Girls Basketball Thoughts. Part Two.

Written Tuesday January 5th at 12:45 AM

Here are some thoughts of each team as we head into the new year based on the division.

The Red is pretty much looking like it will be a four team race, maybe five if Adams can get its act together. The favorite right now looks like it’s Southfield-Lathrup especially with their college bound athletes. The Chargers most complete win was at the Motor City Roundball Classic when they destroyed Waterford Kettering 59-31, they limited the Captains to just eight points in the second half. Lathrup will be not only a favorite in the league but also a State title contender this season. Another team that has State title dreams is Farmington Hills Harrison. The Hawks do have a new coach in Allen Walker whom came over from Troy and has installed his offense to Harrison. The Hawks only loss was to a very good Detroit Renaissance team. Harrison is very talented lead by Kristen Nelson and Amber Stephens. The Hawks will be tested once league play starts. The Clarkston Wolves look to the future as Christine Rogers takes over the program from Tim Wasilk but no one expected them to go 7-0. The Wolves best win was at Orion early in the season as they had to survive that game along with North Farmington. Clarkston is led by Kayla Russell and Kayla Luchenbach whom have had big games down the stretch. They will be counted on to do more this season but they have had other players step up in the process as well. If the OAA ever had a Coach of the Year Candidate, my vote would be to Kellen James for what he has done at Stoney Creek. The Cougars sit at 7-0 and are rolling heading into league play behind Ally Voss, Courtney Elkhout, Emily Solek, among others. Stoney Creek has beaten everyone except for Orion by double digits so far this season but once league play comes it will test them even more. Adams has been my biggest disappointment at 1-4 on the season. The Highlanders are led by Maggie Rogers, Hannah Simard, Ryian Owusu, and Linden transfer Taylor Smith. Adams coach Shay Lewis has had her hands full this season, having played a tough non-league schedule playing the likes of Macomb Dakota, Howell, and Warren Cousino but they do have a league loss to Stoney Creek that is killing them so far. Oxford so far will struggle in league play after winning the White last season. After losing three players in Jessica Murphy, Skye Donaldson, Jaynee Butkiewicz, and Cherylin Bandis, the Wildcats must rely on Abigail Butkiewicz to carry them, if Madelyn Morris gets her shot going along with good inside play Oxford could cause some problems to someone but I don’t know if I see that happening for coach Steve Emert. His team will take some lumps this season and they have played the likes of Orion, Notre Dame Prep, Warren Couisno, and Northville.

The White is looking like it could be a three team race between Bloomfield Hills, Orion, and North Farmington. The Blackhawks have clearly played an easier non-league schedule than the Dragons or Raiders have. Bloomfield Hills does have something to prove as last season they lost to both Orion and North Farmington twice. The Blackhawks return Amanda Sape, Victorie Franklin, Kathrine Prinna, Myah Jones, and Becca Hancock along with new comers Samantha Patterson and Immani Wright. Coach Jeff Rubin’s team did lose to Chandler Park Academy in its last game but league play will prove to be an even tougher challenge. North Farmington is a very good team coming back and have played good teams in Harrison, Clarkston, and Lansing Everett. The Raiders led by coach Jeff Simpson lost Megan Carter a season ago to graduation but does return Kierra Crockett, Amber Stephans-Watts, Kelly Tusk, Alexa Cherney, and Samantha Cherney and has a talented bench in Sophie Muller. North Farmington loves to pressure and trap and will do so this season in the league. Orion maybe the wildcard of the bunch because they have also played a tough schedule like North Farmington in Lapeer, Clarkston, and Stoney Creek. The Dragons are led by Maddie Novak and Evelyn Wischmeyer along with Lauren Thorne and Delaney Hann. Orion coach Steve Roberts could be a scary team in league play this season. West Bloomfield is a very good and scary team, coach Zach Hilbers has his Lakers playing well but has had some bad luck with the schedule gods lately but he does have a great leadership in Charlika Stubbs, Taylor Pierce, and some very talented players in Jamila Elam and Jordyn Elam. This West Bloomfield squad is a dangerous team going into the season. Royal Oak is an interesting team as well despite their 3-3 early record. The Ravens have had some tough losses early to Milford, Seaholm, and Walled Lake Northern but are led by a very talented sophomore class along with Gia Valentine and also newcomer Samantha Potter. Coach Brian Sopota's team won the Blue last season but they could have some lumps early in league play. Troy although not the same team as they were last year will still be very scrappy again and has wins over Avondale and Troy Athens. Coach Simon Bato returns Megan Lenihan and Jordan Layfette but Danica Murray has stepped up her game and looks to be a force for the Colts as we head into league play this season.

