Girls Basketball Districts are Out 2022.

Written Monday July 19th at 4:20 PM

Hello everyone these are the Girls Basketball Districts that are being released with insight. If coaches want their comments on the blog please DM me on Twitter or go on my email. This blog will be updated often.

District 4 at Davison

OXFORD

Davison

Flint Kearsley

Grand Blanc

Lapeer

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Grand Blanc, 2. Davison.

FAVORITE: Grand Blanc

NEXT: Davison

DARKHORSE: Oxford

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Jada McCree-Grand Blanc.

INSIGHT: This is going to be a very tough and challenging district for Oxford. They will head back into Genesee County after having an interesting experience last season however the district will be at Davison and not at Grand Blanc. Oxford should be one of the favorites in the White this season but the district could be very tough sledding. The Wildcats have Miranda Wymenkio, Peyton Richter, Kayla Casper, Lily Morris, Brady Elling, and Lexie Yankee coming back for Coach Rachel Bryer. They also have young talent waiting in the wings as well. The Saginaw Valley League is one of the most toughest leagues in the state and three of those schools particularly along Interstate 69 are in this district and in the same division in the South. Davison has a very talented program and hosts the district although program strength is a concern. The Cardinals have Olivia Dirkse, Olivia Gean, Alora Sevenski, and Jasmine Hadley coming back for Coach Craig Hitchcock. Grand Blanc won 12 games including a district title last season with everyone that was here last season. They have proven experience returning despite falling to Flushing in the regional semifinals last season. The Bobcats have Taylor Thompson, Anayah Small, Rachel Gaydos, and Chelsea Bishop coming back for Coach Mike McCay. They will have a transfer in Jada McCree as well. She comes to Grand Blanc from Saginaw Heritage after her family moved into the district. Lapeer had a very rough year winning two games with a very young team. They should be improved with the proven experience they have coming back. The Lightning have Paige Erla, Mallory Butterfield, Hannah Baker, among many others coming back for Coach Mike Butterfield. Flint Kearsley should be a very interesting team despite missing out on the postseason because of COVID-19 protocols last season. They should be a contender in the Flint Metro League. The Hornets have Saniaa Walker coming back for Coach Traci Pigott. This district looks to be a three team district but it’s anyone’s to take.

 

 

District 5 at Lake Orion

LAKE ORION

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

Romeo

Utica Eisenhower

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Stoney Creek, 2. Lake Orion.

FAVORITE: Stoney Creek

NEXT: Lake Orion

DARKHORSE: Utica Eisenhower, Adams.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Sydney LaPrarie-Stoney Creek.

INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district at Lake Orion. Utica Eisenhower should be very interesting to watch in the Macomb Area Red division this season. The Eagles has three solid players in Ava Stack, Jennifer McWerty, and Kaitlyn Woodcox coming back for Coach Clint Piper. Romeo should be interesting to watch in the Macomb Area Conference White. The Bulldogs have Cassidy Banich, Reese Carmondy, Amanda Kitchen, Sarah Ross, Nicole Mazur, and Megan Doyle for Coach Katy Bosheers. Rochester lost a ton of talent from last season but they have always been a solid program making the district finals the last two seasons. The Falcons have Natalie Rayce, Melina Troy, Abbey Pleasant coming back for Coach Bill Thurston along with a newcomer in Alice Max. Max has made a ton of headlines this offseason. Adams had a coaching change this offseason should be very interesting to watch. "We have a lot of work to do having lost such a great core of seniors last year and with the returning players having such limited opportunities to compete last season and the previous summer due to COVID-19 but they are working their tails off and doing it with enthusiasm so I believe we have the potential for rapid and significant improvement" said Coach Joe Malburg. The Highlanders have Madison Kessman, Abby Drahnak, AnJuyna Howard, Emma Klott, Samantha Blaine, Olivia Marcial, and Abby Skiff coming back for Malburg. Stoney Creek has a ton of proven experience along with Red experience. The Cougars have Sydney LaPrarie, Sarah LaPrarie, Mia Carson, Emily Flynn, Milana Skoric, Riley Binfet, Lily Solek, Ella Demertal, and Paris Kramer coming back for Coach Kellen James. Lake Orion is in a very interesting spot. They are one of the favorites in the White. The Dragons have Maddie Ebbert, Kylie Heck, Chloe Wiegers, Olivia Peplowski, and Audrey Wischmeyer coming back for Coach Bob Brydges. They will be without Katie Van Heck as she is out for the season with a torn ACL. This is shaping up for now being a four team district but two in reality really stand out but you never know.

