Written Monday May 22nd at 9:50 PM
Well there is now another coaching vacancy in Girls Basketball in the OAA and that's at Rochester Adams.
Jackie Steinacker has stepped down from coaching at Adams after leading the Highlanders to their first district title since 2001.
Steinacker took over for Shay Lewis whom stepped down last season after she was named the Director of Operations for Women's Basketball at Oakland University.
Adams finished the season at 8-15 and finished last in the Red. The Highlanders lost 58-47 to Fenton in the regional semifinal this season.
Adams loses Maggie Rogers, Hannah Simard, and Ryian Owusu to graduation but they have Grace Van Pelt and MaKayla Smith returning next season.
Thoughts.
I was surprised that Steinacker spent only one season at Adams as the head coach. She led her team to their first crown since 2001 and then leaves, it's very shocking to say the least.
It will be interesting whom coaches the Highlanders next season but odds are Jeff Castonia and Brad Kuschman are strong candidates but we'll see what happens.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Oak Park Sends Four Track Athletes to Division One Schools.
Written Saturday May 20th at 9:30 PM
Oak Park has a great chance of repeating this season as the Division One State Champions in both Boys and Girls Track and Field and these four could be the reason why they could repeat as champions.
The Knights top four athletes in Track and Field signed their National Letter of Intents on Friday at Oak Park.
Cameron Cooper, likely the top Track and Field Athlete in the State of Michigan has signed with Louisiana State. Cooper is the defending 800 meter State champion and competes in the 1600 along with the two relays, the four by two and the four by eight. He also won the New Balance Indoor 800 Meter championship in February.
Bryce Pickett will be heading to Michigan. He is a salutatorian for Oak Park. Pickett competes in the 400 meter dash along with the 200 meter dash along with the four by two and four by four relays.
Tamea McKelvy is heading to Texas. McKelvy is a very strong 200 meter runner, the best in the State so far and is solid in the 100 meter dash. She also competes in the four by one and four by two teams for the Knights.
Carlita Taylor is heading to Columbia. She is a valedictorian for the school. Taylor competes in both the 110 and 300 Hurdles along with the four by one and four by two relays.
These four will be heavily relied upon for Oak Park to repeat as Boys and Girls State Champions this upcoming season for coaches Brandon Giles and Robert Lynch.
The Knights Girls Track team is the three time defending State Champs coming into the State Meet.
We shall see what happens in the State Meet on June 3rd at East Kentwood.
Oak Park has a great chance of repeating this season as the Division One State Champions in both Boys and Girls Track and Field and these four could be the reason why they could repeat as champions.
The Knights top four athletes in Track and Field signed their National Letter of Intents on Friday at Oak Park.
Cameron Cooper, likely the top Track and Field Athlete in the State of Michigan has signed with Louisiana State. Cooper is the defending 800 meter State champion and competes in the 1600 along with the two relays, the four by two and the four by eight. He also won the New Balance Indoor 800 Meter championship in February.
Bryce Pickett will be heading to Michigan. He is a salutatorian for Oak Park. Pickett competes in the 400 meter dash along with the 200 meter dash along with the four by two and four by four relays.
Tamea McKelvy is heading to Texas. McKelvy is a very strong 200 meter runner, the best in the State so far and is solid in the 100 meter dash. She also competes in the four by one and four by two teams for the Knights.
Carlita Taylor is heading to Columbia. She is a valedictorian for the school. Taylor competes in both the 110 and 300 Hurdles along with the four by one and four by two relays.
These four will be heavily relied upon for Oak Park to repeat as Boys and Girls State Champions this upcoming season for coaches Brandon Giles and Robert Lynch.
The Knights Girls Track team is the three time defending State Champs coming into the State Meet.
We shall see what happens in the State Meet on June 3rd at East Kentwood.
Hazel Park Staying Put.
Written Saturday May 20th at 8:50 PM
It looks like the Hazel Park Vikings will be staying in the OAA after all.
Citing an accurate source, the Macomb Area Conference Principals turned down Hazel Park's request to enter the league. The Athletic Directors approved the move for the Vikings to enter the conference.
