Way too early Basketball Rankings.

Written Wednesday June 13th at 6:00 PM
Updated Monday September 26th at 6:50 AM

This is the 2016-2017 way too early top ten teams for both Girls and Boys Basketball.

Boys Basketball.

1. Clarkston- The Wolves have destroyed the summer league and have Foster Loyer, Dylan Alderson, Chase Wasilk, Tristan Mysen, and CJ Robinson all back Clarkston also added Taylor Currie whom came over from Ohio and is going to give them another option in the front-court. Watch out for Matt Nicholson, he could make an impact for coach Dan Fife this season.

2. Bloomfield Hills- The Blackhawks are going to be talented and deep in Mike Maryanski's second season led by Kiewuan Graham, Josh Jones, and Ray Dillworth. Bloomfield Hills will be very deep and they could make an impact in the Red this season.

3. West Bloomfield- The Lakers under Jeremy Dehna will be very talented led by Gervon Winn and Kevin McAdoo. West Bloomfield will be very deep and talented. Keep an eye on the Lakers this season.

4. Hazel Park- The Vikings return a ton of experience led by Carl Bow, Cameron Boatmen, Cesare Brooks, Devin Pettus, and Dan Hearns. Hazel Park must address the depth and if they do then look out.

5. Southfield Arts and Tech- The new Warriors will have Michael Flowers and Kevin Tolbert back but coach Mike Avery must address their interior if they want to go places this season.

6. Troy- The Colts are an interesting team to keep an eye on as coach Gary Fralik's team will be led by Jason Dietz, Kristian Layfette, and Isiah Smith this season. Troy will be a team that will make an impact in districts and in the league.

7. Groves- The Falcons will be a Senior heavy team this season led by Marcus Pittman and Drew Sheckell. Coach Mark West will be solid and they had a solid Junior Varsity team last season. This will be interesting to keep an eye on this season.

8. North Farmington- The Raiders fresh off a State Championship appearance returns Armai Hardy but the rest of coach Todd Negoshian's team will be very young.

9. Avondale- The Yellow Jackets will be interesting to keep an eye on this season as they are well coached by Tim Morton and led by Dominic Kejbou, Vyshorn Munson, Ty Munson, and Martone Cole. Avondale looks to get back to where they are at after a tough season last season.

T-10. Rochester- The Falcons return a ton of talent led by Hunter Schlattner, LaMarco Gulridge, and Ivan Barazza Duran. The schedule is manageable for coach John Pleasent's team and they have depth in the system which always helps.

T-10 Orion- The Dragons have a tough December schedule early but they do have only two starters back in Steven Zmijeweski and Jamie Lewis. The frontcourt and depth remain a question for coach Jim Manzo's team this season but they should be bigger than they were last season.
 

Girls Basketball.

1. Southfield Arts and Tech- The recent hire of coach Michelle Marshall puts the Warriors to be the top team in the league. Southfield Arts and Tech has Alexis Johnson, D'Layna Holloman, Tyler Washington, and Rizarra Franklin all back and that's not naming Deja Church whom could be a Miss Basketball candidate this season but the chemistry is a major question.

2. Stoney Creek- Probably the most complete team in the league is the Cougars and most likely the greatest challenger to Southfield Arts and Tech from a depth standpoint. Stoney Creek coach Kellen James has a deep team led by Emily Echout, Emily Solek, Gina Cerney, and Ally Voss. The Cougars have a brutal non conference schedule but it should get them ready for the league and district play.

3. Orion- The Dragons are in a nice spot heading into the season even though they will have a new but a familiar coach in Kevin Kopec. Orion will have Maddie Novak, Tessa Nuss, Sophie Wyborski, and Delaney Bryce all back and that's not mentioning there are some rising starts coming up that could make some noise. This could very well be a dangerous team this season.

4. Clarkston- The Wolves may have the best interior in the league with Molly Nicholson and Kayla Luchenbach but the question will be the guards for coach Christine Rogers. Clarkston though has Maddie Beck and Kristen Paige but they must address some things heading into the season.

5. North Farmington- The Raiders moved up to the Red from the White and will have Kelsey Lusk, Samantha Cherney, and Kierra Crockett all back. North Farmington coach Jeff Simpson knows that they must improve their guard play if they want to contend in the division this season.

6. Bloomfield Hills- This may be coach Jeff Rubin's best shot at winning a division and district crown this season because of their Senior experience. The Blackhawks return Amanda Sape, Victorie Franklin, Katherine Prinna, Becca Hancock, and Maryam Hashim. Expect Myah Jones to come back and make her impact on this team. They will have a tough non conference schedule as well which will help them this season.

7. Royal Oak- The Ravens are very sound defensively but they do have to replace Gianna Valente's leadership after she graduated. Coach Brian Sopota will have some talent returning in Samantha Potter, June Donnellon, MiKea Williams, and Claire Kochinski. The schedule is balanced which should get them ready for the season.

8. Oxford- The Wildcats have a new coach in Rachel Bryer. She will have a strong Freshman class coming up and return a ton of talent led by Ashley Herschmann, Monae Evans, Madeline Morris, Jordyn Zyniger, and Grace Cleland. You can't coach experience but they must find scoring after Abigail Butkewitcz graduated a season ago.

9. Seaholm- The Maples will be a senior heavy team led by Makenzie Harbort, Dana Hoerman, and Caroline Owens. The non conference schedule hasn't been the best in recent years for coach January Hlauski's team but the schedule was toughed up this season and this will only help Seaholm in the long hall.

10. Groves- The Falcons are the favorite in the Gold and will have a ton of talent back for coach Amos Thompson. Groves will have Shea Carter, Lexi Carter, June Jung, and Morgan Morrison all back from a team that shared the Gold with Berkley and Troy Athens last season. They could be a heavy favorite to win the division outright.