Basketball Holiday Tournaments and Games.
Written Monday December 25th at 7:00 PM
This column will recap the classic games heading into the holidays. If there are any other games that are added between December 27th and December 30th please let me know. Coaches if you want to have comments on these games feel free to ask on X (Twitter.)
This blog will be frequently updated and will also be recapped on OAA Now.
All times are Approx Times, most of them will start later than scheduled.
Girls
Michigan Hardwood Classic @ Romulus
December 28th
FERNDALE vs Ann Arbor Pioneer-9:20 AM
The Eagles continue their tough stretch but the Pioneers have not been battle tested only playing three games but they have a tough loss to Livonia Stevenson. Ferndale has had a strong start for Coach Keith Paris. This should be a very interesting matchup to watch.
CLARKSTON vs Birmingham Detroit Country Day-4 PM
This is a rematch of a 58-47 Yellow Jackets win over the Wolves last season. Clarkston has been off to a strong start for Coach Aaron Goodnough with the play of Elliana Robak, Brooklyn Covert, and Emily Valencia and company. Birmingham Detroit Country has lost two straight games after a 4-0 start. This should be a very interesting game to watch that is for sure.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Chicago Wendell Phillips Academy, Illinois-7:20 PM
The Lakers haven’t played in a week after beating Chicago Butler Prep. Chicago Wendell Phillips Academy has been very tough and is one of the top schools in Illinois. West Bloomfield has a ton of proven experience with the Davis sisters, Destiny Washington, Sheridan Beal, and Kendall Hendrix and they are well coached under Coach Dareylle McAllister. This should be a very interesting game.
December 30th
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Utica Ford II-5:40 PM
The Lakers will have their second in state opponent in this matchup against the Falcons of Utica Ford II after playing Chicago Wendell Phillips Academy, Illlinos. They are well coached under Coach Matt Joseph but this is going to be a very difficult matchup for them with West Bloomfield playing at a high level heading into this matchup.
LBI Basketball Insider Winter Hoopfest at Wayne Memorial
FERNDALE vs Tecumseh-4 PM
The Eagles have played a game against Ann Arbor Pioneer but going up against Tecumseh could be very interesting. The Indians have been battle tested but not like Ferndale. The Eagles have played a very tough non conference. It should be a very interesting matchup to watch at Wayne Memorial.
Boys
Motor City Roundball at Ferndale
December 27th
ADAMS vs Grosse Pointe South-12:15 PM
The Highlanders will have their hands full with the Blue Devils. Grosse Pointe South already has wins over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Roseville. Their only two losses were to Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit and Warren Lincoln. Adams will need to be on if they want to win this game for Coach Isiah Novak.
OAK PARK vs Flint Hamady-3:20 PM
The Knights have been reeling losing two straight games. Flint Hamady is not an easy team with their two losses to Warren DeLaSalle and Flint Carman Ainsworth. The Hawks are solid despite their record, it’s going to be a tough matchup for Coach Durrand Sheppard and Oak Park.
FERNDALE vs Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit-7:55 PM
The Eagles have been reeling a little bit falling to West Bloomfield but they are still the defending Division Two State Champs. They have the Cubs who is coming off a win over Orchard Lake St. Marys. This will be a tough home contest for Coach Juan Rickman and Ferndale.
December 28th
AVONDALE vs FARMINGTON-12:15 PM
This is an OAA matchup in the Roundball between two teams that are similar. Both teams are very young and have star players with the Falcons in Greg Greys and the Yellow Jackets Justin Greer-Sykes. The coaching matchup between Jaret Thomas and Byron Johnson is very interesting as well. This should be a fun matchup between two young teams.
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs Dexter-1:50 PM
The Warriors have really been struggling this season under Coach Terrance Porter. They play a Dreadnoughts team that has been up and down with a win over Walled Lake Northern but have lost three straight games. This is a big game for Southfield Arts and Tech to see if they can get some momentum heading into next season.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Grand Rapids South Christian-6:25 PM
The Lakers are going to have a major test with the Sailors of Grand Rapids South Christian. Grand Rapids South Christian has several returners who played in the Division Four State Finals against Harper Woods and they fell to Ferndale in the Division Two State Finals last season. The Sailors want to use this game as a chance to get back at the OAA for two losses in the State Finals in football and boys basketball. Coach Arnette Jordan is going to have his hands full.
December 30th
PONTIAC vs Pontiac Notre Dame Prep-10:45 AM
This is a rivalry that is separated by a mile but they will be playing this game in Ferndale. The Fighting Irish have wins over Lake Orion, Detroit Loyola, and Walled Lake Central. They had a tough loss to Grosse Pointe South. The Phoenix are 1-4 in their last five games. This is going to be a rough matchup for Coach Andrew Myers and Pontiac.