Now this rejection by the MAC Principals leaves Hazel Park in a bit of a quagmire. The Vikings were suppose to be leaving the OAA for the MAC in the 2018-2019 School Year but for now they will be staying in the OAA for the time being.
The Vikings reasons why they wanted to leave the league was because of competitive balance, especially in football. In the 2016 season, Hazel Park was not happy that Troy, Rochester, and Bloomfield Hills were in the Blue because those three schools had bigger enrollments (Troy 2,422, Rochester 1,705, Bloomfield Hills 1,842) and the Vikings have one of the smallest enrollments in the league (881 students.)
Hazel Park finished the 2016 season at 2-7 and haven't made the playoffs since 2010.
The Vikings are 10-44 since 2011 but is 3-33 since 2013.
Hazel Park this upcoming football season will be in the Blue with Pontiac, Ferndale, Avondale, and Royal Oak but North Farmington and Farmington come down from the White. Both the Raiders and Falcons have new coaches. It will be interesting for the Vikings in week one when they open up at Warren Fitzgerald in August.
The Vikings will be in Class A next season for Volleyball and Basketball. Hazel Park will possibly be placed in a district with Southfield Arts and Tech, Berkley, Oak Park, Warren Fitzgerald, and Detroit Renaissance.
Hazel Park's Boys Basketball team won their first district title since 1965 but lost a heart-breaker to Detroit Collegiate Prep of Northwestern in the regional semifinal. The Vikings shared the White with Troy last season. Hazel Park will have a tough chore this upcoming season as they are now in the Red division and will play the likes of Clarkston, North Farmington, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Bloomfield Hills.
The Hazel Park Girls Basketball team should be good again this upcoming winter with a ton of experience back after they won 14 games and making the district final last season. The Vikings Volleyball team will also be solid as well next season.
Thoughts.
I was surprised the MAC Principals voted Hazel Park down despite having a close rivalry with Warren Fitzgerald, Clawson, Madison Heights Madison, and Madison Heights Lamphere.
It will be interesting to see what Hazel Park does but the Vikings will be in the league for now.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.
It looks like the Hazel Park Vikings will be staying in the OAA after all.
Citing an accurate source, the Macomb Area Conference Principals turned down Hazel Park's request to enter the league. The Athletic Directors approved the move for the Vikings to enter the conference.
Now this rejection by the MAC Principals leaves Hazel Park in a bit of a quagmire. The Vikings were suppose to be leaving the OAA for the MAC in the 2018-2019 School Year but for now they will be staying in the OAA for the time being.
The Vikings reasons why they wanted to leave the league was because of competitive balance, especially in football. In the 2016 season, Hazel Park was not happy that Troy, Rochester, and Bloomfield Hills were in the Blue because those three schools had bigger enrollments (Troy 2,422, Rochester 1,705, Bloomfield Hills 1,842) and the Vikings have one of the smallest enrollments in the league (881 students.)
Hazel Park finished the 2016 season at 2-7 and haven't made the playoffs since 2010.
The Vikings are 10-44 since 2011 but is 3-33 since 2013.
Hazel Park this upcoming football season will be in the Blue with Pontiac, Ferndale, Avondale, and Royal Oak but North Farmington and Farmington come down from the White. Both the Raiders and Falcons have new coaches. It will be interesting for the Vikings in week one when they open up at Warren Fitzgerald in August.
The Vikings will be in Class A next season for Volleyball and Basketball. Hazel Park will possibly be placed in a district with Southfield Arts and Tech, Berkley, Oak Park, Warren Fitzgerald, and Detroit Renaissance.
Hazel Park's Boys Basketball team won their first district title since 1965 but lost a heart-breaker to Detroit Collegiate Prep of Northwestern in the regional semifinal. The Vikings shared the White with Troy last season. Hazel Park will have a tough chore this upcoming season as they are now in the Red division and will play the likes of Clarkston, North Farmington, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield Arts and Tech, and Bloomfield Hills.
The Hazel Park Girls Basketball team should be good again this upcoming winter with a ton of experience back after they won 14 games and making the district final last season. The Vikings Volleyball team will also be solid as well next season.
Thoughts.
