Early State Meet Track Preview.

Written Monday May 29th at 9:10 PM

The final week of the Track Season is upon us.

The Division One and Division Two State Meet will take place this Saturday with Division One taking place at East Kentwood while Division Two will be at Zeeland.

Oak Park and East Kentwood appear to be the favorites heading into the Division One meet for the Boys with Saline being a potential dark horse along with Ann Arbor Pioneer. The Knights are the defending Division One State Champions coming into this meet. On the Girls side of things Oak Park is the favorite heading into the meet as they are the defending three-time State Champions. Ann Arbor Pioneer has the depth to match the Knights and could very well beat them. Oak Park is not a clear cut favorite heading into Saturday's meet.

Avondale Boys could be a player in Division Two with their strong field events and strong relays. Coldwater looks to be the favorite heading into that meet. Girls wise I don't see anyone contending in the OAA in that side of the meet in Zeeland.

We shall see what happens.

 

Sikora Out at Berkley.

Written Thursday May 25th at 11:10 PM

The Berkley Bears will have a new football coach this fall.

Berkley coach Chris Sikora has resigned according to the Berkley Bears Football Facebook Account.

Here is the response from Sikora surrounding his resignation from the football program. "With strong emotions, I am announcing that I am resigning from my position as head football coach at Berkley High School. I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity to guide these young men to victories on and off the field over the past four years. Since the day I was hired, I've done everything I can to make the school proud, to be a role model for our young men, and to provide them the best opportunity to be successful. I plan on guiding my replacement during the transition and will continue to aid in support recruiting for our student athletes. I will continue to be a teacher in the school district so please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this transition easier on all parties. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to teach others about football, life, hard work, and responsibility."

Sikora posted a 24-17 record in his four seasons as head coach of the Bears. He led Berkley to their first district title in school history back in 2015 and had a regional final appearance before losing to Livonia Franklin. Sikora was the Junior Varsity Coach under coach Jeff Burnside whom left Berkley for Novi in 2012.

The Bears open up the 2017 season at Hurley Field against Farmington in August.

Thoughts.

This one is a shocker, Sikora is a very good football coach. The Bears were prepared to go to the White this season. This move comes as a surprise. I'm curious whom will be the next coach at Berkley.

I think Ray Ostrowski would be a PERFECT fit to coach this program. He was Sikora's assistant. It would make perfect sense for Ostrowski to take over this football program.

We'll see what happens.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest developments on this developing story.

Softball District Preview.

Written Thursday May 25th at 9:05 PM

Here are my picks and insight on the 2017 Softball Districts.

District 28 @ Orion

ORION vs OXFORD

CLARKSTON vs Waterford Mott

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is the kiss of death district because you have three teams that had honorable mentions in the State in Orion, Clarkston, and Oxford. The Dragons, Wolves, and Wildcats have beaten each other up in the Red and in tournament play. Waterford Mott has no chance in this district. Whomever wins this district has earned it but looking at it it’s Clarkston that has the upper hand here. PICK: CLARKSTON.

District 27 @ Romeo

ROCHESTER vs Romeo

ROCHESTER/Romeo vs Utica Eisenhower

ADAMS vs STONEY CREEK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: When I look at this district, Romeo is the best team coming in this district. The Bulldogs haven't had the best of seasons but they are still very talented. Stoney Creek has had a disappointing season but they have a chance to do some damage in this district. Utica Eisenhower is very dangerous as they have the offense to match up with anybody in this district. Rochester is a sleeper but they don't stand a chance to Romeo or against Utica Eisenhower. Adams is nowhere near to the league of Macomb County. At the end of the day it will be the Bulldogs that moves on. PICK: ROMEO.

District 25 @ Troy Athens

BERKLEY vs TROY ATHENS

ROYAL OAK vs Warren Mott

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: There is one team in this district that can do some damage and that’s the Red Hawks. Berkley, Royal Oak, Warren Mott have no chance. PICK: TROY ATHENS.

District 30 @ Farmington

HARRISON vs Farmington Hills Mercy

HARRISON/Farmington Hills Mercy vs FARMINGTON

NORTH FARMINGTON vs Livonia Stevenson

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district will be interesting but I don’t think anyone is touching the defending State Champs in this district. The Marlins despite having a ton of talent that was lost from their Championship team they still will be a formidable foe. PICK: FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY.

District 29 @ Walled Lake Central

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Walled Lake Northern

Waterford Kettering vs Walled Lake Central

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district is interesting but it won’t be an OAA team that won’t win this district. Walled Lake Northern is athletic, Waterford Kettering is solid as well. This is a two-team district, a lot of people are high on the Captains bandwagon but I’m not. PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN.

District 26 @ Troy

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs GROVES

TROY vs SEAHOLM

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting district because Groves made a run last season winning the district. I think it’s different this time though, Seaholm is a dark-horse to keep an eye on in this tournament. When in doubt go with the team from the Red. PICK: TROY.

