OAA Hodge Podge.

Written Thursday March 29th at 11:00 AM
Updated Saturday April 7th at 4:00 PM

Here is some news that is impacting the OAA landscape as most folks head onto their Spring Break plans.

Clarkston to retire Loyer's number.

The Clarkston Boys Basketball program will retire Foster Loyer's number one jersey.

Loyer's number one jersey will never again be worn for the Wolves will join Dan Fife (33), Dane Fife (12), Dugan Fife (11), Steve Seacatch (22), and Tim McCormick (40) as numbers that are retired by Clarkston.

Loyer whom has the most points in Clarkston history will be heading to Michigan State next season. He won two State Championships, was 97-6 in his four years as a Wolf, and was the second ever Clarkston Wolf to be named Mr. Basketball joining Dane Fife in that category this season.

Loyer was also named Gatorade National Player of the Year for the State of Michigan along with MLive's Player of the Year in the State of Michigan as well.

Harrison will be Community Center in 2019-2020.

We have found out what will happen to Harrison High School in two years.

The Farmington School Board voted to sell Harrison to the city of Farmington Hills for $500,000. The building will become a Community Center in 2019-2020.

Harrison will close as a school next year in 2018-2019 due to declining enrollment. The Farmington School District will have two High Schools in Farmington and North Farmington for 2019-2020.

The famous Herrington Sports complex where Harrison is at, named after coach John Herrington whom owns the most wins in State history will stay along with the trophies that the Hawks have earned as well.

The cost of renovating Harrison into a Community Center will be $27 million. City officials envision a pool, which Harrison has along with an auditorium, and other things like gym space.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on future stories.

Boys Basketball Offseason.

Written Sunday March 25th at 3:05 PM

The offseason is now here for Boys Basketball and Clarkston is now Back to Back State Champs. Here is what offseason things these teams will need to address and what the outlook looks for next season.

Clarkston: The Wolves will have a ton of questions next season for coach Dan Fife pending if he stays. Clarkston loses 11 seniors but they have a Junior Varsity team that finished 19-1 and won the league. The Wolves have returning players like Matt Nicholson and Jake Jensen. Also they have the younger Loyer (Fletcher) and Waslik (Keegan) coming into the program but are they Varsity ready players, which remains a question.

Oak Park: The Knights could have a special team come next season led by Maliq Carr and Dwan Mathis for coach Bobby Thompson. Oak Park wasn’t the strongest in Junior Varsity finishing with a 9-5 league record but they have a lot of young guys up on Varsity which will bold well for the future.

Lake Orion: The Dragons 17-3 record was no fluke considering that this time is built for now and for the future. Lake Orion loses Jamie Lewis, Pierce Burke, Drew Crane, and Casey Stironek but with a young nucleus led by Jack Cummings, Kyle Loken, Jake Rydquist, and Nate Talbot all returning and a Junior Varsity team that went 19-1 and Freshman team had an 11-3 record, both league champs then coach Jim Manzo’s team could be a force to be noticed next season.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers could be a strong program for years to come despite losing Jalen Kelso and James Faulkner but Tre Harvey and Donovan Moore return. West Bloomfield’s freshman class went 10-0 in the league giving them the Red and had a 9-3 league record in Junior Varsity. Lakers coach Jeremy Denha will have the talent made to win now and build for the future.

Troy: The Colts will lose a bunch of talent but coach Gary Fralick will center his team around Brody Parker. Troy’s Junior Varsity team was not bad either finishing with a 9-3 league record with one of those wins over Clarkston. Troy has a young nucleus to build upon for next season.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a rough season with the loss of Mike Melanagri to an injury but they do lose Nate Davis as well. Stoney Creek could look strong for the future as they return Griffin Beears and Trevor Smith on the guards. The Freshman went 13-1 in the league and 9-5 in Junior Varsity. The future looks bright for coach Steve Norgrove’s team.

Farmington: Terron Humes, Tariq Sheppard, and Jared Atkins will return next season for a Falcons team that went to the regional semifinals. Farmington’s league record in Junior Varsity was very good for coach Terrance Porter finishing at 9-5 and the freshman finished at 7-7 in league. The Falcons if they can get capable wings or a big in the post then they could go places starting with next season.

Ferndale: The Eagles and coach Tom Staten have went through a lot this season including the loss of one player who transferred out. Ferndale has players like Keelan Lucas, Teonah McClendan, and Brian Polozo returning to with a strong freshman class that went 10-3 in league this season. The Eagles current freshman and junior class will be the future of the Ferndale program next season.

