Way too early Basketball Ranks.

Written Friday June 2nd at 11:05 AM

We are only in the month of June but it's a good time to look at how Basketball will likely shape up for next season, now these rankings could change and will before the season begins in late November but here is an early look at the Basketball ranks.

Girls.

1. Southfield Arts and Tech: Warriors return Cheyenne McEvans and Alexis Johnson. It will be interesting how this team does after getting to the Final Four last season.

2. Clarkston: Wolves may have the best inside post presence in the league in Kayla Luchenbach and Molly Nicholson but Maddie Beck is not bad either.

3. Royal Oak: This Ravens team could have a special season next season led by Jessica Adams and Samantha Potter.

4. North Farmington: Sam Cherney will get a ton of attention but watch out for Patti Tzchozian and Molly Simpson next season.

5. Avondale: The key for the Yellow Jackets is health. If this team is healthy led by Olivia Russell then look out.

6. Orion: Dragons have a ton of experience and they have gone through a lot but can they gel with new coach Mike Griffin, that remains the question mark.

7. Stoney Creek: Team Finebaum has a tough schedule and only has one returning starter back in Emily Eckhout. Cougars coach Kellen James might want to call Mystery Inc. to investigate the schedule.

8. Berkley: Who will be the new coach for the Bears and if they do they have some talent coming back in Olivia DiCarlo.

9. Bloomfield Hills: Blackhawks have Becca Hancock and Maryam Hashim back but question will be in the post.

T-10. Groves: Kayla Nelson will have to do a lot more for the Falcons next season, also they will have a new coach in the process.

T-10. Troy Athens: The Crumm sisters will be the key for the Red Hawks to have a successful season.

Boys.

1. Clarkston: Wolves are the defending State Champs and have Foster Loyer, CJ Robinson, and Taylor Currie all back. You see a pattern here???

2. Troy: Colts will have a ton of size and a ton of experience led by Jason Dietz. It could be a special season again for Troy.

3. West Bloomfield: Last season’s State finalist could do some damage this upcoming season led by Tre Harvey.

4. Oak Park: Knights are a sleeper to watch, they could surprise some folks.

5. Troy Athens: Red Hawks will have a ton of experience back but can they put it all together next season???

6. Stoney Creek: Nate Davis and Mike Melgarni will be back for the Cougars but guard play is a question mark for a team that went to the Regional Final last season.

7. Hazel Park: If the Vikings can keep the band all together then they could do something this season.

8. North Farmington: Never ever go up against the Negoshians, Never.

9. Rochester: Falcons will have a new coach but we do not know who it is yet. When he does get there, he will have the Gulledge brothers and Hunter Schlatter as returning players.

10. Orion: Dragons should be in line for a strong bounce back season after being very young last season.

Boys Lacrosse State Quarterfinal Preview.

Written Friday June 2nd at 11:00 AM

Here are my projections and insight surrounding the two only OAA teams that are left playing in Boys Lacrosse. If Clarkston and/or Troy Athens advances to the next round then there will be a State Semifinal preview.

Hartland vs Clarkston @ Walled Lake Northern: This matchup will be interesting to watch, these two should know each other quite well. The Eagles are undefeated and went through a tough Midland team in the regional. The Wolves had to overcome so much in the regional including wins over Orion and Bloomfield Hills. This will be a tough matchup for Clarkston, that this could be the Wolves last game at Walled Lake Northern this weekend. PICK: HARTLAND.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central vs Troy Athens @ Seaholm: This matchup will be interesting. Both teams are veteran teams. The Red Hawks had to survive their inner-city rivals (Troy) in overtime in the regional while the Shamrocks took Northville out in the regional. This will be a tough matchup for Troy Athens but they have a chance though it could be a bleak one at best. PICK: NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL.

Bloomfield Hills Names New Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Wednesday May 31st at 10:30 PM

The Blackhawks have their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Bloomfield Hills has hired Phil Kurajian to replace Mike Maryanski according to a very accurate source.

Kurajian will be the Blackhawks third coach in five seasons.

Kurajian coached the Junior Varsity under Maryanski from 2015-2017. He played at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in the early 2000's.

Bloomfield Hills has not been the same team since 2014 when they went to the Class A State Finals when they had Yante Maten whom is now at Georgia under then coach Dwayne Graves, whom currently coaches at Clawson.

Kurajian takes over a team that finished 10-11 last season. They started the season at 8-2 but finished 2-9 down the stretch losing 54-47 to eventual State Quarter-finalist Troy in the district semifinals.

Thoughts.

This is wasn't a surprising hire but I have major concerns surrounding this coaching hire. Kurajian has no Varsity experience, in which when your in a division in which Bloomfield Hills is in, that's a big concern. He is the seventh coach in 12 years dating back to the Lahser and Andover years before they merged to become Bloomfield Hills.

The Blackhawks will be in a very tough division this upcoming season. The Red will be as tough as ever with teams like the defending State Champs Clarkston, Final Four team West Bloomfield, State Quarter-finalist Troy,  2015-2016 State Finalist North Farmington, Hazel Park, and Southfield Arts and Tech.

It could be a long season in Bloomfield Hills especially with what the Blackhawks have to deal with this upcoming season.

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

Gruppen Out at Berkley.

Written Wednesday May 31st at 8:50 PM

First it was football when Chris Sikora stepped down at Berkley, now it's Girls Basketball with Jordan Gruppen stepping down.

Gruppen stepped down on Wednesday afternoon after spending eight seasons behind the Bears bench.

Gruppen wrote on the Berkley Bears Girls Basketball Facebook page his decision to step down. "It is with a heavy heart I am announcing that I am resigning as Head Girls Basketball Coach at Berkley High. I am forever grateful for anyone and everyone that has been a part of this journey. It has been a privilege to lead a great group of young women on and off the court for the last seven to eight years. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears have gone into it for everyone. Through the highs and lows we were able to learn life lessons by teaching the game of basketball. I am very proud of what the girls have been able to accomplish both on and off the court in my time here. It may be a good bye but it is not the end. I look forward  to supporting the girls and the program in any way possible going forward. A big thank you goes out to the players both current and former. You have made a great impact on me, I wish you the best and I cannot thank you enough. I will still be one of your biggest fans! Go Bears!"

Gruppen finished the 2016-2017 season at 17-5, which was his best season. The Bears lost to Detroit Renaissance in the district semifinals. He finished his eight year coaching career in Berkley with a 89-63 record.

The Bears have had some great players come through the program including players such as Celia Somers and Zoe Anderson. Somers was a four year player for Gruppen and is currently playing College Basketball.

Berkley will have Olivia Dicarlo, Marshayla Denham, Natalie Barber, and Savanna Casida back next season.

Thoughts.

I am very sad that Gruppen stepped down from coaching. Berkley was on the way up and rising as a program.

They could still very well be but it will be with a new coach.

Whomever the new coach is will have the some talented players back and they should be one of the favorites in the Blue this upcoming season. The district could be a challenge if they go south then they have to likely deal with Southfield Arts and Tech, Detroit Renaissance, Oak Park, Hazel Park, and Warren Fitzgerald. If they go north then you have to deal with Groves, Seaholm, Bloomfield Hills, or Birmingham Marian.

Berkley is now the third coaching position to open up along with Adams, Groves, and West Bloomfield. Orion and Rochester filled their coaching vacancies with the Falcons selecting Al Poynter while the Dragons chose Mike Griffin.

There have been 12 new Girls Basketball coaches in the past two seasons around the league and 16 in the past three seasons.

This will be interesting to keep an eye on, stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

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.