by orionontv | Jan 29, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Girls Basketball Districts Are Out-2024.
Written Tuesday June 20th at 9:20 AM
Updated Sunday January 28th at 10:40 AM
This article will be updated very often. Coaches including those are not in the OAA, if you want your thoughts on your district for the blog, please DM me on Twitter or email me.
Here is the districts.
District 60 @ Harper Woods Chandler Park
HARPER WOODS
Harper Woods Chandler Park
Eastpointe
Detroit Denby Tech
Detroit East English Village Prep
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Harper Woods, 2. Harper Woods Chandler Park
FAVORITE: Harper Woods
NEXT: Harper Woods Chandler Park
DARKHORSE: Detroit East English Village Prep
PLAYER ON SPOT: Clearia Peterson-Harper Woods
THOUGHTS: This district should be much easier for the Pioneers coming back from Division One to Division Two this season. The familiarity should help Harper Woods knowing the district is in the city of Harper Woods even though it’s not at Harper Woods High School. The Pioneers won 12 games last season and will look for more this season. They have Clearia Peterson, Laniaya West, Mikyra Kelly, Tamina Montgomery, Autumn Trotter, and Kendall Kelsey coming back for new coach LaTonya Tate. Detroit East English Village Prep won 13 games last season for Coach Michelle Goodwin. Detroit Denby really struggled last season. They will have a new coach in Quintelle Foster taking over the program. Eastpointe won four games last season for Coach Deon Woods. Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy won 14 games last season for Coach Omar Ahart. This district looks like it should be a two team race between the Pioneers and the Eagles but Detroit East English Village Prep could be a sleeper in this district.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: I don’t really see any changes. Harper Woods is the top seed in this district despite playing eight games. Harper Woods Chandler Park has the best shot to overcome the Pioneers. Detroit East English Village Prep, Eastpointe, and Detroit Denby look like they have locked the seeds up for now. Overall as mentioned no changes.
District 58 @ Birmingham Detroit Country Day
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Detroit Lincoln King Academy
Detroit Henry Ford
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, 2. Ferndale
FAVORITE: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
NEXT: Ferndale
DARKHORSE: Detroit Henry Ford
PLAYER ON SPOT: Ariyanna Wiggins-Birmingham Detroit Country Day
THOUGHTS: This is not a really strong district on paper. Birmingham Detroit Country Day won 18 games last season and is the favorite in this district. The Yellow Jackets have Ariyanna Wiggins, Ayaana Hai, Julia Younes, Sadie Rifkin, Jaidyn Elam, Peja Liles, Emma Arico, Jayla Jackson, and Naiya Krispin coming back for Coach Amber Deane. Detroit Henry Ford went from Division One to Division Two. The Trojans won four games for Coach Chevelle O’Brien last season. Detroit Lincoln King won six games for Coach Eric Boyles last season. Ferndale made a ton of strides winning eight games last season. They will look to have more success this season. The Eagles have Trinity Bennett, Jada Buchanan, Madiah Clark, Alia Herron, Ja’Nyia Larry, Jayla Jackson, Lily Bowson, Iyanna Davis, Demi Bolton, Aaliyah Frost, Jai’la Martin, Isabella Mendoza, and Jayla Pouncy coming back for Coach Keith Paris. Ferndale University really struggled last season. The Eagles have Laressa Brogdon, Lemia Butler, Terrionna Davis, Brooklyn Gray, Tyla Jacon-Parish, JonNae Kitchen, Kayla Lewis, Nakyra Montgomery, and Leanna Spencer coming back for Coach Brianna Rowe. This district overall looks like its Birmingham Detroit Country Day’s district to lose.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: This district has a ton of changes. Birmingham Detroit Country Day has locked up the top seed in the district but the two seed looks very tight. Detroit Henry Ford is off to a torrid start and hasn’t lost yet, they hold the two seed for now. Ferndale has played a brutal schedule and despite all their success they have the three seed. Detroit Lincoln King Academy has won nine games and is the four seed. Out of these three teams, I think Ferndale has the best chance to get the two seed in this district. Ferndale University is out of it right now when it comes to seeding. Overall this district hasn’t changed but it has gotten much tighter for the two seed.
