Could Dave Sofran be a fit at Farmington???

Written Saturday December 17th at 10:00 PM
Updated Monday December 19th at 10:52 PM

Well there is a football vacancy in the OAA and a rumored vacancy in the wings. As I was looking at other various newspapers and media outlets around Oakland County. I wonder if Dave Sofran would be interested in taking over at Farmington???

It's possible.

Sofran was fired on Friday from Birmingham Brother Rice after spending three seasons as Warriors head coach taking over for legendary coach Al Fracassa. He had a 2-7 season in 2015 but managed to get Birmingham Brother Rice to the playoffs with a 7-4 record, losing to Groves in the district finals 24-0 last season. Sofran spent 14 years as an assistant (21 years overall as a player and coach) winning three state championships while at Birmingham Brother Rice.

Farmington's then coach John Bechtel retired from coaching the Falcons last week after a rough 2-7 year last season.

Sofran is the associate athletic director at Birmingham Brother Rice and will finish the year in that role. However there is little doubt that he would be back after Warriors officials relieved him of his football coaching duties.

It was a big shock  that Birmingham Brother Rice decided to go a different direction with it's football program and according to MIPrepZone and State Champs beat writer Scott Bernstein, there was an anti-Al population among the Warriors community, which is shocking to say that there were people that were against Fracassa at Birmingham Brother Rice.

In July, there was a new administration that came to Birmingham Brother Rice from Tampa Catholic in Florida.

It was clear that politics played a huge role in Sofran's firing.

It is unknown who will replace Sofran as head coach at Birmingham Brother Rice but rumors are going around that the Warriors are strongly interested in hiring Chippewa Valley coach and Birmingham Brother Rice alum Scott Merchant.

Everything looked normal at the team's banquet and then this happened where Sofran was fired.

Why I think Sofran to Farmington makes sense.

Farmington football was in turmoil last year under Bechtel going 2-7 in the process. Now Sofran and his family were very invested in the Birmingham Brother Rice, St. Regis, and Marian communities but he is in need of a fresh start.

The program over at Farmington is in shambles after last season. This program needs a top notch coach to not only to bring hope but respectability in the city of Farmington with North Farmington struggling and Harrison about to close in two years. The Falcons are in the Blue this season and is in need of a fresh start. This where Sofran comes in because of his track record and the fact that he had a 2-7 season at Birmingham Brother Rice in 2015 and turned that program around last season, taking them to the playoffs.

I think it would be justice if Sofran got the job at Farmington after what happened at Birmingham Brother Rice but will see if both sides are interested in each other.

Bechtel out at Farmington.

Written Wednesday December 14th at 11:30 PM

Perhaps one of the best kept secrets is out. There will be a new coach at Farmington come this fall.

Farmington football John Bechtel has retired from coaching. He was the head coach of the Falcons for 18 years, including making the playoffs 11 times as the head man in Farmington.

Bechtel concluded his Farmington career with a 96-91 record.

Bechtel's best season came in 2002 when his Falcons finished 10-2, winning the OAA Division Three crown but they lost in the Regional Final to Allen Park.

He has coached some Division One players including David Reese whom is now at Florida.

It is unknown whom will replace Bechtel as head coach next season but Farmington needs to rebound after a disastrous 2-7 season in 2016. The Falcons went down from the White to the Blue this season. The last time Farmington was in the Blue they won the division going 7-0 in 2014 but they would finish 7-3 losing in the first round to Oak Park.

We shall see what happens. Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on the Farmington coaching search.

Feltner named new Girls Basketball Coach at Ferndale.

Written Thursday December 8th at 11:45 PM

The Ferndale Eagles have a new Girls Basketball coach but it's a familiar face within the program.

The Eagles named Cody Feltner their head coach for the season. Feltner replaced George Gleason whom resigned this summer.

Feltner is no stranger to the Eagles program. He was an assistant for the program for two seasons.

Ferndale has nine returning players from a team that had a rough season last season including seniors Kayla Boyd and Samia Patmon. Both are three year players.