 

 

District 6 at Waterford Kettering

AVONDALE

CLARKSTON

PONTIAC

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clarkston, 2. Waterford Kettering

FAVORITE: Clarkston

NEXT: Waterford Kettering

DARKHORSE: Avondale

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Reigan Lawrence-Avondale.

INSIGHT: This district is an absolute mismatch on paper in Waterford. Waterford Kettering has home court in this district. They are going to be very interesting not only in this district but also in the Lakes Valley Conference. The Captains have a ton of experience in Markayla Holland, Amalia Vamvakitis, Savanagh Labo, Malayna Schoof, Graciela Lovett, Ellianna Ball, and Abby Hayward coming back for Coach George Yarberry. Waterford Mott had things very rough last season with virtually a very young group. The Corsairs have Makyah Henderson, Abby Trombly, Kelsey Palmer, Madison Winters, among others coming back for Coach Michelle Sklar. Avondale should be very interesting to watch all season long as they could be a contender in the Blue. The Yellow Jackets really struggled last season in the Blue and in general. They should be better this season despite having major concerns when it comes to program strength and depth. Avondale has two transfers from Dayton, Ohio coming into the program along with Reigan Lawrence, and Savannah Schmidt for Coach Roy Christmon. Pontiac did not field a team last season. It will be very interesting to see what the Phoenix have this season with a fresh start. The early favorite in this district is Clarkston and it’s not even close. The Wolves won 15 games last season however they had a very interesting offseason which saw a coaching change but kept it in house with Aaron Goodnough taking over the program. Goodnough coached the junior varsity last season and is very familiar with the program. Clarkston has Maddy Skourpski, Izzy Hadley, Ava Hernandez, Kierra Tomlie, Sophia Walker, Emerson Wood, Mia Zorski, Emily Valenca, and Lena Eblencamp coming back. It should be interesting but this district looks to be giftwrapped to the Wolves.

 

 

District 26 at Detroit Renaissance

BERKLEY

OAK PARK

ROYAL OAK

Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2. Berkley.

FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance

NEXT: Berkley

DARKHORSE: Royal Oak

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Ashley Loon-Berkley.

INSIGHT: It was a great year for Detroit Renaissance getting back to the Division One State Finals before falling to Hudsonville in East Lansing last season. The Phoenix should be very good again, not only in this district but in the Detroit Public School League as well. They have Azaria Huggins, Kiyla Brooks, Nevaeh Wood, Harmonie Bolton, Makayla Coleman, Marhea Bradshaw, Makayla Johnson, Christian Sanders, Imani Johnson, Nyana Pharr, and Aubrey Johnson coming back for Coach Shane Lawal. Detroit Mumford should be very interesting this season. The Mustangs had a very strong team last season for Coach Kareem Hogan. Royal Oak should be a very interesting program with their defense first mindset. They have to replace a ton of talent from last season after the majority of their team graduated. The Ravens have Maddie Hines and Danica Schmidt coming back for Coach Brian Sopota. Hines and Schmidt played on junior varsity and saw postseason experience against Seaholm in the first round after the entire varsity team was forced to quarantine because of COVID-19 protocols last season. Berkley is in a very interesting spot. They were not deep because of COVID-19 concerns however they made the district finals last season and will look to have a repeat this season. The Bears have Ashley Loon, Ava Beard, Aurora Sousanis, and Sammi Withrow coming back. There has been a tense coaching search after then Coach Kirk Carolan left to take an assistant coaching job at Macomb Community College. It will be very interesting to see who is coaching the Bears. Oak Park had a very good year after making the district finals last season. They did make a coaching change this offseason which should be very interesting. The Knights should have something in the works for new coach Crystal Fulton. This district has Detroit Renaissance written all over it but keep an eye on Berkley and Royal Oak. They could give the Phoenix some trouble.

 

 

District 27 at Farmington Hills Mercy

FARMINGTON

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson

Redford Thurston

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Farmington Hills Mercy, 2. Livonia Stevenson.

FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy

NEXT: Livonia Stevenson

DARKHORSE: Southfield Arts and Tech

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Maya White-Farmington Hills Mercy.