District 32 @ Grand Blanc
OXFORD
Davison
Grand Blanc
Lapeer
Holly
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Grand Blanc, 2. Oxford
FAVORITE: Oxford
NEXT: Grand Blanc
DARKHORSE: Lapeer
PLAYER ON SPOT: Alison Hufstedler-Oxford
THOUGHTS: This district might be the best chance for Oxford to make some noise. The Wildcats are in the Red and have proven talent in Peyton Richter, Allison Hufstedler, Sophia Rabb, Emma Beggs, Braydee Elling, and Lexi Yankee coming back for Coach Rachel Bryer. Grand Blanc has beaten the Wildcats the last three years in the postseason. The Bobcats have Chelsea Bishop, Lauren Piscopink, Raven McQueen, and Mayla Brown coming back for new coach Bob Taylor. Davison really struggled winning seven games last season but there has been some hype surrounding the Cardinals with the proven experience and what they have done this summer. The Cardinals have Paige Allis, Mayae Carradine, Grace Little, Lillian Kish, Gracie Wright, Marionna Dixon, Samantha Beller, Brooke Pizzala, and Lily Morey coming back for Coach Lauhnna McMahan. Lapeer won seven games last season. The Lightning have Sephora Miller, Madison White, Lilly Young, Carley Hoover, Hannah Dennis, Alexis Norman, and Madison Spanicciatti coming back for Coach Evan Bell. Holly really struggled winning three games last season. The Bronchos have Mallory Hall and Adel Hoglund coming back for Coach Ben Varner. Overall this district looks like a two maybe three team district but this could be the Wildcats best chance as mentioned.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: This district has no changes. Grand Blanc holds the top seed while Oxford is locked at the two seed. Davison, Holly, and Lapeer have really struggled this season also the Wildcats own a win over the Cardinals. The Lightning also have a win over Davison as well. Overall as mentioned no need to change anything.
District 29 @ Waterford Mott
LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON
PONTIAC
Waterford Kettering
Waterford Mott
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clarkston, 2. Lake Orion
FAVORITE: Lake Orion
NEXT: Clarkston
DARKHORSE: No One
PLAYER ON SPOT: Izzy Wotlinski-Lake Orion
THOUGHTS: This is the same district as last season when Lake Orion won the district crown at Clarkston 54-52 last season. This district could have the same story but different venue. Waterford Kettering really struggled last season. The Captains have Avery Topinka, Elle Dropps, Lourdes Hale, Jaiden Brady, Isabella Labo, Kylee Nickerson, and Nora Hernandez coming back for new coach and former Oakland University mens basketball standout Rawle Marshall. Waterford Mott will be a very interesting team. The Corsairs have Marissa Trevino, Karli Koskinen, Kate Saunders, Natalia Santia, Ahmya Gulley, and Julianna Lemus coming back for new coach Andy Wellman. Pontiac was very young last season with seven freshmen now sophomores led by Aniyah Shaw, Isisas Shaw, and Carroll Hunt coming back. The Phoenix should be better for Coach Corray Lett. Clarkston is a very interesting team with some proven talent despite being young and not having a ton of size. The Wolves have Elliana Robak, Emily Valencia, Claire Walker, Marley Mazur, Kierra Zorski, Lauren Fishtaller, Ellery Hernandez, and Ella Morgner coming back while Brooklyn Covert and Lexi Fry could make their names known as freshmen for Coach Aaron Goodnough. Lake Orion graduated nine seniors from a team that went to the regional final last season but four players remain from the team that won the district crown either last season or two years ago. They could be very interesting to watch this season. The Dragons have Izzy Wotlinski, Lexi Stroschein, Charlotte Peplowski, and Ryann Pawlacyzk coming back. They added a transfer in Neveah Wood and Ellie Britt returned this offseason for Coach Bob Brydges. Wood and Wotlinski are coming back from ACL injuries. If Brydges can put the pieces together then the Dragons could be right where they need to be. Overall not a ton of changes, this district still looks like it should be a blue and gold vs green and white district final.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: This district has no changes in the favorite and next column although did make a change for MPR purposes to accommodate Clarkston’s win over Lake Orion. The story in that game was the first quarter when the Wolves blitzkrieg the Dragons. Clarkston has the top seed because of that win over Lake Orion and their non conference wins look stronger at the moment but Lake Orion still has a chance to catch them if they can get off of this rut they’re in. Looking at the eyeball test between the Wolves and the Dragons, Lake Orion won the remaining quarters of that game against Clarkston which is why there are no changes to the favorite and next lines. The Dragons has not been clicking on all cylinders which is why they are the two seed right now. A lot can change between now and March, Clarkston still has to go to Lake Orion which should be very interesting. I would take the Dragons over the Wolves despite their issues on a neutral site. Waterford Mott, Waterford Kettering, and Pontiac have no shot at overtaking the big two. No changes as mentioned to this district, I still think when clicking on all cylinders, Lake Orion’s is still the team to beat despite their rut. Overall no changes.
