Inside the OAA
Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.
Friday, January 8, 2021
2021 Girls Basketball Preview.
Written Friday January 8th at 5:50 PM
Here are the 2021 previews for Girls Basketball in the OAA along with the top ten and outlooks heading into the season. If anything new comes up let me know at [email protected].
Here is the Top Ten and projected finish in order in each division to start the season. If you want to check the district page it is updated and I will have a link to that column.
Girls Basketball District page
https://sammy-taormina.blogspot.com/2020/09/girls-basketball-districts-are-out-2020.html
INSIDE THE OAA TOP TEN
- West Bloomfield
- Clarkston
- Troy
- Royal Oak
- Lake Orion
- Rochester
- Stoney Creek
- Adams
- Groves
- Oxford
Red
West Bloomfield: The Lakers have the most upside heading into the season and they have gotten a ton of attention. Coach Burt Mosley has turned West Bloomfield into a Girls Basketball power especially in the Red. The Lakers will be loaded with a ton of experience in Logan Lewis, Logan Chambers, Sydney Hendrix, and Myonna Hooper returning from a team that won the Red and a district title last season. West Bloomfield also added three impactful freshman in Kendall Hendrix, Indya, and Summer Davis. Hendrix has had a very strong summer in the AAU circuit as had both Davis sisters. They have made a ton of noise on the AAU circuit with the Michigan Storm during the summer. The Lakers have a lot to like in 2021. They took Hartland to the limit in the regional semifinals last season. West Bloomfield has the experience, youth, and drive to go along with program strength to be something special. The Lakers should be a force to be known.
Clarkston: The Wolves had a very successful year under Coach John Weyer last season getting to the regional semifinals before falling to Walled Lake Western. Weyer has done a wonderful job with the program building them up just like his PR1DE teams in the AAU world in his two seasons coaching at Flemings Lake Road. Clarkston will rely on their proven experience in 2021. The majority of his team has played on PR1DE which helps a ton. The Wolves will have Maddy Skourpski, Olivia Toderan, Izzy Hadley, Kaitlyn Kaul, Morgan Hunter, Megan Tolmie, Lena Eblenkamp, and Ryan Bordogna back. Clarkston lost one senior in Taylor Heaten to graduation. The wildcard is combo guard Ava Hernandez. Hernandez was solid last season in the junior varsity ranks. She is ready to prove that she can make an impact on varsity. The Wolves expect to make some noise this season and could threaten West Bloomfield in the Red.
Royal Oak: The Ravens have always been a defensive first program under Coach Brian Sopota. Royal Oak shocked Southfield Arts and Tech in the district semifinals after being blown out twice by the Warriors and their star player in Cheyenne McEvans in the regular season. They fell to Birmingham Marian in the district finals last season. There is a ton of optimism and questions heading into 2021 for Royal Oak. The Ravens are the classic “Batman and Robin.” Royal Oak will rely on three proven experienced players to carry them this season in combo guard/forward Sarah Soraghan. Soraghan is a pure scorer, can score in different ways basically playing the role of Batman. The Robin role is the question mark for Sopota and the Ravens. There are some talented players that could handle the role of Robin in Rexi Losemberg and Sarah Ammon. Program strength is very solid for Sopota despite having a ton of varsity inexperience this season. Royal Oak will need Soraghan to play well on a nightly basis and find someone like a Losemberg or an Ammon to play that Robin role. If they can do that with the defensive first mindset than there is no reason that the Ravens could be in the conversation.
Groves: The Falcons have made a ton of changes this offseason after falling to Southfield Arts and Tech in the pre-district. They made a huge splash by hiring AntJuan Simpkins to take over a program that has been up and down. Simpkins is well known for his run and gun at River Rouge and with the Michigan Storm AAU 2024 team. Groves has a ton of experience coming back in Kaitlyn Quinn, Rachel Sample, Destiny McCurdy, Loryn Middlebrooks, Peyton Blanford, Nevaeh Otis, Jordan Peterson, Ciara Racco, Alyssa Durrell, and Anaya Bracy-Robinson. The interior will be a huge question mark for the Falcons. Program strength is also a major concern going forward for Groves. If Simpkins can bring long term stability including in the sub-varsity with in the program then the Falcons could surprise some folks.
Southfield Arts and Tech: It has been a very surreal offseason for the Warriors. Southfield Arts and Tech lost Cheyenne McEvans and Jasmine Worthy to graduation. They were upset by Royal Oak in the district semifinals last season. It will be a new era for Warriors Girls Basketball in 2021. They have a new coach in Shaquita Coltrane. She takes over for Michelle Marshall whom retired this offseason. Coltrane comes to Southfield Arts and Tech from Southfield Bradford Academy and will look to make impact within the program. The Warriors have two proven starters in forward Jalyn Austin and point guard Kayonia Willis. Austin made some noise in 2019-2020 but now she will have a heavier workload. Willis had a very rough year in 2019-2020 but hopes a fresh start could help her gain some confidence this season. It looks like it’s going to be a very challenging season for Southfield Arts and Tech. It will take some time to adjust to life on both sides.
