Girls Basketball District Projections.

Written Friday March 6th at 4:00 PM

Here is my preview and picks heading into the remaining district matchups involving OAA squads.

District 5 @ Waterford Kettering

CLARKSTON vs ADAMS

The Wolves and Highlanders have a ton of experience heading into this district final. Clarkston needed 13 three pointers to beat Lake Orion and they beat Romeo as well. Adams got revenge on Waterford Kettering and beat Oxford. The Wolves have played a tougher schedule than the Highlanders with playing in the Red. This makes to be an interesting game. PICK: CLARKSTON.

District 6 @ Bloomfield Hills

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs AVONDALE

This is the game that the Yellow Jackets have been looking forward too for a year. Avondale lost three times to West Bloomfield last season.  Also this is the Red champion vs the White champion. The Lakers have more depth than the Yellow Jackets which I see showing in this game this evening. PICK: WEST BLOOMFIELD.

District 24 @ Birmingham Marian

ROYAL OAK vs Birmingham Marian

This is a rematch of a district final last season that saw the Mustangs won on their home court. The Ravens don’t have the experience that they had last season but this season’s young crew did upset Southfield Arts and Tech. Birmingham Marian had no problem with Berkley and Seaholm. They have been rolling as of late. This is very interesting as the Mustangs at times have had offensive laps and Royal Oak is a defensive first team. I have a feeling it’s going to be the same result this evening. PICK: BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.

District 25 @ Farmington

NORTH FARMINGTON vs Farmington Hills Mercy

This is an interesting matchup. The Raiders needed beat Livonia Stevenson to get to this matchup. The Marlins beat Novi and Farmington. Farmington Hills Mercy are the Catholic League Champs but Coach Jeff Simpson has seen them play. I think North Farmington is in some trouble in this matchup if they don’t play well. PICK: FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY.

District 29 @ Stoney Creek

ROCHESTER vs Utica Eisenhower

The Falcons are playing with house money in the district final after upsetting Utica. The Eagles are fresh off an upset win over Stoney Creek. Whoever plays the most lose and under control will win this game. Utica Eisenhower has a ton of talent and height but Rochester has a ton of heart. I think coach Bill Thurston’s squad wins this one this evening. PICK: ROCHESTER.

Top Games This Week. Boys and Girls Basketball Top 21.

Written Saturday February 29th at 10:00 AM

Boys Top 21

1. Clarkston (17-1): Wolves have been rolling lately.

2. Troy (15-3): Colts control the White as we speak.

3. Ferndale (8-9): Eagles have been off a week so nothing new.

4. West Bloomfield (8-9): I think the Lakers can give Waterford Mott problems in districts.

5. North Farmington (12-6): Raiders have to move on from Friday and get ready for districts.

6. Troy Athens (13-5): Red Hawks control the Blue thanks to Berkley’s stunning loss on Friday.

7. Stoney Creek (10-8): Trevor Smith has been playing really well for the Cougars.

8. Southfield Arts and Tech (13-5): Warriors have been struggling lately which is not good.

9. Farmington (8-10): Falcons have been getting ready for districts.

10. Berkley (13-5): Bears no longer control their own destiny in the Blue race.

11. Groves (9-10): Falcons have had Southfield Arts and Tech’s number lately.

12. Lake Orion (6-12): If the Dragons can finish then they will be fine.

13. Seaholm (10-8): Maples got a new lease on life in the Blue race.

14. Bloomfield Hills (6-13): Blackhawks have been having a ton of dramatics lately.

15. Oak Park (6-12): Knights are 1-7 in their last eight games.

16. Adams (6-11): Highlanders have allowed 144 points in two games, ouch.

17. Oxford (9-9): Wildcats have lost three straight games, that’s not good heading into districts.

18. Pontiac (7-8): Phoenix getting ready for districts.

19. Royal Oak (4-14): Ravens are getting ready for districts now.

20. Rochester (3-15): Falcons have really been struggling lately.

21. Avondale (1-17): Yellow Jackets have been struggling this year.

Girls Top 21

 1. Clarkston (16-4): Wolves got a great draw heading into districts.

2. West Bloomfield (14-6): Lakers better be careful of Waterford Mott in the district semifinals.

3. Avondale (15-5): Yellow Jackets have a nice path to the district final.

4. Troy (15-5): Colts need to use last season’s overtime loss to Utica as motivation this time around.

5. Southfield Arts and Tech (13-7): McEvans and Worthy need to be at their ABSOLUTE best if the Warriors want to make some noise.

