Girls Basketball Districts Are Out 2019.

Written Wednesday June 12th at 8:20 PM

Here are my insight and analysis for the Girls Basketball districts that were released.

This blog will be updated.

District 5: @ Waterford Kettering

LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON

OXFORD

ADAMS

Romeo

Waterford Kettering

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Clarkston, 2. Adams.

FAVORITE: Clarkston

NEXT: Adams

DARKHORSE: Lake Orion

WILDCARD: Oxford

Player On the Spot: Madison Skorupski-Clarkston.

INSIGHT: This could be as wide open in years when you look deep inside with the Dragons, Wolves, Wildcats, Highlanders, Bulldogs, and Captains. This district has the same teams as last year however the venue will be different. Instead of being at Lake Orion it will be held in Waterford at Waterford Kettering. Waterford Kettering will be an interesting team to keep an eye on not only in this district but also in the Lakes Valley Conference as well. The Captains have Markayla Holland, Izzy Dugal, and Irene Schoof back and not to mention Rain Davis, Charity Jones, and Samantha Brady for new coach Darrin McAllister. Clarkston has nearly everyone back from a team that had a murderous non conference slate but improved during the second half of the season. The Wolves who is expected to be in the thick of the Red race have Madison Skorupski, Olivia Toderan, Taylor Heaten, Sam Aris, Kaitlyn Kaul, Lexi Linton, Jennifer Starnes, Morgan Hunter, Izzy Hadley and newcomer Keira Tomlie returning for second year coach John Weyer. Adams made the district finals last season while avoiding their city rivals Adams and Stoney Creek and will do so again this season. The Highlanders have a ton of talent back in the form of Maddie Dolenga, Amelia Drahnak, Abbey Drahnak, Laura Petersmark, Elizabeth Blaine, Nicole Claerhout, Anaiah Howard, Madison Kessman, and Emily Abramczyk for coach Shay Lewis. Romeo stayed in the Macomb Area Conference White this year after winning the division last season. They are going to be very young but the Bulldogs have Ava Muschong and Natalie Nowak back for coach Kathy Bosheers. Oxford will have a very strong say in this district. They are a very good shooting and hard working team that should contend in both this district and in the White. The Wildcats have Sarah Tyrrell, Emma Morris, Mackenzie Methner, Aleya Diamond, and Gabby Dinges back for coach Rachel Bryer. Lake Orion is expected to be vastly different after having a rough season last year not only in this district but in the White as well. The Dragons have Megan Marshall, Grace Vukeluch, Erin Humes, and Kierra Tierney along with a strong junior class moving up for coach Bob Brydges. This district is going to be very competitive in Waterford.

District 6 @ Bloomfield Hills

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

AVONDALE

PONTIAC

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Waterford Mott

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. West Bloomfield, 2. Avondale.

FAVORITE: West Bloomfield

NEXT: Avondale

DARKHORSE: Bloomfield Hills

WILDCARD: Waterford Mott

Player On the Spot: Mya Bobo-West Bloomfield.

INSIGHT: This should be a very competitive district over at Bloomfield Hills with basically the same teams from last season except Pontiac moves from Division Two to Division One. Each team that is here should know the gym very well especially those who played in the Bloomfield Hills Showcase last year and in the district two years ago (West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills played in the showcase while Avondale and Waterford Mott were in the district two years ago.) The early favorite has to be West Bloomfield because of who they have returning along with the move to the Red as well. The Lakers have Mya Bobo, Lola Chambers, and Logan Lewis, among others for coach Bert Mosley. Avondale lost only three games last season, all of them were to West Bloomfield. The Yellow Jackets should be in contention in this district and is one of the favorites in the White. Avondale has Keori Lee, Reigan Lawerence, Taniah Jackson, Deliah Clark, Angelia Willis, Savannah Schmidt, Emily Bekas, and Pontiac transfer Braila Benion for coach Bob Lees. Bloomfield Hills could be the sleeper in this district because of home court. The Blackhawks have some talent coming back in Jordan Banks, Angelica Saavya, and Kellen Fife for coach Jeff Rubin. Pontiac should be competitive in this district for coach Christopher Wright. The Phoenix have improved each season despite being in the Blue and having to go through a ton of adversity night after night. Waterford Mott for the second straight year avoids their arch rival Waterford Kettering in the postseason (Waterford Kettering hosts their own district.) The Corsairs should be a team to watch all season long. They are talented, well coached, and play in a strong league in the Lakes Valley Conference. Waterford Mott has the majority of their team back in Abby Upleger, Makayla Fuerst, MaKayla Ford, and Mikayla Proctor returning for coach Michelle Sklar. This will be an interesting district to keep an eye on for sure at Bloomfield Hills.

