Written Monday March 19th at 2:40 PM
Clarkston now has it's second Mr Basketball in school history.
The BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan) named Foster Loyer the Hal Schram Mr Basketball winner for 2018. Loyer won the award in a clear runaway with 3,691 votes while Brandon Johns of East Lansing was second with 2,792 votes while David DeJulius of Detroit East English Village Prep was third with 2,542 votes.
Loyer joins his future Michigan State assistant coach Dane Fife to be named Mr. Basketball. Fife was the former coach at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (currently Fort Wayne) was the 1998 Mr Basketball for Clarkston. Dane is the son of Wolves coach Dan Fife.
Loyer has averaged 26 points per game, seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals per game. He also has a 90 percent free throw percentage and 50 percent from three point range in the regular season.
The Wolves are 94-6 with Loyer in the lineup in his four years. Loyer has missed only one game in his career (Hazel Park.) They will have a chance to add to it when they play Flint Carman Ainsworth on Tuesday in the State Quarterfinals at Grand Blanc.
Loyer becomes the 15th future Spartan to hold the honor of Mr. Basketball. He will be seeing his future teammate Cassius Winston next season whom was also a Mr. Basketball winner in 2015 when he was at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit.
The last time the Mr. Basketball winner won a State Championship in the same year was Winston's Cubs in 2015 when they beat North Farmington in the State final. They had to beat Clarkston in the State Quarterfinals at Callahan Hall at the University of Detroit Mercy 57-55 to get there.
Thoughts.
Loyer deserved this honor to win Mr. Basketball but it doesn't guarantee a State Championship. There have been Mr. Basketball winners that have not won a State title like Fife in 1998.
Clarkston has had great players come out of that program but Fife and Loyer will stand out being that they are Mr. Basketball winners.
It will be interesting to see what the Wolves have and if Loyer can lead Clarkston to a repeat.
We'll find out.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Clarkston vs Flint Carman Ainsworth Preview.
Written Sunday March 18th at 5:10 PM
The Clarkston Wolves are the only team left standing in the Boys Basketball State playoffs in the OAA. The defending State Champions will play the Flint Carman Ainsworth Cavaliers for the second time in the State Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Grand Blanc.
The Wolves beat the Cavaliers earlier in the season 72-67 on December 7th at Clarkston.
Flint Carman Ainsworth won the Saginaw Valley League this season and had to go through a tough district and regional to this point. The Cavaliers come in with a 22-2 record with their losses to Clarkston and Holland West Ottawa. Flint Carman Ainsworth beat Grand Blanc 68-66 at home in the district final. The Cavaliers would go on the road to Davison where they beat the Cardinals 72-48 in the regional semifinal and then they went to Mount Pleasant where Flint Carman Ainsworth blew out Traverse City West 61-38 getting their first regional since 2004.
Flint Carman Ainsworth is a deep and talented team. They are led by their football and basketball standout Mike Fletcher. Fletcher is a power forward that had the winning shot against Grand Blanc and has been a dominant in the tournament thus far. He had a big game against Clarkston the last time these two teams played on December 7th. The next player is forward Omari Duncan, he has had some big games this season including 17 points against Traverse City West. The guards are solid as well for coach Jay Witham's team starting with Jayden Nunn. Nunn had 13 points in their win over Davison in the regional semifinal. The other guard is J'Kevon Lewis whom was the MVP of the Saginaw Valley League and has had big games. The Cavaliers have the complete package with their solid two guards and two big, not to mention a deep bench as well.
Lets look more at this matchup.
Guards
This is an interesting matchup between Foster Loyer and CJ Robinson vs J'Kevon Lewis and Jayden Nunn. Loyer and Robinson are scoring first guards. Lewis and Nunn are also scoring first guards. It will come down to wills in this one but right now I would take Loyer and Robinson. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.
Bigs
Lets see this matchup I would have thought about giving the advantage to Taylor Currie, Nick Wells, and Chase Waslik but Omari Duncan and Mike Fletcher are physical bigs and Duncan and Fletcher are more than capable of having big games. The way Duncan and Fletcher are playing, it's hard for me to trust the tandem of Waslik, Wells, and Currie over the Cavaliers bigs. ADVANTAGE: FLINT CARMAN AINSWORTH.