6. Oak Park (13-6): It’s been a great year for the Knights but they have Detroit Renaissance first.

7. Berkley (15-4): Could the Bears give Birmingham Marian problems, it’s possible.

8. Adams (12-8): Highlanders better be careful of Oxford on Monday.

9. Royal Oak (9-11): If the Ravens want to make a run in districts they need someone to help Sarah Soraghan.

10. Troy Athens (13-7): Red Hawks must have watched the podcast from last week.

11. North Farmington (11-9): Raiders and Livonia Stevenson will be an interesting district semifinal.

12. Lake Orion (7-13): The Dragons will be dangerous for years to come.

13. Groves (10-10): Tough first round matchup looms for the Falcons.

14. Rochester (12-7): Falcons could be a team to watch in districts.

15. Stoney Creek (6-14): Cougars in a good spot heading into districts.

16. Oxford (6-14): Wildcats can play spoiler if they play like they did on Thursday night.

17. Bloomfield Hills (7-13): Tough first round matchup looms for the Blackhawks.

18. Seaholm (8-12): It’s going to be a tough task for the Maples on Monday.

19. Farmington (3-16): It’s going to be a tall order for the Falcons on Monday.

20. Ferndale (5-12): Eagles could give Detroit Cody problems in the district semifinals.

21. Pontiac (0-16): It’s been a tough year for the Phoenix.

Top Games (Boys)- March 3^rd thru March 5^th

Stoney Creek at Oxford (Monday): This is a rematch of a 51-42 Cougars win on January 31^st. Stoney Creek has struggled at Oxford in the past. The Wildcats have lost three straight games. It will also be an interesting individual matchup between Trevor Smith and Trey Townsend and a great coaching matchup between Steve Norgrove and Steve Laidlaw. Also it’s Oxford’s Senior Night and they are honoring seven seniors.

Oxford at Groves (Thursday): This is a rematch of a 51-47 Wildcats victory on February 4^th. The Falcons have been up and down lately while Oxford has lost three straight. It will be very interesting to see how both teams respond with tough districts looming.

Berkley at Stoney Creek (Thursday): The Bears are in an interesting spot as they have a non league game to close the season but it’s not an easy game. The Cougars are red hot especially with districts looming. This will be an interesting game to say the least.

Pontiac at Troy Athens (Tuesday): This is a rematch of a 68-60 Phoenix win on January 30^th. The Red Hawks control their own destiny in the Blue but Pontiac has had their number lately. Troy Athens has a golden opportunity awaiting them. If they win one game then they at least clinch a share of the Blue. It won’t be easy though.

Bloomfield Hills at North Farmington (Thursday): The Blackhawks have seemed to have gotten the best of the Raiders lately including a 66-65 overtime matchup that went Bloomfield Hills way on February 4^th. North Farmington has been wanting revenge since that game. The Blackhawks also went into North Farmington and beat them last season. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

Troy at Southfield Arts and Tech (Thursday): This is a rematch of a 66-59 Warriors win on February 4^th. Troy is in great shape to clinch the White while Southfield Arts and Tech has been struggling. It will be an interesting game to see where the Warriors are at especially with this losing skid they are on.

Troy Athens at Seaholm (Thursday): Seaholm has always been a tough place to play which makes Tuesday’s game important for the Red Hawks but if they lose to Pontiac then this game would be for the Blue title. This is a rematch of a 48-42 Troy Athens win on February 4^th. It will be very interesting to see what happens in this game.

West Bloomfield at Ferndale (Thursday): This is a rematch of a 70-67 Eagles win on February 4^th in the Swamp. Ferndale has not played in a couple of weeks so it will be interesting to see how they respond. West Bloomfield hasn’t been the greatest on the road though either.

Holly at Royal Oak (Tuesday): This is an interesting matchup for the Ravens as they see a new opponent in Holly. The Bronchos are a well-coached team under Coach Steve DeHart. DeHart is known in the OAA as he was at Lake Orion for a time. It’s going to be a tough matchup for Royal Oak as they get ready for districts.

