District Semifinal Thoughts and Girls Basketball Regional Thoughts.

Written Thursday March 9th at 9:35 PM
Updated Thursday March 9th at 10:15 PM

Southfield Arts and Tech Survives.

What a win for the Warriors and coach Michelle Jackson-Marshall in their first season as a school. Southfield Arts and Tech outlasted and out toughed the Crusaders of Detroit Martin Luther King 55-51 at Dearborn Fordson in the regional final Detroit Martin Luther King came into the game ranked number one in the State. The Warriors got 20 points from Michigan bound Senior Deja Church, 10 in the fourth, 16 points and 12 rebounds from Alexis Johnson, and 10 points from Cheyenne McEvans. Southfield Arts and Tech beat Livonia Churchill in the regional semifinals 67-40. The Warriors will face Ann Arbor Huron on Tuesday at home in the State Quarterfinals.

Adams Hangs Tough with Fenton but falls late.

I was shocked that Adams hung tough with Fenton throughout the game but in the end, it was the Tigers that beat the Highlanders 53-48 on Tuesday afternoon at Port Huron Northern. Adams won their first district since 1991 but they lose Seniors MaKayla Smith, Ryian Owusu, Hannah Simard, and Maggie Rogers. The Highlanders will return Grace Van Pelt whom could make an impact next season.

No One Can Stop Clarkston.

The Wolves had no problem with Orion, beating the Dragons 73-33 in the district semifinals on Wednesday night. Clarkston will play Waterford Kettering who comes in at 1-19 in the district final on Friday at Orion. This will be ugly on Friday night.

Hazel Park Hosts District Final.

The Vikings had no problem with Detroit Henry Ford Academy in the district semifinals, destroying them 75-25 on Wednesday. Hazel Park will play Detroit Mumford next. The Mustangs shocked Detroit University Prep in overtime on Wednesday night 62-60. The Vikings could be in line for their first district title in a long time come Friday night at home.

Southfield Arts and Tech Loses, Oak Park Advances.

The Knights had no problem with Warren Fitzgerald in the district semifinals beating the Spartans 64-29. Oak Park will meet Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit whom beat Southfield Arts and Tech 81-64 on Wednesday at Detroit Renaissance. It will be an interesting district final on Friday between the Cubs and the Knights in Detroit.

Rochester destroys Utica, Stoney Creek beats Adams.

Well the district got moved from Utica to Stoney Creek due to the power outage but it didn’t matter to the Falcons as they took a 30-20 halftime lead when the power outage occurred on Wednesday so they played the second half at Stoney Creek. Rochester then used a 36-13 second half and destroyed the Chieftains 66-33 on Thursday.  The Falcons got 40 points from Hunter Schlatter and LaMarko Gillredge. Rochester will face the new host Cougars whom took out winless Adams 52-38 on Thursday night. It will be interesting because Stoney Creek has beaten Rochester twice this season and it’s always hard to beat a team three times on Friday night in the district final.

Troy Athens Loses.

The Red Hawks had a tough battle with Warren De LaSalle on Wednesday night but in the end, it was the Pilots that beat Troy Athens on their home floor 75-59. The Red Hawks will be loaded next season with a ton of experience. Warren De LaSalle will meet Sterling Heights in the district final on Friday night.

Seaholm Upsets Avondale, Troy Survives Bloomfield Hills.

Brady Flynn and Trevor Mixon came through for the Maples as they pulled off a shocking upset over Avondale 54-48 on Wednesday. Mixon had 10 points, most in the fourth quarter. Flynn had 22 points and six rebounds. The Yellow Jackets were a senior heavy team this season. Seaholm will face Troy whom survived the hosts Bloomfield Hills 54-47 on Wednesday night.  It will be an interesting district final between the Colts and Maples so we’ll see what happens in that matchup.

West Bloomfield Survives, Harrison falls.

The Lakers used a 27-point outing from Kevin McAdoo to beat Farmington 64-55 on Wednesday. Jordan Graham had 28 points for the hosts Falcons in his final high school game. The Hawks of Farmington Hills Harrison were no match for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s as the Eaglets used a 24-0 run to beat the Hawks 65-36 on Wednesday night. It will be West Bloomfield and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the district final on Friday night.

Pontiac forced to forfeit game because of Ineligable Player.