HARPER WOODS vs Adrian-12:15 PM
The Pioneers have started to turn things around a little bit for Coach TaJuan Porter but they have a really difficult matchup with Adrian looming. The Maples are 6-1 and has scored 60 points as their lowest score with their only loss coming against Parma Western. Harper Woods is going to have their hands full that is for sure.
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Detroit Renaissance-1:50 PM
The Lakers would be heading back to Ferndale after their game against Grand Rapids South Christian. Detroit Renaissance would also had played Roseville prior to this game. The Phoenix have scored over 80 four times this season. This should be a very interesting matchup for Coach Arnette Jordan going up against a team he knows quite well.
GROVES vs Detroit Cass Tech-7:55 PM
The Falcons have been reeling losing four of their last five games but they still have Josh Gibson and Jon Simpson for Coach Marc West. Detroit Cass Tech has been rolling to a 5-0 start. The Technicians had a seven point win over Lansing Holt but they have gone over 60 points since and 80 points twice. This will be a tough matchup for Groves.
North Farmington Holiday Extravaganza at North Farmington
December 28th
TROY vs Detroit Edison- 2 PM
The Colts have been rolling since their loss to Berkley by winning five straight. Detroit Edison has been hot and cold lately. This should be a very interesting matchup for the Big Three of Mason Parker, Jon Whiteside, and Chase Kuiper for Coach Gary Fralick. Detroit Edison beat Oak Park and Harper Woods but Troy is a much different animal.
December 30th
AVONDALE vs Walled Lake Northern-2 PM
Ryan Negoshian is North Farmington Coach Todd Negoshian’s brother and he coaches at Walled Lake Northern. The Knights have been a proven program in the Lakes Valley Conference. The Yellow Jackets are getting there and improving under Coach Jaret Thomas. It will be a tough matchup for Avondale against a good Walled Lake Northern squad at North Farmington but Thomas has coached at that gym when he was at Adams. This should be a very interesting matchup to say the least.
NORTH FARMINGTON vs Flat Rock-8:30 PM
This should be a very interesting matchup of two teams that are on the rise with a team that is unbeaten while the other has one loss. The Raiders have been rolling and is getting better. The Rams have been off to a good start and was battle tested by Carleton Airport and their only loss being to River Rouge by three points. It will be a tough matchup in the final game of the Holiday Extravaganza and North Farmington has experience playing at 8:30 PM. It will be tough as mentioned.
St. Clair Community Classic Showcase at Port Huron
December 29th
TROY ATHENS vs St. Clair Shores Lakeview-12 PM
This should be a very interesting game between two teams that have winning records. The Huskies are 5-1 with their only loss being to St. Clair Shores Lake Shore. The Red Hawks have been up and down with losses to Howell and Lake Orion but they played well against Southfield Arts and Tech. This should be a fun matchup in Port Huron.
New Baltimore Anchor Bay Tournament @ New Baltimore Anchor Bay
December 27th
ROCHESTER vs Grosse Pointe North-5 PM
New Baltimore Anchor Bay vs Lakeland-6:30 PM
December 28th
Consolation Game-5 PM
Championship Game-6:30 PM
This should be a very interesting tournament in New Baltimore. Lakeland is the favorite along with Grosse Pointe North. The Falcons and the Tars are teams that could make some noise. Rochester is coming off a win over Pontiac. New Baltimore Anchor Bay does have a win over Stoney Creek. This should be very interesting but the Eagles stand as the early favorite to win this tournament.
Detroit Public School League Holiday Classic at Detroit Cass Tech
December 27th
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Detroit Central-12:45 PM
The Blackhawks have really struggled this season. They have scored over 55 or more points twice this season. The Trailblazers are off to a 4-3 start but have lost three straight and have allowed over 60 points. It should be a really big game for Bloomfield Hills and Coach Brian Canfield going up against a Detroit Central team that is reeling.
Other Games (All games at OAA sites)
December 28th
STONEY CREEK vs Sterling Heights-7 PM
The Cougars need a win in the worst way possible. They need to keep Tre Walker on the court. Sterling Heights has struggled this season but are 2-4 in their last six games. This is a perfect opportunity for Stoney Creek to get a win in the win column.
December 29th
ROYAL OAK vs Novi-7 PM
This is the Wildcats third OAA opponent this season going 1-1 after beating Berkley and falling to Troy. The Ravens has had a strong season but so has Novi. The Wildcats are a solid team and should test Coach Aaron Smith’s team.
FARMINGTON vs Redford Union-3 PM
The Falcons will be fresh off playing Avondale. Farmington has a good Redford Union team coming in for an afternoon tip off. The Panthers would have played Detroit Western the day before. Redford Union has won four of their last five games which should test the Falcons and Greg Greys.