Bench
The bench clearly favors the Cavaliers because they use their bench more despite Clarkston is a deep team. Flint Carman Ainsworth can bring Dustin Fletcher and Chris Ballard off the bench among others. The Wolves did not go to their bench at all in their game against Orchard Lake St. Marys in their regional final win even though Clarkston will have Desmond Mills-Bradley and Hank Schimmel. Until Wolves coach Dan Fife trusts his bench, advantage Cavaliers. ADVANTAGE: FLINT CARMAN AINSWORTH.
Coaching
This is an interesting coaching matchup between Dan Fife and Jay Witham. Fife has won 700 games in his coaching career and a State Championship under his belt while Witham has had successful seasons for Flint Carman Ainsworth. This coaching matchup favors the Wolves here. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.
Prediction
This will be close like the game at Clarkston. I think Flint Carman Ainsworth has really improved since the last time they played the Wolves. I don't trust Clarkston's bench in this one. The Cavaliers will be ready for this one as mentioned in Duncan's interview with ESPN 100.9 FM's Brad Tunney after their win over Traverse City West at Mount Pleasent. I think Loyer will be creative and find a way to save Clarkston in this game. PICK: CLARKSTON.
The Clarkston Wolves are the only team left standing in the Boys Basketball State playoffs in the OAA. The defending State Champions will play the Flint Carman Ainsworth Cavaliers for the second time in the State Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Grand Blanc.
The Wolves beat the Cavaliers earlier in the season 72-67 on December 7th at Clarkston.
Flint Carman Ainsworth won the Saginaw Valley League this season and had to go through a tough district and regional to this point. The Cavaliers come in with a 22-2 record with their losses to Clarkston and Holland West Ottawa. Flint Carman Ainsworth beat Grand Blanc 68-66 at home in the district final. The Cavaliers would go on the road to Davison where they beat the Cardinals 72-48 in the regional semifinal and then they went to Mount Pleasant where Flint Carman Ainsworth blew out Traverse City West 61-38 getting their first regional since 2004.
Flint Carman Ainsworth is a deep and talented team. They are led by their football and basketball standout Mike Fletcher. Fletcher is a power forward that had the winning shot against Grand Blanc and has been a dominant in the tournament thus far. He had a big game against Clarkston the last time these two teams played on December 7th. The next player is forward Omari Duncan, he has had some big games this season including 17 points against Traverse City West. The guards are solid as well for coach Jay Witham's team starting with Jayden Nunn. Nunn had 13 points in their win over Davison in the regional semifinal. The other guard is J'Kevon Lewis whom was the MVP of the Saginaw Valley League and has had big games. The Cavaliers have the complete package with their solid two guards and two big, not to mention a deep bench as well.
Lets look more at this matchup.
Guards
This is an interesting matchup between Foster Loyer and CJ Robinson vs J'Kevon Lewis and Jayden Nunn. Loyer and Robinson are scoring first guards. Lewis and Nunn are also scoring first guards. It will come down to wills in this one but right now I would take Loyer and Robinson. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.
Bigs
Lets see this matchup I would have thought about giving the advantage to Taylor Currie, Nick Wells, and Chase Waslik but Omari Duncan and Mike Fletcher are physical bigs and Duncan and Fletcher are more than capable of having big games. The way Duncan and Fletcher are playing, it's hard for me to trust the tandem of Waslik, Wells, and Currie over the Cavaliers bigs. ADVANTAGE: FLINT CARMAN AINSWORTH.
Bench
The bench clearly favors the Cavaliers because they use their bench more despite Clarkston is a deep team. Flint Carman Ainsworth can bring Dustin Fletcher and Chris Ballard off the bench among others. The Wolves did not go to their bench at all in their game against Orchard Lake St. Marys in their regional final win even though Clarkston will have Desmond Mills-Bradley and Hank Schimmel. Until Wolves coach Dan Fife trusts his bench, advantage Cavaliers. ADVANTAGE: FLINT CARMAN AINSWORTH.
Coaching
This is an interesting coaching matchup between Dan Fife and Jay Witham. Fife has won 700 games in his coaching career and a State Championship under his belt while Witham has had successful seasons for Flint Carman Ainsworth. This coaching matchup favors the Wolves here. ADVANTAGE: CLARKSTON.