Written Wednesday March 8th at 9:50 PM

The Pontiac Phoenix were forced to forfeit their chance to advance to the district tournament on Wednesday afternoon because of an ineligible player that was discovered after the Oxford game.

The forfeit by the Phoenix means that Waterford Kettering (1-19) will play Clarkston for the district title on Friday at Orion.

Pontiac beat Oxford 56-39 on Monday. The Wildcats were credited for the win but under MHSAA rules they can not advance and replace the Phoenix whom were suppose to play the Captains on Wednesday night.

Pontiac used an ineligible player DeShawn Jackson. Jackson was a transfer from Ortonville Brandon and even committed to play College Basketball at St. Clair Community College this season. The Blackhawks won a district title last season led by Jackson, he even participated in a letter of intent ceremony celebrating Jackson's commitment to St. Clair Community College.

Jackson had six points against Oxford in their district match-up on Monday.

Earlier this season the Phoenix had another player ruled ineligible in David Wilson. Wilson played the first three games this season before being ruled ineligible for the season.

Pontiac went through a coaching change as Joel Schroeder took over for Ben Kelso last season. Kelso led the Phoenix to an White crown last season.

Pontiac finishes the season at 3-17 overall.

Thoughts.

I'm baffled and up at arms by this. How could Pontiac not know that Jackson played four years at Ortonville Brandon??? They didn't even bother to look at his transcript.

This is udder humiliation for Pontiac, their reputation takes a huge hit because of this.

This cost Oxford a trip deep into the playoffs.

It wouldn't surprise me that the MHSAA could hand out punishments against Pontiac. This is the second time that the Phoenix used an ineligible player. Something must be done here so this never happens again.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for this developing story.

Pre-District Boys Basketball Thoughts.

Written Tuesday March 7th at 10:45 AM

What Happened to Oxford???

The Wildcats have had their best season in a long time under returning coach Steve Laidlaw, winning 16 games for the first time in school history, and having ten seniors led by Jordan Jaden, Ray LaVine, and Jeam Larnais. Oxford had everything made for them to get to Friday however an athletic and talented Pontiac team had other ideas. The Phoenix shocked the Wildcats 56-39 in the district first round on Monday night at Orion. Pontiac in the tough White where they finished 3-16 this season but the district does offer you a clean slate. Cleontal Brown was a force all night, the Sophomore forward had 30 points and 12 rebounds along with four and-ones for the Phoenix. Pontiac proved why they are the great unknown as they will meet Waterford Kettering on Wednesday night. The Phoenix used their athleticism and size against Oxford all night. This was a shocker to me because of the ten seniors the Wildcats have and the season Oxford had, but give Pontiac credit, they were the more athletic team out there and it showed. I guess it tells you that one off night can cost you your whole season and that's what happened here.

Former Dragon Torches Raiders.

Caiden Prieskorn, the former Orion Dragon who transferred out to Orchard Lake St. Marys has made his name known again. First it was on the football field and now its on the basketball court. Prieskorn whom is a Junior scored 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in a 58-42 Eaglets first round district victory over North Farmington at Farmington on Monday night. The Raiders had won eight of their last 10 games with both losses against Clarkston coming into the district. The North Farmington duo of Amari Hardy (25 points) and Nate Brooks (11 points) combined for 36 of the Raiders 42 points. North Farmington whom went to the State Finals last season finished 11-9 this season. Orchard Lake St. Marys will have no problem with Harrison on Wednesday night and head to the district final on Friday.

Clarkston is for Real.

The Wolves are just plain outright sick. They hit 12 three pointers as they destroyed Waterford Mott 76-20 on Monday night at Orion. Clarkston got 23 points from Milwaukee bound Senior Dylan Alderson, 15 from Michigan State bound Junior Foster Loyer, and 13 from Junior CJ Robinson. The Wolves remains on a collision course with Macomb Dakota but they get the host Dragons from Orion on Wednesday night.

Ferndale, Berkley battles tough.

The Bears and Eagles lost tough games on Monday night in the district round. Ferndale lost 72-67 in overtime to Detroit Mumford. The Eagles since beating Royal Oak 47-45 at Royal Oak has really been competitive but their last two games were losses by a combined eight points and this team returns a ton of experience next season. Berkley lost 61-51 to Warren Fitzgerald at Detroit Renaissance. It's been a tough first season for coach Joe Sermo but he has a solid underclass program coming up that he is excited to see next season. The Bears and Eagles could make noise next season.