District 18 @ Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs Detroit Renaissance

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH /Detroit Renaissance vs OAK PARK

FERNDALE vs Redford Thurston

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is a very bad district, no one here really impresses me so when in doubt go with a team that has a Detroit name on it. PICK: DETROIT RENAISSANCE.

District 60 @ Hazel Park

Center Line vs Warren Fitzgerald

HAZEL PARK vs Warren Lincoln

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district is not the greatest when it comes to talent or teams. Hazel Park has had a down season thus far. Warren Fitzgerald could have a say but at the end of the day it will be Center Line that moves on at Hazel Park. PICK: CENTER LINE.

District 62 @ Avondale

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs Armada

PNDP/Armada vs Richmond

AVONDALE vs Macomb Lutheran North

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district looks interesting but there is one favorite is Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Although Richmond could be a player in this district as well as they are State Ranked. This one will be interesting but it will be the Irish that moves on. PICK: PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP.

Baseball District Preview.

Written Thursday May 25th at 9:00 PM

Here are my picks and insight for the 2017 Baseball Districts.

District 27 @ Romeo

ROCHESTER vs Romeo

ROCHESTER/Romeo vs Utica Eisenhower

ADAMS vs STONEY CREEK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: When I look at this district, Rochester went to the State Quarterfinals last season got a real tough draw despite sharing the Red with Orion. The Falcons have to play Romeo on their home field and if they win that then they have to play Utica Eisenhower. Adams and Stoney Creek will be an interesting matchup, both teams are down a bit so this will be an interesting matchup. I can see Rochester coming out of this district but it won’t be easy. PICK: ROCHESTER.

District 25 @ Troy Athens

BERKLEY vs TROY ATHENS

ROYAL OAK vs Warren Mott

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district is very interesting, Berkley and Troy Athens split their series earlier in the season. Royal Oak is improving and could very well be a sleeper. I don’t know much about Warren Mott. I can see this matchup going either way with the Red Hawks, Bears, and Ravens. I like the home team to move on. PICK: TROY ATHENS.

District 28 @ Orion

ORION vs OXFORD

CLARKSTON vs Waterford Mott

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting district, Orion swept Clarkston but took two of three against Oxford on route to sharing the Red with Rochester. Waterford Mott doesn’t stand a chance in this district. It will either be the Dragons, Wildcats, or Wolves coming out of this district. I think it will be Orion that will be moving on. PICK: ORION.

District 26 @ Troy

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs GROVES

BLOOMFIELD HILLS/GROVES vs Birmingham Brother Rice

TROY vs SEAHOLM

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting district, all these teams are very good, very solid. Groves is ranked third in Division One for Baseball came out of nowhere to beat Birmingham Brother Rice in the district last season. The Falcons won the White this season. Birmingham Brother Rice is loaded again and should challenge in this district. Seaholm is the wildcard along with Troy both teams will play each other in the district semifinal with the winner seeing either Groves, Bloomfield Hills, or Birmingham Brother Rice in the district final. In this district, I think that the Falcons are no joke but the Warriors are too motivated to watch this opportunity get away. PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE.

District 29 @ Walled Lake Central

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Walled Lake Central

WB/WL Central vs Waterford Kettering

Orchard Lake St. Marys vs Walled Lake Northern

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting district to keep an eye on because there are some solid teams in this district. I think West Bloomfield and Walled Lake Northern are the two top teams. Orchard Lake St. Marys is a wildcard team as they do compete in the tough Catholic League. I think whomever wins that Eaglets/Knights game will get to the final to meet the Lakers. West Bloomfield is very athletic and disciplined, it will be the Lakers that move on. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.

District 30 @ Farmington

FARMINGTON vs HARRISON

NORTH FARMINGTON vs Livonia Stevenson

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: Farmington wants to right a wrong after they were upset by Harrison last season in the district semifinals. The Falcons are senior heavy so this could be their last chance of doing some damage for a little while. Livonia Stevenson is also a solid contender in this district as well. The Hawks and North Farmington could surprise some folks. I think Farmington will get to the final but lose to the Spartans, I can’t trust the Falcons in the postseason. PICK: LIVONIA STEVENSON.

District 18 @ Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs OAK PARK

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH/OAK PARK vs Detroit Renaissance

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs Redford Thurston

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district for the OAA teams here. Oak Park is not very strong but Southfield Arts and Tech is solid. The Warriors won the Gold in their first year as one Southfield and they have been rolling. I thought they got a nice draw and should have a clear path to the final. It will be very tough though as they will likely have to deal with the hosts the Detroit University-Detroit Cubs. It will be a tough task for Southfield Arts and Tech but they will have a lot against them being on the road, it will be the Cubs that will move on. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT.