The Eagles are looking to change the culture of their program and hope to get double digit wins this season. The schedule for Ferndale looks manageable with non conference games against East Detroit, Harper Woods, Livonia Clarenceville, and Ferndale University. The Eagles will compete in the Gold this season with Groves, Berkley, Farmington, Hazel Park, and Pontiac.

Two of those teams have new coaches.

Ferndale will be in a very difficult district with the likes of Detroit Mumford and Detroit Henry Ford Academy of Sciences this upcoming March.

Thoughts.

This is an interesting move for the Eagles to name Feltner their head coach taking over a team that has struggled consistently. Now the goal for Ferndale is to build a Junior Varsity and a Freshman squad for the future. Ferndale is a great community to build your program around.

This year's Eagles has a strong chance to get double digit wins. Currently Ferndale sits at 1-1 on the season and has a manageable non conference schedule. I can see the Eagles if they work hard as a team get at least ten wins this season and perhaps get back to the District Championship match. If they do that then it will be a successful season in Ferndale.

Boys Basketball Outlook.

Written Thursday December 1st at 11:20 PM

TOP TEN TEAMS:

1. Clarkston

2. Bloomfield Hills

3. West Bloomfield

4. Troy

5. Hazel Park

6. Groves

7. Rochester

8. Southfield Arts and Tech

9.  Avondale

10. Stoney Creek

RED:

Clarkston

Bloomfield Hills

West Bloomfield

Southfield Arts and Tech

North Farmington

Adams

FAVORITE: Clarkston

NEXT UP: Bloomfield Hills

DARKHORSE: West Bloomfield

WILDCARD: North Farmington

TOP STORYLINES:

Can Clarkston get past Macomb Dakota and get to East Lansing???

Can Amari Hardy carry North Farmington this season???

How will Michael Flowers blend with his new teammates at Southfield Arts and Tech???

How will things change at Adams that now Brad Crighton is the new head coach???

Who will be that interior guy at West Bloomfield???

Can Bloomfield Hills repeat the success they had from last season???

RED OUTLOOK: When looking at the Red division all the hype is surrounding Clarkston. The Wolves return Foster Loyer, Dylan Alderson, Chase Wasilk, and CJ Robinson but it’s the additions that have Clarkston fans believing a State title this season. The Wolves have added two transfers in Tristen Mysen from Oxford and Taylor Currie from Ohio along with incoming freshman Matt Nicholson. Clarkston will also have a deep bench to go too this season as well, so all the hype is there for coach Dan Fife’s team. North Farmington went to the State Finals last season but they will have to rebuild. The Raiders will be led by Amauri Hardy and he will have to likely carry the load for coach Todd Negoshian’s team this season. Adams has a new coach in Brad Crighton and he will have some talent coming up in freshman Zach Maynard and Jake Schuler. The question will be how will the Highlanders gel under Crighton and can he get them to believe in the team. Southfield Arts and Tech is now together under coach Mike Avery and could be a team to keep an eye on as the Warriors will be led by Michael Flowers, James Faulkner, Remi Torbert, and Wendell Green. Bloomfield Hills will be a scary team after sharing the White crown last season. Blackhawks coach Mike Maryanski will have Jayden Reedemer, Ray Dillworth, Josh Jones, and Kiewuan Graham back from a team that went to the district finals last season along with a deep bench. West Bloomfield also moved up from the White and will have Kevin McAdoo and Davion Johnson back. The Lakers will be an interesting team to watch under coach Jermey Dehna. Overall when looking at the league it’s Clarkston’s to lose but the league has some balance to it a bit.

WHITE:

Troy

Hazel Park

Avondale

Troy Athens

Oak Park

Pontiac

FAVORITE: Troy

NEXT UP: Hazel Park

DARKHORSE: Avondale

WILDCARD: Troy Athens

TOP STORYLINES:

How will Troy Athens adjust with Taylor McCaskill back in the fold???

Can Oak Park develop chemistry within the program???

How will Pontiac respond after a turbulent offseason???