Avondale's Senior Experience too much for Groves.

A few weeks ago in Auburn Hills the Yellow Jackets were too much for the Falcons as they won 64-40 but this time around it was much closer but the same result as Avondale took out the Blue Champ at Bloomfield Hills 59-53. Groves trailed by 19 in the third quarter only to cut the lead to 55-53 with 36 seconds left but it wasn't enough as the Yellow Jackets found a way to survive and advance to meet Seaholm on Wednesday at Bloomfield Hills.

Troy Athens and Stoney Creek Survives.

The Red Hawks had to survive a tough test from Royal Oak winning 51-46 on Monday night. Junior guard Taylor McCaskill had 24 points for Troy Athens in the win at home. The Red Hawks will face Warren De LaSalle on Wednesday at home. The Cougars had to survive at Utica on Monday night as they won 54-51 over Utica Eisenhower behind 15 points from Junior Nate Davis. Stoney Creek will play winless Adams at Utica on Wednesday night.

Troy finds ways to Win.

The Colts found a way to share the White with Hazel Park and now they have found a way to move on in the district tournament. Troy beat Birmingham Brother Rice 50-42 in the district first round on Monday night at Bloomfield Hills. The Colts have won seven straight games since losing 64-61 to West Bloomfield. Troy is led by Juniors Jason Sulley and Jason Dietz. The Colts will get a big test on Wednesday night as the play the hosts Bloomfield Hills but its finding a way to be one point better that will hopefully get the Colts through.

Southfield Arts and Tech plays Defending Champs Next.

The Warriors have won seven of their last eight games just recently beat the host Detroit Renaissance Phoenix 54-49 on Monday night. Now they get the defending State Champions Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit on Wednesday night at Detroit Renaissance. If Southfield Arts and Tech can somehow contain their guards and shut down the two Nigerians Ike Eke and Greg Egigbodin in the inside then maybe they have a chance to pull this off.

Girls District Thoughts.

Written Saturday March 4th at 1:45 AM

Who would had ever thought that we would have only two OAA teams left in Girls Basketball after districts. One was not much of a surprise while the other was a surprise. Here is my take on districts.

Adams Heading to the Regional.

This is a district win that I didn't see coming. The Highlanders finished 6-14, last in the Red, and yet they win the district at Utica High School over the Macomb Area White Division Champions Utica Eisenhower 50-46. The upset gives Adams their first district title since 2001 and denied the Eagles first district crown since 2003. Ryian Owusu had 23 points for first year coach Jackie Steinacker's team. The Highlanders are a Senior heavy team when you look at them with Owusu, MaKayla Smith, Maggie Rogers, and Hannah Simard. Adams is not a deep team and they will have a tough regional semifinal match-up with Fenton on Tuesday at Port Huron Northern.

Southfield Arts and Tech on collision course with Detroit Martin Luther King.

The Warriors in their first season as a school got a measure of revenge against Detroit Renaissance beating the Phoenix on their home floor 68-52. I didn't think Southfield Arts and Tech matched up well with Detroit Renaissance but I was wrong. Coach Michelle Jackson-Marshall's team remains on a collision course in the regional final against Detroit Martin Luther King at Dearborn Fordson but first they have Livonia Churchill in the regional semifinal on Tuesday, which they should not have a problem with before Thursday's clash with the Crusaders.

Catholic League Finds a Way to Advance.

Well there were two OAA vs Catholic League match-ups in the district finals with Bloomfield Hills taking on Birmingham Marian and North Farmington taking on Farmington Hills Mercy. Both games went down to the wire with both Catholic League teams beating the two OAA teams. The Raiders fell 32-30 at Farmington to the Marlins and the Blackhawks lost 47-45 to the Mustangs at Troy. I thought both North Farmington and Bloomfield Hills were both going to make deep playoff runs especially with both teams being Senior heavy teams. I wasn't sold on both Catholic League teams this season but both Birmingham Marian and Farmington Hills Mercy found ways to win their respective games and move onto the regional with the Mustangs hosting their own regional while the Marlins will go to North Farmington for their regional. The Raiders finished at 16-6 and Blackhawks finished at 20-2. Both Bloomfield Hills and North Farmington lose a ton of talent next season with the Blackhawks losing Amanda Sape (Kent State), Victorie Franklin, Kathrine Prinna, Mya Jones, and Immani Wright while the Raiders lose Kierra Crockett (Saginaw Valley State), Kelly Lusk, Sam Randel, and Sophie Muller.