Prediction
This will be close like the game at Clarkston. I think Flint Carman Ainsworth has really improved since the last time they played the Wolves. I don't trust Clarkston's bench in this one. The Cavaliers will be ready for this one as mentioned in Duncan's interview with ESPN 100.9 FM's Brad Tunney after their win over Traverse City West at Mount Pleasent. I think Loyer will be creative and find a way to save Clarkston in this game. PICK: CLARKSTON.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Girls Basketball Offseason.
Written Saturday March 17th at 3:00 PM
Well the OAA Girls Basketball season has came to an end with Clarkston's loss to Saginaw Heritage in the State Quarterfinals. I like to congratulate Royal Oak, Groves, Southfield Arts and Tech, Clarkston, Avondale, and Farmington on league titles this season.
Any coaching moves will be updated on the blog and on the podcast.
Here is what each team could look and what they will need to address next season.
Royal Oak: The Ravens will be a team to watch next season and they have two top players returning in Samantha Potter and Jessica Adams. Royal Oak coach Brian Sopota might have to address the guard situation this offseason especially with June Donnellon graduating and losing Clare Kostecki as well to graduation. The Ravens should be fine in the offseason but it's time to take the next step up for Sopota's team.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors will have Keoanna Willis, Cheyenne McEvans, and Alexis Johnson returning from a team that had a disappointing loss to Detroit Martin Luther King. The question will be whom replaces D'Layna Holliman. A player to watch in the offseason that could make some noise is Myori Reeves. She can make am impact for Southfield Arts and Tech.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks will be in the thick of things next season and will feature three players whom return with a boatload of experience for coach Jeff Rubin in Maryiam Hashim, Grace Getz, and Jordan Banks. Bloomfield Hills will need to address how to replace Becca Hancock but there are some players that can replace her production.
Oxford: The Wildcats have had a strong season for coach Rachel Bryer but they do have the Methner sisters Lauren and Mackenzie along with Ashley Herschmann returning. Oxford will have some questions in the interior next season and they have a freshman coming into the program that is solid. The future is bright for the Wildcats.
Lake Orion: The Dragons have a ton of questions heading into next season for coach Mike Griffin for a team that was depleted by injuries but they will have a ton of returnees in Paytin Shadaia, Sophie Wyborski, Meghan Marshall, Kendall Robinson, Sophie Canine, Katie Janoss, Carrie Janoss, Grace Berger, Kylie Anderson, among others. This offseason will be critical if Lake Orion wants to make some noise.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers had a rough first season under coach Bert Mosley but the future is bright. Mosley will have a nucleus to build on next season led by Destiny Monroe, Mari Horton, Mya Bobo, Jade Goodloe, Lola Chambers, Niah Thurman, MiKayla Duncan, Ikia Elam, Samiria Williams, Jada Grady, N'Josia Batiste, and Toni Brooks. West Bloomfield will be a team to keep an eye on this offseason and next year.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a rough season but they have some key players returning in Meghan Solek and Emily Echout. The player I'm watching for next season for coach Kellen James is Sophia Ubalydi in the post. If she keeps on developing her inside game then Stoney Creek will be much better next season.
Adams: The Highlanders lose MaKayla Smith and Noelle Dunbar but players like Amelia Drahnak, Lauren Petersmark, and Grace VanPelt return for coach Shay Lewis. The question for Adams will be chemistry after struggling this season. If the Highlanders can have a strong offseason to go along with a strong freshman class then they could make some noise next season.
Clarkston: The Wolves lose so much talent in Maddie Beck, Kayla Luchenbach, Molly Nicholson, and Kianna Ayotte. Clarkston will have one returning starter in Taylor Heaten but watch for players like Piper Bosart and Kaitlyn Kahl to make an impact next season for coach Christine Rogers team.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets will return the balk of their team led by Keiori Lee and Olivia Russell. They also will have Keziah Buggs back for coach Phil Dawson. It will be interesting this offseason what Avondale does.
