Avondale has their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Wednesday June 5th at 11:30 AM

The Yellow Jackets have found their new head coach.

Avondale named Pat Clancy as the team's new Boys Basketball coach replacing Tim Morton according to Yellow Jackets Athletic Director Keith Gust who confirmed to me the news.

Clancy played his high school basketball at Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit and college ball at Kalamazoo College where he was an MIAA All Second team as a junior in the 06-07 season.

Clancy was an assistant at Warren Cousino and taught at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes before taking the Avondale job.

Morton was at Avondale in his second stint with the program but stepped down last March to focus more time on his business and family.

Clancy will take over a Yellow Jackets program that has been up and down recently. Avondale was in the White but struggled last season going 9-13 losing to Bloomfield Hills in the district semifinals.

The Yellow Jackets will have a ton of athletic guards returning but the post will be a question. Avondale will move down to the Blue next season joining the likes of Berkley, Rochester, Troy Athens, Seaholm, Pontiac, and Royal Oak.

Thoughts.

This is an interesting hire for Avondale to go with Clancy. Clancy brings a new face to the OAA and a ton of basketball knowledge. I expect his new team to be near the top or middle of the pack this upcoming season.

I'm not sure how the Yellow Jackets will do this season but there is nowhere to go but up from here for them.

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

Rochester has their new Girls Basketball Coach.

Written Tuesday June 4th at 12:10 PM

The Rochester Falcons will have their fourth coach in four years.

The Falcons have named Bill Thurston as the new coach replacing Jeff Haney whom led them to a Blue title last season and a 13-9 record according to my very accurate source.

Thurston was the Junior Varsity coach last season under Haney. He is very familiar with the players in the program.

Thurston will have to bring stability to a program that really needs it. As mentioned he is the fourth coach in four seasons joining the likes of Adam Sheldon, Al Poynter, and Jeff Haney being the other three coaches.

Rochester has two all league players returning in Laura Kucera and Megan Lorenzo. Both players are expected to have huge seasons next year as the Falcons will try to defend their league title (shared with Berkley last season.) Rochester stayed in the Blue with the likes of Seaholm, Berkley, Oak Park, Pontiac, Farmington, and Ferndale.

Thoughts.

It's an interesting hire but Thurston has been through it all. This program needs stability in the worst way and hopefully Thurston can bring that stability the program needs.

It will be interesting how the sub-varsity programs respond now that Thurston is in charge of the program.

Rochester also has to deal with their city rivals in Adams and Stoney Creek as both programs are very established.

It will be interesting how the Falcons respond to the new hire.

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

Baseball/Softball Regional Preview.

Written Monday June 3rd at 8:15 PM

Here is my insight and predictions heading into this weekend's baseball and softball regionals.

Baseball Regionals

TROY vs Romeo @ Troy Athens

The Colts beat Avondale in a tough district. Pending if Troy can get by State ranked Romeo then they could see Birmingham Brother Rice. It won’t be an easy ride for the Colts in this regional. PICK: ROMEO.

OXFORD @ Birmingham Brother Rice

The Wildcats came out of nowhere to stun Lake Orion in the district final. They will head to Birmingham Brother Rice and take on the Warriors. It will be a tough matchup to say the least for Oxford going on the road in a hostile environment. PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE.

FERNDALE @ Livonia Clarenceville

This will be an interesting regional as the Eagles will play Livonia Clarenceville on the road. The Trojans easily won their district over Detroit Mumford and will await Ferndale who beat Hazel Park to get to this round. Whoever wins should have an interesting path going forward with the winner meeting either St. Clair Shores South Lake or Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy. PICK: FERNDALE.

Softball Regionals

CLARKSTON vs GROVES @ Oxford

The Wolves stunned Waterford Kettering and Lake Orion by a combined 26-0 in the districts Clarkston should have no problem with the Falcons in the regional semifinal. The winner will await either Adams or Utica. The Chieftains beat Avondale to win their district while the Highlanders upset Romeo to win their district but at the end of the day it’s the Wolves district to lose. PICK: CLARKSTON.

