Inside the OAA
Covering all 22 OAA teams with insight and thoughts on each team from Northern Oakland County to Southern Oakland County.
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Basketball Thoughts After Five Weeks.
Written Saturday March 13th at 9:25 AM
Boys
Red
North Farmington might have earned themselves a reprieve a bit after beating Ferndale on Thursday night which they still need to win out and have the Eagles lose again. The pressure defense was at it again. The district was found to be at Birmingham Brother Rice which is a small gym and very helpful to the Raiders pressure defense. Basheer Jihad and Deon Hayes have played well. It looks like North Farmington has a lot to play for which a good sign for Coach Todd Negoshian and not forget the sub varsities have done very well as well. The future looks bright for the Raiders.
Ferndale has really struggled to score in the last two games (both losses) which is concerning heading into the postseason. They control their own destiny in the Red despite the loss to North Farmington at home on Thursday night. Travyon Lewis has played well but Jason Drake has really struggled down the stretch. Coach Juan Rickman needs to figure out how to get Drake more involved even though Jack Kennedy has played great basketball in the post but Drake is the key if the Eagles want to make a deep postseason run.
Clarkston is back to being Clarkston since Keegan Waslik returned to the lineup. Even though the Red is out of the picture, this is still Clarkston. Matt DePillo, Luke Scherler, and Nathan Steinman have stepped up their games in the final weeks of the season. Waslik has been the key though. The Wolves need to keep the train going especially with the postseason looming
West Bloomfield has really struggled with close games that’s a big concern heading into the postseason. The Lakers are 1-5 in games which are six points or less which has to make Coach Jeremy Dehna go nuts. West Bloomfield has gotten production from Mitchell Seay, Rishard Weaver, Ryan Hurst and company but they need to figure out and they are more than capable of winning the close games when it gets tough.
Oak Park reminds me of the “Twilight Zone.” There are games where they look good and then there are games where they look bad which the win-loss record looks like. The Knights have gotten contributions from Ashton Henderson but they need to find that consistent second and third scorers. Deon Henderson and Bwanda Miller have filled those roles but they haven’t been consistent. They have a tough district looming and they need to be on the same page.
Farmington has been playing better. They are relying on Prince Jackson and Robert Davis to carry them in the final weeks of the season. The Falcons have been scoring a ton of points but they are giving up a ton as well. If I’m Coach Terrance Porter defense has to be my top priority before the postseason starts.
White
Troy has been very inconsistent despite being tied for the White. What’s very concerning surrounding Coach Gary Fralick’s team has been that they have lost several close games but they were blown out by Linden on Thursday night at home. Brody Parker and Ethan Emerzian have been playing well but where is D’Anthony Hamilton, Jake Emerzian, and Image Hage??? I know that they have been playing a ton of basketball since being out of COVID protocol but the Colts need to be very collective if they want to get out of this funk before the postseason starts.
Trevor Smith scored his 2,000 point as a Cougar in a win over Groves on Thursday night. Stoney Creek has relied on Smith all season long on the scoring department. Jacob Felton has really stepped up for Coach Steve Norgrove. If the Cougars can take the load off Smith and get different guys involved night in and night out then this is a very dangerous team heading into the postseason.
Groves has been hovering around 500. The Falcons can play spoiler in the postseason as well with how Coach Benny White’s team play. Groves needs to find that consistency and they are more than capable of finding it. If they do then they will be in good shape heading into the postseason.
Bloomfield Hills is in COVID protocol. Coach Phil Kurajian will need his team to stay ready for the final stretch until the postseason starts but they are in the thick of the White race with Troy, Stoney Creek, and Adams. The Blackhawks will be back in action next week which should help things getting ready for a very tough district despite being at home.
Adams is in COVID protocol despite beating Rochester on a buzzer beater by Justice Mims which was his second on the year. The Highlanders have had a great season thus far and they will look to make an impact in the postseason. Coach Jaret Thomas should be coach of the year in the White. Adams will be fine but they will need to get some conditioning in before the postseason starts.
Southfield Arts and Tech has been a really hard team to figure out. The Warriors have a really tough stretch to close out the season and they are also a tough district as well. Southfield Arts and Tech is in a ton of trouble right now especially with how everything is shaping up it’s not a good sign for Coach Darreyle Buchanan.
Blue
Troy Athens has been hot and cold lately but questions still remain with them. The Red Hawks have gotten contributions from Michael Justice, Jordan Sebaugh, and Jonah Botardo but where is Jacob Thornton??? Thornton has not been consistent and that has to make Coach Dave Scott nuts. Troy Athens is in an interesting district and the main concern is Sterling Heights Stevenson despite having home court. The Red Hawks are in a dangerous spot heading into the final week of the season but Thornton needs to step up and quick.
Berkley has had a very rough March which they are 1-2 right now. The Bears are going to need players like Joey McNamara, Logan Thomas, and Jon Sherif to step up and help Arshad Walker. If Coach Joe Sermo can find this identity then they could be a very dangerous team come postseason time in a very difficult district that looms.
