Girls Basketball Shortcomings.

Written Saturday March 23rd at 2:20 PM
Updated Monday July 29th at 12:10 AM

The Girls Basketball season has came to an end, here are the storylines heading into next season for each team.

Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors could be a different team after a successful playoff run which ended in a 55-40 loss to Saginaw Heritage in the Division One State Final. They will have talent coming back in Kayonia Willis, Jasmine Worthy, and Cheyenne McEvans returning but the bench is a huge concern going forward. If Southfield Arts and Tech wants to make a run next season the bench needs to step up or trouble could loom for the Warriors.

Royal Oak: The Ravens lost a lot of talent from last season which included Samantha Potter, Nina Conley, and Jessica Adams to graduation. Royal Oak should have Sarah Soraghan, Sarah Ammon, Anna Ross, Ana Johnson, Elinor Kochanski, Sam Mullen, newcomer Emily Jenkins, and Lexi Romesberg returning next season. I don’t think that coach Brian Sopota will have a compete rebuild but there could be growing pains next year.

Clarkston: The Wolves had an odd first season under coach John Weyer. They started off 0-5 with a brutal schedule only to turn things around in the second half of the season. Clarkston has the majority of their team coming back next season including Taylor Heaten, Jennifer Starnes, Sam Aris, Madison Skorupski, Lexi Linton, and Kaitlyn Kaul. Program strength is very strong next season and they have a tough non conference schedule looming. The Wolves will be a team to watch next season.

Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks lose two seniors in Maryiam Hashim and Grace Getz but coach Jeff Rubin’s team returns Angelina Saavya, Keleen Fife, and Jordan Banks. Bloomfield Hills will need to address their depth next season. Expect Rubin’s team to be in the mix.

Groves: The Falcons have Ellie Ruprich along with Mia Yarberry returning next season for coach Jessica Wiesler but they have questions. Groves did compete well in the Red this season but going forward this team could be in for some rough times.

Stoney Creek: The Cougars should be interesting to watch this offseason. Stoney Creek loses Meghan Solek and Emily Eckhout to graduation. The Cougars will have Lily DiPani, Sydney LaPrairie, and Devin Vowels returning for coach Kellen James. Stoney Creek also has a freshman to watch who is coming into the program. The Cougars will be a team to watch next season.

North Farmington: The Raiders had a tough year this season but coach Jeff Simpson should have some experience returning in Molly Simpson and Maya Kelly. North Farmington will have some question especially in the post. The interior will be something that the Raiders will need to address next season in the very tough White.

West Bloomfield: The Lakers are ready to make the jump from the White to the Red. Coach Bert Mosley returns the balk of his team back including Maya Bobo, Logan Lewis, Lola Chambers, among others. West Bloomfield should be a team forced to be recon with next season.

Avondale: The Yellow Jackets could be an interesting team heading into next season. Avondale loses Melishia Rodriguez and Olivia Russell to graduation but they have Brala Benion who transferred in from Pontiac along with Keori Lee, Taniah Jackson, and Reigan Lawerence returning for coach Bob Lees. The Yellow Jackets will need to address depth but there are two proven players from the junior varsity ranks to watch out for. Avondale if they can address their non conference schedule will be a team worth watching next season.

Oxford: The Wildcats had a surprising successful year this season. They lost Ashley Herschman and HaLaya Cato to graduation. Oxford has Sarah Tyrrell, Emma Morris, Gabby Dinges, and Mackenzie Methner returning for coach Rachel Bryer. Program strength is very strong for the Wildcats. Oxford could be a team to watch next season. They work hard and are relentless.

Troy: The Colts had a very good season which included an upset of Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinal. Troy lost a ton of experience from last season's team including a four year point guard in Emily Olson. The Colts have a ton of talent back from last season's team including Kendal Zeiter, Athena Sampson, Calen Knight, Riya Chakravity, Elena Renke, and Laura Gumma returning for coach Simon Bato and a strong junior varsity team from last year which includes Charlotte Soboka and Kayla Rutledge. Troy should be a team worth watching next season.

Adams: The Highlanders are on the upward swing after beating Romeo in the district semifinals and going toe to toe with Waterford Kettering in the district finals last season. Adams has a ton of proven talent in Maddie Doelinga, Amelia Drahnak, Abbey Drahnak, Elizabeth Blaine, Maddie Kessman, Anaiah Howard, Lauren Petersmark, and Nicole Clarehout returning (only lose two seniors) for coach Shay Lewis If there is some question marks the Highlanders will face it's in the post. Adams looks to be very strong, they are trusting the process and are a rising team heading into the offseason.

Lake Orion: The Dragons had a transitioning season under coach Bob Brydges last season. Lake Orion loses six seniors including Paytin Shadaia and Sophie Wyborski. The Dragons have Meghan Marshall, Kierra Tierney, Grace Vukelich, and Melissa Normand returning and some stability under Brydges. Lake Orion's biggest concern this offseason is the mental mindset. This has been a problem that has haunted this program for years and something that Brydges needs to change if they want to turn the corner. Program strength is very strong next season. Brydges will have a full offseason to put his stamp on the program and with his history and record the Dragons should be different heading into next season.

Troy Athens: The Red Hawks really underachieved this season. Troy Athens has Izzy Crumm, Emma Wodwalski, Clare Shoales, Shayna Landess, and the Bright sisters (Grace and Abby) returning for coach Stacie Klumpp. The Red Hawks with the experience they have back is in an interesting spot. They are a team to watch next season for sure.

Farmington: The Falcons will have some experience returning for coach Laura Guzman in Val Pallett and Autumn Bartlett but they have some questions. Farmington will be in the Blue next season which should be able to help them compete.

Rochester: The Falcons under then coach Jeff Haney restored the culture by sharing the Blue with Berkley this season but Haney stepped down from coaching. Bill Thurston takes over the team and is their fourth coach in four years. Rochester has Laura Kucera and Megan Lorenzo back. The Falcons should be a team worth watching heading into next season.

Berkley: The Bears future looks bright for coach Kirk Carolan with incoming freshman Jillian Gomes coming into the program to go along with a couple of young players that saw a ton of playing time including Ashley Loon. Berkley despite winning 16 games this season will be young. Program strength is question surrounding this team but if they can keep the momentum going then there is no reason not to count the Bears out next season.

Seaholm: It was an interesting first season for coach Chris Manchester which saw a ton of changes along with some big wins and tough losses. The Maples will be a team to watch this offseason as they have a ton of talent returning in Julia Bell, Meredith Owens, Helena Beasley, Julia Crump, and Lily Morris. The question is how this team will respond under Manchester in his second year. Seaholm could be a team that could be in contention next season in the Blue but they all have to be on the same page to make it work.

Ferndale: The Eagles will have their fourth coach in four seasons as Keith Paris takes over this season. Paris replaces Laura Hofener who stepped down after one season at Ferndale. If the Eagles want to take the next step and improve they will need to toughen the non conference schedule up to develop the program. Stability will be key for Ferndale heading into next season. What should help is that the Eagles have a talented player in Keneisha Williams returning.

Pontiac: The Phoenix could be a team to watch next season under coach Christopher Wright. Pontiac is a team that still has athletes and things improving who knows what will happen next season. Expect the Phoenix to be a team worth watching.

Oak Park: The Knights will not have a lot of depth coming back even though Kyla Wilson will be back but coach Peggy Carr’s team will have some issues to address next season.