Inside the OAA
Covering all 23 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each school from Northern Oakland County, Southern Oakland County, and one from Wayne County.
Monday, July 19, 2021
Boys Basketball Districts are Out 2022.
Written Monday July 19th at 6:00 PM
Hello everyone these are the Boys Basketball districts. Just like the girls coaches if you want to email me or DM me on Twitter feel free. Here are the districts. This blog will be updated often.
District 4 at Davison
OXFORD
Davison
Lapeer
Grand Blanc
Flint Kearsley
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Grand Blanc, 2. Davison.
FAVORITE: Grand Blanc
NEXT: Davison
DARKHORSE: Lapeer, Oxford.
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Logan Rozanski-Oxford.
INSIGHT: I went to Chicago Brothers Pizza in Lake Orion a few days ago to meet my good friend and owner Dan Brown and told him where his district looked like and he wasn’t happy and for good reason. This is as bad as it gets for Oxford having to go northwest into Genesee County for their district and not south with rivals Lake Orion and Clarkston. The Wildcats struggled a bit last season but they should be improved. They have Bryce Essman, Logan Rozanski, Alec Brown, and Mitchell Vivano coming back for Coach Steve Laidlaw and being a strong contender in the Blue this season. Looking at this district that features the defending Division One State Champs and the hosts whom should be very good after an offseason coaching transition. The Saginaw Valley League is going to be as tough as ever especially the Blue (South.) Grand Blanc has RJ Taylor, Ty Rogers, Bryce O’Mara, Kyle Deibis, Tae Boyd, among others coming back for Coach Michael Thomas. Davison won 11 games last season and could be Grand Blanc’s toughest challenger not only in the Saginaw Valley League but in this district as well. The Cardinals have Teon Armstrong, Jaylen Flowers, Erich Mullin, Landen Mullin, Jaxen Clark, Dane Coleman coming back along with newcomers James Cull and Jessie Cull for Coach Mike Williams. Williams comes to Davison from Flint Beecher where he led the Bucs to three State titles in Class C or Division Three. Lapeer is a very interesting team whom could be a spoiler come postseason time. They had a very good year winning eight games last season which included a upset of Davison. The Lightning have Jessie Johnston, Owen Hebbert, Zakery Olejniczak, Cole Bennett, Logan Dunbar, Brandan Pillar, Owen Boyle, and Kaleb Vanaman coming back for Coach Greg McGeary. Flint Kearsley won five games last season for Coach Paul Adas. The Hornets could be in the Flint Metro League title mix. It will be very interesting but it’s going to be a tough chore for Oxford especially with Davison and Grand Blanc having very strong teams and Lapeer is right in the mix with them.
District 5 at Romeo
LAKE ORION
ROCHESTER
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Adams, 2. Lake Orion.
FAVORITE: Adams
NEXT: Lake Orion
DARKHORSE: Rochester, Romeo.
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Matt Stone-Rochester.
INSIGHT: This is a very interesting district when looking at the teams. The early favorite is Adams with the move to play in the very tough Red this season. They had a strong year last season and will look to repeat and do better in a new division. The Highlanders have Justice Mims, Brady Prieskorn, Jon Ursuy, Peter Kardasis, Nick Paterra, and Jacob Durand for Coach Jaret Thomas. Lake Orion is in a very interesting spot being a strong contender in the White after sharing the Blue last season. The Dragons have Alden Ritt, Malachi Grandberry, CJ Witt, Trevor Witt, Jeff Perkowski, Blake Leidell, Nate Harvilla, and Brendan Smiley coming back for Coach Joel Schroeder. Rochester should be a darkhorse district contender. They certainly will be a contender in the Blue after winning the Gold last season. The Falcons are loaded in talent with Matt Stone, Preyston Schroyer, Connor Cracium, Aarman Hussaini, Gabe Mendoza, and Louis Bowes coming back for Coach Nick Evola. Stoney Creek lost a ton of talent last season but they have always had a solid program. The Cougars have Calvin Becker and Gage Beers coming back for Coach Steve Norgrove. Utica Eisenhower will be very interesting to watch. The Eagles have Braden Buza, Preston Crum, Jackson McHale, Ethan Barker, Matthew Elias, Kyle O’Reily, and Ethan Mychajulk for Coach Thomas Antishin in the Macomb Area Conference White. Romeo should be interesting to watch especially in the Macomb Area White and they have home court for the district. They have two proven veterans in Tim Kewley and Logan Rolfs but the Bulldogs have a young core in Matthew Plotz, Luke Rolfs, Aiden Tague, Josef Modlinski, Maxxium Quinn, and MaxQuire Quinn for Coach Marv Cushingberry. This district should very interesting to say the least.