District 28 @ Troy Athens
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
TROY
TROY ATHENS
AVONDALE
SEAHOLM
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Bloomfield Hills, 2. Seaholm
FAVORITE: Bloomfield Hills
NEXT: Seaholm
DARKHORSE: Troy
PLAYER ON SPOT: Olivia Sprangler-Troy
THOUGHTS: This should be a wide open district at Troy Athens. Bloomfield Hills has been rising each year winning the Blue last season. This might be the best chance for the Blackhawks to win a district.”Bloomfield Hills will be the team to beat” said new Troy Girls Basketball Coach Laura Guzman. The Blackhawks have Ruby Smith, Ashley Forner, Brianna Young, and Michelle Barnett coming back for Coach Kristen Massey. Troy was very young last season. “I think the girls at Troy are eager to learn” said Guzman. The Colts have Diamond Prince, Reagan Zeiter, Olivia Sprangler, Aly Matuza, Kelsey Block, Victoria Siegan, Carly Blair, Sophia Kaltsounis, and Carly Higginbottom coming back for Guzman. “I think sleeper is the best way to describe the girls” Guzman added. Avondale was very young last season but they made a splash this offseason with Morgan McPherson transferring from Adams. The Yellow Jackets have Madison Manyweathers, Amaria Daniel, Trenitee Carroll, Sasha McClellan, Khalia Bradley, and Arielle Dudley coming back for Coach Roy Christmon. Troy Athens has been an up and down team with injuries really derailing them last season. The Red Hawks have Abby Malone, Katy Keller, Ava Laurer, Kayci Mercier, and Alex Link coming back for Coach Stacie Klumpp. Seaholm has been a team that has had their ups and downs. The Maples have a ton of proven experience in Mary Wiltgen, Mary Gumbis, Clara Guffey, Addy Kitzman, Emma Weber, Taylor Hartwig, and Addy Flynn coming back for Coach Shay Manchester. Overall this is a wide open district, anyone can take this district that is for sure.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: The MPR in this district looks very tight at the moment. Seaholm and Bloomfield Hills are neck and neck for the top two seeds and these two play each other twice. Troy and Troy Athens are right there in the mix and they play each other twice as well. Troy is playing their best basketball right now which has to please Coach Laura Guzman. Troy Athens has also played very well. Seaholm is coming off two monster wins and controls it’s destiny. Bloomfield Hills has finally snapped out of it’s rut. Avondale has really struggled but when healthy they are dangerous. This should be a fun district, overall no changes but this district could have a ton of movement between now and March.
District 27 @ Stoney Creek
ADAMS
STONEY CREEK
ROCHESTER
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Stoney Creek. 2. Rochester
FAVORITE: Stoney Creek
NEXT: Rochester
DARKHORSE: Romeo
PLAYER ON SPOT: Merrick Schlawbach-Stoney Creek
THOUGHTS: This district should be very interesting when looking at the teams. It is the same as last season when Rochester won the district crown. Utica Eisenhower has Devyn Raymond, Brooke Nicholson, Ava Gojcaj, Mariana Stojcevski, Gabriella Gojcaj, Paige Hays, Abby Nezich, and Abby Klaft coming back for Coach Cliff Piper. Romeo won 12 games last season. The Bulldogs have Clare Carmody, Abigail Ganfield, Lydia Hall, Anna Iwanicki, Jacqueline LeBlanc, Mya Muschong, Emily Reynolds, and Allison Schoenherr coming back for Coach Ronald LeBlanc. Adams had a very young team last season. The Highlanders have a ton of proven experience in Samantha Blaine, Layla Tomezak, Raegan Jarrell, and Faith Zoldos coming back for Coach Joe Malburg. Rochester is coming off their first district crown since 2016. The Falcons have Alice Max, Kylie Robinson, Kaitlyn Guiola, Kayla Parsons, and Lucy Cook coming back and Angela Cichowski could make some noise for Coach Bill Thurston. Stoney Creek has been a contender each year in this district and this season is no other. The Cougars have Sarah LaPrarie, Merrick Schlawbach, Taylor Fulkerson, and Izzy Ivezaj coming back but Coach Kellen James stepped down and Columbus Williams was named the new coach. Overall the Falcons are the slight favorite because of Max but the Cougars are right there as well as the Eagles but never count out the Highlanders or the Bulldogs by any means in this district.