White
Troy: It was a very odd offseason for the Colts but there are some problems that the program needs to address. The big problem for Troy in the last two years has been in the postseason where they haven’t gotten past the district rounds despite earning the top seed in the district last season and also ironically both losses came to Utica. Bottom is that they haven’t gotten the job done in the postseason. The Colts hired Julius Porter as their new coach in May taking over for Simon Bato. Bato had a great career at Troy turning the program into a consistent power. Porter was an assistant coach under legendary Clarkston Boys Basketball coach Dan Fife. What helps Porter is that he has a program ready to prove themselves. He has a ton of proven experience in Kendall Zeiter, Kayla Rutledge, Charlotte Soboka, Alyssa Matuza, Lauren Gumma, Riya Chakravity, and Calen Knight. Program strength is very solid for the Colts as well. Porter walks into a great situation with program strength and proven returners. Just got to get some playoff success and Troy should be solid and ready to go.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars are in a very interesting spot heading into 2021. They had an up and down season which included a pre-district victory over Troy Athens but they had a very disappointing loss to Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals last season. Coach Kellen James needs to replace Lily DiPanni as she has graduated from the program but he has a point guard who’s ready to take over for DiPanni in Mia Carson. Carson had an interesting year in a much lesser role last season but now she becomes the top guard for “Team Finebalm.” James has a ton of proven experience that is back in Sydney LaPrairie, Devin Vowels, Milana Skoric, Kendall Kahl, Jaiden Drake, Ella Demetral, Kierra Hall, and Paris Cramer. The Cougars will be very experienced heading into 2021. Program strength looks to be solid for “Team Finebalm.” Stoney Creek should be in the mix in the White.
Adams: The Highlanders are going to be an interesting team to watch in 2021. Adams was above 500 in the regular season winning 12 games. They had postseason wins over Waterford Kettering and Oxford but they are coming off a very tough loss to Clarkston in the district finals last season. The Highlanders have a ton of proven experience in Maggie Dolegina, Madison Kessman, Lauren Petersmark, Elizabeth Blaine, Abbey Drahnak, Snigdha Tenneri, Emma Klott, and Kate Elliot. The wildcard could be Anjayna Howard whom had a great year last season in the sub varsities as a freshman. Coach Shay Lewis has a ton of experience which helps things moving forward. Program strength is a concern though for Lewis. Adams should be in the mix for the White this season.
North Farmington: The Raiders had an interesting year last season getting to the district finals before falling to Farmington Hills Mercy. Coach Jeff Simpson will be very young in 2021. North Farmington will rely on four key player in Sela Lefler, Kelsey Newton, Penelope Creary, and Heaven Rogers. Rogers will be a key player in the interior. Lefler is a very solid combo guard. Creary is a solid defender and can score. Newton can shoot the ball and play point guard from time to time. Program strength is a huge question mark for Simpson and his team. The Raiders look like they are going to be your perfect Jekyll and Hyde squad this season.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks should be an interesting team to watch in 2021. Bloomfield Hills made a program change late and there are several unknowns to keep an eye on when it comes to the Blackhawks named Kristen Massey the new coach of the program. Massey brings a ton of experience as a player to the program. There are several questions for Bloomfield Hills heading into the season. It could be a challenging season for the program.
Blue
Lake Orion: The Dragons have been through a lot but there is a lot of upside surrounding this team and program. It was a trial by fire last season for them. They fell to Clarkston in the district semifinals last season. Lake Orion has a ton of proven experience and young talent that is back and ready to prove they belong. Coach Bob Brydges has done a great job building this program back up in his two seasons back behind the varsity bench. Brydges will have Meghan Marshall, Sydney Maddox, and Kierra Tierney as that veteran core along with proven young experience players in Maddie Ebbert and Kylie Heck. Katie Van Heck returns from an ACL injury and gives them a huge physical presence inside. The Dragons have a young sophomore class that made a ton of noise last season. Ebbert and Heck are sophomores along with newcomers Taylor Dinda and Regan Greene. Lake Orion has a nice blend of youth and experience that is ready to break out. There are not a lot of people talking or taking notice of this program on the rise.
Rochester: The Falcons are a very interesting program to keep an eye on this season and in the future. I give credit to coaches Bill Thurston and Jeff Haney for turning the program around. What Rochester did was schedule quality sub varsity programs when they went three division Blue and it seems to be paying off. The Falcons made a surprising run in the postseason out of nowhere. They upset Utica in the district semifinals before falling to Utica Eisenhower in the district final Thurston has stabilized everything from a coaching standpoint and has brought stability. Rochester has a ton of experience that returns from last season in Megan Lorenzo, Jackie Hurst, Anaya Rangarjian, and Brooke Gordon. The Falcons also have program strength. Rochester is a team that is built for the long hall and certainly a team to keep an eye on.