District 6 at Waterford Mott
AVONDALE
CLARKSTON
PONTIAC
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clarkston, 2. Waterford Mott.
FAVORITE: Clarkston
NEXT: Waterford Mott
DARKHORSE: Pontiac
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Mike DePillo-Clarkston.
INSIGHT: This is a complete mismatch on paper when looking at the teams in this district. Waterford Mott is a very interesting team. They should be a Lakes Valley Conference contender and have home court for the district. The Corsairs have Eric Davis, Dajuantie Warren, Davon Warren, Juan Claudio, Kaleb Osborn, and Jake Konieczka for Coach Sean Moore. Waterford Kettering could be in some trouble this season. They lost a very talented player and one of the best to come out of Waterford Kettering in Bennie Krenshaw to graduation. Scoring is going to be a big time question mark. The Captains have some experience in Tommy Knibbs, Joe Acha, Brandon Wall, Trevor Donahue, Will Campbell, Zarek Zelinski, Chris Sanford, and Noah Khanuja coming back for Coach Michael Marek. Pontiac should be a very interesting team. They had lost three of four to close the season which cost them the Gold last season. They should be in the mix for the Gold this season. The Phoenix have Dioante Harris and Tyree Long coming back for Coach Dameon O’Neil. Avondale should be improved after a rough year last season. They could be a darkhorse in the Gold this season. The Yellow Jackets have Malik Adams, Abe Herra, Anthony Howard, Marshall Dennis, Aaris Gordon, Issac Gordon, and Darren Pagel coming back for Coach Pat Clancy. Clarkston should be the overwhelming favorite in this district and a possible darkhorse in the Red. The Wolves have a ton of experience in Keegan Waslik, Mike DePillo, Nathan Steinman, Desman Stephens, Zach Austin, and Brody Kosin coming back for Coach Tim Waslik. This district has blue and gold written all over it.
District 26 at Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK
BERKLEY
OAK PARK
Detroit Mumford
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit, 2. Detroit Renaissance.
FAVORITE: Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit
NEXT: Detroit Renaissance
DARKHORSE: Oak Park, Berkley.
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Sonny Wilson-Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit.
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district at Royal Oak. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit has to be the favorite and for good reason. They play in the always tough Catholic League and went to the regional finals last season where they fell in a tough one to Warren DeLaSalle. The Cubs have proven experience in Sonny Wilson, Charles Turner, Zavier Banks, among others coming back for Coach Pat Donnelly. Detroit Renaissance struggled in the Detroit Public School League despite making the district finals last season. They should be in the mix in the Detroit Public School League and in the district this season. The Phoenix has Juwan Massey and Donald Watts coming back for Coach John White this season. Oak Park has really improved which showed in the regular season which included a upset Clarkston. They made some mistakes in their really tough double overtime loss to Detroit University-Jesuit in the district semifinals last season. The Knights could be a darkhorse in the Red and in the district this season. Oak Park has a ton of proven experience in Bwada Miller, Ashton Henderson, and Derald Blackmon coming back for Coach Durand Sheppard. Royal Oak has really struggled with four straight losing seasons despite being in the Gold. The Ravens have proven experience in Dylan Hoffman, Camden Clark, Jackson Gilbert, Jessie Hoisington, and Colton Champion coming back for Coach Aaron Smith. Detroit Mumford should be interesting to keep close watch. The Mustangs won eight games for Coach Anthony White last season. Berkley lost a ton of experience from last season which normally is hard but not for the Bears. They have program strength with their junior varsity going unbeaten and their freshman program was not bad last season. This is the reason why they could be one of the favorites in the Blue this season for Coach Joe Sermo. This should be very interesting as mentioned to watch.