North Farmington: It could be an interesting offseason for coach Jeff Simpson and his team. The Raiders will return three very good guards in Maya Kelly, Molly Simpson, and Patti Tzchokian but they lose Samantha Cherney in the interior which will hurt them next season. North Farmington will be a team to watch this offseason on how will they replace Cherney's production.
Troy: The Colts could be a team that could make some noise next season for coach Simon Bato. Troy returns Emily Olson and Athena Sampson but losing Danica Murray to graduation will hurt. The Colts had a rough season this year but they have a ton of experience coming back, could it be the return of Troy???
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks will lose Maddie Crumm to graduation but Isabelle Crumm, Grace Bright, and Abby Bright returns for a team that struggled this season. It will be interesting to see what coach Stacie Klumpp has for Troy Athens but if they want to get back in the thick of things, it starts in the offseason.
Groves: The Falcons will be a different team next season. Groves loses Shea Carter, Kayla Nelson, and Lauren Palmer but they do have Emlie Felix coming back to go along with some height for coach Jessica Wiesler but we will see how the Falcons do and it starts in the offseason.
Rochester: The Falcons have a lot of underclassman returning led by Tori Hawkins, Payton Johnson, Sam Thiesson, Maddie Perkins, and Alyssa Miller but they do lose Paola Barazza and Jenna Norgrove. They will need a new coach as Al Poynter resigned last week. It will be interesting how Rochester handles their third coach in three seasons.
Seaholm: The Maples could be a team next season no one wants to see. Seaholm will return Julia Bell, Chloe Burkett, Julia Crump, Meredith Owens, Helena Beasley, Lily Grills, Audrey Stachelski, among others returning next season. Expect coach January Hlaski to have a loaded team next season but the Maples will need a strong offseason.
Farmington: The Falcons had a successful first season under coach Laura Guzman but they will be very young next season. Farmington will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason considering where the direction the program goes.
Berkley: The Bears could be a team on the rise for coach Kirk Carolan. Berkley will return Olivia DiCarlo and Savannah Casida. Although what hurt Berkley was the non conference schedule. If the Bears want to go somewhere they need that talent to develop and play teams to the caliber that their district is like Detroit Renaissance and if they do then they will be better quick and it starts in the offseason.
Oak Park: The Knights will be an interesting team this offseason. Oak Park will need to address depth as they are still going to be talented led by Kiya Wilson and Aerial Kennedy. If the Knights can address the depth then they could go somewhere.
Pontiac: The Phoenix do have Braila Belton coming back next season but they do need to address depth for coach Christopher Wright. A strong offseason will led to great things for Pontiac.
Ferndale: The Eagles will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason for first year coach Christina Nagle. Ferndale will have Jaliyah Love, Kyra Newman, and Keneisha Williams returning next season. The Eagles will look to grow next season and create a program. Stability will be very important for Ferndale this offseason.
Hazel Park: The Vikings will have two players returning from a team that really struggled finding consistency for coach Chad Ossman. It will be an interesting offseason what Hazel Park has in the sub varsity. It will be a different Vikings team next season.
Well the OAA Girls Basketball season has came to an end with Clarkston's loss to Saginaw Heritage in the State Quarterfinals. I like to congratulate Royal Oak, Groves, Southfield Arts and Tech, Clarkston, Avondale, and Farmington on league titles this season.
Any coaching moves will be updated on the blog and on the podcast.
Here is what each team could look and what they will need to address next season.
Royal Oak: The Ravens will be a team to watch next season and they have two top players returning in Samantha Potter and Jessica Adams. Royal Oak coach Brian Sopota might have to address the guard situation this offseason especially with June Donnellon graduating and losing Clare Kostecki as well to graduation. The Ravens should be fine in the offseason but it's time to take the next step up for Sopota's team.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors will have Keoanna Willis, Cheyenne McEvans, and Alexis Johnson returning from a team that had a disappointing loss to Detroit Martin Luther King. The question will be whom replaces D'Layna Holliman. A player to watch in the offseason that could make some noise is Myori Reeves. She can make am impact for Southfield Arts and Tech.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks will be in the thick of things next season and will feature three players whom return with a boatload of experience for coach Jeff Rubin in Maryiam Hashim, Grace Getz, and Jordan Banks. Bloomfield Hills will need to address how to replace Becca Hancock but there are some players that can replace her production.