How will Hazel Park adjust to the White and do they have the depth???

How can Troy make the next step up in the division???

Can Avondale develop their bench this season???

WHITE OUTLOOK:

This division is interesting but you got to look at the team that moved up in Hazel Park that could create some noise in this league. The Vikings return Carl Bow, David Hearns, Cameron Boatmen, Ceasare Brooks, and Devin Pettus from a team that won the Gold last season. The question for Hazel Park will be depth, you can’t rely on eight or nine guys and win games, that won’t happen. A team that doesn’t have to worry about depth is Troy. The Colts are well coached led by coach Gary Fralick. Troy returns top players in Jason Dietz and Isiah Smith and are very scrappy. Troy Athens just got Taylor McCaskill after he re-enrolled back into the district from Detroit Edison. It will be interesting how McCaskill adjusts with Jacob Bradley along with that experience for the Red Hawks. Oak Park is an interesting team to keep an eye on as they have a new coach in Bobby Thompson. He should have some talent for the Knights in Robert Zanders, Dwan Mathis, and Thompson’s son Bobby Jr. Avondale will be a team to keep an eye on this season as they look to return to the form that got them a State Championship in Class B from 2002.  The Yellow Jackets will be talented led by Dominic Kejbou, Dre’Shawn Allen, Vyshonn Munson, Ty Bland, and Martone Cole. Avondale is also well coached under coach Tim Morton. Pontiac has had a turbulent offseason as Jalen Kelso left Pontiac and transferred to Walled Lake Northern. The Phoenix are an interesting team to keep an eye on this season. Overall this division looks balanced but got to give an early edge to Hazel Park and Troy.

BLUE:

Groves

Rochester

Orion

Stoney Creek

Oxford

Seaholm

FAVORITE: Groves

NEXT UP: Rochester

DARKHORSE: Orion

WILDCARD’s: Stoney Creek and Oxford

TOP STORYLINES:

Can Seaholm find some scoring this season???

How will Oxford adjust under new/old coach Steve Laidlaw???

Who becomes the top shooters at Stoney Creek???

How will Groves respond moving up to the Blue???

Will Rochester have a winning record this season???

Can Orion develop a post presence???

BLUE OUTLOOK:

This division maybe the most balanced and toughest this season when you look at the parity of these teams. Groves moved up from the Gold to the Blue this season. The Falcons are the early favorites as they have Drew Sheckell, Charles Jones, and Marcus Pittman back. Rochester is an interesting team as they have plenty of experience coming back. The Falcons are led by Hunter Schlatter, Ivan Barazza-Duran, and LaMarako Guillridge back. Stoney Creek lost a ton of talent from last season but the Cougars will have Nate Davis and Michael Melgarni back from a team that won the division last season. Seaholm returns some experience back but they need to get some scoring if they want to compete this season, they will have the defense though. The Maples are led by Graham Girdler and they have some role players that can carry the team this season. Oxford has a new coach coming back in Steve Laidlaw. Laidlaw will have some talent to work with this season as they are led by Jordan Jaden, Justin Lavalis, and Ray LaVine. Orion will have to replace David Gomez and Noah Harris from last season and is very young this season. The Dragons will have Jamie Lewis and Steven Zmijewski back from a team that won 12 games last season. This will be an interesting league. It wouldn’t surprise me that each team wins at least ten games this season.

GOLD:

Farmington

Berkley

Royal Oak

Ferndale

Harrison

FAVORITE: Farmington

NEXT UP: Berkley

DARKHORSE: Royal Oak

WILDCARD: Ferndale

TOP STORYLINES:

Will Farmington’s vicious non-conference schedule get them ready for not only league play but also districts as well???

How will Berkley adjust to life under Joe Sermo???

Who will step up for Ferndale this season???

Who takes over for Cedric Boswell and Cordell Dupree this season at Royal Oak???

Can Harrison be competitive this season???