North Farmington at Oak Park (Tuesday): The month of February has not been kind to the Knights and they get an angry Raiders squad who just lost to Clarkston. This is a rematch of a 65-50 Raiders win on January 30^th. It will be interesting since the game is at Oak Park but the gym though is similar to North Farmington’s gym.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central at Oak Park (Thursday): This is a game that the Knights picked up late to get a 20^th game. Oak Park has been struggling but so has Novi Detroit Catholic Central. The Shamrocks are a young team this season but they have a good coach in Brendan Sinawi. It will be very interesting to see how the Knights respond heading into this game but it can also help them to get to know the Catholic League considering that Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit is their first round game.

Southfield Arts and Tech at Farmington (Tuesday): This is a rematch of a 66-65 Warriors win over the Falcons on January 30^th. Both of these teams are limping into districts. Whoever wins this game will need it especially since both teams play on Monday against tough opponents.

Girls are in districts.

Boys Basketball District Matchups Announced.

Written Sunday February 23rd at 11:10 AM
Updated Saturday March 7th at 11:00 AM

Hello everyone last week the girls district draws were released. Here are the boys draws that were released this morning.

It will also be on the ONTV blog as well and there will be a podcast talking about the draws on the following day.

Underlined: Seeded

District 5 @ Clarkston

ADAMS vs CLARKSTON

ADAMS/CLARKSTON vs OXFORD

LAKE ORION vs Romeo

LAKE ORION/Romeo vs Waterford Kettering

PROJECTED District Final: Clarkston vs Lake Orion

BEST GAME IN DISTRICT: Lake Orion vs Romeo

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Romeo

PLAYER TO WATCH: Dylan Boedigheimer-Lake Orion

CHAMPION: Clarkston

Thoughts: This is in all reality the same district as last season except that Lake Orion and Oxford switched places in the bracket. The Dragons and Clarkston got great draws in their respective district parings while Adams and the Wildcats got terrible draws having to play the Wolves in the pre-district and district semifinals respectably. The Highlanders upset Clarkston 38-37 last season in the pre-district at Lake Orion. Adams is a much different team than they were last season. The winner will see Oxford in the district semifinals. The Wildcats finished 10-10 this season but they have both Zach and Trey Townsend along with a talented supporting cast. Lake Orion and Romeo is going to be a very interesting game as both teams look very similar on paper and have almost identical records. I think strength of schedule will play a huge role in that game (Lake Orion has played a much tougher schedule than Romeo.) Whoever wins the Dragons/Bulldogs matchup will get Waterford Kettering in the district semifinals. Both teams match up really well with the Captains as Waterford Kettering has had a miserable season despite having Bennie Krenshaw. Whoever gets to the district finals will likely see Clarkston. I think if it’s Lake Orion it will be very interesting but anyone else it could get ugly. I see the Wolves moving onto the next round.

District 6 @ West Bloomfield

PONTIAC vs Orchard Lake St. Marys

PONTIAC/Orchard Lake St Marys vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

AVONDALE vs Waterford Mott

AVONDALE/Waterford Mott vs WEST BLOOMFIELD

PROJECTED District Final: Orchard Lake St Marys vs West Bloomfield

BEST GAME IN DISTRICT: Waterford Mott vs West Bloomfield

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Waterford Mott

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jack Crighton-Orchard Lake St. Marys

CHAMPION: Orchard Lake St. Marys

Thoughts: There will be a ton of star power occurring on the gray top. Waterford Mott has Isaiah Jackson and DaMarion Bonds, West Bloomfield has Michael Seay, Ryan Hurst, Shameer Mathews, Kenndi Marion, Travis Reece, and Kipras Blaxevicius, Bloomfield Hills has Mason Canfield, Collin Hecker, and Noah Adamcyzk, and Orchard Lake St. Marys has Kareem Rosier, Jason Drake, Julian Rosier, Peter Nwoke, and Lorne Bowman. On the matchup side of things, I thought that Orchard Lake St. Marys got an excellent draw. The Eaglets won the Catholic League crown this season and has given Clarkston their only loss this season. I don’t see them getting tested by Pontiac despite the season the Phoenix are having in the pre-district. I think the Eaglets will get tested by Bloomfield Hills in the district semifinal pending if the Blackhawks play well. On the other side of the bracket, Waterford Mott should have no problem with Avondale in the pre-district but the game to watch is the district semifinal between West Bloomfield and the Corsairs. I think this will be a great game and there are a ton of storylines along with a great coaching matchup between Jeremy Dehna and Todd Cobert. The Lakers have the depth, home court, and athleticism to give Waterford Mott problems. I see this game likely heading to the buzzer. In the district final whoever Orchard Lake St. Marys gets whether it’s the Corsairs or West Bloomfield, I see their talent overcoming that and getting to the regionals.