ADAMS vs Utica @ Oxford

The Highlanders pulled off a stunner upsetting state ranked Romeo 7-6 in the district finals. Adams will take on a Utica team who pulled off a shocker in some sorts taking down Troy Athens 9-4 in the district semifinals and Avondale 9-2 in the district finals. Both of these teams have seen each other in prior districts before so it will be an interesting matchup between the teams. I like the Highlanders to move onto the regional final. PICK: ADAMS.

FARMINGTON vs South Lyon East @ Hartland

The Falcons stunned everyone by winning their district over a very good North Farmington team and for their reward is they will have to travel to Hartland to face South Lyon East who upset South Lyon 8-4 in the district finals. It will be very interesting between these two teams. PICK: SOUTH LYON EAST.

FERNDALE vs Livonia Clarenceville @ Harper Woods

The Eagles are loaded with youth and experience heading into a very tough matchup with Livonia Clarenceville this weekend. Ferndale won 10-3 over Warren Fitzgerald in the district finals. If the Eagles were to pull off the upset then they will play either St. Clair Shores South Lake or Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy. It's going to be a tough chore for Ferndale. I like the Trojans to move on. PICK: LIVONIA CLARENCEVILLE.

Girls Soccer and Lacrosse Preview.

Written Sunday June 2nd at 4:35 PM

Here are my thoughts and insight heading into the Regional for Girls Soccer and the State Semifinals for Lacrosse.

Girls Soccer Regional Preview

Region 4 @ West Bloomfield

Livonia Stevenson vs Novi

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Grand Blanc

INSIGHT/PICK: We could be in for a very interesting regional final between Novi and Grand Blanc pending if they get by their respective regional opponents. The Blackhawks will have a tough chore ahead of them after winning their first ever district title over Waterford Mott against a Bobcats team that is state ranked and has one of the top players in the state. I think it will be a Novi/Grand Blanc regional final. The Wildcats are ranked nationally so give me Novi. PICK: NOVI.

Region 3 @ Troy

BERKLEY vs TROY

ADAMS vs. Chippewa Valley

INSIGHT/PICK: This is an interesting regional. The Bears surprised many with their district final victory. The Highlanders and Colts have been here before and it’s at Troy. Chippewa Valley shocked Macomb Dakota in the district final. I see this regional being very competitive with a Troy/Adams regional final with the Colts moving on because of home field. PICK: TROY.

Boys Lacrosse

Division One.

Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Rockford

LAKE ORION vs. Novi Detroit Catholic Central

INSIGHT/PICK: This is an interesting final four when you look at the teams. Birmingham Brother Rice and Novi Detroit Catholic Central are Catholic and State powers along with Rockford who is also a State Power from the west side of the state. Lake Orion is new to this party. The Dragons stunned Hartland in the State Quarterfinals 12-11 so they are the team that was not expected to be here. Lake Orion is playing with house money. I think one of these Catholic League teams will go down in this round. I think the Warriors come out of here with another State title. PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE.

Girls Lacrosse

Division One.

BIRMINGHAM vs Rockford

Hartland vs Brighton

INSIGHT/PICK: This is an interesting final four for these teams. Birmingham will have a tough chore with Rockford. The Rams have been a perennial State power but so have the Bulldogs. It will be interesting if Birmingham can pull this one out. The winner will likely clash with Hartland as the Eagles look to be in championship form right now. I like Rockford to repeat as State Champs. PICK: ROCKFORD.

Boys Golf Regional Preview.

Written Tuesday May 28th at 9:00 AM

Here is my insight and preview for Boys Golf for their regionals this week.

Region 2 @ Davison Country Club

OXFORD

Alpena

Bay City Western

Bay City Central

Davison

Flint Carman Ainsworth

Flushing

Grand Blanc

Lansing Holt

Lapeer

Okemos

Saginaw Heritage

Swartz Creek

Midland

Midland Dow

Traverse City Central

Traverse City West

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. GRAND BLANC

2. LAPEER

3. MIDLAND

4. TRAVERSE CITY WEST

WHY THIS: I think when looking at this regional that Grand Blanc early was ranked in the State but has fallen on some rough times. Lapeer and Traverse City West both have experience being in the finals last season. Midland has some golfers back and could be on the cusp of making a run.