GOLD OUTLOOK:

This division will have five teams in this part of the league this upcoming season. When looking at the favorites you got to look at Farmington as the early favorite. The Falcons moved down from the Blue to the Gold will have Jack Kirby and Jordan Graham back this season. Berkley will be adjusting to life under new coach Joe Sermo. The Bears will have a very talented team back in Jordan Cobb, Owen Jozefowicz, Terrell Tucker, and Ernest Payne back. Ferndale will have a young team back but they are always competitive and dangerous under legendary coach Tom Stanton. Harrison will have some experience back this season as they return Russell Campbell, Jordan Hibbett, Ardit Dema, and Alex Kriese. Royal Oak will be interesting this season as they have to reload a bit but Bobby Green returns for the Ravens which will help. This division looks to be the Falcons to lose.

Stroud named new Girls Basketball Coach at Hazel Park.

Written Thursday December 1st at 11:05 PM

The Vikings of Hazel Park has a new Girls Basketball Coach in Chris Stroud.

Stroud takes over for Jessica Wiesler whom resigned from Hazel Park this summer.

Stroud will have some talent back in Liz Sternor, Ghyanna Green, and Trinity Benton.

The Vikings are in a tough division in the Gold and will go up against the likes of Groves, Berkley, Ferndale, Pontiac, and Farmington. Their district is tough as well as Detroit Mumford is in that district this spring.

Hazel Park is 0-1 after losing 51-19 to Avondale on Wednesday night.

Thoughts.

I don’t know much about Stroud taking over at Hazel Park but was surprised that Wiesler left but her husband coaches at Troy Athens for the JV team there. Either way this looks to be a rebuilding year at Hazel Park and it could be a long season for the Vikings.

Steinacker named new Girls Basketball Coach at Adams.

Written Monday November 28th at 9:15 PM

The Highlanders have named a new Girls Basketball coach to replace Shay Lewis whom left to become the new Director of Operations at Oakland in Jackie Steinacker.

Steinacker was Lewis assistant coach last season and was there when Lewis was there. She will hope to make Adams into a competitive team in the tough Red this season with Stoney Creek, Southfield Arts and Tech, North Farmington, and Clarkston. The Highlanders are in a tough district as well with Stoney Creek, Utica, Utica Eisenhower, and Rochester.

Steinacker will have some talent returning in Maggie Rogers, Hannah Simard, Noelle Dunbar, Makayla Smith, and Ryian Owusu back along with a newcomer in Lauren Van Pelt.

Adams opens up the season on December 9th when they will host Orion.

Thoughts:

I think this was a great move for the Highlanders this late in the process to go with Steinacker. Adams will be an interesting team to keep an eye on this season. This should be an interesting transition from Lewis to Steinacker.

We'll see what happens.

Girls Basketball Outlook.

Written Sunday November 27th at 4:00 PM
Updated Thursday December 1st at 11:10 PM

Here is the early outlook for each team. Stay tuned to OAA Now for latest information surrounding the upcoming season.

EARLY TOP TEAMS:

1. Southfield Arts and Tech

2. Stoney Creek

3. Orion

4. Clarkston

5. Bloomfield Hills

6. North Farmington

7. Royal Oak

8. Groves

9. Oxford

10. Rochester

RED:

Southfield Arts and Tech

Stoney Creek

Clarkston

North Farmington

Adams

FAVORITE: Southfield Arts and Tech.

NEXT BEST: Stoney Creek

DARKHORSE: Clarkston

WILDCARD: North Farmington

TOP STORYLINES:

How will the former Southfield students adjust to Michelle Marshall’s scheduling and style of coaching???

What will life be at Adams post Shay Lewis Era???

Does North Farmington have the guards and depth to compete in the Red???

Can Clarkston’s guards replace the point production left by Kayla Russell from last season???

Can Stoney Creek overtake Southfield Arts and Tech and get that Division Crown???