Oxford: The Wildcats have had a strong season for coach Rachel Bryer but they do have the Methner sisters Lauren and Mackenzie along with Ashley Herschmann returning. Oxford will have some questions in the interior next season and they have a freshman coming into the program that is solid. The future is bright for the Wildcats.
Lake Orion: The Dragons have a ton of questions heading into next season for coach Mike Griffin for a team that was depleted by injuries but they will have a ton of returnees in Paytin Shadaia, Sophie Wyborski, Meghan Marshall, Kendall Robinson, Sophie Canine, Katie Janoss, Carrie Janoss, Grace Berger, Kylie Anderson, among others. This offseason will be critical if Lake Orion wants to make some noise.
West Bloomfield: The Lakers had a rough first season under coach Bert Mosley but the future is bright. Mosley will have a nucleus to build on next season led by Destiny Monroe, Mari Horton, Mya Bobo, Jade Goodloe, Lola Chambers, Niah Thurman, MiKayla Duncan, Ikia Elam, Samiria Williams, Jada Grady, N'Josia Batiste, and Toni Brooks. West Bloomfield will be a team to keep an eye on this offseason and next year.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars had a rough season but they have some key players returning in Meghan Solek and Emily Echout. The player I'm watching for next season for coach Kellen James is Sophia Ubalydi in the post. If she keeps on developing her inside game then Stoney Creek will be much better next season.
Adams: The Highlanders lose MaKayla Smith and Noelle Dunbar but players like Amelia Drahnak, Lauren Petersmark, and Grace VanPelt return for coach Shay Lewis. The question for Adams will be chemistry after struggling this season. If the Highlanders can have a strong offseason to go along with a strong freshman class then they could make some noise next season.
Clarkston: The Wolves lose so much talent in Maddie Beck, Kayla Luchenbach, Molly Nicholson, and Kianna Ayotte. Clarkston will have one returning starter in Taylor Heaten but watch for players like Piper Bosart and Kaitlyn Kahl to make an impact next season for coach Christine Rogers team.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets will return the balk of their team led by Keiori Lee and Olivia Russell. They also will have Keziah Buggs back for coach Phil Dawson. It will be interesting this offseason what Avondale does.
North Farmington: It could be an interesting offseason for coach Jeff Simpson and his team. The Raiders will return three very good guards in Maya Kelly, Molly Simpson, and Patti Tzchokian but they lose Samantha Cherney in the interior which will hurt them next season. North Farmington will be a team to watch this offseason on how will they replace Cherney's production.
Troy: The Colts could be a team that could make some noise next season for coach Simon Bato. Troy returns Emily Olson and Athena Sampson but losing Danica Murray to graduation will hurt. The Colts had a rough season this year but they have a ton of experience coming back, could it be the return of Troy???
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks will lose Maddie Crumm to graduation but Isabelle Crumm, Grace Bright, and Abby Bright returns for a team that struggled this season. It will be interesting to see what coach Stacie Klumpp has for Troy Athens but if they want to get back in the thick of things, it starts in the offseason.
Groves: The Falcons will be a different team next season. Groves loses Shea Carter, Kayla Nelson, and Lauren Palmer but they do have Emlie Felix coming back to go along with some height for coach Jessica Wiesler but we will see how the Falcons do and it starts in the offseason.
Rochester: The Falcons have a lot of underclassman returning led by Tori Hawkins, Payton Johnson, Sam Thiesson, Maddie Perkins, and Alyssa Miller but they do lose Paola Barazza and Jenna Norgrove. They will need a new coach as Al Poynter resigned last week. It will be interesting how Rochester handles their third coach in three seasons.
Seaholm: The Maples could be a team next season no one wants to see. Seaholm will return Julia Bell, Chloe Burkett, Julia Crump, Meredith Owens, Helena Beasley, Lily Grills, Audrey Stachelski, among others returning next season. Expect coach January Hlaski to have a loaded team next season but the Maples will need a strong offseason.
Farmington: The Falcons had a successful first season under coach Laura Guzman but they will be very young next season. Farmington will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason considering where the direction the program goes.