INSIGHT: This is shaping to be a very interesting district at Farmington Hills Mercy. There are some storylines coming into this district. Farmington won nine games but lost a ton of experience from last season. The Falcons have Autumn Bartlett coming back for Coach Laura Guzman. Southfield Arts and Tech is a very interesting program that is going through a really tough rebuild in the Red. The Warriors have Jalyn Austin coming back along with newcomers Anaijah Rich and Christen Banks for Coach Shaquita Coltrane. Livonia Stevenson is in a very interesting spot not only in this district but in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association as well. They won 11 games last season and has a veteran team returning. The Spartans have Kerry Donehue, Aubrie Ickes, Kaitlyn Wilmonth, Rachel Schornack, Gracie Shahu, Kalaia Jackson, Shea Hannigan, Jenna McWilliams, and Scarlett Webster coming back for Coach Kareem Smart. Redford Thurston should be a very interesting program to watch. They won six games last season and should be much improved. The Eagles have Skylar Tulloss and Marionna Greene coming back for Coach Bob Ostrowski. Farmington Hills Mercy won 14 games but fell to Detroit Renaissance in the regional finals last season. The Marlins have Francesca DeNardo, Grace Knittel, Carley Goebel, Sarah Cunningham, Ava Lorraine, Lauren Smiley, Maya White, and Sophia Dugas coming back for Coach Gary Morris. Farmington Hills Mercy is the early favorite because of home court and talent but Livonia Stevenson and maybe Southfield Arts and Tech should have strong says.

 

 

District 28 at West Bloomfield

WEST BLOOMFIELD

NORTH FARMINGTON

GROVES

SEAHOLM

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Birmingham Marian

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Birmingham Marian, 2. West Bloomfield.

FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian

NEXT: West Bloomfield

DARKHORSE: North Farmington

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: McKenzie Swanson-Birmingham Marian.

INSIGHT: This should be the toughest district in the State in my opinion but there are others that might disagree with my statement. There are a ton of very talented teams in this district. Birmingham Marian should the early favorite not only in this district but also in the Catholic League. They are the defending Catholic League Champs and went to the regional finals last season falling to Hartland. The Mustangs have Sarah Sylvester, McKenzie Swanson, Isabella Prezzato, Anna Herberholz, Maria Hesano, Abigail Luchessi, Ellie Ervin, and Grace Rotter coming back for Coach Mary Ciceronne. West Bloomfield has a very talented group and should be the favorite in the Red. The Lakers have Sydney Hendrix, Kendall Hendrix, Mya Hooper, Indya Davis, and Summer Davis coming back but they will have a new coach after Coach Bert Mosley stepped down in August. They named Darrin McAllister to take over the program. West Bloomfield has home court missed out on the postseason because of COVID-19 protocols last season. Bloomfield Hills should be very interesting to watch this season. They should be much improved after having a very tough transitioning season last year. The Blackhawks have Amelia McCourt, Grace Main, Jessica Finney, and Ashley Forner coming back for Coach Kristen Massey. North Farmington is in a very interesting spot as a program. Their boys and girls teams are going to be in different districts (boys host) this season. They should be improved despite winning six games however made the district finals last season. The Raiders have Sela Lefler, Hallie Rogers, and Penelope Creary coming back for Coach Jeff Simpson. Seaholm is another very interesting program to watch. They are a darkhorse in the Blue and have been improving this offseason. The Maples have Shay Manchester, Kate Sullivan, Clara Guffey, and Annie Boogren coming back for Coach Chris Manchester. Groves has gone through a ton of changes and challenges this offseason with a coaching change. The Falcons have Jordan Peterson, Lily Gallagher, and Cira Racco coming back for Coach Allison Hidey. This should be a fun district as mentioned, there are plenty of good teams that are here in this district that’s for sure.

 

 

District 29 at Troy

TROY

TROY ATHENS

Warren Cousino

Warren Woods Tower

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Troy, 2. Warren Cousino.

FAVORITE: Troy

NEXT: Troy Athens

DARKHORSE: Warren Cousino

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Charlotte Sobotka-Troy.