District 27 at TBA
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Livonia Stevenson
Redford Thurston
PROJECTED MPR: 1. North Farmington, 2. Livonia Stevenson.
FAVORITE: North Farmington
NEXT: Livonia Stevenson
DARKHORSE: Farmington
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Jasper Beeler-North Farmington.
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district whomever hosts it. Livonia Stevenson is an interesting team to watch not only in the district but in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East division as well. The Spartans won 13 games but lost a ton of experience last season. Livonia Stevenson has Joey Harper, Kenoly Jones, Zack Mikoncyzk, and Charles Asamoah coming back for Coach Eoghann Stephens. Redford Thurston struggled in 2020. They won five games last season but had a young group. The Eagles should be improved for Coach Brian Bates. Southfield Arts and Tech had things very rough winning five games last season but should be a contender in the Blue this season. They lost a ton of talent from last season which is very concerning. The Warriors have Craig Hayes coming back for Coach Darreyle Buchanan. Farmington took another offseason hit for the second straight season. They saw Coach Terrance Porter leave the program this offseason. The Falcons have Prince Jackson and Robert Davis coming back but they don’t have a new coach yet and to make things worse they are in the Red. It could be a very challenging season for Farmington. North Farmington is very interesting heading into this season. They should be the early favorite in this district and is a possible darkhorse in the Red. The Raiders missed out on the postseason because of COVID-19 protocols last season. North Farmington lost a ton of experience from last season but this is always been a program that always reloads with proven experience and coaching. The Raiders have Jasper Beeler, Landon Williams, PJ Gardner, and Aaron Rice coming back for Coach Todd Negoshian. This district should be very interesting to watch no matter whom hosts the district.
District 28 at West Bloomfield
GROVES
SEAHOLM
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Birmingham Brother Rice
FAVORITE: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
NEXT: Birmingham Brother Rice
DARKHORSE: Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Curtis Blackwell-Birmingham Brother Rice
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district at West Bloomfield which features two Catholic League teams, a Red, two White, and a Blue program in this district. Orchard Lake St. Marys is the early favorite because of the proven experience and the two players they brought into the school. They made the Division One State Quarterfinals falling to Grand Blanc which ended up winning the Division One State championship. This is a program that has a ton of expectations and this season is nothing different. The Eaglets have Kareem Rozier, Jack Crighton, Armon Rollins, Daniel Smythe, and DeCorion Temple coming back for Coach Todd Covert. They added newcomers Javaughn Hannah and Trey McKenny. Hannah comes to Orchard Lake St. Marys from Spire Academy in Ohio while McKenny played in the Flint area. Birmingham Brother Rice had a resurgence by winning eight games but they fell to Catholic League rival Warren DeLaSalle in the regional semifinals last season. The Warriors have a really talented team in Curtis Blackwell, Xavier Thomas, Henry Garrity, and John Blackwell coming back for Coach Ricky Palmer. Bloomfield Hills should the wildcard in this district because they are more than capable of beating someone in this district. The Blackhawks are one of the favorites in the White. They have Noah Adamcyzk, Derrick Lee, Carson Brodsky, Mohammad Farhani, Nash Gilbert, among others for Coach Phil Kurajian. West Bloomfield has home court and a very talented squad this season. The Lakers whom are in the Red have Mitchell Seay and Ryan Hurst for Coach Jeremy Dehna. Groves should be an interesting team in the White and this district. They almost beat Birmingham Brother Rice in the district final on their home floor last season. The Falcons have Aaron DuBose and Nick Lutz coming back for Coach Benny White. Seaholm could have some struggles in the Blue this season. They had their fair share of struggles last season. The Maples have John Chinonis coming back for Coach Mike DeGeeter. This district has fun written all over it.
District 29 at Troy
TROY
TROY ATHENS
Warren DeLaSalle
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
Warren Woods Tower
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Warren DeLaSalle, 2. Troy Athens.
FAVORITE: Warren DeLaSalle
NEXT: Troy Athens
DARKHORSE: Troy
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Darius Whiteside-Troy.