Berkley: The Bears could be a team on the rise for coach Kirk Carolan. Berkley will return Olivia DiCarlo and Savannah Casida. Although what hurt Berkley was the non conference schedule. If the Bears want to go somewhere they need that talent to develop and play teams to the caliber that their district is like Detroit Renaissance and if they do then they will be better quick and it starts in the offseason.
Oak Park: The Knights will be an interesting team this offseason. Oak Park will need to address depth as they are still going to be talented led by Kiya Wilson and Aerial Kennedy. If the Knights can address the depth then they could go somewhere.
Pontiac: The Phoenix do have Braila Belton coming back next season but they do need to address depth for coach Christopher Wright. A strong offseason will led to great things for Pontiac.
Ferndale: The Eagles will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this offseason for first year coach Christina Nagle. Ferndale will have Jaliyah Love, Kyra Newman, and Keneisha Williams returning next season. The Eagles will look to grow next season and create a program. Stability will be very important for Ferndale this offseason.
Hazel Park: The Vikings will have two players returning from a team that really struggled finding consistency for coach Chad Ossman. It will be an interesting offseason what Hazel Park has in the sub varsity. It will be a different Vikings team next season.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Clarkston moves onto the State Quarterfinals.
Written Wednesday March 14th at 9:15 PM
Clarkston coach Dan Fife picked up his 700 win of his legendary coaching career on Wednesday night as the Wolves beat Orchard Lake St. Marys 58-35 at West Bloomfield.
The Wolves controlled things early and often, not letting up after the Lake Orion game where they only beat the Dragons 62-50 in the district semifinal.
Clarkston lead the Eaglets 17-5 after the first quarter and 38-19 at the half. The Wolves outscored Orchard Lake St. Marys 20-16 in the second half to close the game out. Clarkston used it's balance scoring of Foster Loyer, Taylor Currie, Nick Wells, Chase Waslik, and CJ Robinson. Loyer had 24 points, Robinson added 13 points, Wells had four points and 10 rebounds, Currie added 10 points, and Waslik added seven points.
Clarkston will move onto the State Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Grand Blanc against a familiar foe in Flint Carman Ainsworth. The Wolves beat the Cavaliers 72-67 in an instant classic at Clarkston on December 7th.
The Cavaliers got 17 points from Omari Duncan in their 61-38 win over Traverse City West in the regional final at Mount Pleasant. It was the first regional title for Flint Carman Ainsworth since 2004.
Thoughts.
I was surprised that the Wolves did not sub anyone in the game. Clarkston has 15 players on their team but anyway they won over a solid Orchard Lake St. Marys team with only their regular starters.
Clarkston will get a rematch with Flint Carman Ainsworth, a team that the Wolves beat 72-67 on December 7th. Expect the Cavaliers to come out motivated against Clarkston.
We shall see what happens.
Clarkston coach Dan Fife picked up his 700 win of his legendary coaching career on Wednesday night as the Wolves beat Orchard Lake St. Marys 58-35 at West Bloomfield.
The Wolves controlled things early and often, not letting up after the Lake Orion game where they only beat the Dragons 62-50 in the district semifinal.
Clarkston lead the Eaglets 17-5 after the first quarter and 38-19 at the half. The Wolves outscored Orchard Lake St. Marys 20-16 in the second half to close the game out. Clarkston used it's balance scoring of Foster Loyer, Taylor Currie, Nick Wells, Chase Waslik, and CJ Robinson. Loyer had 24 points, Robinson added 13 points, Wells had four points and 10 rebounds, Currie added 10 points, and Waslik added seven points.
Clarkston will move onto the State Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Grand Blanc against a familiar foe in Flint Carman Ainsworth. The Wolves beat the Cavaliers 72-67 in an instant classic at Clarkston on December 7th.
The Cavaliers got 17 points from Omari Duncan in their 61-38 win over Traverse City West in the regional final at Mount Pleasant. It was the first regional title for Flint Carman Ainsworth since 2004.
Thoughts.
I was surprised that the Wolves did not sub anyone in the game. Clarkston has 15 players on their team but anyway they won over a solid Orchard Lake St. Marys team with only their regular starters.