Clarkston loses to Waterford Kettering for Second Straight Year.

The Wolves can't seem to get a break when it comes to facing Waterford Kettering. Last season the Captains beat Clarkston in the pre-district but this time around it was the district final as Waterford Kettering beat the Wolves 44-31. If you want to know how the Captains have beaten Clarkston the last two seasons then look at how Waterford Kettering has handled Kayla Luchenbach. Luchenbach was shut down by the Captains, she fouled out of the game last season early in the fourth quarter. Waterford Kettering used their size and depth to neutralize both Clarkston big girls. Luchenbach was limited to three points and was in foul trouble most of the game. Her sidekick Molly Nicholson was no better against the "Defense Department" as she was limited to four points. The Wolves return nine players from a team that finished 17-6 including Luchenbach, Nicholson, Maddie Beck, and Taylor Heaton.

Hazel Park No Match for Detroit Mumford.

Well Hazel Park got to the district finals this season but Vikings were no match for the Mustangs as they were blown out 58-27 in the district final but you got to give credit to coach Chris Stroud for what he did in his first season at Hazel Park. The Vikings won 13 games this season and has a ton of talent returning next season. They had a tough match-up with Detroit Mumford whom is a very good basketball team on their home floor, tough to overcome those odds.

District Upsets.

Perhaps the biggest upset that sent shock waves was on Monday at Troy when Seaholm whom lost two straight games to their arch rivals from Beverly Hills only to comeback from 18 down in the second half to stun Groves 54-44. The Maples were without Mackenzie Harbort whom was out for the season with an ACL injury which made this victory even more shocking. Dana Hoerman became the Denzel Valentine of Seaholm, playing everywhere on the court while forward Wendy Wilkerson had the task of shutting down Falcons star guard Sha Carter while Caroline Owens guarded Groves other star Kayla Nelson in the process. The Falcons finished 18-3 which gave them the Gold crown while the Maples fell to Bloomfield Hills in the district semifinals finished with a 10-12 record and winning the Blue crown.

Another upset occurred at Warren Cousino with the Stallions of Sterling Heights shocking Royal Oak 56-51 in the district semifinals. The Ravens are normally a good defensive team but lost four of their last six games to close out the season. Royal Oak coach Brian Sopota's team allowed 286 points (47.6 ppg) in their last six games. The Ravens have their two top players returning next season in Jessica Adams and Samantha Potter but they lose Mikea Williams and June Donnellon. Royal Oak has to get back what got them to prominence, which is their defensive mindset.

The next upset occurred at Utica when the Utica Eisenhower shocked Stoney Creek 43-32 in the district semifinals. It didn't help that the Cougars lost Morgan Porter (knee) and Emily Solek (concussion) to injuries in a span of 90 seconds. Stoney Creek had won four straight district titles until this season but this was a really bad break for coach Kellen James and his team. Expect the Cougars to be back with a vengeance next season despite losing Solek, Porter, Madison Rochow, Gabby Sincola, Mackenzie Warner, Ally Voss, and Gina Cerny.

I would call the Colts 32-30 victory over Avondale in the pre-district at Troy a bit of an upset because the Yellow Jackets won 14 games this season under coach Phil Dawson and they beat the Colts twice by a combined nine points. Avondale was without Olivia Russell, who tore her ACL for the second time in two years and guard Grace Schwerin. Russell, Schwerin, and Keiori Lee are underclassmen and if all three of them are healthy next season then the Yellow Jackets could be dangerous.

Rochester Repeats as State Champs in Competitive Cheerleading.

Written Saturday March 4th at 12:05 AM

The Falcons are once again the Queens of Competitive Cheerleading.

Rochester repeated as State Champions posting a score of 789.02 on Friday Night at the Delta Plex in Grand Rapids in the Division One competition.

Adams, Stoney Creek, and Orion were the other Red teams that competed in the meet. The Cougars finished fourth with a 783.10 score, the Highlanders finished fifth with a 782.66, and the Dragons were seventh with a 778.48 score.