District 60 @ Hazel Park

FERNDALE vs Center Line

FERNDALE/Center Line vs Warren Fitzgerald

HAZEL PARK vs Warren Lincoln

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a good district when looking at it from a baseball perspective. The best team in this district is Center Line. The next team would be Warren Fitzgerald that could pose a threat to Center Line but at the end of the day Center Line has had an interesting season and will look to move on to the next round. PICK: CENTER LINE.

District 62 @ Avondale

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs Armada

PNDP/Armada vs Richmond

AVONDALE vs Macomb Lutheran North

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be a good district, you have Avondale, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, and Macomb Lutheran North. Any of these three teams can win this district. I think the Irish got a good draw with the Yellow Jackets and Mustangs having to play each other. I’m not sold on Armada and Richmond. I believe this will be an Avondale/Pontiac Notre Dame Prep Final with the Yellow Jackets moving on. PICK: AVONDALE.

Girls Soccer District Preview.

Written Thursday May 25th at 9:00 PM

Here are my preview and picks for the 2017 MHSAA Girls Soccer Districts.

District 14 @ Milford

Waterford Mott vs Waterford Kettering

Milford vs Walled Lake Northern

CLARKSTON vs WEST BLOOMFIELD

Lakeland vs Walled Lake Central

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is a pretty balanced district with Walled Lake Northern, Waterford Mott, Walled Lake Central, and Clarkston. I think Walled Lake Northern will earn their way to the district final after a hard earned win over Milford and then Waterford Mott in the district semifinals. I think Clarkston/Walled Lake Central will be a battle but the Vikings have to deal with Lakeland first in the district first round. In this district though, I like the Knights to move on. PICK: WALLED LAKE NORTHERN.

District 26 @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs Cranbrook-Kingswood

PONTIAC vs Goodrich

Brandon vs Holly

Brandon/Holly vs AVONDALE

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district will be interesting but looking at it Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is the early favorite but keep an eye on Avondale. We are looking at a Yellow Jackets/Irish final with the hosts moving on. PICK: PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP.

District 25 @ Hazel Park

Warren Woods Tower vs East Detroit

FERNDALE vs HAZEL PARK

Warren Regina vs Warren Fitzgerald

Center Line vs Madison Heights Lamphere

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be a pretty competitive district, there are five teams that have a shot at winning this district. I think the Lamphere/Center Line match could be decided via penalties and the winner will have a tough matchup with Warren Regina in the district semifinal. I think Warren Woods Tower has a nice draw despite Hazel Park wanting to win this district. This will be interesting but a Warren Woods Tower/Warren Regina final would be a classic but it will be the Satellites that will move on. PICK: WARREN REGINA.

District 24 @ Harrison

Redford Thurston vs Redford Union

Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs Detroit Mumford

Birmingham Marian vs HARRISON

FARMINGTON vs Detroit Renaissance

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district on paper, I think Detroit Country Day and Birmingham Marian are the two top teams on paper in this district. Farmington could surprise some folks but the two teams from the Catholic League should meet in the district final and clash with the Mustangs moving on. PICK: BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.

District 8 @ Northville

NORTH FARMINGTON vs Livonia Stevenson

Northville vs Farmington Hills Mercy

Novi vs South Lyon

Novi/South Lyon vs Walled Lake Western

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district but if there is one favorite, it’s Novi. The Wildcats made a deep run last season in the playoffs and this team still has talent. Northville could challenge their neighborhood rival. Novi should have no problem in this district and they could make yet another deep run in the playoffs yet again. PICK: NOVI

District 10 @ Troy Athens

TROY ATHENS vs Fraser

Warren Mott vs Sterling Heights Stevenson

Warren Cousino vs Sterling Heights

Utica Ford vs Utica

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district has a lot of sub plots heading into this part of the State Tournament. It looks like it will be a three-team district between Troy Athens, Utica, and Utica Ford. The Red Hawks got a really nice draw and should make the district final while Utica has to beat Utica Ford in the first round of districts. Utica Ford is State ranked and has a win over Troy Athens early in the season. It will be a Troy Athens/Utica Ford district final. I think this time it will be the Red Hawks that will move onto the next round because of experience, also home field matters. PICK: TROY ATHENS.

District 9 @ Troy

BERKLEY vs GROVES

BERKLEY/GROVES vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

SEAHOLM vs TROY

SEAHOLM/TROY vs ROYAL OAK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: Seaholm won the Blue and has had an undefeated season thus far but they will be tested by Troy in the first round. Pending if the Maples get by the Colts then they should ease past Royal Oak and meet most likely Bloomfield Hills in the district final. It will be an interesting game but it will be the Blackhawks that move on in dramatic fashion. PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS.