RED OUTLOOK: Whomever wins this division would had earned it. The experts will obviously pick Southfield Arts and Tech to win this division because of whom they have returning and merging with as a new school. The Warriors will have Miss Basketball candidate Deja Church in the fold for coach Michelle Marshall but the question will be for the Warriors is the former Southfield Blue Jays Girls like Alexa Johnson, D’Layna Holloman, and Rizzara Franklin and how they develop coming up from the Blue to the Red. Stoney Creek is the most complete team in the league when you look at whom they have back in Gina Cerney, Ally Voss, Emily Solek, Emily Elchout, Gabi Sinacola in the wings. Not to mention that coach Kellen James team has a deep bench to boot as well. North Farmington comes up from the White after having to overcome both Orion and Bloomfield Hills in the league last season. The Raiders should compete right away with Kierra Crockett, Sophie Muller, and Samantha Cherney. If North Farmington can get production from Lusk and also develop a bench, then coach Jeff Simpson’s team might have something here. Clarkston may have the best interior in the league when you look at Kayla Luchenbach, Molly Nicholson, and Ali Butcher. The question for the Wolves will be the guards as Mary McKillop, Madeline Wiscombe, and especially Maddie Beck are key if Clarkston wants to do some damage this season. Adams has a new coach in Jackie Steinacker but the same system could be in place. The Highlanders only have ten players on the roster this season. Adams returns Maggie Rogers, Hannah Simard, Noelle Dunbar, Makayla Smith, Ryian Owusu and has Grace Van Pelt in the wings as the team’s only sophomore on Varsity. The Highlanders don’t open up until December 9^th when they host Orion so there is time to gel and develop chemistry.

WHITE:

Orion

Bloomfield Hills

Royal Oak

Oxford

Harrison

West Bloomfield

FAVORITE: Bloomfield Hills

NEXT BEST: Orion

DARK-HORSE: Royal Oak

WILDCARD’s: Oxford and Harrison

TOP STORYLINES:

Can Bloomfield Hills produce despite lofty expectations this season from them???

How does Harrison adjust to life without Kristen Nelson and Amber Stephens along with adjusting to their third head coach in two seasons???

Can Orion gel under new coach Kevin Kopec???

How does Oxford replace Abby Butkewitz production from last season along with adjusting to a new coach in Rachel Bryer???

Can Royal Oak produce the same defensive juggernaut like they were last season???

How does West Bloomfield replace Charkia Stubbs, Taylor Pierce, and Macey Kryzakoza’s production from last season???

WHITE OUTLOOK: There are three new coaches in this division this season when you look at the Hawks Shavon Caldwell, the Wildcats Rachel Bryer, and the Dragons Kevin Kopec. There may be a ton of unpredictably this season as these three teams start new eras at their respective schools. Orion will be young with only one senior on its team but it a team that has plenty of Varsity experience. The Dragons return Maddie Novak, Delaney Bryce, Tessa Nuss, and Sophie Wyborski to a team that won 12 games last season. Bloomfield Hills has the balk of their team returning from last season. The Blackhawks will be led by a healthy Amanda Sape along with Victorie Franklin, Katherine Prinna, Becca Hancock, Maryam Hashim, Myah Jones, Immani Wright, Samantha Patterson, and Desiree Duncan. This might be the Blackhawks best chance to make some noise with the senior experience they have back for coach Jeff Rubin. Harrison comes down from the Red to the White and will have to adjust a bit. The Hawks lost Kristen Nelson and Amber Stephens from last season but will have Olivia Perkins, Nyla Warren, and Teddi Pickens back as the Hawks will rely on these three players to carry them. Royal Oak has a big team returning in Samantha Potter, MiKea Williams, Jessica Adams, Claire Kochinski, and June Donnellon but coach Brian Sopota will have to replace Gia Valentine whom graduated from a season ago. The Ravens could be in the middle of this division with their well-known defense. Oxford has a strong team coming back along with a strong freshman class. One of them is on Varsity in Lauren Menther. The Wildcats also return Madelyn Morris, Ashley Herschman, Monae Evans, and Darian Graves. West Bloomfield returns Kori Maxie, Jordyn Elam, Destini Cannon, Jamila Elam, and Destiny Monroe for coach Zach Hilbers. Expect the White to be much tougher than people think, this league could have all six teams win at least ten games.