It's another State crown for coach Susan Ward. The Red next season will be loaded again so it wouldn't be a surprise that these four teams could be back here once again.

Football and Track Athlete forced to sit out from sports for now.

Written Thursday March 2nd at 10:40 AM

Well this is an interesting story according to WXYZ.

Joseph Stevens and his family moved and in the process switched schools from Farmington to Harrison because of financial hardships.

Stevens was a football and track standout at Farmington. He is expected to play for coach John Herrington and the Hawks this fall.

The Farmington School District held up Stevens ineligibility to play football and track for six months unless he and his family can prove that the move wasn't athletically motivated but after going back and fourth for a month with the school district the matter was still under investigation and Stevens wasn't cleared to play.

The MHSAA rule states that if the parents move with their kid then they could play immediately if they have proof that they sold their home and moved but if the move was for athletic reasons then the player must sit out for 180 days.

It's interesting because Harrison and Farmington are in the same school district along with North Farmington.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for this developing story.


Here is the WXYZ story right here.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/parents-say-son-is-forced-to-sit-out-from-sports-despite-following-rules

Boys Basketball District Preview.

Written Wednesday March 1st at 2:00 PM
Updated Sunday March 5th at 5:45 PM

District 21 @ Farmington

3/6 North Farmington vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 7 PM

3/8 Farmington vs. West Bloomfield 5 PM

3/8 NF/OLSM vs. Harrison 7 PM

3/10 Final 7 PM

Thoughts: There are four teams that can win this district in the Raiders, Falcons, Lakers, or Eaglets. North Farmington has Nate Brooks to go with Amari Hardy and Karl Patrick but they have a tough matchup with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s to open up the district on Monday. The other side is not easy either with Farmington playing West Bloomfield but those two squads don't play until Wednesday. The Lakers have Kevin McAdoo, Trevon Harvey, and solid talent on their roster. The Falcons won the Gold this season have Jordan Graham and Jack Kirby. Harrison has no shot in this district.

PICK: Looking at this district, there are four solid teams that can get to Walled Lake Northern for the regional. I like the Raiders to beat the Eaglets not because of Hardy,  I think he and CJ Wilson will cancel each other out but because of Nate Brooks inside against Caiden Preiskorn. I think the Lakers will beat the Falcons on their home-court despite having match up problems containing Graham. I think McAdoo and Harvey will have big games for West Bloomfield against Farmington. North Farmington will roll past Harrison setting up a rematch between two Red rivals in the district final with the Negoshians moving on. PICK: North Farmington.

District 25 @ Bloomfield Hills

3/6 Avondale vs. Groves 5 PM

3/6 Brother Rice vs. Troy 7 PM

3/8 Avondale/Groves vs. Seaholm 5 PM

3/8 Brother Rice/Troy vs. Bloomfield Hills 7 PM

3/10 Final 7 PM

Thoughts: Looking at this district there are some very good teams that will be at Bloomfield Hills. There is no clear-cut favorite in this district but if you have to say one, it’s Troy. The Colts have a very solid core led by Jason Dietz and Isiah Smith and shared the White this season with Hazel Park. Avondale is senior heavy this season when you look at guys like D'reShawn Allen. Groves has a solid veteran core led by Drew Scheckel, Charles Jones, and Michael Pittman. Seaholm is very scrappy led by Brady Flynn and William Niel and does have a win over Birmingham Brother Rice on the road. Bloomfield Hills has Kiewuan Graham among others. Birmingham Brother Rice will work hard and be competitive in this district.

PICK: This will be a very competitive district with all six teams having a chance to win this district. I think Groves is a better team than they showed when they met with Avondale in Auburn Hills where they lost 64-40. I expect this will be a much closer game this time around with the Falcons winning three tough road games on route to the Blue crown this season. I think Troy has no problem with Birmingham Brother Rice because of their experience. I think the Colts can beat the host Blackhawks this time and the winner of Avondale and Groves beating Seaholm in very close game. I think it will be a Troy/Groves final with the Colts going to Troy Athens. PICK: Troy.