Region 3 @ Pine Knob Golf Course

CLARKSTON

NORTH FARMINGTON

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Brighton

Plymouth Canton

Walled Lake Northern

Hartland

Howell

Milford

Northville

Novi Detroit Catholic Central

Novi

Plymouth

Plymouth Salem

South Lyon

Walled Lake Western

Walled Lake Central

Waterford Kettering

Waterford Mott

Lakeland

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. CLARKSTON

2. PLYMOUTH

3. NOVI DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL

4. HARTLAND

WHY THIS: These teams are State powers ranked in the top ten (Clarkston 1, Novi Detroit Catholic Central 5, Hartland 8, Plymouth 10.) This will be a very competitive match and if things go right expect these teams to be there. Northville and Walled Lake Northern might get left out this season though which would be a shame.

Region 4 @ Twin Lakes Golf Course

LAKE ORION

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

TROY

TROY ATHENS

Chippewa Valley

Macomb Dakota

New Baltimore Anchor Bay

Utica

Utica Eisenhower

Utica Ford

Sterling Heights Stevenson

Sterling Heights

Fraser

L’Anse Creuse

L’Anse Creuse North

Romeo

Port Huron

Port Huron Northern

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. LAKE ORION

2. BLOOMFIELD HILLS

3. ADAMS

4. ROCHESTER

WHY THIS: Last year there was a lot of controversy surrounding three teams that won this regional but also ripped off a few teams. This year I think Adams and Bloomfield Hills gets their revenge. I also think Lake Orion wins this regional and just recently won the Oakland County title. Not to mention that they are ranked 7^th in the State right now.

Region 5 @ Orchards

GROVES

SEAHOLM

BERKLEY

ROYAL OAK

Birmingham Brother Rice

Dearborn Fordson

Detroit Cass Tech

Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Detroit Renaissance

Grosse Pointe North

Grosse Pointe South

Livonia Churchill

Livonia Stevenson

Livonia Franklin

St. Clair Shores Lakeview

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore

Warren Mott

Warren Cousino

Warren De LaSalle

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE

2. GROSSE POINTE SOUTH

3. WARREN DE LASALLE

4. GROVES

WHY THIS: These teams have been ranked in the State at some point this year especially when you have the defending State Champions in Grosse Pointe South not to mention Birmingham Brother Rice and Warren De LaSalle. Groves had a top ten finish in the Oakland County meet, they will be a team to watch out for.

Region 11 @ Fieldstone Golf Course

AVONDALE

FARMINGTON

HARRISON

FERNDALE

Armada

Croswell-Lexington

Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood

Eastpointe

Imlay City

Madison Heights Lamphere

Marysville

North Branch

Orchard Lake St. Marys

Brandon

Yale

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Warren Woods Tower

PROJECTED TOP 4:

1. FARMINGTON

2. PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP

3. ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS

4. BLOOMFIELD HILLS-CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD

WHY THIS: I think these are the four top teams in this regional. There is one State ranked team in Farmington that is ranked 10^th in Division Two right now. Also experience matters and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Orchard Lake St. Marys, and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood were there last year.

Softball District Preview.

Written Thursday May 23rd at 11:00 AM

Here is my insight and predictions heading into the softball districts that affect OAA teams.

District 19 @ Detroit Mercy

Detroit Renaissance vs SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Redford Thurston vs OAK PARK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district, give me Detroit Renaissance easily. PICK: DETROIT RENAISSANCE.

District 26 @ Troy Athens

Utica vs TROY ATHENS

AVONDALE vs TROY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district, I think three teams have a shot at winning this district. I’m seeing could be the battle of Troy in the district final. When in doubt in this district trust Athletic Director Bob Dowd and his team sorry coach Tom Calhen. PICK: TROY ATHENS.

District 27 @ Rochester

STONEY CREEK vs ROCHESTER

STONEY CREEK/ROCHESTER vs ADAMS

Utica Eisenhower vs Romeo

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district at Rochester. You have the battle of Rochester on one side of the bracket and a Macomb County battle on the other side. I’m seeing a Romeo vs Adams district final with the Bulldogs heading into the next round. PICK: ROMEO.