Adams Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC1SlkaSIfs
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: This district has some surprises. Romeo is the two seed over Rochester but I don’t expect that to last for long, I would be shocked if the Falcons doesn’t overtake the Bulldogs. Romeo has had a very strong year thus far. Stoney Creek is locked into the top seed and has home court. Utica Eisenhower has surprisingly have had a down season. Adams has been struggling but they are still a tough out. Overall I put Romeo as the darkhorse and Stoney Creek has beaten both Rochester and Romeo on the road during the season. I don’t see any changes to the projections or anything at this time.
District 23 @ Warren Cousino
GROVES
ROYAL OAK
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
Sterling Heights
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Royal Oak, 2. Warren Cousino
FAVORITE: Royal Oak
NEXT: Warren Cousino
DARKHORSE: Groves
PLAYER ON SPOT: Jacey Roy-Groves
THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district which has a ton of different dynamics. Warren Cousino won 14 games last season and has home court. The Patriots have a ton of proven experience in DeMaya Asberry, Bailey Bainbridge, Laela Bendert, Sara Kozel, Nina Williamson, Alex Pfeiffer, Marleen Marooki, and Nevaeh Porter coming back for Coach Amy Mitchell. Warren Mott won 11 games last season. The Marauders have Leajah Ferguson, Claira Taylor, Addison Brown, and Conamora Ndana coming back for Coach Patrick Schmidt. Sterling Heights won 12 games last season for Coach Michael Gurney. Groves is a very interesting team. They lost a ton of talent but they have some proven players back from a team that should have beat Birmingham Marian in the district semifinals last season. The Falcons have Jacey Roy, Neveah Cochran-McCay, Cameron Little, and Cira Racco coming back for Coach Alison Hidey. Royal Oak may be the most dangerous team in this district because they have everyone from last season coming back. The Ravens have a ton of proven experience with Emilee Austin, Ceci Irwin, Meghan Hahn, Maddie Lawerence, Anna Waterstredt, Lydia Dickens, and Lucy Freytag coming back for Coach Brian Sopota. A player who could make some noise for Royal Oak is Katie Roelofs. She has made some noise during the summer and could be a key player for Sopota. “We’re east again with Groves there and several MAC schools, we’ve been south with Detroit Renaissance, north with Birmingham Marian, and the last time we went east Warren Cousino went onto win a State title, we’ll see different teams and compete in that district” Sopota said at Media Day. This should be a very interesting district to watch that is for sure.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: The MPR race is starting to get a little tighter especially for the two top seeds. Royal Oak still holds the edge despite some struggles lately. The Ravens have the top seed for now but that win over Rochester might loom large especially if the Falcons keep improving. Warren Cousino is going to try to make a charge at Royal Oak. The Patriots are locked into the two seed right now. Groves has really struggled which is very surprising. Warren Mott has been unexpectedly better than thought. Sterling Heights has really struggled. Overall I don’t see any changes at this time and the MPR proves it right now.