I was surprised the MAC Principals voted Hazel Park down despite having a close rivalry with Warren Fitzgerald, Clawson, Madison Heights Madison, and Madison Heights Lamphere.
It will be interesting to see what Hazel Park does but the Vikings will be in the league for now.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.
MHSAA makes some changes.
Written Saturday May 20th at 4:00 PM
The MHSAA will use the Division system instead of the Class system starting in the 2018-2019 season for Volleyball, Girls Basketball, and Boys Basketball.
In Soccer, the league will not have overtimes or shootouts during the regular season and instead go with the tie. If there was a conference tournament then they can play two 10 minute overtimes and have a shootout.
In football, the league will be limited even more to just 90 minutes of physical contact during practice for each week after the first week of the season. However blocking, tacking, and technique drills will continue. The league will consider Friday State semifinal games to go along with Saturdays. All semifinal games were usually played on Saturdays but Fridays are now an option to have games.
Thoughts.
I like the MHSAA going to a Division system instead of a Class system for a few reasons, one it will decide which teams are Division One teams. Also it evens up the classes based on enrollment. It will be interesting how things shape up when the Division system takes affect.
In the OAA for Soccer they do have ties in the regular season so there was no need for the MHSAA to take that route but they did it for the entire State.
I don't like the league's decision to be limited more to just 90 minutes of physical contact. Now I did play football and yes it's a physical sport but football is suppose to be a contact sport. I think this rule benefits those teams who are faience and not those who want to be physical teams. Now I know the MHSAA has a concussion policy and new rules put in place but come on, to limit teams to 90 minutes a week for physical contact??? doesn't add up.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.
The MHSAA will use the Division system instead of the Class system starting in the 2018-2019 season for Volleyball, Girls Basketball, and Boys Basketball.
In Soccer, the league will not have overtimes or shootouts during the regular season and instead go with the tie. If there was a conference tournament then they can play two 10 minute overtimes and have a shootout.
In football, the league will be limited even more to just 90 minutes of physical contact during practice for each week after the first week of the season. However blocking, tacking, and technique drills will continue. The league will consider Friday State semifinal games to go along with Saturdays. All semifinal games were usually played on Saturdays but Fridays are now an option to have games.
Thoughts.
I like the MHSAA going to a Division system instead of a Class system for a few reasons, one it will decide which teams are Division One teams. Also it evens up the classes based on enrollment. It will be interesting how things shape up when the Division system takes affect.
In the OAA for Soccer they do have ties in the regular season so there was no need for the MHSAA to take that route but they did it for the entire State.
I don't like the league's decision to be limited more to just 90 minutes of physical contact. Now I did play football and yes it's a physical sport but football is suppose to be a contact sport. I think this rule benefits those teams who are faience and not those who want to be physical teams. Now I know the MHSAA has a concussion policy and new rules put in place but come on, to limit teams to 90 minutes a week for physical contact??? doesn't add up.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Wingert named Oxford Wrestling Coach.
Written Thursday May 18th at 11:45 PM
Oxford has their new wrestling coach.
According to the Oxford AD's Twitter Page, the Wildcats have hired Ross Wingert to take over the squad after coach Paul McDevitt stepped down last season.
Wingert was an assistant coach for Oxford under McDevitt for a long time. He was an assistant on the Wildcats 2011 State Championship Wrestling team.
Wingert works as a financial advisor at Edward Jones Finacial. He also coaches football under coach Bud Rowley's program as well.
It will be interesting what Oxford will do under Wingert but it will be different next season for sure.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.
Oxford has their new wrestling coach.
According to the Oxford AD's Twitter Page, the Wildcats have hired Ross Wingert to take over the squad after coach Paul McDevitt stepped down last season.
Wingert was an assistant coach for Oxford under McDevitt for a long time. He was an assistant on the Wildcats 2011 State Championship Wrestling team.
Wingert works as a financial advisor at Edward Jones Finacial. He also coaches football under coach Bud Rowley's program as well.
It will be interesting what Oxford will do under Wingert but it will be different next season for sure.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.
Girls Lacrosse Regional Preview.