Oxford: The Wildcats have a ton of experience returning led by Michael Raisch. D’Wavay Turner, Trey Townshed, Zach Townshed, Connor Nicholson, and Grant Kornburger but the sub-varsity was a concern but there is some talent coming up from Oxford Middle School that could make some noise there. Oxford could be a sleeper next season for coach Steve Laidlaw. The question for them will be is whom replaces Jimmy Claudio production.

Adams: The Highlanders could be a player heading into next season led by a young nucleus of Ethan Emerzian, Austin Ursuay, Carter Farris, Jake Emerzian, Jake Schuler, and Brody Prieskorn. Adams loses three key players in Jack Jenkins, Davis Reifel, and Ryan Lindley but the Highlanders are primed to be something special in the next few years. Adams coach Brad Crighton has his team on the rise heading into next season.

Rochester: The Falcons could be the most interesting team in the offseason. Rochester loses Hunter Schlater and LaMarko Gulledge but returns Corey Gulledge, Drake Reid, and Cameron Caggins. The sub-varsity teams really struggled for coach Vance Kirkwood. Kirkwood will have hands full next season.

Berkley: The Bears went 9-0 to start the season but finished 1-10 down the stretch. Berkley does not have a lot of experience coming back but players like Herbert Simpson, Ari Belchinsky, Jackson Sewell, Christian Talley come back for coach Joe Sermo. Terron Favors, Jeff Vlahakis, and Charles Serwa could be impact players next year also the Bears went 11-3 in league play in Freshman. The future is bright for Berkley.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks lost a ton of talent for coach Dave Scott’s team but they have a strong Junior Varsity team that finished 13-1 in league play this season. The question for Troy Athens will be is how the new Varsity players will gel next season considering it’s a step up in competition.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets really had a young team this season. They lose Martone Cole but players like Kobe Anthony, Ezekiel Ringstaff, and Derrick Hinton return for coach Tim Morton. Avondale will need to address their sub varsity programs but next season the Yellow Jackets could make some noise.

Pontiac: The Phoenix had a tough season this year but the future looks bright with the Junior Varsity team that went 10-3 in league play and a Freshman team that went 9-4 in league play. Phoenix coach Joel Schroder will be very good next season with these two teams and the Cole brothers coming back.

Groves: The Falcons have a strong future next season for coach Mark West led by Freshman Daniel Lee. Groves freshman class went 10-4 in the league but really struggled in Junior Varsity. The Falcons return a ton of experience next season and could make some noise.

Seaholm: The Maples had a bounce back season but will lose Cooper Mixon and Brady Flynn. There is hope for coach Mike DeGeeter and Seaholm. The Junior Varsity team had a great year going 11-3 in the league. Most of those players are expected to be on Varsity next season. There is some hope for the Maples.

Hazel Park: The Vikings had a special season this year but next year it will be different. Brendan Barrett has stepped down as Hazel Park head coach and looking at the talent pool the Vikings really struggled in the Junior Varsity going 2-10. It could be a tough season next year for Hazel Park.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks had a rough season but an upset of West Bloomfield has brought the future in sight for Bloomfield Hills. The Blackhawks will be young again this season but for coach Phil Kurajian and is team, the future is now.

North Farmington: The Raiders have had some struggles this season but they have some players coming up that can make some noise. North Farmington will be in an interesting spot this offseason. The sub-varsity has struggled for coach Todd Negoshian. The Raiders are a team to watch for sure this offseason.

Harrison: The Hawks had a rough season all around and next season will be it’s final season as a school. Harrison could have a struggle next season despite having Eddie Lenton back. They might not be able to fill a Freshman or Junior Varsity team with it’s likely lack of numbers. It could be a rough season for coach Jarrell Hogan and the Hawks next year.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had a young team this season but returning players like Cameron McEvans for coach Mike Avery could bring Southfield Arts and Tech back to being competitive. The Warriors will have to address some things this offseason but could make a move next year.

Royal Oak: The Ravens had a rough season this year but coach Aaron Smith has a nucleus coming back led by Toby Adesanya, Joe Binkowski, and Jovan Martin but Royal Oak will have a lot of work to do but like Corey Dupree and Seth Warner will be good pieces to build your team off of for next season.

Clarkston Repeats as State Champs.

Written Saturday March 24th at 2:30 PM

I don't think the OAA will ever see what the Clarkston Wolves did or have done.

Blowout after blowout the Wolves showed their dominance in Class A as they destroyed Holland West Ottawa 81-38 in the State Finals giving Clarkston back to back State titles in Boys Basketball.

It has been a special year for Clarkston athletics and Athletic Director Jeff Kosin. The Wolves football team won a State title which came out of nowhere.