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district at Troy with a White, a Blue, a Catholic League, and three Macomb Area Conference teams. The Colts lost a ton of talent from last season and is in the White. They have home court which should help things. Troy has Darius Whiteside coming back to help a very young team for Coach Gary Fralick. Warren DeLaSalle should be the favorite coming into this district. They are a possible sleeper in the Catholic League contending with the likes of Orchard Lake St. Marys, Birmingham Brother Rice, and Novi Detroit Catholic Central. The Pilots are loaded and talented after making the Division One State Semifinals falling to Ann Arbor Huron. They have Triston Nicols, Nino Smith, Jacob Yanachik, and Caleb Reese coming back for Coach Gjon Djokaj. Troy Athens is in a very interesting spot being a sleeper in the Blue and the district. The Red Hawks have Jonah Botardo, Christian Jemmona, Andre Shelton, and Jordan Sebaugh coming back for Coach Dave Scott. Warren Cousino had it very rough in which they won two games last season. The Patriots have Kobe Armstrong, Carson Dych, Julian Rice, Sha Preme Maki, Jacob Lifshay, Nick Rosati, and Justin Lifshay coming back for Coach Joe Kohl. Warren Woods Tower is an interesting team. They won six games last season. The Titans have Xzavion Allen, Corey Charleston, Christopher Kyles, Antuan Marsh, Cartier Whitaker, Jermaine Woods, and Stephen Young coming back for Coach Jason Henshaw. Warren Mott really struggled in 2021 by winning one game last season. The Marauders have Jayden Hardimen coming back for Coach Jeffery Olind. As mentioned, I think this is a three team district as we speak.
District 58 at Birmingham Detroit Country Day
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Detroit Jalen Rose Academy
Detroit Old Redford Academy
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Ferndale, 2. Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
FAVORITE: Ferndale
NEXT: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
DARKHORSE: Ferndale University
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Jason Drake-Ferndale
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district when looking at the teams. Ferndale went to the Division Two State Semifinals only to fall to Grand Rapids Catholic Central last season. The Eagles should have a really strong season in the Red. They could have a deep postseason run again this season. Ferndale has Treyvon Lewis, Cameron Reed, Chris Williams, and Jason Drake coming back for Coach Juan Rickman. Ferndale University had a rough year despite not winning a game in the Gold in their first year in the OAA last season. The Eagles has proven experience in Semaj McGhee, Zach Sillah, Rasheed Jones, Aaron Tucker, Javon Sanders, and John King coming back. They don’t have a coach as of yet. It was a really down year for Birmingham Detroit Country Day in 2020. They won four games last season. The Yellow Jackets have a ton of proven experience in Kareem Aburashed and Julian Scott coming back for Coach Mike Bray along with home court for the district. Detroit Old Redford didn’t field a team last season. Detroit Jalen Rose Academy won four games last season for Coach Eugene North. This is looking like a three team district but Ferndale looks very good.
District 60 at Eastpointe
HARPER WOODS
Detroit Denby
Detroit Osborn
Eastpointe
Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy
St. Clair Shores South Lake
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 2. Harper Woods.
FAVORITE: Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy
NEXT: Harper Woods
DARKHORSE: Eastpointe
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Julian Young-Harper Woods
INSIGHT: This is not a strong district when looking at the teams at Eastpointe. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy won 13 games but COVID-19 protocols derailed things and forced them to forfeit their regional final against Ferndale last season. They will have a new coach coming into the program this season but have always have had very strong teams. There are some questions surrounding the Eagles. Detroit Osborn had things very rough in 2021. They won one game last season for Coach Laurence Stewart. The Knights should be better this season. Eastpointe is a very interesting team in which they won 11 games last season. The Shamrocks will have a new coach and have home court this season. St. Clair Shores South Lake should be very interesting to keep an eye on. The Cavaliers won seven games last season for Coach Kurt Wilson. Detroit Denby should be improved after having a challenging season. The Tars won five games last season for Coach Kevin Woodmore. Harper Woods is in a very interesting spot coming into the OAA for their first season. They are expected to be a contender in the Gold. The Pioneers have Julian Young, DeAndre Williams, Marquise Kelly, Rozell Mathews, Isiah Lewis, and Quincy Dickinson coming back even though they will have a new coach. The Pioneers and the Eagles are going the teams to beat in this district.