District 23 @ Troy Athens

3/6 Warren Cousino vs. Warren Mott 6 PM

3/6 Royal Oak vs. Troy Athens 8 PM

3/8 Warren Cousino/Warren Mott vs. Sterling Heights 6 PM

3/8 Royal Oak/Troy Athens vs. Warren De LaSalle 8 PM

3/10 Final 7 PM

Thoughts: This is a weird district to figure out with how things have gone this season for some teams in this district. It's also odd that the winner of this district will stay at Troy Athens for their Regional. There are two runners up teams in Warren Mott and Warren De LaSalle that went to their respective league championship games. Warren Cousino has had a better season despite not having a lot of size. Warren Mott has had an up and down season but they are solid as well. I’ve been very disappointed with Troy Athens, I think they have really under-performed this season. I thought Taylor McCaskill would be better since returning back from Detroit Edison but he has struggled to develop chemistry at times with the veteran Red Hawks team. Warren De LaSalle has had their fair share of ups and downs this season but did make the Catholic League title game where they had Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit beat but they gave the game away late. Sterling Heights has had a decent season so far. Royal Oak has had their fair share of bright moments this season with big wins over Orion and Farmington but a questionable loss to Ferndale makes me wonder about how the state of the Ravens are.

PICK: Warren De LaSalle is the favorite to win this district but I think there will be an upset in this district and here’s why. I like Warren Mott to beat Warren Cousino easily. The hosts should be in a dog fight with Royal Oak but I think the Red Hawks will advance to meet Warren De LaSalle. I think Warren Mott beats Sterling Heights and Troy Athens upsets Warren De LaSalle. The reason why I'm going with the upset is because the Red Hawks are at home despite the fact they have really under performed this season, they have experience. I think McCaskill breaks out and goes nuts in that game. I think it will be a Marauders/Red Hawks district final but it won’t be the hosts that move on. I don’t trust Troy Athens being at home. The Red Hawks lost at home to Warren De LaSalle last season and two seasons ago it was Avondale that beat an experienced Troy Athens squad on a buzzer beater. I’m pretty sure coach Dave Scott remembers that night. PICK: Warren Mott.

District 31 @ Orion

3/6 Oxford vs. Pontiac 5:30 PM

3/6 Waterford Mott vs. Clarkston 7 PM

3/8 Oxford/Pontiac vs. Waterford Kettering 5:30 PM

3/8 Clarkston/Waterford Mott vs. Orion 7PM

3/10 Final 7 PM

Thoughts: This is not a strong district on paper. Clarkston is the team to beat with whom they got. The Red Champs are led by two Division One recruits in Michigan State bound Foster Loyer and Wisconsin-Milwaukee bound Dylan Alderson. The Wolves also have Taylor Currie, CJ Robinson, Trysten Mysen, Chase Wasilik, and Kip Wells. Oxford has had a nice first year under coach Steve Laidlaw and has Jordan Jaden, Ray LeVine, Jordan Lavalis, Jimmy Claudio, Nolan Harding, and Michael Rasich. Orion is the dark horse because they are the hosts and is a hardworking group led by Jamie Lewis, Steven Zmijewski, Pierce Burke, and Ryan Kolp, despite the record not showing what they are. I think the Dragons are a year away from being very good. Waterford Mott has had a bounce back season, some of that is they have gotten better when you look at players like Keith Fields and Nolan Fuerst in the mix. Pontiac has had a disappointing season which was very unusual. Waterford Kettering was winless but picked up a big win over South Lyon East. Hopefully for the Captains it will help them into the future with only one senior on the team.

PICK: The Wildcats and Phoenix could be a competitive game. That winner should have no problem with Waterford Kettering in the district semifinal. Clarkston will destroy the Corsairs like they did last season over at Waterford Mott. I think the Dragons will play with the Wolves for about a half in the district semifinal but looking at the district as a whole, it will be Clarkston and Oxford in the district final with you know who moving on to clash with Macomb Dakota at Grand Blanc. PICK: Clarkston.