INSIGHT: The regular season has been very kind to the Colts which earned them a trip to the Red this season but the big problem has been the postseason and this postseason is no different. Troy has had three years where they have not made it out of the first game (lost to Utica twice in the first round and Rochester in district semifinals last season however neither team is in this district.) They have home court which helps and have proven experience in Kendal Zeiter, Charlotte Sobotka, Alyssa Matuza (even though she’s out for the season-ACL,) Zoe Silver, Lizzy Bultynck, and Mia Valiotis coming back for Coach Julius Porter. Troy Athens is a very interesting team to keep a close eye on. The Red Hawks are an interesting team not only in the White but the district as well. They have proven experience in Gillian Ciak, Ellie Musko, CeCe Fey, Aarushi Lockdale, Jordyn Doyle, and Skylar Emerson coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp.  Warren Woods Tower really struggled last season. They won four games despite being in the Macomb Area Conference Silver. The Titans have proven experience in Nikki Lavely, Corissa McCain, Arianna Jordan, and Delliah Mathews coming back for Coach Brian Socia. Warren Cousino even though they are not the same team when they won the Division One State title in 2018 when they had Kate McArthur they are still the Patriots. They are a sleeper in this district and for good reason. Warren Cousino won 11 games in the always tough and difficult Macomb Area Conference Red. The Patriots have a lot of proven experience in Kiara Williams, Twyla Parker, Ra’lyja Bridges, Julia Hopkins, Sydney Dixon, Mia Mixon, Emily Stevenson, Chloe Sakalas, and Jenna Smith coming back for Coach Amy Mitchell. It's now or never for the Colts this postseason but Troy Athens and Warren Cousino are going to be formidable opponents going forward.

 

 

District 58 at Birmingham Detroit Country Day

FERNDALE

FERNDALE UNIVERSITY

Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Detroit Jalen Rose Academy

Detroit Old Redford Academy

 

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, 2. Ferndale University.

FAVORITE: Birmingham Detroit Country Day

NEXT: Ferndale University

DARKHORSE: Detroit Old Redford Academy

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Jaidyn Elam-Birmingham Detroit Country Day.

INSIGHT: This is not a strong district as people think. There are three teams in this district that did not field teams last season because of COVID-19 protocols. Birmingham Detroit Country Day had a great season winning 17 games with a very young team. They went to the MHSAA Division Two Semifinals falling to Newaygo. The Yellow Jackets have a lot of things riding for them. They have home court and wants to get back to the Breslin Center this season. Birmingham Detroit Country Day has Jaidyn Elam, Emma Arico, and Aysia Yokely coming back for second year coach Jerica Williams. Ferndale didn't field a team last season. The Eagles made a splash this offseason in hiring an proven winner in Al Kattola to coach the team. Detroit Old Redford Academy didn’t field a team last season. Detroit Jalen Rose Academy also didn’t field a team last season. Ferndale University fielded a team in their first year in the OAA. The Eagles had a program changing road win at Avondale last season. They should be very interesting to see in the Blue and in the district. Ferndale University has some proven talent coming back for Coach Desdan Hester. This district looks to be a mismatch on paper with Birmingham Detroit Country Day being the overwhelming favorite to get to the regionals.

 

 

District 60 at TBA

HARPER WOODS

Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy

Detroit Edwin Denby

Detroit Osborn

Eastpointe

St. Clair Shores South Lake

PROJECTED MPR: 1. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 2. Harper Woods.

FAVORITE: Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy

NEXT: Harper Woods

DARKHORSE: Detroit Edwin Denby

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Kendall Kelly-Harper Woods.

INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district whomever hosts this district should have an advantage Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy won 11 games last season. The Eagles should be the favorite for Coach David Mann. Detroit Osborn really struggled only winning two games for Coach Tenetia Pulliam last season. St. Clair Shores South Lake really struggled winning three games last season for Coach Wilbur Jones. The Cavaliers will be in the Macomb Area Conference Bronze this season. Eastpointe was around 500 and will be in the Macomb Area Conference Silver this season. The Shamrocks won eight games last season for Coach Daniel Kirkland. Detroit Edwin Denby won nine games last season which included a trip to the Detroit Public School League semifinals. The Tars have the majority of their team coming back for Coach Marnina Sullivan. Harper Woods won seven games last season but they are going to have an interesting adjustment period. The Pioneers have Kendall Kelsey, Mya Duncan, Shatyra Harris, Clarita Childs, Clearia Peterson, and Destiny Bealey coming back for Coach Paul Allen. This should be an interesting district to say the least.