Oxford: It will be very interesting for the Wildcats and not because they are going to be in a different district by going north to Genesee and Lapeer counties. Oxford has several key returners coming back from a team that struggled last season because of inexperience. The big one returning is combo guard Mackenzie Methner. Methner got injured in the second half of the season and is back fully healthy. She will be alongside shooting guard Emma Morris. Morris is as talented as a shooter anyone in the league. Coach Rachel Bryer has Jordan Hung, Charlotte McClenaghan, Payton Szymanski, Brooke Zeiter, Miranda Wyneimeko, and Erianna Hubbard to go along with Methner and Morris. The Wildcats are going to be a pure Jekyll and Hyde team. Program strength is strong as well especially with a strong sophomore class. Oxford should be a team to watch.
Berkley: The Bears are going to be a very interesting team to watch this season. Coach Kirk Carolan has done a wonderful job turning Berkley into a contender. The Bears did beat Royal Oak last season which was a huge step in the right direction. Berkley returns several key players in Ashley Loon, Jillian Gomes, Sammi Withrow, Orgley Kreugel, Cassidy Gifford, Brooklyn Weems, and Tessa Voss. Program strength is a question mark though. They have had proven success in the sub varsity level. If Carolan can strengthen the sub varsity levels and add a freshman program, the program would be much better off in the future. The Bears should be in the mix for the Blue.
Avondale: It’s going to be very interesting for the Yellow Jackets in 2021. Avondale has had to deal with some demons especially in the postseason when it comes to one team in West Bloomfield. They have four times to the Lakers in the last two years even though they the White last season. The Yellow Jackets have three starters back for Coach Roy Christmon in Reigan Lawrence, Tanah Jackson, and Savannah Schmidt. These three players are going to need to be at their best every night for them to win games. Program strength is very suspect at best. Avondale is going to be very young and there are a ton of questions surrounding this program. It could be a very bumpy ride for Christmon and his Yellow Jackets this season.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks were the second seed in the pre-district but fell to Stoney Creek last season. There are a ton of questions and some regrouping for Coach Stacie Klumpp’s program in 2021. They will need to replace 11 seniors from a squad that won 11 games in 2019-2020. Troy Athens has Nitaya Balusu, Ciara Shoales, and Gillian Clark back for what should be a very young team. The Red Hawks will need to get off to a fast start as they get adjusted to their new teammates. Troy Athens got off to a hot start early but they cooled off down the stretch. Program strength is a question mark for Troy Athens even though the Red Hawks will field three programs which adds to program strength. They have great coaches in the program. It could be a very challenging ride for Troy Athens this season.
Gold
Farmington: This could be the Falcons best team they have had in a while but there are some questions for the program that needs to be answered. Farmington has had great years and impactful players like Aaron Howell whom made noise in the past. They have done well in the lower divisions but once they get moved up they struggle. This is something that needs to be addressed along with program strength. The Falcons have a ton of proven experience back for Coach Lauren Guzman in Autumn Barnett, Sophia Holdwick, Lily Morrisette, Kenndi Jones, Val Pallett, Alyssa Simmons, Brielle Burns, Kaitlyn Carnac, and Madelyn Beckwitch. The Falcons were in the mix last season in the Gold. Farmington on paper is the favorite in the Gold but there will be some challengers. They will need to toughen up the non-league slate if they want to make some noise this season.
Seaholm: The Maples are going to be an interesting team to keep an eye on from a team that was in the Gold conversation last season. Seaholm has a ton of experience back for Coach Chris Manchester in Kate Sullivan, Kate Keifer, Gwyn Wiseman, Megan Blake, and Emily Jacoby. The wildcard is guard/forward Shay Manchester. Manchester is expected to make an impact for her father’s team. Seaholm has a ton of questions especially when it comes to program strength. They expect to be very competitive in the Gold this season.
Oak Park: The Knights had a very good regular season winning 13 games for Coach Peggy Evans-Carr but they ran into a very good Detroit Renaissance program in the pre-district last season. It could be very interesting how they can sustain it this season. Oak Park lost Kyla Wilson to graduation but Tamiya Todd is back and is expected to carry more of the load for the Knights. Program strength is a big concern for Evans-Carr but wonder if last season’s success could have an effect on the program. Oak Park will be a team to keep an eye on for sure.
Ferndale: The Eagles saw some improvement last season under Coach Keith Paris and program strength will certainly be tested again this season. Ferndale will have Zoe Rogers back for a team looking to take the next step building a program. Rogers will need to step up and take on more of a leading role for the Eagles. If Paris wants to take that next step he will certainly need to improve on things like the schedule and program development to be competitive.
Ferndale University: It will be a challenge by fire for the Golden Eagles and Coach Desdan Hester going into the OAA in 2021. Ferndale University won 11 games and beat Detroit Osborn from the postseason last season. The Golden Eagles don’t expect to be in the league mix this season but they could play the role of spoiler. It’s going to be a trial by fire for Hester and Ferndale University.