Clarkston will get a rematch with Flint Carman Ainsworth, a team that the Wolves beat 72-67 on December 7th. Expect the Cavaliers to come out motivated against Clarkston.
We shall see what happens.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Poynter Out at Rochester.
Written Tuesday March 13th at 10:30 PM
It looks like there will be a change at Rochester.
Rochester will be looking for a new Girls Basketball Coach this offseason as Al Poynter has stepped down on Monday afternoon coaching the Falcons.
It will be the team's third coach in four seasons.
Rochester finished 2-19 and 2-12 in the White this season losing to Stoney Creek in the pre-districts. The Falcons will likely be heading down to the Blue next season.
Rochester is clearly a team built for the future and whomever Athletic Director Luke Beech chooses to be the next Girls Basketball Coach will need to be there long term and bring stability to a program that needs it in the worst way.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
It looks like there will be a change at Rochester.
Rochester will be looking for a new Girls Basketball Coach this offseason as Al Poynter has stepped down on Monday afternoon coaching the Falcons.
It will be the team's third coach in four seasons.
Rochester finished 2-19 and 2-12 in the White this season losing to Stoney Creek in the pre-districts. The Falcons will likely be heading down to the Blue next season.
Rochester is clearly a team built for the future and whomever Athletic Director Luke Beech chooses to be the next Girls Basketball Coach will need to be there long term and bring stability to a program that needs it in the worst way.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Clarkston Falls to Saginaw Heritage in the Quarters.
Written Tuesday March 13th at 8:45 PM
This was not going to be an easy matchup for Clarkston against the third ranked team in the State in Saginaw Heritage.
The Wolves could not handle the balance of the Hawks in a 70-25 blowout at Grand Blanc in the State Quarterfinals. It is the most points allowed and the least points scored that Clarkston has allowed all season.
Clarkston had a great season led by Kayla Luchenbach whom is heading to Oakland next season. Molly Nicholson, Maddie Beck, and Kianna Ayotte will be moving on as well along with others.
Luchenbach and Nicholson had 19 of the team's 25 points on the night.
Saginaw Heritage dominated from the opening tip over Clarkston, controlling tempo and using it's balance to control things. The Wolves really did not stand a chance.
Clarkston finished the season at 20-5 overall, capturing it's first regional since 2005 and getting their revenge on Waterford Kettering. Wolves coach Christine Rogers will have to replace a lot of talent especially Beck, Luchenbach, and Nicholson but there is a future in place in Kaitlyn Kahl, Heaten, and Piper Bosart.
The Wolves will be a different team next season for sure.
This was not going to be an easy matchup for Clarkston against the third ranked team in the State in Saginaw Heritage.
The Wolves could not handle the balance of the Hawks in a 70-25 blowout at Grand Blanc in the State Quarterfinals. It is the most points allowed and the least points scored that Clarkston has allowed all season.
Clarkston had a great season led by Kayla Luchenbach whom is heading to Oakland next season. Molly Nicholson, Maddie Beck, and Kianna Ayotte will be moving on as well along with others.
Luchenbach and Nicholson had 19 of the team's 25 points on the night.
Saginaw Heritage dominated from the opening tip over Clarkston, controlling tempo and using it's balance to control things. The Wolves really did not stand a chance.
Clarkston finished the season at 20-5 overall, capturing it's first regional since 2005 and getting their revenge on Waterford Kettering. Wolves coach Christine Rogers will have to replace a lot of talent especially Beck, Luchenbach, and Nicholson but there is a future in place in Kaitlyn Kahl, Heaten, and Piper Bosart.
The Wolves will be a different team next season for sure.
Monday, March 12, 2018
Enrollment list Released.
Written Tuesday March 13th at 12:45 AM
Updated to include gains and losses Saturday March 17th at 4:00 PM
The MHSAA has released the enrollment list for the 2018-2019 school year on Monday. There will be some changes that will not only effect football but also basketball and volleyball as well.
Here is the list in order from largest to smallest schools in the league.