District 13 @ Stoney Creek

Utica Eisenhower vs Romeo

ROCHESTER vs OXFORD

STONEY CREEK vs ORION

STONEY CREEK/ORION vs ADAMS

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This maybe the toughest district in the entire State with the quality and talent of these programs in northeast Oakland and northwest Macomb Counties. You have the defending State Champs, Adams is a power, Orion had a good season, Oxford is ultra-competitive, Utica Eisenhower is State Ranked, Rochester is a dark-horse, and Romeo is tough all in this district. One of the reasons why Stoney Creek won the State Crown last season was because they were in a tough district with Utica Eisenhower, Utica, and Utica Ford. The Cougars have a tough district once again but they have home field and should move on to the next round. PICK: STONEY CREEK.

Roberts Reversal on Two Players Transfers shows that It's time for a Change.

Written Wednesday May 24th at 10:30 PM

Jack Roberts has to be the Benedict Arnold in sports.

Roberts whom is the Executive Director at the MHSAA reversed a decision that involved two players whom transferred from Clawson to Waterford Mott for football and basketball. He deemed them both eligible for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

According to State Champs Sportswriter Tom Markowski, the same guy whom wrote the transfers ineligibility, Roberts said in his ruling that there was some recent information in regards to the two students in question.

The league suspended the two players earlier this month after it was found that the transfers were athletically motivated. They would had been forced to sit out for 180 days but now Roberts had a change of heart.

Roberts said there were two factors that reversed the league’s decision according to State Champs. The first one regarded that there were factual errors in the reports. The second one was that the transfers go beyond athletics and are practical in nature with regards of transportation to and from a particular school, and the third one was that the appeal registered by (Waterford) Mott administrators provided information to the MHSAA that was not presented earlier in regards to residency.

Thoughts.

This change of heart that Roberts made proves in my opinion that the MHSAA is corrupt and that a new change in leadership is needed. Now I’ve invited Roberts to come on my podcast but he hasn’t responded to my request.

I feel really bad for Clawson, they basically got screwed because of this. I thought the MHSAA got it right by banning these two players for 180 days but with a change of heart and new information, these two will be playing football and basketball next school year.

This is horrible and awful either way when you look at it in a professional and ethical standpoint but for the transfers it gives them an opportunity to play right away and continue their high school playing careers. Now if they moved into Waterford then I don’t have an issue with that but I’m disappointed in Jack Roberts and now I’m calling for him to resign.

Here is the State Champs Article from Tom Markowski.

http://statechampsnetwork.com/index.cfm/news-blog/high-school-sports-news/mhsaa-reverses-ruling-on-waterford-mott-transfers/

Orion Names New Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Tuesday May 23rd at 12:30 PM
Updated Thursday May 25th at 9:00 PM

The Dragons have named their new Girls Basketball coach, but it’s not whom you think it is.

Orion named Mike Griffin as the new Varsity Girls Basketball Coach replacing Kevin Kopec last week.

Griffin brings a ton of Basketball experience, especially from the Boys side of things. He used to coach at Sterling Heights and was an assistant coach at Birmingham Detroit Country Day under coach Mark Bray.

Griffin is a teacher in Sterling Heights, it is not known if he will travel to Orion every day or not.

It will be a new challenge for Griffin coming to Orion as well coaching the Girls instead of the Boys.

The Dragons finished 8-13 last season losing to Waterford Kettering in the pre-district. They were bumped up from the White to the Red and have a ton of experience returning in Tessa Nuss, Paytin Shadaia, Sophie Canine, Sophie Wyborski, Cameron Coltrin, Sydney Strenger, Lauryn Van Loon, and Shannon Falter.

Thoughts.

I don’t know what to think about this move, he has a lot to prove to me. There are a ton of unanswered questions surrounding this coaching hire like how will the Girls respond to him???, Will the turmoil come back???, Can he win with this group now and in the future???, Can he be there for the Girls when they struggle???, How will he be in the community???, Can he make this team a State title contender and go deep into the postseason???

Yes, Griffin brings experience to this team but I have some concerns looking at his record when he was a Sterling Heights. His record when he coached at Sterling Heights is a bit alarming. Also, the division the Dragons will be in will not be easy, heading into the Red and going up against teams like Clarkston, Southfield Arts and Tech, North Farmington, and Stoney Creek.

In his three seasons at Sterling Heights he posted a 25-32 record, and has not necessarily fared well against other big schools when he was in the Macomb Area Conference. Griffin went 0-3 against Chippewa Valley in the postseason.

Now this is a different situation that Griffin has stepped into than the time he spent at Sterling Heights and at Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Orion has suffered a ton of turmoil surrounding this program in recent years. Everyone likes to move on from this, and I expect they will.

Experience matters, I’m not sure if Pandora’s Box has been opened. Could it be a Gene Chizik situation with Auburn for College Football with this hire, I don’t know???

We’ll find out.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest updates on this developing story.