Written Thursday May 18th at 10:50 PM
Here are my picks for the Girls Regional for Lacrosse.
D1 Regional 2 at Novi
Here are my picks for the Girls Regional for Lacrosse.
D1 Regional 2 at Novi
Novi vs. Canton/Salem
Northville vs. NORTH FARMINGTON
Ann Arbor Pioneer vs. Brighton/South Lyon
Plymouth vs. Salem
PREDICTION: This one is interesting, I like the Wildcats of
Plymouth making some noise in this regional but Northville could be a team to
keep an eye on as well. Ann Arbor Pioneer could be a dark horse team to keep an
eye on. I think this will be a Northville vs Plymouth or Ann Arbor Pioneer
final with I believe the Pioneers moving on in Novi. PICK: ANN ARBOR PIONEER.
D1 Regional 3 at Troy
Grosse Pointe North at WL Central/WEST BLOOMFIELD
Utica Eisenhower vs. BIRMINGHAM
Grosse Pointe South vs. BLOOMFIELD HILLS
TROY ATHENS vs. TROY
PREDICTION: This will be an interesting regional, I can see
the final being Troy vs Birmingham. Utica Eisenhower will be a dark horse contender
along with Grosse Pointe South but end of the day it will be a Bulldogs vs
Colts regional final. It will be Birmingham that moves on at Troy. PICK:
BIRMINGHAM.
D1 Regional 4 at Orion
Waterford vs. Grand Blanc/Lakeland
Holly vs. OXFORD
Hartland vs. ORION/Fenton
CLARKSTON vs. Midland
The main event will be the Dragons vs the Eagles, whomever
wins that matchup will win this regional. I’m not sold on any of the others,
maybe Grand Blanc but clearly it will be either Orion or Hartland. I think the
Eagles reign supreme. PICK: HARTLAND.
D2 Regional 6 at Farmington
FARMINGTON vs. St. Catherine/Tecumseh
Livonia Ladywood vs. Dexter
Temperance Bedford vs. AA Gabriel Richard/AA Huron
Farmington Hills Mercy vs. AA Skyline/WL Northern
This will be an interesting regional. St. Catherine and
Farmington will be interesting teams to keep an eye on along with Livonia Ladywood. Ann Arbor Gabriel
Richard should have no problem getting to the regional final. This one at
Farmington will be St. Catherine vs Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard with Ann Arbor
Gabriel Richard winning. PICK: ANN ARBOR GABRIEL RICHARD.
D2 Regional 8 at Cranbrook-Kingswood
Birmingham Marian vs. ADAMS/STONEY CREEK
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Warren Regina vs. GP Liggett/ROCHESTER
ROYAL OAK vs. Sacred Heart/Cranbrook-Kingswood
PREDICTION: This regional will come down too Birmingham
Marian vs Warren Regina. The Mustangs and the Satellites. I like Regina to come
out of this regional and move on, too much experience. PICK: WARREN REGINA.
Boys Lacrosse Regional Preview.
Written Thursday May 18th at 10:45 PM
Here are my regional picks for the Boys Lacrosse State tournament.
D1 Regional 4 at North Farmington
Here are my regional picks for the Boys Lacrosse State tournament.
D1 Regional 4 at North Farmington
1. Detroit Catholic Central vs. Bye
4. Walled Lake Northern vs. 5. Milford/Lakeland
2. Northville vs. 7. Walled Lake Central
3. Novi vs. 6. NORTH FARMINGTON/HARRISON
PREDICTION: The Shamrocks are the favorite to get out of
this regional because of their talent. I think the Mustangs will give Novi
Detroit Catholic Central everything they can handle but it probably won’t be
enough. North Farmington/Harrison has no chance of winning over Novi. End of
the day I don’t see anyone beating the Shamrocks. PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC
CENTRAL.