Clarkston 2548
Lake Orion 2393
Southfield Arts and Tech 2244
Troy 2225
Troy Athens 2212
Oxford 2170
West Bloomfield 2005
Bloomfield Hills 1888
Rochester 1702
Stoney Creek 1671
Adams 1621
Berkley 1399
Seaholm 1376
Oak Park 1349
Royal Oak 1335
Groves 1298
North Farmington 1264
Avondale 1115
Farmington 1111
Hazel Park 859
Harrison 849
Pontiac 802
Ferndale 718 (1162)
Here is the updated list with the gains and losses from last year.
Ferndale and Ferndale University have a CoOp team for Football so they would be D2 for playoffs.
The cutoff line for Division One and Division Two is 889 students for next year.
Hazel Park, Pontiac, Harrison, and Ferndale will certainly be in Division Two once the Volleyball and Basketball Districts come out in June. The rest of the schools will be Division One.
Troy Athens makes the biggest jump in the OAA based on enrollment from 2026 students in 2017-2018 to 2212 students in 2018-2019. Troy meanwhile loses the most kids based on the enrollment in the league from 2422 students in 2017-2018 to 2225 students in 2018-2019.
Let the debate began.
Updated to include gains and losses Saturday March 17th at 4:00 PM
The MHSAA has released the enrollment list for the 2018-2019 school year on Monday. There will be some changes that will not only effect football but also basketball and volleyball as well.
Here is the list in order from largest to smallest schools in the league.
Clarkston 2548
Lake Orion 2393
Southfield Arts and Tech 2244
Troy 2225
Troy Athens 2212
Oxford 2170
West Bloomfield 2005
Bloomfield Hills 1888
Rochester 1702
Stoney Creek 1671
Adams 1621
Berkley 1399
Seaholm 1376
Oak Park 1349
Royal Oak 1335
Groves 1298
North Farmington 1264
Avondale 1115
Farmington 1111
Hazel Park 859
Harrison 849
Pontiac 802
Ferndale 718 (1162)
Here is the updated list with the gains and losses from last year.
Clarkston 2548 2603 -55
Lake Orion 2393 2393 0
Southfield A&T 2244 2345 -101
Troy 2225 2422 -197
Troy Athens 2212 2026 +186
Oxford 2170 2171 -1
West Bloomfield 2005 1990 +15
Bloomfield Hills 1888 1842 +46
Rochester 1702 1705 -3
Stoney Creek 1671 1643 +28
Adams 1621 1626 -5
Berkley 1399 1357 +42
Seaholm 1376 1367 +9
Oak Park 1349 1395 -46
Royal Oak 1335 1332 +3
Groves 1298 1300 -2
North Farmington 1264 1249 +15
Avondale 1115 1033 +82
Farmington 1111 1177 -66
Hazel Park 859 889 -30
Harrison 849 1030 -181
Pontiac 802 848 -46
Ferndale 718 741 -23
Ferndale and Ferndale University have a CoOp team for Football so they would be D2 for playoffs.
The cutoff line for Division One and Division Two is 889 students for next year.
Hazel Park, Pontiac, Harrison, and Ferndale will certainly be in Division Two once the Volleyball and Basketball Districts come out in June. The rest of the schools will be Division One.
Troy Athens makes the biggest jump in the OAA based on enrollment from 2026 students in 2017-2018 to 2212 students in 2018-2019. Troy meanwhile loses the most kids based on the enrollment in the league from 2422 students in 2017-2018 to 2225 students in 2018-2019.
Let the debate began.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Saginaw Bay
- I have highest function of autism (Asperger Syndrome.) I'm a huge Dallas Stars fan. I like to play and watch football, especially when the Dragons play on Friday nights. I am a 2006 alum and used to play football for the Dragons. I ran track, I ran the 100, 200, 400 meter dashes along with shot-put and discus. During my time in Orion I was a manager for Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team. I'm the volleyball, girls basketball, and football announcer for the team and do the book on the road for girls basketball. I do the clock for volleyball in the fall along with girls basketball in the winter and announce some boys basketball games as well. In the spring I coach shot-put at Scripps Middle School, in my fifth season coaching. I run the shot-put for high school meets. I played Special Olympics Basketball, I've won three gold medals for them. I host "Between Taorminas" which is on ONTV along with a podcast called "OAA Now". In other various things outside of Lake Orion, I love to jet ski over Saginaw Bay. Saginaw Bay is basically my life. I'm a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service for Oakland and Huron counties.