BLUE:

Rochester

Troy Athens

Troy

Seaholm

Avondale

Oak Park

FAVORITE: Rochester

NEXT BEST: Troy Athens

DARKHORSE: Seaholm

WILDCARD: Troy

TOP STORYLINES:

Does Seaholm have enough talent until Mackenzie Harbort comes back???

Can Rochester stay healthy???

Can Troy Athens repeat the success of last season’s Gold title run???

Who will be the Robin to Troy’s Megan Lenihan???

How will Avondale adjust to Phil Dawson’s coaching style???

Can Oak Park be competitive this season???

BLUE OUTLOOK: The division was thought to be the Maples to lose until there was news that shocked Seaholm as their star player Mackenzie Harbort got injured with an ACL tear during the summer and will be out until February. The Maples will have to rely on Caroline Owens, Dana Hoerman, and Wendy Wilkerson to carry the team until Harbort gets back for coach January Hlaski. Rochester has a shot to have a strong bounce back season as they return Tori Hawkins and Jenna Norgrove. The Falcons will get a big spark as Paola Barazza-Duran returns after tearing her ACL, causing her to miss her junior season. If they can address their small forward and center spots, then this team will be a serious contender after a tough season in 2015-2016. Troy moved down from the White returns Megan Lenihan for coach Simon Bato. The Colts have some questions this season to whom will replace Jordan Layfette from last season. Troy will also be very scrappy this season especially on the defensive side of the basketball. Troy Athens returns Maddie Crumm and Alexa Van Hoef from a team that could make some noise this season. The Red Hawks moved up from the Gold after coach Stacie Klump's team shared the division with Groves and Berkley last season. Avondale has Toya Golden and Brooke Blanchitte back and Olivia Russell returns after tearing her ACL last season comes into the fold for new coach Phil Dawson this season. Dawson takes over for Daruis Whiteside and will look to get the Yellow Jackets back to respectability. Oak Park will have a long season in 2016-2017 as they will be pretty young and inexperienced. There is a lot of parity in this division but it could be interesting when these teams have to play each other in January.

GOLD:

Groves

Berkley

Farmington
Ferndale

Pontiac
Hazel Park

FAVORITE: Groves

NEXT BEST: Berkley

DARKHORSE: Farmington

WILDCARD: Ferndale

TOP STORYLINES:

Can Berkley find a way to overtake Groves in the division and how will they replace Cecila Somers and Zoe Anderson???

How will Hazel Park react to having a new coach in Chris Stroud???

Ferndale has everyone back, now can they get continue the progress that was made from last season???

Does Groves league schedule help or hurt them???

Does Pontiac have enough scoring and talent to replace Infinnatie Rowe’s production???

Can Farmington make some noise in the Gold with them moving down a division???

GOLD OUTLOOK:  This division will be interesting as there are two teams from last season that shared the Gold title that are still in this division. Farmington dropped down from the Blue after having a tough year last season. Groves returns a ton of talent led by Shea Carter, Lexi Carter, Jane Jung, Nicole Miller, and Morgan Morrison for coach Amos Thompson. The Falcons non-conference schedule is difficult which will offset some of the teams in the division. Berkley shared the title with Groves last season will have Makoya Denham and Olivia Dicardo back in the fold for coach Jordan DeGreppen. Hazel Park returns some talent as well led by Liz Sternor, Ghyanna Green, and Trinity Benton for new coach Chris Stroud. Ferndale will have the majority of their squad back from a team that struggled badly last season for new coach Cody Feltner. The Eagles were mostly juniors and sophomores from a season ago and now they will have that experience to compete in what will be a tough division. Ferndale will be led by Kayla Boyd this season. Pontiac will return some talent in Zakirya Brown, Taleah Washington, Diamond Curill, and Savannah Pitts for coach Christopher Wright. Farmington has a new coach and Abbey Powell is back but the Falcons could struggle this season adjusting to life under a new coach.