District 22 @ Farmington Hills Mercy
FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Farmington Hills Mercy
Birmingham Marian
PROJECTED MPR: 1. West Bloomfield, 2. Farmington Hills Mercy
FAVORITE: West Bloomfield
NEXT: Farmington Hills Mercy
DARKHORSE: Birmingham Marian
PLAYER ON SPOT: Sheridan Beal-West Bloomfield
THOUGHTS: This district is deemed the “Group of Death” with three proven schools that are in this district. West Bloomfield is a slight favorite in this district and I mean slight very lightly. The Lakers have Kendall Hendrix, Sheridan Beal, Destiny Washington, Ava Lord, Gabrielle Hale, Summer Davis and Indya Davis coming back for Coach Darrin McAllister. Farmington Hills Mercy is going to be a serious player in this district after winning 22 games last season. The Marlins have Aizlyn Albanese, Owynn Evans, Emily Walker, Allison Smiley, Ava Lorriane, Jessica Heath, and Abby Bores coming back for Coach Gary Morris. It was un Birmingham Marian like last season winning 10 games but they won a district. The Mustangs should be much better this season. They have Mackenzie Swanson, Molly McLeod, Ella Swanson, Charlie Bingham, Charlotte Quaine, Katelyn Morgan, Scarlett Bouschet, Abby Landa, Annalisa Bortolotti, and Ruby Jansen coming back for Coach Michelle Lindsey. They also have incoming freshmen Mack Reid who could make an impact this season. Farmington is a very interesting team with EdiMari King, Anna Tornachuk, and Jayla Silver coming back. They will have a new coach Natalie Nowak. North Farmington is in complete rebuild mode. The Raiders have Hannah Hart and Asiyah Jihad coming back along with transfer Anaiah Bowers for new Coach Michael Allin. Three teams have a shot to win this district as mentioned. Whoever wins this district would have earned it..
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: West Bloomfield is locked for the top seed in this district. The battle is for the second seed between Farmington Hills Mercy and Birmingham Marian. The Mustangs have not been the same team since beating the Marlins in overtime. Farmington Hills Mercy just got Albanese back from injury but they haven’t been consistent. What helps both teams is the Catholic League is tough, it’s possible they could meet one more time in the Catholic League playoffs. North Farmington has completely fallen apart, they have not been the same since the Lake Orion game. Farmington has really struggled this season. Overall no changes, I don’t see any of the Catholic League teams really challenging West Bloomfield at this time.
District 21 @ Berkley
BERKLEY
OAK PARK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Mumford
Redford Thurston
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2. Southfield Arts and Tech
FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance
NEXT: Southfield Arts and Tech
DARKHORSE: Berkley
PLAYER ON SPOT: Maeve Nolan-Berkley
THOUGHTS: This district looks very interesting on paper. Detroit Renaissance is the early favorite because they went to the Division One Final Four last season. The Phoenix have the majority of their roster in Alehia Wade, Anaya Hardy, Harmonie Bolton, Nyana Pharr, Victoria Gambles, Makayla Johnson, Christian Sanders, Sterling Gooden, Jaebrian Autry, Nevaeh Otis, Imani Johnson, and Marhea Bradshaw coming back for Coach DeShawn Wood. Detroit Mumford lost some talent from a team that won 10 games last season but they could be a sleeper. The Mustangs have Cherish Jefferson, CeNiyah Williams, Alaijah Thomas, and Kamira Bragg coming back for Coach Kareem Hogan. Redford Thurston won nine games last season but they will have a new coach in Sydney Droughins this season. Oak Park was up and down last season. The Knights should have some more experience for new coach Tyler Washington. Southfield Arts and Tech has been very good offensively but just awful defensibly. The Warriors have some proven talent in Kamara Paige, Christen Banks, Jordan Ushery, and Jamyra Fritz coming back for Coach Shaquita Coltrane. Berkley has a ton of proven experience after a very tough year last season. The Bears have Avery Wintergarden, Maeve Nolan, Haley Kirkwood, Katelin Sillis, Kate McAllister, Madi Boswell, and Nadia Watt coming back for new Coach Clay Shaver. Early on, this district looks like it’s Detroit Renaissance’s but Berkley and Southfield Arts and Tech could have says and maybe Detroit Mumford although it’s not likely with the Mustangs.
LATE JANUARY UPDATE: This district really has no changes. Detroit Renaissance has locked up the top seed in the district. The two seed could be very interesting between Southfield Arts and Tech and Berkley. The Warriors have been rolling while the Bears have a win over Rochester which is huge at the moment. Detroit Mumford has really struggled but they have played a really tough schedule. Redford Thurston could be a player as well. Overall no changes to the seeding or placement of the teams right now but there could be in February.
Here is the districts
https://my.mhsaa.com/Sports/Girls-Basketball/2024-Districts