District 28 @ Oxford

Waterford Mott vs LAKE ORION

Waterford Mott/LAKE ORION vs OXFORD

Waterford Kettering vs CLARKSTON

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This should be an interesting district at Oxford with two State ranked teams (Clarkston 1, Lake Orion 4) and an honorable mention in Waterford Kettering. Whoever wins this district should have a deep playoff run. I would have said that Clarkston easily would win this district earlier in the season however Lake Orion won 7-5 at Clarkston and can play with them even though the Dragons lost the second game in blowout fashion 10-2 but give them a pass there. I see Dragons/Wolves PART III district final. Can Lake Orion beat Clarkston again??? hmm. PICK: LAKE ORION.

District 25 @ Royal Oak

GROVES vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

GROVES/BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs SEAHOLM

ROYAL OAK vs BERKLEY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is an interesting district, there is a lot of parity. I think three teams have a shot winning this district even though they are all on one side of the bracket. Whoever wins this district would have earned it but at the end of the day give me the team that wears purple and black. PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS.

District 30 @ Farmington

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs FARMINGTON

Farmington Hills Mercy vs NORTH FARMINGTON

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district is interesting, I think all four teams have great shots to win this district. Farmington has had a decent season. West Bloomfield won the Blue. North Farmington has had a good year but they haven’t been the same team. Farmington Hills Mercy is not the same team they once were. I see the Raiders pulling out a MONSTER upset and meeting Farmington where coach Jeff Simpson will win a softball district. PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON.

District 59 @ Warren Lincoln

FERNDALE vs HAZEL PARK

Warren Fitzgerald vs Warren Lincoln

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: I bashed Hazel Park on “Reaching Higher” on my podcast a few weeks ago. This is not a strong district and I hope the Vikings took my advice if they want to get to that next step and grow as a program before moving out of the OAA this fall. PICK: HAZEL PARK.

Baseball District Preview.

Written Thursday May 23rd at 10:45 AM

Here is my insight and predictions heading into the Baseball Districts that OAA teams are in.

District 19 @ IHM Field-Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit.

Redford Thurston vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Redford Thurston/Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

Detroit Renaissance vs OAK PARK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district. I see Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit moving on easily with the district being at their home field. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY- DETROIT JESUIT.

District 26 @ Troy Athens

Utica vs TROY ATHENS

Utica/TROY ATHENS vs TROY

AVONDALE vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be a very competitive district. I see Troy and Bloomfield Hills playing in the district final with the Blackhawks moving on. PICK: BLOOMFIELD HILLS.

District 27 @ Rochester

Utica Eisenhower vs ROCHESTER

Utica Eisenhower/ROCHESTER vs Romeo

ADAMS vs STONEY CREEK

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be an interesting district at Rochester. The pre-district matchup between Rochester and Utica Eisenhower should be intense. The winner will see Romeo who won the Macomb Area Red crown in an interesting matchup to which should will be tight. Stoney Creek and Adams will be interesting as well but at the end of the day give me the team that was in the State rankings early in the season and that’s the Falcons on their home field. PICK: ROCHESTER.

District 28 @ Oxford

Waterford Kettering vs Waterford Mott

Waterford Kettering/Waterford Mott vs LAKE ORION

CLARKSTON vs OXFORD

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: Waterford Mott came out of nowhere and won this district last season. I don’t think it will be the case this time around. I see a Lake Orion/Clarkston district final. Give me the team that wears green and white. PICK: LAKE ORION.

District 25 @ Birmingham Brother Rice

SEAHOLM vs ROYAL OAK

SEAHOLM/ROYAL OAK vs GROVES

Birmingham Brother Rice vs BERKLEY

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This district will be on the new beautiful field of Birmingham Brother Rice. Groves, Seaholm, and Berkley have great shots to dethrone the Warriors but at end of the day it will be Birmingham Brother Rice that will celebrate on their home field. PICK: BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE.

District 30 @ Farmington

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs NORTH FARMINGTON

Livonia Stevenson vs FARMINGTON

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This will be interesting, you got three teams that could win this district. I think it will be a West Bloomfield vs Livonia Stevenson district final, when in doubt trust the school where football coach Ron Bellamy works. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.

District 59 @ Warren Lincoln

Warren Lincoln vs HAZEL PARK

Warren Fitzgerald vs FERNDALE

INSIGHT/PREDICTION: This is not a strong district when you look at the teams in here. When in doubt go with the school on the Nine Mile side in Macomb County. PICK: WARREN FITZGERALD.