District 30 @ Utica

3/6 Stoney Creek vs. Utica Eisenhower 6:30 PM

3/8 Utica vs. Rochester 5 PM

3/8 Stoney Creek/Utica Eisenhower vs. Adams 7 PM

3/10 Final 7 PM

Thoughts: This district is evenly matched when looking at the teams. Adams has had a winless season but they can fix their season if they win this district. The Highlanders can look at their Girls team for inspiration if they want to win districts with a losing record. Adams matches up well with both the Eagles and the Cougars in the district semifinals. Stoney Creek is the favorite but they can be beat and be had, ask Groves about that game. Utica Eisenhower is a solid team, they shoot the ball well and works really hard. Utica is not great despite being the host in their small gym. Rochester is the dark horse but the Falcons have had a disappointing season but they can make up for lost time in the district.

PICK: Stoney Creek is the favorite coming out of this district because they have beaten everyone in this district this season but these are the playoffs and anything can happen in the postseason. I think the Cougars will beat the Eagles, I’m not sure if Utica Eisenhower will have an answer for Nate Davis, if they do then I’ll be shocked. Rochester should have no problem with Utica especially with the Gillridge brothers (LaMarco and Corey.) I think there will be a monster upset in this one with Adams and Stoney Creek, neutral floor, nothing to lose. I think the Highlanders shock the world by upsetting the Cougars. It will be an Adams/Rochester district final. The Highlanders will play with house money but the Falcons remember what happened in 2012 when they were the favorites before being upset by Orion in the district final. It will be a great game but in the end, it will be Rochester that moves on to Grand Blanc. PICK: Rochester.

District 24 @ Detroit Renaissance

3/6 Detroit Renaissance vs. Southfield Arts and Tech 5 PM

3/6 Warren Fitzgerald vs. Berkley 7 PM

3/8 Southfield Arts and Tech/Detroit Renaissance vs. Detroit U-D Jesuit 5 PM

3/8 Warren Fitzgerald/Berkley vs. Oak Park 7 PM

3/10 Final 5:30 PM

Thoughts: I think there are five teams that have a great shot at winning this district but when looking at them you got to look at the favorite which are the defending State Champions Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The Cubs are loaded again this season led by Zach Winston, Elijah Collins, and the two Nigerians (Greg Egbogbodin and Ike Eke) but there are some teams that will challenge them. A perfect team is Southfield Arts and Tech which is peaking at the right time and coming off a monster 64-60 win at Clarkston. The Warriors have their fair share of weapons in Michael Flowers and Remi Torbert, among others. Detroit Renaissance is the host and will give the Warriors everything they can handle. Also watch Oak Park, the Knights are a sleeper. They have talent led by Dwan Mathis, Maliq Carr, among others and are seated perfectly in this district. Berkley and Warren Fitzgerald have no chance.

PICK: This district has a fare share of teams ranging from Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland Counties. Three weeks ago, I would say that the Cubs were a lock to win this district but with the Warriors win at Clarkston a few weeks ago I can’t say that anymore. Southfield Arts and Tech is as dangerous as anyone. The Phoenix are tall and solid but depth remains a question with them. The Knights are very talented and is the dark horse. I think this will be a Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit/Oak Park district final but the Cubs will move onto Dearborn Fordson. PICK: Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit.

District 43 @ Hazel Park (3/8 and 3/10 games)

3/6 Hamtramck Frontier @ Detroit Henry Ford Academy of Studies 6:30 PM

3/6 Detroit Mumford @ Ferndale 5 PM

3/6 Ferndale University @ Detroit University Prep 6 PM

3/8 Hamtramck Frontier/Detroit Henry Ford Academy of Studies vs. Hazel Park 5 PM

3/8 Detroit Mumford/Ferndale vs. Ferndale University/Detroit University Prep 7 PM

3/10 Final 6 PM

Thoughts: When I look at this district, this could be the perfect opportunity for Hazel Park to come out of their shadow and overcome their negative image over what happened with their game with North Farmington but they could see a few challenges along the way. The Vikings have lost five of their last eight games which is a major concern heading into the district despite sharing the White with Troy. Detroit Henry Ford Academy of Studies features 6.8 forward Trevon Williams. Detroit University Prep is a dark-horse team because they beat some Oakland County teams not too long ago. Ferndale has a solid young group that took down Royal Oak not too long ago. This has the makings of an interesting district.

PICK: The hosts have had an up and down season and a great district semifinal loom with them and Detroit Henry Ford. I expect Ferndale to battle Detroit University Prep in the district semifinal but I like the Eagles close. I think this will be an all Oakland County final but it will be the hosts that move on to Livonia Clarenceville. PICK: Hazel Park.