District 25 @ Farmington

FARMINGTON vs Birmingham Brother Rice

FARMINGTON/Birmingham Brother Rice vs SEAHOLM

GROVES vs SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH

GROVES/SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs NORTH FARMINGTON

PROJECTED District Final: Birmingham Brother Rice vs North Farmington

BEST GAME IN THIS DISTRICT: Groves vs Southfield Arts and Tech

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Birmingham Brother Rice

PLAYER TO WATCH: Basheer Jihad-North Farmington

CHAMPION: North Farmington

Thoughts: I read MIPrepZone’s Scott Burnstein’s thoughts on this district and I agree with him, this district at Farmington could be the toughest in the State. There are five quality squads that have shots to win this district. When I look at the matchups, I thought that Birmingham Brother Rice and North Farmington got great draws in this district. Farmington who won the White this season but they do not match up very well with the Warriors especially in the interior. That winner will see Seaholm. The Maples have not played the competition the rest of the district has this season with them being in the Blue. They got a horrible draw despite having the bye and they are coming off blowing an 18 point third quarter lead against Troy Athens. Groves and Southfield Arts and Tech have had classic battles in the past and this season with the Falcons winning both meetings despite the Warriors being seeded. I see another instant classic brewing between Groves and Southfield Arts and Tech after the Warriors needed a 23-6 fourth quarter to beat Troy and sweep the season series. That winner will see North Farmington who is a juggernaut in their own right. The Raiders are solid as we know. I see a North Farmington/Birmingham Brother Rice district final. If this district were on any other court besides Farmington or North Farmington, I would give the slight edge to Coach Rick Palmer’s team but because of court size I give the edge to Coach Todd Negoshian’s crew.

District 26 @ Detroit Mumford

OAK PARK vs Detroit University Detroit-Jesuit

OAK PARK/Detroit University Detroit Jesuit vs Detroit Renaissance

BERKLEY vs Detroit Mumford

BERKLEY/Detroit Mumford vs ROYAL OAK

PROJECTED District Final: Berkley vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

BEST GAME IN THIS DISTRICT: Berkley vs Detroit Mumford

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Detroit Mumford

PLAYER TO WATCH: Ari Belshinsky-Berkley

CHAMPION: Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

Thoughts: When looking at this district, it’s very interesting. I see four teams having great shots to win this district. I thought Berkley got a great draw even though they will see Detroit Mumford first on their home floor in the pre-district. I have like the Bears this season, they have enough talent and experience to make a run in this district pending if they get past the host Mustangs then they could be likely playing on Friday. I just can't see Royal Oak making any noise in this district. The Ravens have been up and down this season even though their strength is in the interior, they don't matchup really well with either Detroit Mumford or Berkley. On the other side of the district there is Oak Park and Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit. They are no strangers to each other in the postseason. I thought the Knights got a really bad draw with having the play the Cubs first in the pre-district. Oak Park has really struggled in February (1-6 in the month and 2-8 since January 30th.) That's not a good omen heading into the postseason. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit is a young team but they are having a good season in the always tough Catholic League and are well coached under Coach Pat Donnelly. Detroit Renaissance is the wildcard in this district as they are a sleeper in this district and could give either Oak Park or Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit some issues. I see a Bears/Cubs district final based on how the bracket played out but at the end of the day I think experience and talent favors Detroit-University-Detroit Jesuit.