Oxford is in an very difficult spot right now. Mason Mulholland has led the Wildcats night in and night out but Coach Steve Laidlaw needs someone else to step up, could it be Trent Brown, Palmer Speck, Bryce Essman. Oxford has really struggled to find that second scorer even though there are numerous others that can do that as well. It hasn’t been easy for the Wildcats, they only scored 21 points against Stoney Creek. They have to find other scorers besides Mulholland and if they do they will be fine.
Lake Orion has played very good basketball despite losing a heartbreaker to a very good Detroit Cass Tech team on Thursday night but that loss might have been the best thing to happen to them because it prepares them for the postseason. The Dragons have a star in the making in Alden Ritt and a very good senior class in Will McClear, Nick Fisher, Andrew Bryant, Mark Smith, Brennan Jones, and Xander Blackney also that’s not counting Malachi Grandberry and the emergence of Jeff Perkowski and Blake Leidell. Coach Joel Schroeder is going to be fine even though they are in COVID protocol right now.
Seaholm picked up a huge confidence boosting win on Thursday night against Berkley. The Maples have gotten contributions from Johnny Cross, Tyler Eick, and Charlie Bokos but they need more if they want to make some noise in a very tough district. It’s been a challenging year for Coach Mike DeGetter but they are getting healthier The Maples could play spoiler in the Blue. They are a team that no one wants to see.
Gold
Pontiac will likely win the Gold this season but their lack on non-league very much concerns me when it comes to the postseason. Dioante Harris has played well for the Phoenix but they are going to need players like Tarah Hazard to step up especially against the likes of Orchard Lake St. Marys, Bloomfield Hills, and West Bloomfield. They have the league title but they are in serious trouble in a week.
Rochester suffered a heatbreaking loss to Adams at the buzzer on Tuesday night and is now in COVID protocol. The chances of winning the Gold are gone for Coach Vance Kirkwood’s team. Matt Stone and Mark Williams have been playing very well for them. The Falcons need to focus on getting ready for a very tough district looming at Stoney Creek.
Avondale has not been the same team since losing to Seaholm a few weeks ago. I am wondering is where is Jeremy Neal??? Neal has been Coach Pat Clancy’s best player but he has struggled in recent weeks. The Yellow Jackets need more production if they want to make any noise in the postseason.
Royal Oak has really fallen on hard times and that’s a concern going into the postseason. The Ravens have been competitive and have gotten contributions from Colton Champion and Charlie Grobowski but where is Jessie Hoisington??? Hoisington has really struggled but foul trouble has been the other reason as well. Coach Aaron Smith needs to keep Hoisington on the floor if they want to have the chance to win.
Ferndale University has been very competitive as shown in their last few games. They have struggled in their first year in the OAA. Martin Taylor has been very good for the Eagles despite being winless this season. They had a very tough loss to Avondale on Thursday night but questions remain for Ferndale University. The Eagles will be fine going forward but they have a ton of work to do.
Girls
Red
West Bloomfield has the Red all locked up with their two wins over Clarkston but they have not been looking good lately which is raising red flags. Even though they beat Groves on Friday night the loss to Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy and shocking blowout loss to Detroit Edison has me concerned for Coach Bert Mosley’s team. If the Lakers play like they did against Detroit Edison against let’s say Birmingham Marian in the district finals then this team could be going home early. There is a lot to be concerned about with West Bloomfield right now.
Clarkston has played fundamentally sound basketball lately. Maddy Skorupski has had monster games lately but the play of Olivia Toderan has me very impressed. She has been in double figures in the last two games. The Wolves have multiple players that can make an impact including Izzy Hadley, Kierra Tomlie, and Kaitlyn Kaul, among others. Clarkston doesn’t have really any concerns heading into the postseason unlike West Bloomfield but the district is very challenging in Romeo to say the least.
Royal Oak has seemed to turn the corner a bit. They have seemed to found a Robin in Kira Vance which has been a good sign for Coach Brian Sopota. Vance has been filling the score sheet and has played very well in the Robin role. The Ravens have been very inconsistent lately. Sarah Ammon has also had some turns being the Robin to Sarah Soroghan. If Soroghan doesn’t have to carry the load even though she is more than capable of putting a team on her shoulders than that would make the team that more dangerous heading into the postseason.
Groves reminds me of Spiderman when he wore the black suit and gained advanced powers from the suit. I wonder at times with the Falcons if that is the case surrounding this team. Nevedah Otis has really played well along with Jordan Sanders, Kaitlyn Quinn, and Rachel Sample among others but when they play good teams they seem to have trouble. They tend to lose the power of the black suit. Groves is going to see some very good teams which is why Coach AntJuan Simpkins set up a very difficult non league schedule but Groves tends to struggle in big time games. Now they are young but that’s not an excuse especially this late in the season.
Southfield Arts and Tech went back to bad habits again allowing 68 or more points in eight games this season. Kayonia Wills and Jaylen Austin have carried the Warriors but if they want to make any noise in the postseason they need to shore up the defensive side of the basketball because if they don’t then this team and program won’t go anywhere anytime soon.