District 25 @ Farmington

FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

Farmington Hills Mercy

Livonia Stevenson

Novi

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Farmington Hills Mercy, 2. Novi.

FAVORITE: Farmington Hills Mercy

NEXT: Novi

DARKHORSE: North Farmington

WILDCARD: Livonia Stevenson

Player On the Spot: Ellie Tisko-Farmington Hills Mercy.

INSIGHT: This could be an interesting district at Farmington. The favorite has to be Farmington Hills Mercy with the talent they have back led by Ellie Tisko, Jill Smith, Julia Bishop, and Alexis Roberts for coach Gary Morris. The Marlins who is expected to compete for the Catholic League crown won the district title 37-23 in Novi over the host school last season. Speaking of Novi, they have to travel east into this district and away from arch rival Northville (Northville is hosting a district) with their close proximity (Novi and Northville are six miles from each other.) The Wildcats should be led by Jenna Dashke for coach C.J. Aro. Livonia Stevenson finished at 500 last season and is in the same boat as Novi with their city rivals Livonia Franklin and Livonia Churchill being in different districts. The Spartans if things go right should be in the mix for the district crown. North Farmington returns into this district after spending one season up north with Bloomfield Hills, Waterford Mott, and Avondale. The Raiders went down to the White this offseason which should help them. They have some experienced guards in Molly Simpson and Maya Kelly back for coach Jeff Simpson. If North Farmington can address their interior situation then they could be a sleeper. Farmington comes to the Blue from the White, they should be better this season. The Falcons have Val Pallett and Autumn Barlett back for coach Laura Guzman along with home court. It should be interesting but right now this district is Farmington Hills Mercy's to lose.

District 26 @ Birmingham Marian

GROVES

SEAHOLM

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

ROYAL OAK

BERKLEY

Birmingham Marian

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Birmingham Marian, 2. Southfield Arts and Tech.

FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian

NEXT: Southfield Arts and Tech

DARKHORSE: Berkley

WILDCARD: Royal Oak

Player On the Spot: Shannon Kennedy-Birmingham Marian.

INSIGHT: This is a brutal district when you look at the star power and the teams that are here at the small gym of Birmingham Marian. Southfield Arts and Tech comes into this district and the other teams are basically the same from last season. The host Mustangs should be the favorites as they have home court and are loaded for coach Mary Cicerone led by Shannon Kennedy, Sarah Sylvester, Grace Rotter, among others. Southfield Arts and Tech fresh off a Division One State final appearance last season lost two talented players in Soldell Barnes and Alexis Johnson but they have a possible Miss Michigan Basketball candidate in Cheyenne McEvans along with Kayona Willis and Jasmine Worthy are back for coach Michelle Marshall. Depth could be a big problem for the Warriors as proven by last season's 55-40 Division One State final loss to Saginaw Heritage. Royal Oak lost a great senior class from last season which included Samantha Potter, Nila Conley, and Jessica Adams but the Ravens have Sarah Sorghhan, Anna Ross, Ana Johnson, Elinor Kochanski, Sam Mullen back along with newcomer Emily Jenkins for coach Brian Sopota. Berkley should be a team to watch as last season they shared the Blue with Rochester and could very well win the Blue outright this season. The Bears have a talented nucleus that is led by Charlesa Rice and newcomer Jillian Gomes for coach Kirk Carolan. Groves had an interesting year in the Red last season has Ellie Ruprich and Mia Yarberry back for coach Jessica Wiesler. Seaholm has some experience returning for second year coach Chris Manchester in Julia Bell, Meredith Owens, Helena Beasley, Julia Crump, and Lily Morris back. Whoever comes out of this district could have a deep run in the postseason.

District 27 @ Detroit Mumford

OAK PARK

Detroit Mumford

Detroit Renaissance

Warren Fitzgerald

Warren Mott

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2. Detroit Mumford.

FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance

NEXT: Detroit Mumford

DARKHORSE: Warren Mott

WILDCARD: No One

Player On the Spot: Kailee Davis-Detroit Renaissance.

INSIGHT: This district should be interesting now that Southfield Arts and Tech is no longer in this district but it features a Metro Detroit flavor with one Oakland County team, two Macomb County teams, and two Wayne County teams from three different conferences in the OAA, the Macomb Area Conference, and the Detroit Public School League. The early favorite should be Detroit Renaissance with the talent they have back led by Kailee Davis, Catherine Ndukwe, and Shannon Wheeler for coach Shane Lawal but the Phoenix have had issues with Detroit Mumford. The Mustangs who aren't that far behind when it comes to being the favorites. They host this district and have had Detroit Renaissance's number in recent years. Detroit Mumford beat the Phoenix in the Detroit Public School League finals at Detroit-Mercy last season. The Mustangs have Tiara Earnest, Sequoia Jackson and Adoreya Williams for coach Kareem Hogan. Oak Park has Kyla Wilson back for coach Peggy Carr but her team will need to address depth among other concerns. Warren Mott has some talent back and could make some noise after a rough year last season. Warren Fitzgerald really struggled last season and could very well do so again. This should be an interesting district as mentioned but the two top teams in this district reside in Detroit and should duke it out again.