District 29 @ Rochester

Utica vs STONEY CREEK

Utica/STONEY CREEK vs ROCHESTER

Utica Eisenhower vs TROY

PROJECTED District Final: Troy vs Stoney Creek

BEST GAME IN THE DISTRICT: Stoney Creek vs Utica

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Stoney Creek

PLAYER TO WATCH: D'Anthony Hamilton-Troy

CHAMPION: Troy

Thoughts: This is a very interesting district. I thought Troy got a great draw by getting the top seed and getting Utica Eisenhower who has been struggling this season in the district semifinals. The Colts did not have a good week as they saw their White title hopes dashed. They were upset by Adams and was outscored 23-6 in the fourth quarter in a loss to Southfield Arts and Tech which swept them this season. Stoney Creek got an interesting draw as they are the number two seed despite having to play three games however the Cougars have been red hot lately which includes wins over Southfield Arts and Tech, Oxford, Berkley, and Adams. Coach Steve Norgrove's team should be motivated after losing 49-48 to Utica last season in heartbreaking fashion as turnovers doomed them in the district semifinals at Utica. The Chieftains and Cougars look eventually matched on paper based on their records. The winner will see Rochester in the district semifinals. I’m seeing Stoney Creek getting their revenge on Utica and for them to get past Rochester to get to Troy in the district final. I think Troy is going to be too much for the Cougars in this district.

District 30 @ Utica Ford

Sterling Heights vs TROY ATHENS

Sterling Heights/TROY ATHENS vs Chippewa Valley

Sterling Heights Stevenson vs Utica Ford

PROJECTED District Final: Troy Athens vs Utica Ford

BEST GAME IN THE DISTRICT: Troy Athens* vs Chippewa Valley

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Utica Ford

PLAYER TO WATCH: Matt Skiba-Utica Ford

CHAMPION: Troy Athens

Thoughts: I thought Troy Athens has it very choppy by getting the number two seed in this district but they did win the Blue this season. The Red Hawks got a tough matchup with a Sterling Heights squad that is a match up nightmare for anyone. Despite the record, the Stallions are going to give Troy Athens problems especially with their 2-3 matchup zone. It is also an interesting coaching matchup between Coach Dave Scott and Coach Mike Griffin. Griffin knows the OAA very well coaching Girls Basketball at Lake Orion for a year before going back to Sterling Heights to rebuild the Stallions Boys basketball program. The winner of that game will see Chippewa Valley in the district semifinals. The Big Reds have an upset win over Macomb Dakota in the regular season. On the other side of the district, I thought Utica Ford got a great draw. The Falcons are having a great season earning the top seed in the district and they have experience along with home court. Utica Ford also plays a struggling Sterling Heights Stevenson squad that had it's fair share of ups and downs. I think the Red Hawks have just enough to get to the district final and should see the Falcons in the district final. Strength of schedule is very important as well. It's one of the reasons why Troy Athens got the number two seed in this district. I see the Red Hawks moving on but the road is very murky.

District 58 @ Ferndale

Detroit Old Redford vs Detroit Communication Media Arts

Detroit Old Redford/Detroit Communication Media Arts vs Detroit Cody

Ferndale University vs FERNDALE

PROJECTED District Final: Ferndale vs Detroit Communication Media Arts

BEST GAME IN THE DISTRICT: Ferndale vs Detroit Communication Media Arts

MOST LIKELY TO GET UPSET: Ferndale

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jaylen Daugherty-Ferndale

CHAMPION: Ferndale

Thoughts: I thought Ferndale got a great draw heading into the district along with having home court. They have played a really tough schedule especially in the non conference and out state along with being in the Red as well. The Eagles will see Ferndale University in the district semifinals. Ferndale has the top seed in ths district. If they can get by Ferndale University they could play the second seed in Detroit Communication Media Arts in the district final. The Pharaohs are no strangers to playing OAA teams this season (beat Farmington, lost to North Farmington.) They have played a very tough non league schedule along with playing in the Detroit Public School League. Detroit Communication of Media Arts are no strangers to playing at Ferndale earlier this season in the Motor City Roundball Classic in December. The Pharaohs will have to play an extra game in the district going up against Detroit Old Redford in the pre-district and if they get by that game then they will have Detroit Cody in the district semifinal. It will be a tough path for the Pharaohs if they want to see the Eagles in the district final. The lack of depth of Coach Juan Rickman’s team has me really concern moving forward.

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