The Blue it looks clearly like the league is Southfield’s to lose. The Blue Jays have been perfect but the schedule looks less impressive but they will get tested when they go to Southfield-Lathrup on January 30^th.  Southfield coach Jamie Ginez has a loaded lineup in Stormlength Mattison and Krystal Lynn Defoe. What makes it scarier is that you have D’Alina Holloman and Alexa Johnson are both underclassmen and are their leading scorers. That’s a scary thought to a loaded Blue Jays team. Seaholm is clearly the second best team in this division, their only loss was to a good Waterford Mott team where they lost 36-35 in that game. The Maples are led by Makenzie Harbort and Dana Hoerman but the X Factor has been Caroline Owens who has emerged as the third scorer for coach January Hlaski. Seaholm will be a factor but don’t think they are at Southfield’s level yet. Rochester has been beaten up with ACL injuries as Zo Schultz, Delaney Norgrove, and Paola Barraza-Duran are out for the season with those injuries and a huge reason why they sit at 1-4 with their only win coming against Yale but coach Adam Sheldon has a talented freshman in Tori Hawkins whom looks ready to carry the Falcons along with Jenna Norgrove whom has made the transition over from forward to guard this season. The Falcons will do what they can with the talent they have and it could help them in the future. Avondale has struggled a bit this season and missing the Mason sisters have hurt coach Darrius Whiteside’s Yellow Jackets but they do return Toya Golden, Addie Saltareii, and Alissa Smith. All three need to step up their game as they have a young guard core in Brooke Sawyers and Brooke Blanchetee. Avondale must develop their guards if they want to compete this season. The Yellow Jackets schedule has been scary as they played Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, and Troy in the process. Oak Park has been a major disappointment for first year coach Peggy Evans-Carr as her Knights are struggling so far, the schedule hasn’t been kind either playing the likes of Lansing Everett, Harrison, Waterford Mott, Grosse Pointe South, and Woodhaven. It will toughen them up for sure but the question is confidence and it could be a hit or miss season this year in Knight Valley but Carr has them on the right track. Farmington has struggled mightily despite winning over Detroit Allen Academy for coach and Athletic Director Mary Sheltron. Amari Echols must be relayed upon even more if the Falcons have a chance to even compete in this league this season.

The Gold has been a Grand Canyon so far when it comes to ups and downs this season. Berkley seems to be the best team in that league. The Bears almost beat Bloomfield Hills and Seaholm and had a tough loss to Waterford Mott. Berkley coach Jordan Gruppen has a very good team in Celica Somers and Zoe Anderson. The Bears appear to be the favorite in the league but you cannot count out the rest of the league. Troy Athens appears to be the second best in the division because of whom they have back in Maddie Crumm, Dakota Stainchuck, Michelle Gervalis, and Jamia Russell whom is the younger sister of SinClair Russell. The Red Hawks are winless right now but once coach Stacie Klumpp gets her team into league play expect them to get some wins under their belt. Groves is a hit and miss team for coach Amos Thompson. The Falcons are led by Shea Carter whom had a 38-point game in a overtime win against Birmingham Roeper in the season opener, they have losses to Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills, and Seaholm. Groves must rely on Carter to carry them this season if they any chance of being successful. Pontiac is an interesting team and a team on the rise led by their coach Christopher Wright. The Phoenix went 5-13 last season and has four of five starters back in Infinnante Rowe, Jordin Wright, Jasmine Blue, and Shantel Evans. Pontiac though is still young despite bringing in two transfers. Depth is still a major concern for the Phoenix but Wright has them going in the right direction after an 0-21 season in 2013-2014. Ferndale will have some ups and downs this season but coach George Gleason will have some talent in place but being up and playing Class A schools will be a problem again for the Eagles. Hazel Park under the second year of coach Jessica Wieseler’s system will be much better especially when they get their star forward Trinity Benton back. What makes the Vikings better is they have a lot more depth and I expect them to make a huge jump up in league play, who knows they could be a sleeper in the district this upcoming postseason.