Foster Loyer was one of the main reasons why this team is back to back State Champs. The Mr Basketball winner broke the MHSAA single point total in a quarter with 19 points in the second quarter, he has made more free throws than any player in State history at 630 free throws made, and now has the most points in Clarkston history surpassing Dane Fife whom will be his future assistant coach at Michigan State.

Loyer had 40 points to lead coach Dan Fife's attack while CJ Robinson added 18 points and Wisconsin commit Taylor Currie had 13 points and ten rebounds.

Clarkston is now back to back State Champs finishing the season at 26-1 overall but they will be different next season. The Wolves lose all their starters and some really good pieces off their bench but watch for players like Jake Jensen, Cole Donchez, Jayden Waslik, Garrett Dellinger, and Matt Nicholson. They could be players that could make their names well known next season for Clarkston.

The Junior Varsity team finished 19-1 and they have a strong eighth grade coming up that includes Loyer and Waslik's brothers likely coming up to Varsity.

Here is the Soundcloud Story from the podcast
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/sets/oaa-now

Spring Sports Early Top Five, not including Golf and Tennis.

Written Friday March 23rd at 11:50 PM

Here is my early season top five with the exception of golf and tennis. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward.

Boys Lacrosse

1. Lake Orion: Dragons could be something special this season.

2. Clarkston: Wolves will be right there with Lake Orion.

3. Bloomfield Hills: Could Blackhawks be a factor, it's interesting.

4. Troy Athens: Red Hawks is a darkhorse team to watch.

5. Birmingham United: Warriors could be in the thick of it.


Girls Lacrosse

1. Birmingham United: Expect the Warriors to get back to the State title game.

2. Bloomfield Hills: Blackhawks right there in the thick of it.

3. Lake Orion: Dragons are young but ready to catch fire when need too.

4. Adams: Highlanders in line to have a bounce back season.

5. West Bloomfield: Lakers could be an interesting team to watch.


Boys Track

1. Oak Park: Knights still have the talent to make some noise.

2. Oxford: Wildcats have some talent to go along with the throws that they are powerful with.

3. Lake Orion: Dragons don't have that dominant sprinter but could produce in other areas.

4. Clarkston: Wolves have the experience to make a run this season.

5. West Bloomfield: Lakers always athletic but do they have the pieces to make a run.


Girls Track

1. Oak Park: Knights still have the talent to make a run again.

2. Lake Orion: Dragons are well rounded again but not dominant.

3. Clarkston: Wolves have the distance but sprints and field events are a question.

4. Troy: The Colts have the distance but sprints and field events are a question.

T-5. Bloomfield Hills: Any team that features Olivia Lopez has to be on here some how.

T-5. Stoney Creek: Cougars are young and could make some noise this season.


Girls Soccer

1. Bloomfield Hills: Likely the best team in the OAA thus far is the Blackhawks

2. Stoney Creek: Cougars could be a player this season.

3. Adams: Highlanders could rise again this season.

4. Rochester: Falcons could be in line for a bounce back season his year.

5. Troy Athens: Red Hawks look very young but could get better with time.


Baseball

1. Lake Orion: If the Dragons get some hitting then look out.

2. Oxford: Wildcats are a sleeper team to look at this season.

3. Seaholm: Maples could impact the league this season.

4. Groves: Falcons have made some noise in the last two seasons.

5. Avondale: Yellow Jackets have the talent to make some noise this season.


Softball

1. Clarkston: Wolves have a ton of talent back, could they get back to the Final Four.

2. Oxford: Wildcats came out of nowhere, could they be in line to surprise again.

3. Lake Orion: Dragons have the talent to make a run.

4. North Farmington: Raiders have the pitching to make some noise.

5. Troy: The Colts could be in line for a bounce back season.

Clarkston vs Holland West Ottawa Preview.

Written Friday March 23rd at 10:30 PM

The Clarkston Wolves will play for a State Championship for a second straight season.

They will play Holland West Ottawa at 12:15 PM on Saturday at the Breslin Center.

The most interesting part of this matchup is that the Wolves and Panthers played each other in the State Football playoffs in Holland where Clarkston trailed by two scores to stun Holland West Ottawa.

The Panthers are a defensive first team which limited Novi to 50 points in the State semifinals in a 53-50 win.

Holland West Ottawa is led by its point guard Xavier Wade. Wade is a two way standout, he also played in that regional final loss to Clarkston. Wade had 13 points against Novi. The Panthers also have three point specialist Drew Pederson. Pederson had 12 points (four three pointers) and two in the fourth quarter sparking Holland West Ottawa's late run against Novi. The Panthers also have Tyler Bosma in the paint and he was huge getting 13 points and 12 rebounds in their game against Novi.

