack of height inside.
Berkley: The Bears are an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason and winter. Berkley’s junior varsity squad went undefeated but sometimes the transition to junior varsity to varsity doesn’t always work out. Coach Joe Sermo has Tamir Runinkievich and Jacob Sheriff coming back for what should be a pretty young group. The Bears will certainly be a team to watch.
Oxford: The Wildcats had a very rough year last season which included a ton of heartbreaking losses especially in the postseason. Oxford has some experience in Logan Rozanski, Mitchell Vivano, Bryce Essman, and Alec Brown coming back for Coach Steve Laidlaw. Depth and program strength are major concerns even though in the long term they should be fine. The Wildcats should be a team to watch this offseason and winter.
Rochester: The Falcons will look to continue rising this winter despite winning the Gold last season. Rochester has Matt Stone, DJ Reid, Gabe Mendoza, Armann Hussiani, Preyston Schroeder, Connor Craium, and Louis Bowes coming back for new head coach Nick Evola. Stone, Craium, Schroeder, Bowes, and Hussiani bring a ton of experience to the fold. Rochester should be a player this upcoming winter.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers have a ton of aspirations heading into the OAA this winter. Harper Woods has a ton of experience returning to a team that really struggled last season. They have Julian Young, DeAndre Williams, Marquise Kelly, Isiah Lewis, Quincy Dickinson, and Rozell Matthews coming back. They will have a new coach which should be interesting how the transition goes. The Pioneers should be a team to watch and see how they do in their new league.
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