White
Troy has me seriously concerned especially late in games. The Colts are what you describe is the classic “Scooby Doo Where Are You” type team. The Colts have gotten contributions from Lauren Gumma and Kendall Zeiter but they more players like Alyssa Matuza, Charlotte Sobotka, and Kalen Knight to step up. Troy has been around 500 and is now tied with Stoney Creek for the White. They need to find that next gear and quick especially with the postseason looming.
Stoney Creek is basically the classic “Sonic Three and Knuckles” team. The Cougars have basically used every zone to their advantage and has overcame every obstacle given to earn themselves a chance at the White crown. Sydney and Sarah LaPrarie’s have played great basketball along with Milana Skoric and Mia Carson has basically taken where Lili DiPanni has left off. Coach Kellen James has this team believing and they are clicking at the right time.
Adams has been in COVID protocol most of the week since the Farmington game. The Highlanders have a tough week ahead before the postseason starts in two weeks. Coach Shay Lewis will need to ride the experience of Maddie Dolegina, Elizabeth Blaine, Abbey Drahnak, and Lauren Petersmark. Adams is going to need to get back into form and quick. It’s going to be a challenge going forward.
North Farmington is very young and inexperienced which has shown in the results but the play of Sela Lefler and Heaven Rogers has to please Coach Jeff Simpson. The Raiders are having issues scoring as of late which is not a good sign heading into the postseason. North Farmington if they want to make some noise in the postseason is going to need to find some scoring and the defense has to come through if not then it could be a quick exit from the tournament.
Bloomfield Hills earned their first win for first year coach Kristen Massey by beating Dearborn Heights Robichaud on Friday afternoon in Dearborn. The Blackhawks had several players break out in that game but Emilia Johnson has played really well in the final weeks despite not getting the results they wanted. Bloomfield Hills has had games where they looked good and games they looked bad. This is a classic “Nights into Dreams” team. The future is a deep mystery with this program right now.
Blue
Avondale has really struggled this season despite having Ragein Lawrence, Savannah Schmidt, and Delilah Clark. The play of Lilly Titus has been interesting. She is a good point guard for Coach Roy Christmon. The Yellow Jackets according to sources say they have players coming in next season however questions surround this program.
Troy Athens put up 50 points in a loss to Troy a few weeks ago but they have only scored 34 and 29 this week. That is a serious concern going forward for the Red Hawks. Where is the scoring going to come from??? Coach Stacie Klumpp has Gillian Ciak, Clara Shoales, and Nitya Baltsu but they need someone to step up and score. If they can find offense then they will be fine going forward.
Rochester has really struggled since getting off COVID protocol losing three straight games. I’m wondering where is Jackie Hurst??? Hurst has not been an offensive factor since they came off COVID protocol. Megan Lorenzo has carried the Falcons but they need more than Lorenzo. Hurst is more than capable of having a big game as has Anaya Ranjarian. Coach Bill Thurston has to find a way to get Hurst going because if they can’t get Hurst going then they could be in big trouble this postseason.
Berkley has started to become very dangerous and they are gaining confidence in each game. The Bears have gotten contributions from Ashley Loon, Sammi Winthrow, Ry Sanom, and Ava Beard. That is a good sign for Coach Kurt Carolian and his team. Berkley is peaking at the right time and they will need to be especially with a tough district looming in the postseason.
Oxford has been red hot lately and controls their own destiny in the Blue. They have gotten confidence from Mackenzie Methner and Miranda Wymeniko. They did get some bad news with the season ending shoulder injury to Emma Morris. Wymeniko has really stepped up her game for Coach Rachel Bryer. The Wildcats are gaining a ton of confidence as a group especially with that district looming in Grand Blanc where they have to see Davison, Flint Kearsley, Grand Blanc, and Lapeer.
Lake Orion has gotten hit with the injury bug with ankle injuries to Meghan Marshall and Kylie Heck. The Dragons have gotten contributions from their sophomore class and Katie Van Heck. Coach Bob Brydges has Lake Orion in a good spot. They need to stay healthy and with a young and upcoming team they will be dangerous for years to come.
Gold
Farmington has been in COVID protocol but they have the Gold wrapped up. Autumn Bartlett, Kennedi Jones, Val Pallett, among others are going to need to step up if they want to make some noise in the postseason. The Falcons are more than capable of having a postseason run especially with the schedule they have played. The key will be how they get back into routine and if they do then look out. It will be interesting to see what happens for Coach Laura Guzman and her team going forward.
Seaholm has really fallen on hard times lately. Maggie Leibler had a nice game a few nights ago getting 14 points and 15 rebounds. The Maples need more from Shay Manchester and company. They could be in for a long postseason. Coach Chris Manchester needs to figure things out and quickly.
Ferndale University picked up a monster win over Avondale on the road last Wednesday night. The Eagles are slowly getting adjusted to life in the OAA. Ferndale University needs to keep building especially with a winnable district looming in a few weeks
Oak Park has really played better and a lot of that is Tamara Todd but there are others that are playing well for Coach Peggy Evans Carr. The Knights were very impressive in their stunning 16 point win over Seaholm last Tuesday night. Oak Park will have it tough in their district but if Todd plays well they have a chance but they need to stay away from Detroit Renaissance.