District 29 @ Stoney Creek

STONEY CREEK

ROCHESTER

TROY

TROY ATHENS

Utica Eisenhower

Utica

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Stoney Creek, 2. Troy.

FAVORITE: Troy

NEXT: Stoney Creek

DARKHORSE: Utica

WILDCARD: Utica Eisenhower

Player On the Spot: Kayla Rutledge-Troy

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district with basically two Utica teams along with both Troy schools, and two Rochester schools. Also there is no Adams or Romeo as they are in a different districts (both are at Waterford Kettering.) The district was won by Utica last season after beating Troy 55-48 in overtime on their home floor (Utica has a small gym.) The district this season is at Stoney Creek, which is has a much bigger court than Utica. The Cougars are very talented and should be very competitive for coach Kellen James. Stoney Creek has new uniforms and home court as mentioned. They are led by Devin Vowels, Sydney LaPrairie, and Lily DiPanni along with an emerging freshman coming into the program. The Cougars should have plenty to prove after last season's disappointing 37-30 loss to Utica in the pre-district. Stoney Creek's top challenger in this district is expected to be Troy. The Colts after reaching the district finals last season but they took a hit as Kendal Zeiter transferred to Madison Heights Bishop Foley this offseason. The Colts have Athena Sampson, Calen Knight, Laura Gumma, Riya Chakravity, Elena Renke, along with a strong junior varsity team from last season. Troy has Charlotte Sobotka and Kayla Rutledge waiting in the wings for coach Simon Bato. Rochester has their fourth coach in four years in Bill Thurston. Thurston takes over for Jeff Haney in which he was the junior varsity coach under Haney that season. The Falcons shared the Blue last season should have some talent returning in the form of Laura Kucera and Megan Lorenzo. Rochester should challenge for the Blue title this season. Troy Athens enters this much tougher district after a very disappointing district falling 30-29 to Utica Ford II at home in the district semifinals last season. The Red Hawks have a ton of experience returning led by Izzy (Isabelle) Crumm, Grace Bright, Abby Bright, Emma Wodwalski, Clare Shoales, and Shayna Landess for coach Stacie Klumpp. Utica has some talent returning to defend their district title led by Lina Rea for coach Tom McDonald. Utica Eisenhower has Olivia Stack returning but they will be different as they have a new coach. The Eagles should be in the mix to contend in this district. This should be an interesting district as mentioned to keep an eye on.

District 58 @ Detroit Cody

FERNDALE

Detroit Cody

Detroit Cornerstone

Detroit Communication Media Arts

Detroit Old Redford

GIRLS PROJECTED TOP TWO SEEDS: 1. Ferndale, 2. Detroit Communication Media Arts

FAVORITE: Ferndale

NEXT: Detroit Communication Media Arts

DARKHORSE: Detroit Old Redford

WILDCARD: No One

Player On the Spot: Kenisha Williams-Ferndale.

INSIGHT: This is not a strong district looking at it on paper. Ferndale has a new group of Detroit teams they will see after being in a district that had a little bit of familiarity last season with former league member Hazel Park. What helps the Eagles in this is district is that they play in a very strong conference (OAA.) They are in the Blue and plays bigger schools every night on a consistent basis. I'm not sure how the rest of the Detroit Public School League for these respective teams matchup to the demanding schedule Ferndale plays every night. The Eagles have Kenisha Williams and a young nucleus back for new coach Keith Paris. Stability is key for this program if they wants to make some noise not only short term but also long term. Detroit Communication Media Arts won their district last season. One of the teams they beat was Detroit Old Redford (beat them in the district semifinals.) Detroit Communication Media Arts and Detroit Old Redford should be Ferndale's toughest challengers in this district because of experience. Detroit Cornerstone had a rough year last season and could struggle again. Detroit Cody will also struggle as well. This could be Ferndale's best chance to win this district but it will be wide open.

My Podcast
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-6-26-19

My Podcast with Lake Orion coach Bob Brydges and Stoney Creek coach Kellen James
https://soundcloud.com/user-539915961/oaa-now-8-5-19?fbclid=IwAR0rQaEviQ5pwBemzfeoi3NkfdCClpHJ-GHVdVD_Oh-kkgFjJ4Fa_hSOTGo