Lets look at the matchup more in depth.

Guards

This will be an interesting matchup between Xavier Wade and Foster Loyer. I'm not sure how they would match out with Holland West Ottawa being a defensive first team, not to mention CJ Robinson vs Drew Pederson. There will be a ton of scoring on both sides here but give me the Wolves because of Loyer. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Forwards

Taylor Currie vs Tyler Bosma will be a great matchup in the interior to go along with Nick Wehmmeyer vs Nick Wells and Liam Cavanaugh vs Chase Waslik. These three matchups inside could determine who wins the State Crown. I like Clarkston in this matchup especially with Currie. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Coaching

Steve Windemuller vs Dan Fife. I know how good Windemuller has been for Holland West Ottawa but come on now it's Dan Fife. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Bench

I don't trust the Wolves bench in this matchup. Give me the Panthers, they use their bench more in games, gives them more options. ADVANTAGE: HOLLAND WEST OTTAWA.

Prediction

You can not play a half court game with Clarkston. Also if the Panthers can stop Currie, Robinson, and especially Loyer they have a shot in this one considering that the Wolves don't use it's bench at all. I think Clarkston will have enough to repeat as State Champs. PICK: CLARKSTON.

Loyer Dominant as Clarkston rolls again.

Written Friday March 23rd at 2:00 PM

Future Michigan State teammate Cassius Winston said that Mr Basketball Foster Loyer would go off for 45 points in a game.

He was close but was three points off.

Behind 42 points from Loyer, the Clarkston Wolves were dominant in the State Semifinals against Warren De LaSalle with a 74-49 victory sending them to the State finals on Saturday at the Breslin Center.

Future Wisconsin commit Taylor Currie added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolves. Currie led the Clarkston onslaught on the boards outscoring the Pilots 36-19.

Loyer was 12 for 17 from the field, 11 for 11 on free throws, and seven for 11 from three point range.

Clarkston is now 25-1 on the season and will play Holland West Ottawa in the State Finals.

Thoughts.

This was no surprise that Loyer would have a big game like this on his home floor and in front of his future Michigan State teammates, coaches, and coach Tom Izzo.

Loyer made it a show early and often against a Warren De LaSalle team that basically played with nothing to lose.

It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday in the State Finals.

Clarkston vs Warren De LaSalle Preview.

Written Thursday March 22nd at 2:05 PM

Lets see heading into Friday's Class A State Semifinal this is how I see things going.

Warren De LaSalle comes into Friday holding a 19-7 record overall and coming off a big 63-58 win over their Catholic League rival Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit at Callahan Hall on the campus of the University of Detroit Mercy.

The Pilots are a well coached team under legendary coach Greg Esler.

Warren De LaSalle is a Senior heavy team and features some talent in Luke Pfromm and Kole Gjonaj. Pfromm whom is a guard had a big game against the Cubs scoring 21 points in it's quarterfinal game. Gjonaj is a big power forward whom likes to get rebounds as well.

Clarkston comes in at 24-1 after blowing out Flint Carman Ainsworth 52-31 at Grand Blanc feature a Senior heavy team and a starting five that may be the most lethal in the State in Mr Basketball Foster Loyer, CJ Robinson, Nick Wells, Chase Wasilk, and Taylor Currie. Also they are well coached under Dan Fife.

It should be an interesting matchup in this one.

Guards.

Loyer and Robinson have been difference makers for the Wolves attack while Pfromm leads the Pilots attack. This is not even close in this one. Warren De LaSalle has no answer for Loyer or Robinson. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Forwards.

The Pilots have a bunch of 6.5 guys along with two guys in Blake Flanagan and Grant Toutant that are 6.6. Well Currie is 6.9 and Wasilk is 6.7. If Currie stays out of foul trouble then Warren De LaSalle is in big trouble here. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Bench.

Finally Dan Fife trusted his bench against Flint Carman Ainsworth using Tristen Mysen, Tieler Houston, and Hank Schimmel in their quarterfinal game. Warren De LaSalle uses a deep bench but with what Clarkston has, oh dear. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Coaching.

What a coaching matchup between Dan Fife and Greg Esler. Both of them have one State title and have been around the game for a while. Talent wise favors Fife but Esler has gotten a lot out of his team despite not having the superior talent that Clarkston has. In coaching, I trust the one that has been on Between Taormina's before. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.

Prediction.

This one might not even close, if Warren De LaSalle is shooting threes then they have a chance but Clarkston is on a mission, it could be a long day for the Pilots. Expect running clock here. PICK: CLARKSTON.