D1 Regional 5 at Orion
1. ORION vs. 8. WEST BLOOMFIELD
4. ADAMS vs. 5. STONEY CREEK
2. BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs. 7. ROCHESTER
3. CLARKSTON vs. 6. Waterford
PREDICTION: I can see the final being the Dragons vs either
the Blackhawks or Wolves. Clarkston was supposed to host the regional but due
to its field being renovated the regional was moved to Orion. Bloomfield Hills
and Clarkston will be interesting in the semifinal. I don’t see anyone touching
Orion until the final. If it’s the Blackhawks then it will be a street fight for
the Dragons but it’s the Wolves I can see Orion getting their revenge after
what happened last year, either way the Dragons are moving on. PICK: ORION.
D1 Regional 6 at Birmingham (Seaholm)
1. TROY ATHENS vs. Bye
4. BIRMINGHAM vs. 5. Utica Ford
2. TROY vs. 7. Warren Mott
3. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs. 6. Sterling Heights
Stevenson
PREDICTION: This appears to be Troy Athens best chance of
winning the regional but there are plenty of obstacles ahead for the Red Hawks.
The first is the Bulldogs of Birmingham, since they are at home, they could
pose a threat to Troy Athens in the semifinal and if they get to the final then
they could clash with Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. The Cubs have been a
traditional powerhouse but oddly they have the third seed in this regional but
that’s pending if they can get by Troy. The Colts are an interesting team to
keep an eye on. End of the day though, there is a reason why Troy Athens is a
number one seed but it will be a dangerous task for the Red Hawks with those
two teams mentioned but they will find a way. PICK: TROY ATHENS.
D1 Regional 8 at Oxford
1. Hartland vs. Bye
4. Grand Blanc vs. 5. Davison
2. Midland vs. 7. Holly
3. OXFORD vs. 6. Lapeer
PREDICTION: The Eagles and Chemics are the two top teams in
this regional at Oxford. They have both played tough schedules and in tougher
leagues. Midland got a big win over Orion last weekend while Hartland has a
great draw. Oxford’s lack of playing tough teams will hurt them here and I
think they will lose to Midland. I think this will be a Hartland/Midland final
with the Chemics taming the Eagles. PICK: MIDLAND.
D2 Regional 14 at Walled Lake Western
1. Cranbrook-Kingswood vs. 8. ROYAL OAK
4. Walled Lake Western vs. 5. Ann Arbor Greenhills
2. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard vs. 7. FARMINGTON
3. Dearborn Divine Child vs. 6. Royal Oak Shrine
PREDICTION: Looking at this regional, Cranbrook-Kingswood is
easily favored though Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard could give them some trouble.
Walled Lake Western could pose a challenge and Dearborn Divine Child could give
trouble to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard. Farmington has no chance getting out of
this regional. Cranbrook-Kingswood will show why they are one of the top teams
in Oakland County. PICK: CRANBROOK-KINGSWOOD.
D2 Regional 16 at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. 8. Bay City Central
4. Saginaw Heritage vs. 5. Swartz Creek
2. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. 7. AVONDALE
3. Flint Powers vs. 6. Bay City Western
PREDICTION: Looking at this regional, the favorite is
Orchard Lake St. Marys but watch out for Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. The Irish are
at home and could be a playmaker in this regional. Flint Powers Catholic is the
dark horse. I think this will be a Pontiac Notre Dame Prep/Orchard Lake St.
Marys regional final but it will be the hosts that move on. PICK: PONTIAC NOTRE
DAME PREP.
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About Me
- Saginaw Bay
- I have highest function of autism (Asperger Syndrome.) I'm a huge Dallas Stars fan. I like to play and watch football, especially when the Dragons play on Friday nights. I am a 2006 alum and used to play football for the Dragons. I ran track, I ran the 100, 200, 400 meter dashes along with shot-put and discus. During my time in Orion I was a manager for Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team. I'm the volleyball, girls basketball, and football announcer for the team and do the book on the road for girls basketball. I do the clock for volleyball in the fall along with girls basketball in the winter and announce some boys basketball games as well. In the spring I coach shot-put at Scripps Middle School, in my fifth season coaching. I run the shot-put for high school meets. I played Special Olympics Basketball, I've won three gold medals for them. I host "Between Taorminas" which is on ONTV along with a podcast called "OAA Now". In other various things outside of Lake Orion, I love to jet ski over Saginaw Bay. Saginaw Bay is basically my life. I'm a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service for Oakland and Huron counties.